Rough is Tina’s first solo album after her divorce from Ike Turner. It contains almost rock songs, with some influences from the disco genre and her first studio recording of Elton John's „The Bitch Is Back,“ which she used as the opening number in her solo shows. On this track and also on four others, the former Ikette Venetta Fields provided the background vocals. In 1991, Tina re-recorded this song for the Elton John tribute album Two Rooms. The album was an indication of the new direction for Tina’s music - combining rock with some pop and R&B elements. The song „Night Time Is The Right Time“ was already recorded by Ike & Tina, but not released until 1991 on the rarities sampler Good Old Times. The album and it’s four singles didn‘t charted.
Producer: Bob Monaco
Photographer: Claude Mougin
Design: Bill Burks
Release: September 1978 / 1990 (CD) / November 2023 (Digital) / 2024 (Reissue)
Label: United Artists (UK, USA) / Ariola (Germany) / EMI, Parlophone (CD, Reissue)
Format: Vinyl (Gatefold) / Cartridge / Cassette / CD / Digital
Tracks
- Fruits Of The Night 4:05
- The Bitch Is Back 3:30
- The Woman I’m Supposed To Be 3:10
- Viva La Money 3:14
- Funny How Time Slips Away 4:08
- Earthquake And Hurricane 2:30
- Root, Toot Undisputable Rock’n Roller 4:29
- Fire Down Below 3:13
- Sometimes When We Touch 3:54
- A Woman In A Man’s World 2:41
- Night Time Is The Right Time 6:21
Singles
The Rock’n Roll song Root, Toot Undisputable Rock’n Roller was the first single from the album, following the cover Viva La Money, which was originally released from A. Toussaint. The wonderful ballad Sometimes When We Touch from Dan Hill was the only official single in England and Fruits Of The Night was released only in Italy, promoted from Tina at the show Luna Park.
Billboard
October 07, 1978
A genuinely legendary performer, Turner takes the long awaited solo plunge with an adventurous variety of old and new material which she seeks to make her own in her inimitable pull out the stops fashion. Her delivery has lost none of its snap and crackle, and solid backup support includes Airto Moreiro on percussion, the L.A. Horns, Mary Russell joining a group of fine and funky vocalists and a touch of discofied synthesizer.
October 21, 1978
Rough And Ready - Tina Turner Has The Kind Of Audience That’s Always Ready To Explode Into Platinum Sales. And This Is The Music To Do It. Rough - Tina’s Tough New Album.
CashBox
October 07, 1978
Remember, Miss Tina never does nothing nice ... and easy and on her United Artists solo debut she rocks rough and randy enough to make her pop and soul competitors quiver in their lizard skin tennis shoes. Turner mixes the intensity of the gospel choir with the promised pleasures of the turned-down bed to great effect on 11 covers of artists ranging from Elton John to Dan Hill. As a result, Tina's new thing is hot to go for AOR and black contemporary.