Ani DiFranco: Binary

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On June 9, 2017, “Righteous Babe” label released “Binary”, the 19th Ani DiFranco studio album. It was recorded 2015 – 2016, at “The Dugout Esplanade Studios”  in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was produced by Ani DiFranco.

Personnel:

  • Ani DiFranco – vocals, guitar, mellotron, orchestron guitar synth
  • Ivan Neville – organ, Clavinet, bass, piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer
  • Todd Sickafoose – bass, celeste, keyboards, shaker, vibraphone, Wurlitzer, bells, prepared piano
  • Terence Higgins – drums, congas, pandiero
  • Maceo Parker – alto saxophone
  • Skerik – tenor and baritone saxophones
  • Alonzo Bowens – clarinet
  • Bobby Campo – trumpet
  • Mark Mullins – trombone
  • Todd Sickafoose – horn arrangements
  • Jenny Scheinman – violin, backing vocals
  • Justin Vernon – backing vocals
  • Petah Napolitano, Gail Ann Dorsey – backing vocals
  • Mike Napolitano – recording
  • Tchad Blake – mixing
  • Brian Lucey – mastering
  • David Calderley at graphic therapy – design
  • GMD Three – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Ani DiFranco.

  1. Binary
  2. Pacifist’s Lament
  3. Zizzing
  4. Play God
  5. Alrighty
  6. Telepathic
  7. Even More
  8. Spider

Youssou N’Dour: Egypt

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On June 8, 2004, “Nonesuch” label released “Egypt”, the twenty-second Youssou N’Dour album. It was recorded in 2004, and was produced by Youssou N’Dour and Fathy Salama.

Personnel:

  • Youssou N’Dour – vocals, English translations
  • Mostafa Abd El Azeez – arghul
  • Ahmed El Gazar – sagat
  • Mamdouh El Gebaly – oud
  • Ayman Sedky – duhulla
  • Nidhat Adb El Sameeh – violin
  • Bisheer Ewees – violin
  • Mbaye Dieye Faye – percussion
  • Kabou Gueye, Mama Gueye, Souka Gueye – backing vocals
  • Hasaneen Hindy – mizmar
  • Yuri Kablotsky – violin
  • Babou Laye – kora
  • Ramadan Mansoor – tabla
  • Fathy Salama– arranger, conductor
  • Yaser Mal Allah – percussion
  • Beugue Fallou Ensemble – percussion, backing vocals
  • Ndiaga N’Dour, Segui Niang, Alaa El Kashief, Khalid Raaouf – engineer
  • Philippe Brun – mixing
  • Robert C. Ludwig – mastering
  • Frank Olinsky – design
  • Veronique Rolland – photography
  • Thomas Rome – English translations
  • Cheikh Thiam, Cheikh Amala Diallo – English translations, transcription

Track listing:

All tracks by Youssou N’Dour

  1. Allah
  2. Shukran Bamba
  3. Mahdiyu Laye
  4. Tijaniyya
  5. Baay Niasse
  6. Bambathe Poet
  7. Cheikh Ibra Fall
  8. Touba- Daru Salaam

The Clarks: Fast Moving Cars

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On June 8, 2004, “Razor & Tie” label released “Fast Moving Cars”, the seventh  Clarks (The) studio album.

Personnel:

  • Scott Blasey- lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars
  • Rob James– vocals, electric guitar
  • Greg Joseph – vocals, bass guitar
  • Dave Minarik – vocals, drums

Track listing:

  1. Hell On Wheels
  2. Anymore
  3. Shimmy Low
  4. Wait a Minute
  5. Happy
  6. Blue
  7. Fast Moving Cars
  8. She Says Don’t Miss Me
  9. Gypsy Lounge
  10. You Know Everything
  11. Take Your Time
  12. Train

Cowboy Junkies: One Soul Now

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On June 8, 2004, “Latent” label released “One Soul Now”, the ninth Cowboy Junkies studio album.  It was recorded October 2002 – October 2003, and was produced by Michael Timmins.

Personnel:

  • Margo Timmins– vocals, engineer, mixing
  • Michael Timmins – guitar
  • Alan Anton – bass
  • Peter Timmins – drums
  • Jeff Bird – percussion, electronic mandolin, melodica
  • Linford Detweiler – organ
  • Richard Bell – organ, piano
  • Jaro Czerwinec – accordion
  • Daryl Smith – engineer, mixing
  • Michael Sponarski – engineer
  • Jeff Wolpert – mixing
  • Peter Moore– mastering
  • David Houghton – art direction
  • Open Circle – cover design

Track listing:

All tracks by Michael Timmins.

