Ornette Coleman: Skies of America

In May 1972, “Columbia” label released “Skies of America”, the 17th Ornette Coleman album. It was recorded in April 1972, at “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by Paul Myers.

Personnel:

  • Ornette Coleman— alto saxophone
  • London Symphony Orchestra
  • David Measham— conductor
  • Anthony Clark, Mike FitzHenry —engineer
  • Ed Lee — design
  • Michael Gross — cover art

Track listing:

All tracks by Ornette Coleman.

  1. Skies of America
  2. Native Americans
  3. The Good Life
  4. Birthdays and Funerals
  5. Dreams
  6. Sounds of Sculpture
  7. Holiday for Heroes
  8. All of My Life
  9. Dancers
  10. The Soul Within Woman
  11. The Artists in America
  12. The New Anthem
  13. Place in Space
  14. Foreigner in A Free Land
  15. Silver Screen
  16. Poetry
  17. The Men Who Live in the White House
  18. Love Life
  19. The Military
  20. Jam Session
  21. Sunday in America

Supremes: Floy Joy

In May 1972, “Motown” label released “Floy Joy”, the twenty-fifth Supremes album.  It was recorded 1971-1972, and was produced by Smokey Robinson.

Personnel:

  • Jean Terrell- lead and backing vocals
  • Mary Wilson- lead and backing vocals
  • Cindy Birdsong- lead and backing vocals
  • The Andantes(Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow) – additional backing vocals
  • Instrumentation byThe Funk Brothers:
    • Dennis Coffey- guitar
    • Robert White- guitar
    • Eddie Willis- guitar
    • Marvin Tarplin- guitar
    • Earl Van Dyke- piano, keyboards
    • Johnny Griffith- piano, keyboards
    • James Jamerson- bass
    • Zachary Slater – drums
    • Andrew Smith – drums
    • Jack Ashford- percussion
    • Jack Brokensha- percussion
    • Eddie “Bongo” Brown- percussion
  • Paul Riser- arranger
  • Jim Britt – photography
  • Berry Gordy- executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love – Smokey Robinson
  2. Floy Joy – SmokeyRobinson
  3. A Heart Like Mine – Smokey Robinson,Ronald White
  4. Over and Over – Smokey Robinson
  5. Precious Little Things – Smokey Robinson,Marvin Tarplin, Pam Moffett
  6. Now the Bitter, Now the Sweet – Smokey Robinson, Cecil Franklin
  7. Automatically Sunshine – Smokey Robinson
  8. The Wisdom of Time – Smokey Robinson, Pam Moffett, Clifford Burston
  9. Oh Be My Love – Smokey Robinson,Warren Moore

Bob Weir: Ace

In May 1972, “Warner Bros” label released “Ace” the first Bob Weir solo album. It was recorded January-March 1972, and was produced by Donna Jean Godchaux.

Personnel:

  • Bob Weir– lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars
  • Jerry Garcia– lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals
  • Keith Godchaux– piano, organ
  • Phil Lesh– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Torbert– bass guitar
  • Bill Kreutzmann– drums, percussion
  • Ed Bogus – string arrangement
  • Snooky Flowers, Luis Gasca and The Space Rangers – horns
  • Donna Jean Godchaux– backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Greatest Story Ever Told – Bob Weir, Robert Hunter
  2. Black-Throated Wind – Bob Weir, John Perry Barlow
  3. Walk in the Sunshine – Bob Weir, John Perry Barlow
  4. Playing in the Band – Bob Weir, Robert Hunter
  5. Looks Like Rain – Bob Weir, John Perry Barlow
  6. Mexicali Blues – Bob Weir, John Perry Barlow
  7. One More Saturday Night – Bob Weir
  8. Cassidy – Bob Weir, John Perry Barlow

Johnny Cash: Man In Black

In May 1971, “Columbia” label released “Man in Black”, the 38th Johnny Cash album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced Johnny Cash. The album’s name eventually became Cash’s nickname, given to him by the public.

Personnel:

  • Johnny Cash – vocals, guitar
  • Norman Blake– acoustic guitar
  • Carl Perkins– electric guitar
  • Bob Wootton– electric guitar
  • Jerry Shook – rhythm guitar
  • June Carter Cash– vocals
  • Billy Graham– vocals
  • Marshall Grant– bass guitar
  • S. Holland– drums
  • Farrell Morris – percussion

Track listing:

  1. The Preacher Said Jesus Said – Johnny Cash
  2. The Preacher Said Jesus Said – Dick Feller
  3. You’ve Got a New Light Shining in Your Eyes – Johnny Cash
  4. If Not for Love – Glenn D. Tubb, Larry Lee
  5. Man in Black – Johnny Cash
  6. Singin’ in Vietnam Talkin’ Blues – Johnny Cash
  7. Ned Kelly – Johnny Cash
  8. Look at Me – Glen Sherley, Harlan Sanders
  9. Dear Mrs. – Johnny Cash, Andrew J. Arnette
  10. I Talk to Jesus Every Day – Tubb

John Entwistle: Smash Your Head Against the Wall

In May 1971, “Track” label released “Smash Your Head Against the Wall”, the debut John Entwistle solo album. It was recorded November 1970 – January 1971, at “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by John Entwistle. It was the first solo album by any Who member.

Personnel:

  • John Entwistle– lead and backing vocals, bass guitar,  brass,  percussion, piano, keyboards, organ, flugelhorn, art concept
  • Dave “Cyrano” Langston – acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, backing vocals
  • Greg Ridley– bass
  • Keith Moon– percussion, backing vocals
  • Jerry Shirley– drums, percussion
  • Neil Innes– percussion, backing vocals
  • Vivian Stanshall– percussion
  • Graham Hughes – art concept, photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Entwistle.

