Monthly Archives: December 2015

David Bowie: Hunky Dory

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Hunky Dory

On December 17, 1971, “RCA” label released “Hunky Dory”, the fourth David Bowie album. It was recorded June – August 1971, at the “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott. In 2010, “Time” magazine placed the album on its list of “100 best albums of all time”.

Personnel:

  • David Bowie – vocals, guitar, alto and tenor saxophone, piano
  • Mick Ronson – vocals, guitar, Mellotron, arrangements
  • Rick Wakeman – piano
  • Trevor Bolder – bass guitar, trumpet
  • Mick Woodmansey – drums
  • George Underwood – cover art

Track listing:

All tracks by David Bowie, except where noted.

  1. Changes
  2. Oh! You Pretty Things
  3. Eight Line Poem
  4. Life on Mars
  5. Kooks
  6. Quicksand
  7. Fill Your Heart – Biff Rose, Paul Williams
  8. Andy Warhol
  9. Song for Bob Dylan
  10. Queen Bitch
  11. The Bewlay Brothers

Kraftwerk: Electric Café

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Electric Cafe

On December 16, 1986, “Kling Klang” label released “Electric Café”, the ninth Kraftwerk studio album.  It was recorded 1982 – 1986, at the “Kling Klang Studios” in Dusseldorf, and was produced by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. This was the first Kraftwerk album to be created using predominantly digital musical instruments, although the final product was recorded on analog master tapes.

Personnel:

  • Ralf Hütter – vocal, vocoder, keyboards, electronics, mix
  • Florian Schneider – vocoder, speech synthesis
  • Karl Bartos – vocal, electronic drums, electronic percussion
  • Hubert Kretzschmar – design

Track listing:

  1. Boing Boom Tschak – Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos
  2. Techno Pop – Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos, Emil Schult
  3. Musique Non Stop – Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos
  4. Der Telefon-Anruf (The Telephone Call) – Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos
  5. Sex Objekt – Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos
  6. Electric Café- Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos, Maxime Schmitt

The Birdland Jazz Club

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On December 15, 1949, “The Birdland Jazz Club”, named after Charlie Parker, opens in New York City. The club was located at “1678 Broadway” and worked until in 1965. The club re-opened for in1979 and in 1986 the second club located in “Manhattan’s Theater District” opened. The club current location is in the building next to The New York Observer headquarters.Some of the biggest names in Jazz history performed in “Birdland” including: Chet Baker; Count Basie; Roy Haynes; Jon Hendricks; Billie Holiday; Dave Holland; Freddie Hubbard; Hank Jones; Quincy Jones; Michel Legrand; Ramsey Lewis; Pat Martino; George Benson; Art Blakey; Dave Brubeck; Ron Carter; John Coltrane; Miles Davis; Sammy Davis Jr.; Blossom Dearie; Billy Eckstine; Duke Ellington; Maynard Ferguson; Ella Fitzgerald; Slim Gaillard; Erroll Garner; Stan Getz; Modern Jazz Quartet; Thelonious Monk; Anita O’Day; Charlie Parker; Oscar Peterson; Machito; Tito Puente; Bud Powell; Horace Silver; Nina Simone; Jimmy Smith; Billy Taylor; Clark Terry; McCoy Tyner; Sarah Vaughan; Dinah Washington; Joe Williams; Tony Williams; Lester Young; Michael Brecker; Melissa Manchester; Pat Metheny; Liza Minnelli; Michel Petrucciani; Harry Connick Jr.; Kurt Elling; Kevin Eubanks; Norah Jones; Diana Krall; Joe Lovano; John Pizzarelli; John Scofield; Maria Schneider; Phoebe Snow; Phil Woods and Yellowjacket.

Parliament: Mothership Connection

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Mothership Connection

On December 15, 1975, “Casablanca” released “Mothership Connection”, the fourth Parliament album. It was recorded March – October 1975, at “United Sound” in Detroit and in “Hollywood Sound” in Hollywood, and was produced by George Clinton. In 2011, the “Library of Congress” added “Mothership Connection” to the “National Recording Registry”, declaring that “the album had an enormous influence on jazz, rock and dance music”.

