Bobby Caldwell (reissued on CD as What You Won't Do for Love) is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell. It was released in October 1978 through the Clouds imprint of TK Records.
The album debuted on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart in the issue dated November 18, 1978, and remained on the chart for 31 weeks, peaking at number 21. it also debuted on the Billboard Soul LP's chart, in the issue dated November 25, 1978, and remained on the chart for 28 weeks, peaking at number seven.
The single "What You Won't Do for Love" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 23, 1978, spending three weeks at number nine during a 20-week run. It also reached number ten on the Cash Box singles chart during its 19-week run, number six on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles during its 23-week run, and number ten on the Billboard Easy Listening chart during its 16-week run.
Reception
M.F. DiBella of AllMusic notes "While a few of the compositions echo the dying grip of disco and some of Caldwell's vocal arrangements sound more like a hipper version of Tony Bennett ("Can't Say Goodbye"), the crooner does possess the pipes to carry the offering. Caldwell even tries his hand at the experimental on the short but sweet instrumental "Kalimba Song." Time will likely render much of Bobby Caldwell disposable, but at the album's best, the songs do carry a singular sound and contain the power to place themselves in a time period, which may just be good enough for lovers.
Billboard notes that "This album is an excellent showcase for Caldwell to display his multi-talents, in addition to handling the smooth vocals."
Cash Box stated that "The majority of the album's songs display a propelling disco beat, but Caldwell is able to inject an imaginative, expressive lyrical texture through his insightful compositions and Stevie Wonder-styled voice."
Record World stated that the album showed "Bobby's style and format reaches all ends of the spectrum and back."
Track listing
Personnel Musicians Bobby Caldwell – lead vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, guitars, bass Ed Green, Joe Galdo, Harold Seay – drums George "Chocolate" Perry, Richie Valesquez – bass Alfons Kettner – guitar Steve Mealy – guitar Benny Latimore – keyboards Mike Lewis – horns and strings arrangement
Production Ann Holloway – producer Marsha Radcliffe – producer (on "Special to Me" and "My Flame") George "Chocolate" Perry – producer (on "Can't Say Goodbye") Henry Marx – personal management
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1979) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1979) Position US Billboard 200 75 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 26
Singles Year Single Chart positions US USR&BUS A/CUS Cashbox 1979 "What You Won't Do for Love" 9 61010
Certifications
Release history +Release formats for What You Won't Do For Love Region Date Label Format Catalog Notes United States 1978 LP, cassette, 8-track CCL 8804 Canada LP, cassette PTK 92032 Worldwide TKR 83362 Japan 2AP 1354 1988 CD, LP P28P-25083, 18MM 0668 2004–2005 Victor CD VICP-62941, VICP-63191 Worldwide 2010s Streaming
References
External links