  1. One Soul Now
  2. Why This One
  3. My Wild Child
  4. From Hunting Ground to City Street
  5. The Stars of Our Stars
  6. Notes Falling Slow
  7. No Long Journey Home
  8. He Will Call You Baby
  9. Simon Keeper
  10. The Slide

Dream Theater: Octavarium

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On June 7, 2005, “Atlantic” label released “Octavarium”, the eighth Dream Theater studio album. It was recorded September 2004 – February 2005, at “The Hit Factory” in, New York City, and was produced by John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy.

Personnel:

  • James LaBrie– lead vocals
  • John Petrucci– guitar, backing vocals
  • Jordan Rudess– keyboards, continuum, lap steel guitar
  • John Myung– bass
  • Mike Portnoy– drums, backing vocals
  • Pamela Sklar – flute
  • Joe Anderer, Stewart Rose – French Horns
  • Elena Barere – concert master
  • Katharine Fong, Ann Lehmann, Katherine Livolsi-Stern, Laura McGinniss, Catherine Ro, Ricky Sortomme, Yuri Vodovoz – violin
  • Vincent Lionti, Karen Dreyfus – viola
  • Richard Locker, Jeanne LeBlanc – cello
  • String quartet:
  • Elena Barere, Carol Webb – violins
  • Vincent Lionti – viola
  • Richard Locker – cello
  • Jamshied Sharifi – strings arrangements, conductor
  • Jill Dell’Abate – orchestral contractor
  • Doug Oberkircher – engineer
  • Colleen Culhane, Kaori Kinoshita, Ryan Simms – engineer assistant
  • Bert Baldwin – additional studio assistance
  • Michael H. Brauer – mixing
  • Keith Gary – assistant, Pro Tools engineer
  • Will Hensley – second assistant
  • Pyr Osh – mastering
  • Hugh Syme- art direction, design, photography

Track listing:

All music by James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung and Mike Portnoy.

  1. The Root of All Evil – lyrics by Mike Portnoy
  • Ready
  • Remove
  1. The Answer Lies Within – lyrics by John Petrucci
  2. These Walls – lyrics by John Petrucci
  3. I Walk Beside You – lyrics by John Petrucci
  4. Panic Attack – lyrics by John Petrucci
  5. Never Enough – lyrics by Mike Portnoy
  6. Sacrificed Sons – lyrics by James LaBrie
  7. Octavarium – lyrics by James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy
  • Someone Like Him
  • Medicate (Awakening)
  • Full Circle
  • Intervals
  • Razor’s Edge

Ringo Starr: Choose Love

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On June 7, 2005, “Koch” label released “Choose Love”, the fourteenth Ringo Starr studio album. It was recorded 2004 – 2005, and was produced by Ringo Starr and Mark Hudson.

Personnel:

  • Ringo Starr – vocals, drums, percussion, intro/outro demo tape , organ, loop, additional photos
  • Ringo Starr, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr – uboo drum band
  • Chrissie Hynde– lead vocals
  • Barbara Starkey– devil voice
  • Robert Randolph– lead guitar
  • Steve Dudas – electric guitar, acoustic guitar
  • Gary Burr– acoustic, alide and electric guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Mark Mirando – electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Billy Preston– piano, B3 organ, backing vocals
  • Mark Hudson– bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals,  keyboards, sax arrangement, harmonica
  • Dan Higgins– horns, saxes, woodwinds
  • Gary Grant– horns
  • Jim Cox – horn arrangement, piano, sax arrangement, woodwind arrangement
  • Rose Stone – choirarrangement
  • John Amato– saxes
  • Dean Grakal – backing vocals
  • The Rose Stone Choir – backing vocals
  • Bruce Sugar – recording
  • Kevin Churko, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas – additional recording
  • Lior Goldenberg, Ghian Wright, Andy Brohard – engineer assistant
  • Dave Way– mixing
  • George Marino – mastering
  • Tyrone Drake – art direction, design
  • Barbara Starkey – cover photo
  • Barbara Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Edward AJAJ, Teness Herman – additional photos

Track listing:

  1. Fading In Fading Out – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
  2. Give Me Back the Beat – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
  3. Oh My Lord – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
  4. Hard to Be True – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
  5. Some People – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
  6. Wrong All the Time – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
  7. Don’t Hang Up – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
  8. Choose Love – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr
  9. Me and You – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Steve Dudas
  10. Satisfied – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Nicholson
  11. The Turnaround – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal
  12. Free Drinks – Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, Dean Grakal

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint: The River in Reverse

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On June 6, 2006, “Verve Forecast” label released “The River in Reverse”, album by Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint. It was recorded November 27 – December 10, 2005, and was produced by Joe Henry.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Costello – lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, Hammond organ, tambourine, tremolo
  • Allen Toussaint–lead and backing vocals, electric piano, horn arrangements
  • Anthony “AB” Brown – guitar
  • Davey Faragher– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve Nieve– piano, Hammond organ, clavinet, Farfisa organ
  • Pete Thomas- drums, percussion
  • Sam Williams- trombone
  • Carl Blouin – baritone saxophone
  • Amadee Castenell – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Brian Cayolle – baritone saxophone

Track listing:

All tracks by Allen Toussaint, except where noted..

