Stiletto is the fourth solo studio album by the American musician Lita Ford. It includes the singles "Hungry" and "Lisa". The album peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard 200.[2] Ford supported the album by touring with Mötley Crüe.[3]

Stiletto
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 15, 1990
Recorded1989-1990
StudioRCA Recording Studios, New York City,
Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, New York,
Horizon Studios, Wilton Connecticut,
Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California
GenrePop metal, hard rock[1]
Length51:31
LabelRCA
ProducerMike Chapman
Lita Ford chronology
Lita
(1988)
Stiletto
(1990)
Dangerous Curves
(1991)
Singles from Stiletto
  1. "Hungry" / "Big Gun"
    Released: July 1990
  2. "Lisa" / "The Ripper"
    Released: 1990 (UK only)

Production edit

The album was produced by Mike Chapman.[1] "Lisa" is about Ford's mother.[4] "Only Women Bleed" is a cover of the Alice Cooper song.[5] Ford employed synthesized strings and horns on the album.[6]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [7]
Calgary HeraldB[8]
Chicago Tribune    [5]
Los Angeles Times     [9]
Ottawa Citizen     [4]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that "Ford rides her sex-bomb goddess image, serviceable vocals and one o' the lads guitarwork hard 'n' heavy for almost one full side of this LP."[9] The Calgary Herald determined that "Stiletto abandons wallowing in past sub-par metal yearnings and instead tries a more mainstream approach."[8]

The Vancouver Sun opined that Ford "just doesn't have the heavy metal vocal screech or the powerthud music to make her songs more than mildly amusing."[10] The Orlando Sentinel panned the "stupid lyrics and ... bombastic guitar solos."[11]

Track listing edit

Side one

  1. "Your Wake Up Call" (Mike Chapman, David Ezrin, Lita Ford, Myron Grombacher, Don Nossov) – 1:59
  2. "Hungry" (Michael Dan Ehmig, Ford) – 4:57
  3. "Dedication" (Chapman) – 3:34
  4. "Stiletto" (Ford, Holly Knight) – 4:37
  5. "Lisa" (Ehmig, Ford) – 4:45
  6. "The Ripper" (Ezrin, Ford) – 5:20
Side two
  1. "Big Gun" (Ford, Grombacher, Nossov) – 4:37
  2. "Only Women Bleed" (Alice Cooper, Dick Wagner) – 6:03
  3. "Bad Boy" (Ford, Mark Spiro) – 3:59
  4. "Aces & Eights" (Ford, Grombacher, Kevin Savigar) – 4:20
  5. "Cherry Red" (Ehmig, Ford) – 4:09
  6. "Outro" (Ezrin, Ford, Grombacher, Nossov) – 1:56

Personnel edit

Band members

  • Lita Ford – guitar, vocals
  • David Ezrin – keyboards
  • Don Nossov – bass guitar
  • Myron Grombacher – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

  • Pablo Calagero - baritone saxophone
  • Richie Cannata - tenor saxophone, horns arrangements
  • Barry Danelian - trumpet
  • Kevin Osborne - trombone, backing vocals, horns arrangements
  • Mike Chapman, Tim Lawless, Ozzie Melendez - backing vocals
  • Ralph Schuckett - strings arrangements

Production

  • Mike Chapman - producer, mixing
  • Marc DeSisto, Steve Marcantonio, Brian McGee, Dave Wittman - engineers
  • Neal Avron, Dan Hetzel, Mike Kloster, Jay Newland, Ingrid M. Paaske, Steve Rossi, Tommy Skarupa, Vic Steffans, Ted Trewhalla, Thomas R. Yezzi - assistant engineers
  • Ted Trewhalla, William Wittman - mixing
  • George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC - mastering

Charts edit

Chart (1990) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA Charts)[12] 77
Swiss Albums Chart[13] 26
Swedish Albums Chart[14] 36
Billboard 200 (USA)[2] 52
RPM100 Albums (Canada)[15] 54
UK Albums Chart[16] 66

References edit

  1. ^ a b Jenkins, Mark (17 Aug 1990). "Market Trends of Heavy Metal". The Washington Post. p. N16.
  2. ^ a b "Stiletto Billboard Albums". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
  3. ^ "Motley Crue Returning for Performance in City". Weekend. The Oklahoman. July 20, 1990. p. 5.
  4. ^ a b Erskine, Evelyn (29 June 1990). "Lita Ford Stiletto". Ottawa Citizen. p. D6.
  5. ^ a b Herrmann, Brenda (2 Aug 1990). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
  6. ^ Burliuk, Greg (15 Sep 1990). "Stiletto Lita Ford". Magazine. The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 1.
  7. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Lita Ford Stiletto review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  8. ^ a b Miller, Glen (21 June 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. G4.
  9. ^ a b Waller, Don (10 June 1990). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 70.
  10. ^ Mackie, John (12 July 1990). "Rock/Pop". Vancouver Sun. p. F4.
  11. ^ Gettelman, Parry (17 Aug 1990). "Lita Ford". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 25.
  12. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 106.
  13. ^ "Lita Ford - Stiletto". Hitparade.ch (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Lita Ford – Stiletto (album)". Swedishcharts.com. Media Control Charts. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  15. ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 52, No. 15, August 25, 1990". Library and Archives Canada. 25 August 1990. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Artist Chart History – Lita Ford". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 16, 2014.