Laura Nyro: Gonna Take A Miracle

Leave a comment

On November 17, 1971, “Columbia” label released “Gonna Take a Miracle”, the fifth Laura Nyro studio album. It was recorded May – June 1971, at “Sigma Sound” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

Personnel:

  • Laura Nyro – vocals, piano
  • Nona Hendryx, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash – vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Lenny Pakula – organ
  • Ronnie Baker – bass
  • Jim Helmer – drums
  • Vincent Montana Jr. – percussion
  • Larry Washington – bongos
  • Nydia “Liberty” Mata – congas
  • Bobby Martin, Lenny Pakula, Thom Bell – string and horn arrangements
  • Tim Geelan – engineer
  • Gary Burden – art direction, design
  • Stephen Paley – front cover photography

Track listing:

  1. I Met Him on a Sunday – Doris Jackson, Addie Harris McPherson, Beverly Lee, Shirley Alston Reeves
  2. The Bells – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Iris Gordy, Elgie Stover
  3. Monkey Time/Dancing in the Street – Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  4. Désiree – L.Z. Cooper, Danny Johnson
  5. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – Smokey Robinson
  6. Spanish Harlem – Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector
  7. Jimmy Mack – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  8. The Wind – Devora Brown, Bob Edwards, Nolan Strong
  9. Nowhere to Run – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  10. It’s Gonna Take a Miracle – Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, Lou Stallman

Pete Sinfield

Leave a comment

On November 14, 2024, Peter John Sinfield died aged 80. He was poet and songwriter, founding member of the band A Bowl of Soup, but was best known as co-founder and lyricist of King Crimson. He wrote lyrics for Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Angelo Branduardi, Andy Hill, McDonalds and Giles, Robert Sheckley, Brian Eno, Gary Brooker, Nikka Costa, Buck Fizz, Moon Martin, Leo Sayer, Five Star, Flairck, Agnetha Fältskog, Cher, Celine Dion, David Cross, and Ian McDonald. Sinfield released book of lyrics and poems titled “Under the Sky”, and as leader he released one album.

Stephen Stills: Same

Leave a comment

On November 16, 1970, “Atlantic” label released the self-titled, debut Stephen Stills studio album. It was recorded January – July 1970, at “Island Studios” in London, “The Record Plant” and “Wally Heider” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Stephen Stills and Bill Halverson. In 1974, “New Musical Express” magazine ranked it at number 70 on its list of “The Best Albums of All Time.

Personnel:

  • Stephen Stills – vocals, guitars, bass, piano, organ, steelpan, percussion; horn and string arrangements
  • Jimi Hendrix – electric guitar
  • Eric Clapton – electric guitar
  • Booker T. Jones – organ, backing vocal
  • Calvin “Fuzzy” Samuel – bass
  • Conrad Isidore – drums
  • John Barbata – drums
  • Ringo Starr – drums
  • Dallas Taylor – drums
  • Jeff Whittaker – congas
  • Sidney George – flute, alto saxophone
  • Rita Coolidge, David Crosby, Priscilla Jones, John Sebastian – backing vocals
  • Cass Elliot, Claudia Lennear – backing vocals
  • Graham Nash – backing vocals
  • Judith Powell, Larry Steele, Liza Strike, Tony Wilson – backing vocals
  • Sherlie Matthews – backing vocals
  • Arif Mardin – string arrangements
  • Andy Johns – engineer
  • Gary Burden – art direction, back cover photography
  • Henry Diltz – front cover photography
  • Charles John Quarto – sleeve poem

Track listing:

All tracks by Stephen Stills.

  1. Love the One You’re With
  2. Do for the Others
  3. Church (Part of Someone)
  4. Old Times Good Times
  5. Go Back Home
  6. Sit Yourself Down
  7. To a Flame
  8. Black Queen
  9. Cherokee
  10. We Are Not Helpless

Natalie Cole: Thankful

Leave a comment

On November 16, 1977, “Capitol” label released “Thankful”, the fourth Natalie Cole album. It was recorded August – November 1977, at “ABC Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy.

Personnel:

  • Natalie Cole – lead vocals
  • Criss Johnson – guitar
  • Ray Parker Jr. – guitar
  • Lee Ritenour – guitar
  • Linda Williams – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes
  • Marvin Yancy – acoustic piano, organ, clavinet
  • Reginald “Sonny” Burke – organ
  • Michael Boddicker – synthesizers
  • Larry Ball – bass guitar
  • James Gadson – drums
  • Donnell Hagan – drums
  • Paul Humphrey – drums
  • Teddy Sparks – drums
  • Alan Estes – percussion
  • Chuck Jackson – handclaps
  • Hal Brooks – handclaps
  • Gene Barge – alto saxophone, arrangements
  • Richard Evans – arrangements
  • The Colettes – backing vocals
  • The “N” Sisters – backing vocals
  • Anita Anderson – backing vocals
  • Yasmine “Sissy” Peoples – backing vocals
  • Barney Perkins – engineer, mixing, mastering
  • Zollie Johnson, Lester Smith – engineer assistant
  • Barney Per – mixing
  • Dean Rod – assistant
  • John Golden – mastering
  • Roy Kohara – art direction
  • Craig Nelson – illustration
  • Gene Barge – co-producer
  • Larkin Arnold – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, except where noted.

