Tag Archives: 1974

Ohio Players: Skin Tight

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In April 1974, “Mercury” label released “Skin Tight”, the fifth Ohio Players studio album. It was recorded in 1974, at “Paragon Studios” in Chicago, Illinois, and was produced by James Williams, Billy Beck, Clarence Satchell, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks and Marvin Pierce.

Personnel:

  • Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner– lead and backing vocals, guitar, percussion
  • Billy Beck – lead and backing vocals, piano, organ, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, ARP, percussion
  • Marshall “Rock” Jones– Fender bass
  • James “Diamond” Williams – lead and backing vocals, drums, chimes, percussion
  • Clarence “Satch” Satchell – lead and backing vocals, baritone sax, tenor sax, flute, percussion,
  • Ralph “Pee Wee” Middlebrooks – lead and backing vocals, trumpet
  • Marvin “Merv” Pierce – trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trombone, backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by James Williams, Billy Beck, Clarence Satchell, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks and Marvin Pierce.

  1. Skin Tight
  2. Streakin’ Cheek to Cheek
  3. It’s Your Night/Words of Love
  4. Jive Turkey
  5. Heaven Must Be Like This
  6. Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved

Procol Harum: Exotic Birds and Fruit

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In April 1974, “Chrysalis” released “Exotic Birds and Fruit”, the seventh Procol Harum album. It was recorded 1973-1974, and was produced by Chris Thomas. The cover painting was by the Slovak artist Jakob Bogdani.

Personnel:

  • Gary Brooker– vocals, piano
  • Mick Grabham– guitar
  • BJ Cole– pedal steel guitar
  • Chris Copping– organ
  • Alan Cartwright– bass guitar
  • J. Wilson– drums
  • John Punter – engineer

Track listing:

All music by Gary Brooker, all lyrics by Keith Reid.

  1. Nothing but the Truth
  2. Beyond the Pale
  3. As Strong as Samson
  4. The Idol
  5. The Thin End of the Wedge
  6. Monsieur R. Monde
  7. Fresh Fruit
  8. Butterfly Boys
  9. New Lamps for Old

Gryphon: Midnight Mushrumps

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In April 1974, “Transatlantic” label released “Midnight Mushrumps”, the second Gryphon studio album. It was recorded in January 1974, at “Chipping Norton Recording Studios” in Oxfordshire, and was produced by Richard Harvey, Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor, Philip Nestor and David Oberlé.

Personnel:

  • Graeme Taylor– vocals, acoustic, semi-acoustic, classical, electric and 12-string guitars
  • Richard Harvey – vocals, harmonium, pipe organ, grand piano, harpsichord, electric pianos, toy piano, keyboard glockenspiel, mandolin, recording
  • Brian Gulland– vocals, bassoon, bass krumhorn, tenor recorder, keyboards
  • Philip Nestor– bass guitars
  • David Oberlé– lead vocals, drums, timpani, percussion
  • Dave Grinsted – engineer
  • Ann Sullivan – art direction
  • Clive Boursnell – photography

Track listing:

  1. Midnight Mushrumps – Richard Harvey
  2. The Plough-Boy’s Dream – t arr. by Richard Harvey, Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor, Philip Nestor and David Oberlé.
  3. The Last Flash of Gaberdine Taylor – Graeme Taylor
  4. Gulland Rock – Brian Gulland
  5. Dubbel Dutch – Graeme Taylor
  6. Ethelion – Richard Harvey, Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor, Philip Nestor and David Oberlé.

Elf: Carolina County Ball

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In April 1974, “MGM” label released “Carolina County Ball”, the second Elf album. It was recorded January-March, at “The Manor Studio” and was produced by Roger Glover.

Personnel:

  • Ronnie James Dio – lead vocals
  • Steve Edwards – guitar
  • Mickey Lee Soule – keyboards
  • Craig Gruber – bass
  • Gary Driscoll – drums
  • Henry Lowther – trumpet
  • Chris Pyne – trombone
  • Ray Swinfield – clarinet
  • Mountain Fjord, M.D., & Martyn Ford – strings
  • Roger Glover – string arrangements
  • The Manor Chorus – vocals
  • Helen Chappell, Liza Strike, & Barry St. John – backing vocals
  • Simon Heyworth – recording
  • Lou (Conway) Austin – recording
  • Fin Costello – photography

Track listing:

All tracks written by Ronnie James Dio and Mickey Lee Soule.

  1. Carolina County Ball
  2. A. 59
  3. Ain’t It All Amusing
  4. Happy
  5. Annie New Orleans
  6. Rocking Chair Rock’n’Roll Blues
  7. Rainbow
  8. Do the Same Thing
  9. Blanche

Focus: Hamburger Concerto

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In April 1974, “Polydor” label released “Hamburger Concerto”, the fourth Focus studio album. It was recorded January-March 1974, at “Olympic Sound Studios” and was produced by Mike Vernon.The album title track is based on Variations on a Theme by Haydn by Johannes Brahms. “Delitae Musicae”,

Personnel:

  • Thijs van Leer– vocals, organ, flute, piano, harpsichord, Moog synthesizer
  • Jan Akkerman– guitar
  • Bert Ruiter– bass guitar
  • Colin Allen– drums

Track listing:

  1. Harem Scarem – Thijs van Leer
  2. La Cathedrale de Strasbourg – Thijs van Leer
  3. Birth – Jan Akkerman
  4. Hamburger Concerto
  • Starter – Thijs van Leer
  • Rare – Jan Akkerman
  • Medium I – Thijs van Leer
  • Medium II – Jan Akkerman
  • Well Done – Thijs van Leer
  • One for the Road – Jan Akkerman

 

Stephen Stills: Illegal Stills

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In March 1976, “Columbia” label released “Illegal Stills” the fourth Stephen Stills album. It was recorded 1974-1976, and was produced by Stephen Stills and Don Gehman.

