On July 22, 2024, John Mayall died aged 90. He was musician (keyboards, harmonica, guitar), singer, songwriter and producer. In the 1960s, he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians, including Sammy Prosser, Davey Graham, John Gilbey, Ricky Brown, Pete Burford, Sam Stone, Brian Myall, Keith Robertson, Bernie Watson, John McVie, Peter Ward, Martin Hart, Roger Dean, Hughie Flint, Eric Clapton, John Weider, John Slaughter, Geoff Krivit, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Aynsley Dunbar, Micky Waller, Mick Fleetwood, Terry Edmonds, Keef Hartley, Chris Mercer, Rip Kant, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Paul Williams, Keith Tillman, Henry Lowther, Andy Fraser, Tony Reeves and Jon Hiseman. John Mayall was referred to as the “Godfather of the British Blues”, and the “Pioneer of the British Blues”, with career that spanned nearly seven decades, remaining an active musician until his death. He released seventy albums (studio and live).
Om: Advaitic Songs
On July 24, 2012, “Drag City” label released “Advaitic Songs”, the fifth Om studio album. The cover of the album features an image of John the Baptist.
Personnel:
- Al Cisneros – vocals, piano, bass, percussion
- Emil Amos – guitar, piano, drums, percussion
- Kate Ramsey – vocals
- Hom Nath Upadhyaya – tabla
- Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe – tambura, additional vocals
- Lorraine Rath – flute
- Jory Fankuchen – violin
- Jackie Perez Gratz – cello
- Lucas Chen – additional cello
Track listing:
- Addis
- State of Non-return
- Gethsemane
- Sinai
- Haqq al-Yaqin
Neil Diamond: Three Chord Opera
On July 24, 2001, “Columbia” label released “Three Chord Opera”, the twenty-fifth Neil Diamond studio album. It was recorded 2000 – 2001, at “Arch Angel Studios” in Los Angeles, “Sony Pictures Studios” in Culver City, California, and was produced by Peter Asher and Alan Lindgren.
Personnel:
- Neil Diamond – lead vocals
- Hadley Hockensmith – acoustic and electric guitar, 12-string guitar
- Doug Rhone – acoustic and electric guitar, tiple
- Michael Thompson – electric guitar
- Jaydee Manes – pedal steel guitar
- Alan Lindgren – piano, keyboards, Hammond organ, drums, percussion, programming, arrangements, conductor
- Tom Hensley – piano, Fender Rhodes
- Dominic Ordinaire – accordion
- Reinie Press – bass
- Chuck Domanico – bass
- Ron Tutt – drums
- Russ Kunkel – drums
- Peter Asher – percussion, autoharp, backing vocals, programming
- Vince Charles – percussion, tambourine, steel drums, congas, marimba
- Everette Harp – tenor saxophone
- Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone
- Norbert Satchel – tenor saxophone
- Larry Klimas – tenor saxophone
- Don Markese – baritone saxophone, clarinet
- Stephen “Doc” Kupka – baritone saxophone
- Daniel Fornero – trumpet
- Ralf Rickert – trumpet
- Greg Adams – trumpet, horn arrangements
- Adolfo Acosta – trumpet
- Michael Bogart – trumpet, trombone
- Assa Drori – concertmaster, violin
- Evan Wilson – violin
- Shari Zippert – violin
- Susie Katayama – cello
- Linda Press – harmony vocals
- Colin Mitchell – backing vocals
- Wendy Worth – backing vocals
- Alvin Chea – backing vocals
- Craig Copeland – backing vocals
- Randy Crenshaw – backing vocals
- Robert Joyce – backing vocals
- Luana Jackman – chorus master, vocal contractor
- Marc Mann – backing vocals, programming, sequencing
- Jeff Turzo – additional programming
- Bernie Becker – recording, mixing, mastering
- Colin Mitchell – recording assistant
- Alan Mason – mixing assistant
- Gabrielle Raumberger – art direction
- Samantha Ahdoot – design
- Rocky Schenck – photography
- Ivy Skoff – production coordination
- Sam Cole – album coordination
Track listing:
All tracks by Neil Diamond.
- I Haven’t Played This Song in Years
- Don’t Look Down
- I Believe in Happy Endings
- At the Movies
- Midnight Dream
- You Are the Best Part of Me
- Baby Let’s Drive
- My Special Someone
- A Mission of Love
- Elijah’s Song
- Leave a Little Room for God
- Turn Down the Lights
The 3 Sounds: Bottoms Up
In July 1959, “Blue Note” label released “Bottoms Up!”, the second 3 Sounds (The) studio album. It was recorded September 1958 – February 1959, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Hackensack, New Jersey, and was produced by Alfred Lion.