  1. My Size
  2. Pick Me Up (Big Chicken)
  3. What Are We Doing Here?
  4. What Kind of People Are They?
  5. Heaven and Hell
  6. Ted End
  7. You’re Mine
  8. 29 (Eternal Youth)
  9. I Believe in Everything

Barney Kessel

On May 6, 2004, Barney Kessel died aged 80. He was musician (guitar), noted for his inversions and chord-based melodies. In his successful solo career he has recorded 31 album as a leader, was member of the group of session musicians  The Wrecking Crew, and has performed with many famous musicians including Georgie Auld, Chet Baker, Louis Bellson, Benny Carter, Buddy Collette, Harry Edison, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Hampton Hawes, Woody Herman, Billie Holiday, Milt Jackson, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Oliver Nelson, Anita O’Day, Art Pepper, Zoot Sims, Shorty Rogers, Sonny Rollins and Pete Rugolo.

Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells a Story

On May 28, 1971, “Mercury” label released “Every Picture Tells a Story”, the third Rod Stewart album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Rod Stewart. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 172 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “Every Picture Tells a Story” was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Rod Stewart- lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Ronnie Wood- electric guitar, 12-string guitar, slide guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar
  • Martell Brandy – acoustic guitar
  • Sam Mitchell – resonator guitar
  • Martin Quittenton- classical guitar
  • Pete Sears- piano, celeste
  • Micky Waller- drums
  • Ian McLagan- organ, piano
  • Danny Thompson- upright bass
  • Andy Pyle- bass guitar
  • Dick Powell – violin
  • Long John Baldry- vocals
  • Maggie Bell- vocal abrasives
  • Madeline Belland friends – vocal abrasives
  • Lindsay Raymond Jackson- mandolin
  • Kenney Jones- drums
  • Ronnie Lane- bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Desmond Strobel – art direction
  • John Craig – design, illustration
  • Lisa Margolis – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Every Picture Tells a Story – Rod Stewart,Ronnie Wood
  2. Seems Like a Long Time – Theodore Anderson
  3. That’s All Right – Arthur Crudup
  4. Amazing Grace – traditional, arranged Rod Stewart
  5. Tomorrow Is a Long Time -Bob Dylan
  6. Henry – Martin Quittenton
  7. Maggie May – Rod Stewart
  8. Mandolin Wind – Rod Stewart
  9. (I Know) I’m Losing You – Norman Whitfield,Eddie Holland, Cornelius Grant
  10. Reason to Believe – Tim Hardin

 

Lee Michaels: 5th

In May 1971, “A&M” label released “5th”, the fifth Lee Michaels  album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Lee Michaels.

Personnel:

  • Lee Michaels– lead vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, organ, piano
  • Joel Larson– drums
  • Jackie Kelso– saxophone

Track listing:

All tracks by Lee Michaels except where noted.

  1. Keep the Circle Turning – Joel Christie
  2. You Are What You Do
  3. Willie & the Hand Jive – Johnny Otis
  4. Didn’t Have to Happen
  5. Rock Me Baby – Riley King, Joe Josea
  6. Do You Know What I Mean
  7. Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey, Clarence Lewis, Morgan Robinson, Morris Levy
  8. Can I Get a Witness – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland
  9. Oak Fire
  10. I Don’t Want Her

 

Bill Withers: Just As I Am

In May 1971, “Sussex” label released “Just As I Am”, the debut Bill Withers studio album. It was recorded in 1971, at “Sunset Sound”, “Wally Heider Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Booker T. Jones. The album song “Ain’t No Sunshine”, was ranked at number 280 on “Rolling Stone’s” magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Bill Withers – vocals, guitar
  • Stephen Stills– guitar
  • Booker T. Jones– guitar, keyboards
  • Chris Ethridge- bass
  • Donald “Duck” Dunn– bass
  • Al Jackson Jr.– drums
  • Jim Keltner– drums
  • Bobbye Hall– percussion

Track listing:.

All tracks by Bill Withers; except where noted.

  1. Harlem
  2. Ain’t No Sunshine
  3. Grandma’s Hands
  4. Sweet Wanomi
  5. Everybody’s Talkin’ – Fred Neil
  6. Do it Good
  7. Hope She’ll Be Happier
  8. Let it Be – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  9. I’m Her Daddy
  10. In My Heart
  11. Moanin’ and Groanin’
  12. Better Off Dead

Jimmy Webb: And So On

In May 1970, “Reprise” label released “And So On”, the third Jimmy Webb studio album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Jimmy Webb.

Personnel:

  • Jimmy Webb – vocals, keyboards, arrangements
  • Larry Coryell– guitar
  • Freddy Tackett– guitar
  • Tom Scott– alto saxophone
  • Francie Lauridsen – flute, recorder
  • Lance Allworth – harmonica
  • Skip Mosher – electric bass, tenor saxophone
  • Ray Rich – percussion, drums
  • Terry Brown – vocals
  • The Good Sisters – vocals
  • Sid Sharp – conductor
  • Terry Brown – engineer
  • Brian Ingoldsby – engineer
  • Ed Thrasher– art direction
  • Barry Feinstein– cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Jimmy Webb.

  1. Met Her on a Plane
  2. All Night Show
  3. All My Love’s Laughter
  4. Highpockets
  5. Marionette
  6. Laspitch
  7. One Lady
  8. If Ships Were Made to Sail
  9. Pocketful of Keys
  10. See You Then