  1. Lovers – Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy, Natalie Cole
  2. Our Love
  3. La Costa – Natalie Cole. Linda Williams
  4. There Ain’t Nothing Stronger Than Love
  5. Be Thankful
  6. Just Can’t Stay Away
  7. Annie Mae – Natalie Cole
  8. Keeping a Light – Natalie Cole

Mahavishnu Orchestra: Between Nothingness & Eternity

Leave a comment

On November 16, 1973, “Columbia” label released “Between Nothingness & Eternity”, the first Mahavishnu Orchestra live album. It was recorded in August 1973, at the “Schaefer Music Festival” in Central Park, New York, and was produced by Murray Krugman and John McLaughlin.

Personnel:

  • John McLaughlin – guitar
  • Jan Hammer – keyboards
  • Jerry Goodman – violin
  • Rick Laird – bass
  • Billy Cobham – percussion

Track listing:

  1. Trilogy: Sunlit Path/La Mere de la Mer/Tomorrow’s Story Not the Same – John McLauglin
  2. Sister Andrea – Jam Hammer
  3. Dream – John McLaughlin

Grand Funk Railroad: Live Album

Leave a comment

On November 16, 1970, “Capitol” label released “Live Album”, the first Grand Funk Railroad live album. It was recorded in June 1970, at “Jacksonville Coliseum”, “West Palm Beach Civic Auditorium” in Florida, and was produced by Terry Knight.

Personnel:

  • Mark Farner – vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica
  • Mel Schacher – bass
  • Don Brewer – vocals, drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Mark Farner, except where noted.

  1. Introduction
  2. Are You Ready?
  3. Paranoid
  4. In Need
  5. Heartbreaker
  6. Inside Looking Out – John Lomax, Alan Lomax, Eric Burdon, Bryan “Chas” Chandler
  7. Words of Wisdom
  8. Mean Mistreater
  9. Mark Says Alright – Mark Farner, Don Brewer, Mel Schacher
  10. T.N.U.C.
  11. Into the Sun

Stevie Wonder: Down To Earth

Leave a comment

On November 16, 1966, “Tamla Motown” label released “Down to Earth”, the sixth Stevie Wonder studio album. It was recorded 1965 – 1966, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – vocals, harmonica, keyboards, drums, percussion
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • James Jamerson – bass guitar
  • Benny Benjamin – drums
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. A Place in the Sun – Ron Miller, Bryan Wells
  2. Bang Bang – Sonny Bono
  3. Down to Earth – Ron Miller, Avery Vanderberg
  4. Thank You Love – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  5. Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together) – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  6. Sylvia – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  7. My World Is Empty Without You – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. The Lonesome Road – Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret
  9. Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me) – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy
  10. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan
  11. Sixteen Tons – Merle Travis
  12. Hey Love – Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Away We A Go-Go

Leave a comment

In November 1966, “Tamla Motown” label released “Away We a Go-Go”, album by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (second album by the name of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles). It was recorded in 1966, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson, Mickey Gentile, Frank Wilson, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Norman Whitfield and Ivy Jo Hunter.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers  – instrumentation
  • Various New York session musicians – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Whole Lot of Shakin’ in My Heart (Since I Met You) – Frank Wilson
  2. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me – Pino Donaggio, Simon Napier-Bell, Vicki Wickham, Vito Pallavicini
  3. Come ‘Round Here) I’m the One You Need – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  4. Save Me – Smokey Robinson, Robert Rogers, Warren Moore
  5. Oh Be My Love – Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore
  6. Can You Love a Poor Boy – Ivy Jo Hunter, Stevie Wonder
  7. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland, Jr.
  8. I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  9. Baby Baby – Helen Lewis, Kay Lewis
  10. Walk On By – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  11. Swept for You Baby – Smokey Robinson
  12. More, More, More of Your Love – Smokey Robinson

Muddy Waters: At Newport 1960

Leave a comment

On November 15, 1960, “Chess” label released “At Newport 1960”, album by Muddy Waters. It was recorded in July 1960, at “Newport Jazz Festival”, in Newport, Rhode Island, and was produced by Leonard Chess. “Rolling Stone” magazine included it at number 348 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.

Personnel:

  • Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) – vocals, guitar
  • Otis Spann – vocals, piano
  • Pat Hare – guitar
  • James Cotton – harmonica
  • Andrew Stephens – bass
  • Francis Clay – drums
  • Jack Tracy – liner notes
  • Burt Goldblatt – photography
  • Mary Katherine Aldin – liner notes
  • Bob Schnieders – liner notes, coordination, research
  • Geary Chansley – photo research

Track listing:

All tracks by McKinsley Morganfield, executive producer.

  • I Got My Brand on You – McKinley Morganfield
  • I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man
  • Baby, Please Don’t Go
  • Soon Forgotten – James Oden
  • Tiger in Your Tank – Willie Dixon
  • I Feel So Good – Big Bill Broonzy
  • Got My Mojo Working
  • Got My Mojo Working, Part 2
  • Goodbye Newport Blues – Langston Hughes, McKinley Morganfield

musicalphabet