Description

Bonnie Tyler | Goodbye to the Island | CD

USED-VERY GOOD

Product Information

UPC: 5017615628821
Product Type: Audio CD
Genre: Pop/Rock
Language: English
Format: CD, Album
Track Count: 10
Release Date: Originally 1981, re-released 1992
Publisher: Castle Communications PLC
Catalog Number: CLACD 288
Origin: Made in the EEC

Overview

"Goodbye to the Island" is Bonnie Tyler's fourth studio album, originally released in 1981 and reissued on CD by Castle Communications in 1992. This often overlooked gem in Tyler's discography showcases her distinctive raspy vocals across a diverse selection of songs, including both original compositions by her longtime collaborators Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe, as well as thoughtfully selected covers. While released during a transitional period in Tyler's career before her global mega-success with "Total Eclipse of the Heart," this album demonstrates her versatile vocal talents and sophisticated musical direction, blending rock, pop, and country influences with her signature emotional delivery.

Product Features

Format: Digitally remastered CD from original recordings
Content: 10 tracks featuring both original compositions and cover versions
Vocal Performance: Showcases Tyler's distinctive husky vocals
Production: Produced by Hugh Murphy, Ronnie Scott, and Steve Wolfe for Soundbarrier
Historical Significance: Fourth studio album from Tyler's pre-"Total Eclipse" era
Liner Notes: Informative essay by music journalist John Tobler
Special Interest: Includes early Chris Rea composition "The Closer You Get"

Interesting Facts

The Voice That Almost Wasn't

Bonnie Tyler's career-defining husky voice was the result of a medical procedure gone both right and wrong. Born Gaynor Hopkins in South Wales in 1953, Tyler developed vocal nodules after performing regularly on the Welsh club circuit. Following surgery to remove the nodules in 1976, she was warned not to speak for six weeks during recovery. Unable to maintain silence, she permanently altered her voice, creating the distinctive raspy quality that would become her trademark. What could have ended her singing career instead gave her one of the most recognizable voices in pop music, often compared to Rod Stewart's gravelly delivery.

Between Two Career Peaks

"Goodbye to the Island" was released during a curious transitional period in Bonnie Tyler's career. In 1976-77, she had achieved international success with her breakthrough hit "Lost in France" and the massive follow-up "It's a Heartache." However, when this album was released in 1981, Tyler was considered somewhat passé by the British music press. Little did anyone know that just two years later, Tyler would achieve an extraordinary career revival with "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and the album "Faster Than the Speed of Night," which would top the UK album charts and reach #4 in the US. This makes "Goodbye to the Island" a fascinating snapshot of an artist between two significant peaks of commercial success.

Collaborative Connections

The album features an interesting mix of collaborative talent. Most notably, it includes "The Closer You Get," an early composition by Chris Rea before he became a household name with hits like "Road to Hell" and "Josephine." The album was produced by Hugh Murphy, who had worked with Gerry Rafferty on classics like "Baker Street," along with Tyler's longtime songwriting team Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe. This combination of talents creates a sophisticated sound that bridges pop, rock, and adult contemporary styles, showcasing Tyler's versatility as a vocalist beyond the power ballads for which she would later become best known.

Track Listing

I'M JUST A WOMAN (3:54)
WE DANCED ON THE CEILING (3:12)
WILD LOVE (4:02)
THE CLOSER YOU GET (3:48)
SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH (4:13)
GOODBYE TO THE ISLAND (3:53)
WILD SIDE OF LIFE (2:56)
WHITER SHADE OF PALE (4:27)
SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE OCEAN (3:37)
I BELIEVE IN YOUR SWEET LOVE (3:16)

Publishers

All tracks licensed from Soundbarrier Ltd. (P) RCA Records Ltd. 1990 © Castle Communications PLC. Produced by Hugh Murphy for Soundbarrier (tracks unspecified) and by Hugh Murphy, Ronnie Scott & Steve Wolfe for Soundbarrier (tracks unspecified).

We value your feedback! Share your experience with this product to help others make informed decisions. Your review is important to us!