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The Contender Album Cover

The Contender

Original Release Date: 

1978

Original Label:

Polydor (World outside North America)

The international release of Jim’s 1978 album was his debut for Polydor, and found him flexing his musical muscles with the occasional nod to the dancefloor, and a cover of Brian Hyland’s “Sealed With A Kiss”. The title song soundtracked the film of the same name by Kevin O’Neal.

"There’s not a song on The Contender that isn’t enjoyable...Capaldi is a master arranger and singer"

Joseph Kyle, The Recoup

TRACKLISTING

01 Dirty Business

02 Sealed With A Kiss

03 Daughter Of The Night

04 You Burn Me

05 Game Of Love

06 The Contender

07 Elixir Of Life

08 Short Ends

09 Hunger And Greed

CREDITS

Produced by Jim Capaldi, except “Dirty Business” produced by Jimmy Miller; and “Daughter Of The Night” and “Game Of Love” produced by Peter Sullivan


All songs written by Jim Capaldi, except “Sealed With A Kiss” written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld; “Daughter Of The Night” written by Michael Rickfors, H. Huss; “Game Of Love” written by Jim Capaldi and R. Otu; and “Elixir Of Life” and “Short Ends” written by Jim Capaldi and Ester Anderson


Musicians:

Guitar: Peter Bonas; Rhythm Guitar by Ray Parker on “Daughter Of The Night” and “Game Of Love”; Jackie MacAuley on “You Burn Me”; Lead Guitar by Dean Parks on “Daughter Of The Night” and “Game Of Love”; and by Paul Kossoff on “The Contender”

Piano and moog: John Barnes on “Daughter Of The Night” and “Game Of Love”

Keyboards: Chris Parren

Bass: Alan Spenner; David Shields and Chuck Rainey on “Daughter Of The Night” and “Game Of Love”; and The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section on “The Contender”

Saxophone, congas and vocals: Ray Allen

Percussion and backing vocals: Phil Capaldi

Steel Pan: Ralf Richardson on “You Burn Me”

Drums: Trevor Morais; Ed Greene on “Daughter Of The Night” and “Game Of Love”; and The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section on “The Contender”


String arrangements: Harry Robinson on “Sealed With A Kiss”; Joe Rinsetti on “Daughter Of The Night”; and Joe Rinsetti and Ray Allen on “Game Of Love”


Photographs: Mike Berkovsky

Designed by John Gordon

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