Personnel:

  • George Clinton, Calvin Simon, Fuzzy Haskins, Ray Davis, Grady Thomas,Gary Shider, Glen Goins, Bootsy Collins – lead vocals
  • Garry Shider, Michael Hampton, Glen Goins, Bootsy Collins – guitars
  • Bootsy Collins, Cordell Mosson – bass guitar
  • Tiki Fulwood, Jerome Brailey, Bootsy Collins, Gary Cooper – drums, percussion
  • Bernie Worrell – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Boom, Joe Farrell – horns
  • Gary Cooper, Debbie Edwards, Taka Kahn, Archie Ivy, Bryna Chimenti, Rasputin Boutte, Pam Vincent, Debra Wright, Sidney Barnes – backing vocals, handclaps
  • Gribbitt! – art direction, design
  • David Alexander – photography

Track listing:

  1. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) – George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell
  2. Mothership Connection (Star Child) – George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell
  3. Unfunky UFO – George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Garry Shider
  4. Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication – George Clinton, Garry Shider, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell
  5. Handcuffs – George Clinton, Glenn Goins, John McLaughlin
  6. Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker) – Jerome Brailey, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins
  7. Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples – George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Garry Shider

The Who: The Who Sell Out

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The_who_sell_out

On December 15, 1967, “Track” label released “The Who Sell Out”, the third Who (The) studio album.  It was recorded May – November 1967, at the “Talentmasters Studios” in New York, “IBC Studios”, “Pye Studios”, “De Lane Lea Studios”, “CBS Studios”, and “Kingsway Studios” in London, and in “Gold Star Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Kit Lambert.

Personnel:

  • Roger Daltrey – lead and backing vocals, percussion
  • Pete Townshend – lead and backing vocals, guitars, keyboards, pennywhistle, banjo, sonovox
  • John Entwistle – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, horns, sound effects
  • Keith Moon – lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion, sound effects
  • Al Kooper– keyboards, organ
  • Speedy Keen – co-lead vocals
  • Kit Lambert– engineer
  • Damon Lyon Shaw – engineer
  • David King, Roger Law– design
  • Adrian George – psychedelic poster design
  • David Montgomery – cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by by Pete Townshend, except where noted.

  1. Armenia City in the Sky – Speedy Keen
  2. Heinz Baked Beans – John Entwistle
  3. Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand
  4. Odorono
  5. Tattoo
  6. Our Love Was, Is
  7. I Can See for Miles
  8. Can’t Reach You
  9. Medac
  10. Relax
  11. Silas Stingy – John Entwistle
  12. Sunrise
  13. Rael (1 and 2)

 

Dinosaur Jr.: You’re Living All Over Me

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Dinosaur_Jr._You're_Living_All_Over_Me

On December 14, 1987, “SST” label released “You’re Living All over Me”, the second Dinosaur Jr. studio album. It was recorded in 1987, and was produced by Wharton Tiers.

  • J Mascis – vocals, guitar, percussion
  • Lou Barlow– vocals, bass guitar, ukelele, tape
  • Murph– drums
  • Lee Ranaldo– backing vocals
  • Maura Jasper – artwork

All tracks by J Mascis, except where noted.

  1. Little Fury Things
  2. Kracked
  3. Sludgefeast
  4. The Lung
  5. Raisans
  6. Tarpit
  7. In a Jar
  8. Lose
  9. Poledo

The Clash: London Calling

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london_calling

On December 14, 1979, “CBS” label released “London Calling”, the third Clash (The) studio album.  It was recorded August – November 1979, at the “Wessex Sound Studios” in London, and was produced by Guy Stevens and Mick Jones. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “London Calling” at number 8 on it’s list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album sold in more than 5 million copies worldwide and was certified Platinum in the US by “RIAA”,  and is regarded as one of the most important albums in the history of modern music.

Personnel

  • Joe Strummer– lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Mick Jones – lead and backing vocals, lead guitar, piano, harmonica
  • Paul Simonon – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar,
  • Topper Headon– drums, percussion
  • Mickey Gallagher– organ
  • The Irish Horns – brass
  • Ray Lowry – design

Track listing

All tracks by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, except where noted.

