My Secret Passion

Performer: Michael Bolton
Artist: Renée Fleming
Engineer: David Reitzas; Rob Rapley
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel: Michael Bolton, Renee Fleming (vocals); Steven Mercurio (conductor); The Philharmonia Orchestra. Producers: Grace Row, Michael Bolton, Dave Reitzas. Principally recorded at Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London, England between February 20 & 24, 1997. Includes liner notes by Michael Bolton. Personnel: Michael Bolton (vocals, tenor); Ren�e Fleming (vocals). Audio Mixer: Dave Reitzas. Recording information: Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London, England (02/20/1997-02/24/1997); Passion Studios, CT (02/20/1997-02/24/1997); Record Plant, CA (02/20/1997-02/24/1997); Sony Music Studios, New York, NY (02/20/1997-02/24/1997). Director: Louis Levin. Editors: Bob Whitney; Rob Rapley. Illustrator: Tom Woodruff. Photographer: Sheila Metzner. Translator: Richard Haney-Jardine. Unknown Contributor Role: Philharmonia Orchestra. There's a long line of pop stars-turned-classicists that includes Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Joe Jackson and Billy Joel. The latest name to enter those ranks is Adult Contemporary hearthrob Michael Bolton, who makes the move from Otis Redding to Puccini on MY SECRET PASSION. Unlike the aforementioned rockers, though, Bolton doesn't attempt to reinvent himself as a classical composer. Instead, he relies solely on the instrument that has garnered him so much acclaim over the years; his keening, dramatic tenor. Bolton applies his larger-than-life voice to classic arias from "La Boheme," "Tosca" and other operas. The reverb levels with which Bolton's voice is recorded may be unusually high by operatic standards, but this is no crossover disc. Backed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Bolton plays it straight throughout, making no concessions to his pop audience, concerned only with documenting his SECRET PASSION.

Making women swoon with his good looks and soulful voice, Bolton was a major pop star in the 1980s and '90s, winning Grammys and selling millions of records. In the '70s, Bolton was the singer for the hard rock band Blackjack, which also featured future members of Kiss and the Pat Travers Band, but he didn't break through until going solo. His outsized pop versions of soul hits like "Dock of the Bay" scored big with boomers and youngsters alike.

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