Personnel:
- Gene Harris – piano, celeste
- Andrew Simpkins – bass
- Bill Dowdy – drums
- Rudy Van Gelder – recording, mastering
- Reid Miles – design
- Francis Wolff – photography
- Leonard Feather – liner notes
Track listing:
- Bésame Mucho – Consuelo Velázquez
- Angel Eyes – Matt Dennis
- Time After Time – Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
- Love Walked In – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
- I Could Write a Book – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
- Jinne Lou – Gene Harris
- Nothing Ever Changes My Love for You – Marvin Fisher, Jack Sega
- Falling in Love with Love – Lorzenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir
On July 22, 2024, Abdul Kareem “Duke” Fakir died aged 88. He was singer, a founding member of the quartet Four Tops. In 1990, as a member of the Four Tops, Fakir was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was inducted into the “Vocal Group Hall of Fame”, in 1999, in the “Grammy Hall of Fame”, in 1998, received the “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award”.
Jerry Miller
On July 20, 2024, Jerry Miller died aged 81. He was musician (guitar) and singer, member of the bands Jerry Miller Band, The Frantics and The Rhythm Dukes, but was best known as founding member of Moby Grape. Magazine “Rolling Stone” included Jerry Miller at number 68 on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. As leader, Miller released three albums.
The Youngbloods: Ride The Wind
In July 1971, “Warner Bros” label released “Ride the Wind”, the fifth Youngbloods (The) album. It was recorded in November 1969, in New York City, and was produced by Charlie Daniels.
Personnel:
- Lowell “Banana” Levinger – guitar, piano
- Jesse Colin Young – bass, rhythm guitar, kazoo
- Drums – Joe Bauer
- Richie Schmidt – recording
- Paul Heald – design
- Sydney Wasserbach – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Jesse Colin Young, except where noted.
- Ride the Wind
- Sugar Babe
- Sunlight
- The Dolphin – Fred Neil
- Get Together – Chet Powers, Dino Valenti
- Beautiful
Del Shannon: This Is My Bag
In July 1966, “Liberty” label released “This Is My Bag”, the seventh Del Shannon studio album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by Snuff Garrett.
Personnel:
- Del Shannon – vocal
- Leon Russell – arrangements
- Nick De Caro – arrangements
- Dave Hassinger – engineer
- Henry Lewy – engineer
- Joe Sidore – lacquer cut
- Woody Woodward – art direction
- Ivan Nagy – cover photography
Track listing:
- The Big Hurt – Wayne Shanklin
- Kicks – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
- For a Little While – Del Shannon
- Lightnin’ Strikes – Lou Christie, Twyla Herbert
- When You Walk in the Room – Jackie DeShannon
- The Cheater – John Krenski
- Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison, Bill Dees
- Everybody Loves a Clown – Snuff Garrett, Gary Lewis, Leon Russell
- Never Thought I Could – Del Shannon
- It’s Too Late – Bobby Goldsboro
- Hey! Little Star – Del Shannon
- Action – Tommy Boyce, Steve Venet
Guy Clark: My Favorite Picture Of You
On July 23, 2013, “Dualtone” label released “My Favorite Picture of You” the fourteenth and final Guy Clark studio album. In 2014, “My Favorite Picture of You” won “Grammy Award” for “Best Folk Album”.
Personnel:
- Guy Clark – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Shawn Camp – banjo, fiddle, acoustic and resonator guitar, mandolin, octave fiddle, backing vocals
- Chris Latham – acoustic and resonator guitar, viola, violin, backing vocals
- Verlon Thompson – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Noel McKay – nylon string guitar
- Gordie Sampson – acoustic guitar
- Bryn Davies – bass guitar, cello, backing vocals
- Morgane Stapleton – backing vocals
- Chris Latham – recording, mixing, mastering
- Mark Richardson – lacquer cut
- Gina R. Binkley – design
Track listing:
All tracks by Guy Clark.
- Cornmeal Waltz
- My Favorite Picture of You
- Gell Beny on a Heartache
- El Coyote
- Heroes
- Rain in Durango
- Good Advice
- The Death of Sis Draper
- Waltzing Fool
- The High Price of Inspiration
- I’ll Show Me
Ethan Iverson: Costumes Are Mandatory
On July 23, 2013, “High Note” label released “Costumes Are Mandatory”, the sixth Ethan Iverson album. It was recorded in August 2012, at “Brooklyn Recording” in Brooklyn, New York, and was produced by Ethan Iverson.
Personnel:
- Ethan Iverson – piano, liner notes
- Lee Konitz – vocals, alto saxophone
- Larry Grenadier – bass
- Jorge Rossy – drums
- Pete Rende – engineer
- Kevin Blackler – mastering
- Brad Wrolstad – design
- Julie Worden – cover photography
- John Rogers – personal photography’s
- Joe Fields – executive producer
Track listing:
All tracks by Ethan Iverson, except where noted.
- Blueberry Ice Cream (Take 2)
- Try a Little Tenderness – Harry M. Woods, Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly
- It’s You (Tempo Complex) – Lee Konitz
- It’s You – Lee Konitz
- What’s New? – Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke
- 317 East 32nd – Lee Konitz
- Body and Soul – Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton
- Blueberry Hill – Vincent Rose, Larry Stock, Al Lewis
- A Distant Bell
- Bats
- Mr. Bumi
- My New Lovers All Seem So Tame
- My Old Flame – Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston
- Blueberry Ice Cream (Take 1)
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