  1. London calling
  2. Brand New Cadillac – Vince Taylor
  3. Jimmy Jazz
  4. Hateful
  5. Rudie Can’t Fall
  6. Spanish Bombs
  7. The Right Profile
  8. Lost in the Supermarket
  9. Clampdown
  10. The Guns of Brixton – Paul Simonon
  11. Wrong’em Boyo – Clive Alphonso
  12. Death of Glory
  13. Koka Kola
  14. The Card Cheat
  15. Lover’s Rock
  16. Four Horseman
  17. I’m Not Down
  18. Revolution Rock – Jackie Edwards, Danny Ray
  19. Train in Vain

Yes: Tales From The Topographic Oceans

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Tales_from_Topographic_Oceans

On December 7, 1973, “Atlantic” label released “Tales from Topographic Oceans”, the sixth Yes studio album. It  was recorded in 1973, at the “Morgan Studios” in London, and was produced by Eddy Offord, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire,

  • Jon Anderson – lead vocals, harp, drums, percussion
  • Steve Howe – vocals, guitars
  • Chris Squire – vocals, bass guitar, timpani
  • Rick Wakeman– Minimoog synthesiser, Mellotron, Hammond organ, pipe organ, RMI Electra Piano, grand piano
  • Alan White– drums, percussion, piano
  • Guy Bidmead – tapes
  • Mansell Litho – plates
  • Roger Dean– cover design, illustrations

Track listing:

All lyrics by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, all music by Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White.

  1. The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn)
  2. The Remembering (High the Memory)
  3. The Ancient (Giants Under the Sun)
  4. Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)

Joni Mitchell: Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter

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DJRD

On December 13, 1977, “Asylum” released “Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter”, the ninth Joni Mitchell studio album.  It was recorded in 1977, at the “A&M Studios” in Hollywood; orchestra recorded at “Columbia Studio C” in New York; additional recording at “Basing Street Studio” in London, and was produced by Joni Mitchell.

Personnel:

  • Joni Mitchell– lead and backing vocals, piano
  • Larry Carlton– electric guitar
  • Michel Colombier– piano
  • Wayne Shorter– soprano saxophone
  • Jaco Pastorius– bass, bongos, cowbells
  • John Guerin– drums
  • Manolo Badrena– lead vocals, congas, coffee cans, congas
  • Alejandro Acuña– congas,cowbell, shakers, ankle bells, backing vocals
  • AirtoMoreira – surdo
  • Don Alias– bongos, congos, clave, snaredrum, sandpaper blocks, shaker, backing v ocals
  • El Bwyd – the split-tongued spirit
  • Glenn Frey– backing vocals
  • Chaka Khan– backing vocals
  • D. Souther– backing vocals
  • Michael Gibbs– orchestral arrangements, conductor
  • Bobbye Hall– credited in spirit

Track listing:

All tracks by Joni Mitchell, except where noted.

  1. Overture – Cotton Avenue
  2. Talk to Me
  3. Jericho
  4. Paprika Plains
  5. Otis and Marlena
  6. The Tenth World – Joni Mitchell, Don Alias, Manolo Badrena, Alex Acuña, Airto Moreira, Jaco Pastorius
  7. Dreamland
  8. Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter
  9. Off Night Backstreet
  10. The Silky Veils of Ardor

Patti Smith: Horses

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Patti Smith - Horses

On December 13, 1975, “Arista” label released “Horses”, the debut Patti Smith  studio album.  It was recorded in 1975, at the “Electric Lady Studios” in New York City, and was produced by John Cale.

Personnel:

  • Patti Smith– vocals, guitar
  • Tom Verlaine– guitar
  • Allen Lanier– guitar, keyboards
  • Lenny Kaye– vocals, guitar, bass guitar
  • Richard Sohl– keyboards
  • Ivan Kral– vocals, bass guitar, guitar
  • Jay Dee Daugherty– drums
  • Bob Heimall – design
  • Sherri Whitmarsh – design
  • Richard Aaron – photography
  • Robert Mapplethorpe– photography
  • Chuck Krall – photography
  • Danny Fields– photography
  • Bob Gruen– photography

Track listing:

  1. Gloria – Part I: “In Excelsis Deo”; Part II: “Gloria –  Patti Smith (Part I), Van Morrison (Part II)
  2. Redondo Beach – Patti Smith, Richard Sohl, Lenny Kaye
  3. Birdland – Patti Smith, Richard Sohi, Lenny Kaye, Ivan Kral
  4. Free Money – Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye
  5. Kimberly – Patti Smith, Allen Lanier, Ivan Kral
  6. Break It Up – Patti Smith, Tom Verrlaine
  7. Land – Part I: “Horses”; Part II: “Land of a Thousand Dances”; Part III: “La Mer(de) – Patti Smith (Parts I and III), Chris Kenner (Part II), Fats Domino (Part II)
  8. Elegie – Patti Smith, Allen Lanier