Def, Dumb And Blonde

''Def, Dumb & Blonde'' is the third solo studio album by American singer Deborah Harry. Released in October 1989 on Sire Records in the US and Chrysalis Records in the UK, the album saw Harry revert from "Debbie" to "Deborah" as her professional name. Harry worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins and Mike Chapman, who had previously produced the last four Blondie albums. "I wanted to do certain things that were reminiscent of Blondie," she stated.

It was also revealed that the original title of the album was "Dream Season" but it was changed due to a similarly titled Pat Benatar album – presumably the previous year's ''Wide Awake in Dreamland''.

Promotion and reception

The song " I Want That Man", written by Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie of the Thompson Twins, was released as the lead single. It made the Top 20 of the UK Singles Chart and was Harry's biggest solo chart success in Australia, where it reached number 2. Other singles released from the album included "Kiss It Better", "Brite Side", " Sweet and Low" and " Maybe for Sure". Ian Astbury sings backing vocals on two songs.

In late 1989, Harry toured extensively in Europe and the United States for the first time as a solo artist to support the album. Due to a lack of record company promotion, the album was not a commercial success in Harry's native United States, peaking at number 123 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 200 album chart. It performed better in Australia and the UK, peaking at numbers 10 and 12 respectively, and has been certified Silver by the BPI.

''Hi-Fi News & Record Review'' commented that "The crucial returns that left this set far above her two previous (and disappointing) solo LPs are those of Chris Stein and producer Mike Chapman," (although Stein had actually been heavily involved as both a songwriter and musician in Harry's previous two solo LPs). The magazine awarded the album an "A:1" rating, noting that " teinadds songwriting and instrumental punch to the songs, while Chapman's production sends the material flying from the speakers."''Hi-Fi News & Record Review'', precise date unknown, 1989

Track listing

All tracks written by Deborah Harry and Chris Stein and produced by Mike Chapman, unless otherwise is noted. "Bike Boy and "Comic Books" are bonus tracks on both the cassette and CD versions; while "I'll Never Fall in Love" and "Forced to Live" are bonus tracks on the CD version only.

Note: Side A runs from tracks 1-6 and side B from 7-11.

Note: Side A runs from tracks 1-7 and side B from 8-13.

Personnel

* Deborah Harry – vocals
* Phil Ashley – keyboards, synthesizer programming
* Steve Goldstein – keyboards
* Tom Bailey – Fairlight CMI (1, 3)
* David Bravo – keyboards (9), programming (9)
* Toni C. (Antoinette Colandero) – keyboards (9), programming (9)
* Johann Brundquist – keyboard overdubs (9)
* Bobby Khozouri – keyboards (14)
* Mac Quayle – keyboards (14)
* Chris Stein – guitars, musical arrangements, backing vocals (4), all other instruments (14)
* Leigh Foxx – bass guitar
* Terry Bozzio – drums
* Geoff Dugmore – drums (1, 3)
* Thommy Price – drums
* Arthur Baker – drums (14)
* Paulinho da Costa – percussion (8)
* Ian Astbury – backing vocals (2)
* Mike Chapman – backing vocals (4)
* Gary Valentine – backing vocals (4)
* Adele Bertei – backing vocals (9)
* Arif St. Michael – backing vocals (9)
* Biti Strauchn – backing vocals (9)
* Dennis Christopher – backing vocals (13)
* Keith Primi – backing vocals (13)

Production

* Tom Bailey – producer (1, 3), mixing (1, 3)
* Eric "E.T." Thorngren – producer (1, 3), mixing (1, 3)
* Ben Grosse – additional production (1), remixing (1)
* Mike Chapman – producer (2, 4-8, 10-13, 15), mixing (2, 4-8, 10-13, 15)
* Toni C. – producer (9)
* Deborah Harry – producer (9, 14)
* Chris Stein – producing assistance, producer (9, 14)
* Arthur Baker – additional production (9, 14), additional mixing (9, 14)
* Mike O'Hora – engineer (for Deborah Harry and Chris Stein)
* George Tutko – engineer (2, 4-8, 10-13, 15)
* James "Doc" Dougherty – engineer (9)
* Rob Paustian – mix engineer (9)
* Steve Peck – engineer (14)
* Paul McKenna – mix engineer (14)
* Mike Kloster – studio assistance
* Arthur Elgort – photography
* Deborah Norcross – art direction, design
* Jeri Helden – art direction, design
* Gary Kurfirst – management

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Def, Dumb and Blonde
Debbie Harry albums
1989 albums
Albums produced by Mike Chapman
Albums produced by Arthur Baker (musician)
Chrysalis Records albums
Sire Records albums
Albums produced by Chris Stein
Albums produced by Tom Bailey (musician)