Living All Alone Explained
Living All Alone is the seventh album by American soul singer-songwriter Phyllis Hyman. It was released by Philadelphia International Records in 1986. The album contains the title track, which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and has become one of Hyman's most well-known hits.[1]
Singles
"Old Friend" was released as the first single from the album in the United States. It entered the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on August 30, 1986 and peaked at no. 14 in the week dated November 1, 1986.[2] The 7" single included a shortened version of the song with the album version of "Screaming at the Moon" on the b-side.[3] A 12" single was also released, which contained a total of four tracks; the short and full-length album versions of "Old Friend", and the album and extended versions of "Screaming at the Moon".[4]
"Living All Alone" was the second U.S. single from the album. It entered the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on December 20, 1986 and peaked at no. 12 in the week dated March 7, 1987.[2] The 7" single included a shortened version of the song with "What You Won't Do for Love" as the b-side.[5] A promotional 12" release included a rare 'Special Edit' of the song which was a minute longer than the album version.[6]
"Ain't You Had Enough Love" was released as the third U.S. single. It entered the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on May 9, 1987 and peaked at no. 29 on July 11, 1987.[2] The 7" single included the album version of the track with "First Time Together" on the b-side.[7] The 12" single included an extended version of the song.[8] A promotional 12" release additionally included an instrumental and the 'Percussapella' mix.[9]
"You Just Don't Know" was the final U.S. single from Living All Alone. The 7" single included the album version of the song with "Slow Dancin'" on the b-side.[10] A promotional 12" single was also released, but unlike previous singles it contained the same content as the 7" single.[11] "You Just Don't Know" was the only single from the album which did not enter the Billboard Hot Hip-Hop/R&B Songs Chart.
"Screaming at the Moon" was released as a single in the United Kingdom, entering the singles chart on April 4, 1987 at its peak position of no. 83, staying on the chart for three weeks. The U.K. 7" single included a shortened version of the song with the album version of "Ain't You Had Enough Love" on the b-side.[12] The 12" single included the extended and album versions of "Screaming at the Moon".[13] The b-side "Ain't You Had Enough Love" had a promotional 12" release in the United Kingdom, containing the extended and 'Percussapella' versions.[14]
Reception
Jason Elias of Allmusic called Living All Alone "one of Hyman's finest efforts" with "top-notch" vocals, though noted that there was "a sense of melancholy" apparent throughout the album.
Personnel
- Phyllis Hyman – vocals, background whistling (1), backing vocals (7-9), vocal arrangements (7, 8)
- Randy Cantor – keyboards (1, 7, 8), rhythm arrangements (7, 8)
- Dexter Wansel – keyboards (1), arrangements (1)
- Thom Bell – acoustic piano (2, 4-6), synthesizers (2, 4-6), arrangements (2, 4-6)
- Casey James – synthesizers (2, 4-6), percussion (2, 4-6)
- Reggie Griffin –synthesizers (3), lead guitar (3), guitars (3), bass guitar (3), drum programming (3), saxophone (3), arrangements (3)
- Kae Williams, Jr. – keyboards (7, 8), bass (7, 8), acoustic piano (8), Ensoniq Mirage solo (8)
- Terry Burrus – keyboards (9), Linn 9000 (9)
- Joe Fusco – guitars (1)
- Herb Smith – guitars (1)
- LeRoy Bell – guitars (2, 4-6), drums (2, 4-6), percussion (2, 4-6)
- Ron Jennings – guitars (7, 8)
- Michael Dino Campbell – guitars (9)
- Steve Green – bass (1)
- Alvin Moody – bass guitar (9)
- Clifford "Pete" Rudd – drums (1)
- Jim Salamone – drums (7, 8), percussion (7, 8), rhythm arrangements (7, 8)
- Doug Nally – drums (9)
- Daryl Burgee – percussion (7, 8)
- Mayra Casales – percussion (9)
- Greg Scott – tenor saxophone (1)
- Sam Peake – sax solo (7)
- Ron Kerber – soprano saxophone (9)
- Brian Castor – trombone (1)
- Joseph Smithers, Jr. – trumpet (1), flugelhorn (1)
- Studio Brass – horns (8)
- Nick Martinelli – rhythm arrangements (7, 8), vocal arrangements (7, 8), percussion (8)
- Larry Davis – horn arrangements (8)
- Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals (3)
- Audrey Wheeler – backing vocals (3)
- Carla L. Benson – backing vocals (4)
- Evette Benton – backing vocals (4)
- Deborah Siler-Young – backing vocals (4)
- Cuca Echevarria – backing vocals (8)
- Juanita Johnson – backing vocals (8)
- James King – backing vocals (8)
- John King – backing vocals (8)
- Terri Wells – backing vocals (8)
- Lou Rawls – vocals (10)
- James Cleveland – vocals (10)
- Josie James – backing vocals (10)
Production
- Thom Bell – executive producer
- Kenny Gamble – executive producer
- Leon Huff – executive producer
- Eileen Whelihan – coordinator (7, 8)
- Peter Humphreys – recording
- Arthur Stoppe – recording
- Michael Tarsia – recording, mixing
- Randy Abrams – assistant engineer
- John Cramer – assistant engineer
- Scott E. MacMinn – assistant engineer
- Jean-Claude "Poke" Olivier – assistant engineer
- Adam Silverman – assistant engineer
- Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs (New York, NY) – mastering location
- Paula Scher – cover art direction
- Jean Pagliuso – photography
- Rick Gillette – set environment
- Cassandra McShepard – wardrobe
- Allan Forbes – make-up
- Dan Wintrode – hair stylist
- Gracia, Francis & Associates – management
Notes and References
- Web site: Living All Alone – Phyllis Hyman . AllMusic . February 29, 2012.
- Web site: Phyllis Hyman Chart History. November 15, 2023. Billboard.
- Phyllis Hyman. Old Friend. Philadelphia International Records. B-50031.
- Phyllis Hyman. Old Friend. Philadelphia International Records. V-56032.
- Phyllis Hyman. Living All Alone. Philadelphia International Records. B-50059.
- Phyllis Hyman. Living All Alone. Philadelphia International Records. SPRO-9911.
- Phyllis Hyman. Ain't You Had Enough Love. Philadelphia International Records. B-50070.
- Phyllis Hyman. Ain't You Had Enough Love. Philadelphia International Records. V-56051.
- Phyllis Hyman. Ain't You Had Enough Love. Philadelphia International Records. SPRO-79019.
- Phyllis Hyman. You Just Don't Know. Philadelphia International Records. B-50095.
- Phyllis Hyman. You Just Don't Know. Philadelphia International Records. SPRO 79138.
- Phyllis Hyman. Screaming at the Moon. Philadelphia International Records. PIR 4.
- Phyllis Hyman. Screaming at the Moon. Philadelphia International Records. 12 PIR 4.
- Phyllis Hyman. Ain't You Had Enough Love. Philadelphia International Records. PSLP 1007.
- Web site: The Official Charts Company. OfficialCharts.com. November 13, 2023.
