Closer to the Flame (Dave Edmunds album)

Closer to the Flame is a 1989 album by Welsh rock musician Dave Edmunds. The album was Edmunds's first studio album in five years, and his only release for Capitol Records.

The album reached #146 in the United States, and the single "King of Love" hit #68 in the UK; this was the last chart appearance in America to date. However, in the UK Edmunds had a top 40 album best of in 2008.

"King of Love" features guest appearances by two of the Stray Cats: Brian Setzer contributes background vocals, and Lee Rocker plays upright bass.

It was recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California, and Ardent Studios Memphis, Tennessee.

Reviews
Although not considered to be one of Edmunds’ best albums, it has been generally well received by critics. Entertainment Weekly’s Greg Sandow enthused, "I’m trying to think of someone who wouldn’t love this album. Manuel Noriega? Right from the start, the music goes down like good whiskey, with a big, deep sound that warms the pit of your gut.” The Washington Post wrote that the "vocals never make the emotional connection that Presley and Lewis once made (and that Costello and Parker still make). As a result, Closer to the Flame is a fine example of pop craftsmanship rather than a cathartic experience."

Track listing

 * 1) "Closer to the Flame" (Fontaine Brown, Scott Mathews, Ron Nagle)
 * 2) "Fallin' Through a Hole" (Michael Lanning)
 * 3) "Don't Talk to Me" (Mickey Jupp)
 * 4) "Every Time I See Her" (Rick Bell, Michael Lanning)
 * 5) "Stockholm" (Chris East, Mickey Jupp)
 * 6) "King of Love" (Mark Johnson)
 * 7) "I Got Your Number" (Al Anderson, John Hiatt, Fred Koller)
 * 8) "Never Take the Place of You" (Al Anderson)
 * 9) "Sincerely" (Fontaine Brown)
 * 10) "Test of Love" (Billy Burnette, Dan Navarro)
 * 11) "Stay With Me Tonight" (Dave Edmunds, John David)

Personnel

 * Dave Edmunds – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Background Vocals, Producer
 * Lee Rocker – Bass
 * Phil Chen – Bass
 * Chuck Leavell – Keyboards
 * Jim Keltner – Drums
 * Dave Charles – Percussion, Drums, Engineer
 * Brian Setzer – Background Vocals
 * Crispin Cioe – Horn
 * Robert Funk – Horn
 * Jack Hale – Horn
 * Arno Hecht – Horn
 * Jim Horn – Horn
 * Wayne Jackson – Horn
 * "Hollywood" Paul Litteral – Horn
 * Andrew Love – Horn
 * Leslie Ann Jones – Engineer