  1. On Your Way Down
  2. Nearer to You
  3. Tears, Tears and More Tears
  4. The Sharpest Thorn – Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint
  5. Who’s Gonna Help Brother Get Further?
  6. The River in Reverse – Elvis Costello
  7. Freedom for the Stallion
  8. Broken Promise Land – Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint
  9. Ascension Day – Roy “Professor Longhair” Byrd, Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint
  10. International Echo – Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint
  11. All These Things
  12. Wonder Woman
  13. Six-Fingered Man – Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint

Cheap Trick: Rockford

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On June 6, 2006, “Big 3” label released “Rockford”, the fifteenth Cheap Trick studio album. It was recorded 2004 – 2005 in Rockford, Illinois, and was produced by Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, Tom Peterson, Bun E. Carlos, Jim “Pinky Beeman, Julian Raymond, Jack Douglas, Steve Albini and Chris Shaw.

Personnel:

  • Robin Zander– vocals, additional guitar, keyboards
  • Rick Nielsen– guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Tom Petersson– bass guitars, additional guitar, backing vocals
  • Bun E. Carlos– drums, backing vocals
  • Damon Fox, Kim Bullard– keyboards
  • Robin Taylor Zander – backing vocals
  • Jack Douglas– shaker
  • Bryan Cook, Chris Shaw, Jack Douglas, Jim “Pinky” Beeman, Jimmy Johnson, Linda Perry, Roger Moutenot, Steve Albini, Steve Thompson, Tommy Jamin – engineer
  • Andrew Chavez, Bill Synan, Eric Hunter, Kevin Churko, Mike Mang, Tommy Jamin – engineer assistant
  • Richie “Britley” Hughes – art direction
  • John Johnson – cover art

Track listing:

  1. Welcome to the World – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  2. Perfect Stranger – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos, Linda Perry
  3. If it Takes a Lifetime – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos, Julian Raymond
  4. Come On Come On Come On – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  5. O Claire – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  6. This Time You Got It – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  7. Give It Away – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  8. One More – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  9. Every Night and Every Day – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos
  10. Dream the Night Away – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos, Bill Lloyd
  11. All Those Years – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos, Julian Raymond
  12. Decal – Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson, Bun E. Carlos

Alexi Murdoch: Time Without Consequence

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On June 6, 2006, “Zero Summer” label released “Time Without Consequence”, the debut Alexi Murdoch album. It was recorded 2004 – 2006, and was produced by Alexi Murdoch.

Personnel:

  • Alexi Murdoch– vocals, guitar, slide guitar, piano, harmonium, organ, keyboards, snare drum, cymbals, tambourine
  • Greg Leisz – guitar, pedal steel guitar
  • Joel Shearer – guitar, shaker, backing vocals
  • Ben Peeler – lap steel guitar
  • Marvin Etzioni- mandolin
  • Zac Rae – keyboards, vibraphone
  • Deron Johnson – Fender Rhodes piano
  • Brett Simons – double bass, electric bass
  • Jim Keltner- drums
  • Jay Bellerose – drums, tambourine, percussion
  • Ramy Antoun – drums
  • Al Sgro – drums, backing vocals
  • Jason McKenzie – tabla
  • Pete Thomas- tom tom
  • Sophie Barker- backing vocals
  • Oliver Kraus- cello

Track listing:

All tracks by Alexi Murdoch.

  1. All My Days
  2. Breathe
  3. Home
  4. Song for You
  5. Dream About Flying
  6. Wait
  7. Love You More
  8. Blue Mind
  9. Shine
  10. 12
  11. Orange Sky

Clarence Fountain

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On June 3, 2018, Clarence Fountain died aged 88. He was a founding member and leader of the gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama. Fountain and the group have worked with many famous musicians including Tom Waits, Lou Reed, Justin Vernon, k.d. Lang and Mavis Staples. Blind Boys of Alabama won five “Grammy Awards”, and received the “Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award”, and were inducted into the “Alabama Music Hall of Fame” in 2010.

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