Personnel:

  • Stephen Stills – vocals, bass guitar, guitars, keyboards
  • Howard Kaylan – vocals
  • Mark Volman – vocals
  • Donnie Dacus – vocals, guitars
  • George Terry – guitars
  • Jerry Aiello  – keyboards
  • George “Chocolate” Perry – bass guitar
  • Joe Vitale- drums
  • Tubby Zeigler – drums
  • Joe Lala – percussion

Track listing:

  1. Buyin’ Time – Stephen Stills
  2. Midnight in Paris -Donnie Dacus, Véronique Sanson
  3. Different Tongues – Stephen Stills, Donnie Dacus
  4. Soldier – Donnie Dacus, Stephen Stills
  5. The Loner – Neil Young
  6. Stateline Blues – Stephen Stills
  7. Closer to You – Donnie Dacus, Warner Schwebke, Stephen Stills
  8. No Me Niegas – Stephen Stills
  9. Ring of Love – Donnie Dacus, Stephen Stills
  10. Circlin – Kenny Passarelli, Stephen Stills

Golden Earring: Switch

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In March 1975, “Polydor” label released “Switch” the eleventh Golden Earring album. It was recorded 1974-1975, and was produced by George Kooymans,  Rinus Gerritsen,  Barry Hay, Cesar Zuiderwijk, Eelco Gelling, Bertus Borgers and Robert Jan Stips

Personnel:

  • George Kooymans – vocals, guitar, arrangements
  • Eelco Gelling – guitar, arrangements
  • Barry Hay – vocals, flute, arrangements
  • Rinus Gerritsen – bass, keyboards, arrangements
  • Cesar Zuiderwijk- drums, arrangements
  • Bertus Borgers- saxophone
  • Robert Jan Stips– keyboards
  • Robert Jan Stips – string arrangements
  • Andy Knight, John Kriek – engineer, mixing
  • Jan Schuurman – engineer
  • George Osaki – art direction
  • Barry Hay – concept
  • Paul Gerritsma, Graham Hughes – photography
  • Fred Haayen – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Barry Hay and George Kooymans except where noted.

  1. Intro: Plus Minus Absurdio
  2. Love Is a Rodeo
  3. The Switch
  4. Kill Me (Ce Soir) – John Fenton, Barry Hay, George Kooymans
  5. Tons of Time
  6. Daddy’s Gonna Save My Soul
  7. Troubles and Hassles
  8. Lonesome D.J.

Eric Clapton: There’s One In Every Crowd

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In March 1975, “RSO” label released “There’s One in Every Crowd”, the third Eric Clapton solo album. It was recorded 1974-1975, and was produced by Tom Dowd.

Personnel:

  • Eric Clapton – lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, dobro
  • George Terry – acoustic and electric guitars, group vocals
  • Dick Sims – organ, piano, electric piano
  • Jamie Oldaker– drums, percussion

Track listing:

  1. We’ve Been Told (Jesus Coming Soon) – traditional, Willie Johnson
  2. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – traditional, arr. by Eric Clapton
  3. Little Rachel – Jim Byfield
  4. Don’t Blame Me – Eric Clapton, George Terry
  5. The Sky Is Crying – Elmore James
  6. Singin’ the Blues – Mary McCreary
  7. Better Make It Through Today – Eric Clapton
  8. Pretty Blue Eyes – Eric Clapton
  9. High – Eric Clapton
  10. Opposites – Eric Clapton

Steely Dan: Katy Lied

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In March 1975, “ABC Records” label released “Katy Lied” the fourth Steely Dan album. It was recorded November 1974-January 1975, at “ABS Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Gary Katz.

Personnel:

  • Donald Fagen– vocals, piano, keyboards, saxophone
  • Walter Becker– bass, guitar
  • Michael Omartian, David Paich– pianos, keyboards
  • Hugh McCracken– guitar
  • Denny Dias– guitar
  • Rick Derringer– guitar
  • Dean Parks– guitar
  • Elliott Randall– guitar
  • Larry Carlton– guitar
  • Wilton Felder, Chuck Rainey– bass guitars
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • Hal Blaine– drums
  • Victor Feldman– percussion
  • Phil Woods– alto saxophone
  • Jimmie Haskell– horns, horns arrangement
  • Bill Perkins– horns
  • Michael McDonald– backing vocals
  • Myrna Matthews, Sherlie Matthews, Carolyn Willis – backing vocals
  • Jimmie Haskell – arrangements
  • Roger Nichols – engineer
  • Rick Collins – mastering
  • Dinky Dawson – sound consultant
  • Daniel Levitin – concultant

Track listing:

All tracks by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

  1. Black Friday
  2. Bad Sneakers
  3. Rose Darling
  4. Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More
  5. Doctor Wu
  6. Everyone’s Gone to the Movies
  7. Your Gold Teeth II
  8. Chain Lightning
  9. Any World (That I’m Welcome To)
  10. Throw Back the Little Ones