Tag Archives: 1979

Gillan: Mr. Universe

Leave a comment

On October 12, 1979, “Acrobat” label released “Mr. Universe”, the second Gillan studio album. It was recorded June – Jule 1979, at “Kingsway Recorders” in London, and was produced by Paul “Chas” Watkins, Ian Gillan, Colin Towns and John McCoy.

Personnel:

  • Ian Gillan – vocals, harmonica
  • Bernie Tormé – guitar
  • Colin Towns – keyboards, flute
  • John McCoy – bass
  • Mick Underwood – drums, percussion
  • Paul “Chas” Watkins – engineer
  • George Peckham – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Ian Gillan and Colin Towns, except where noted.

  1. Second Sight – Colin Towns
  2. Secret of the Dance
  3. She Tears Me Down – Colin Towns
  4. Roller
  5. Mr. Universe
  6. Vengeance
  7. Puget Sound – Ian Gillan, Colin Towns, John McCoy, Bernie Tormé, Mick Underwood
  8. Dead of Night
  9. Message in a Bottle
  10. Fighting Man – Colin Town

The Human League: Reproduction

Leave a comment

On October 5, 1979, “Virgin” label released “Reproduction”, the debut Human League (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Workshop Studio” in Sheffield, England, and was produced by Colin Thurston, Philip Oakey, Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware.

Personnel:

  • Philip Oakey – vocals, synthesizer
  • Ian Craig Marsh – vocals, synthesizer
  • Martyn Ware – vocals, synthesizer
  • Philip Adrian Wright – film technician

Track listing:

All tracks by Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware and Philip Oakey, except where noted.

  1. Almost Medieval
  2. Circus of Death
  3. The Path of Least Resistance
  4. Blind Youth
  5. The World Before Last
  6. Empire State Human
  7. Morale…You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – Barry Mann, Cynthia Well, Phil Spector
  8. Austerity/Girl One (Medley)
  9. Zero as a Limit

Yellow Magic Orchestra: Solid State Survivor

Leave a comment

On September 25, 1979, “Alfa” label released “Solid State Survivor”, the second Yellow Magic Orchestra studio album. It was recorded March – June 1979, at “Alfa Studio A” in Shibaura, Tokyo, Japan, and was produced by Haruomi Hasono.

Personnel:

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto – keyboards, vocoder, electronics, arrangements, remix, cover conception
  • Haruomi Hosono – bass guitar, synth bass, keyboards, vocoder, electronics, arrangements, remix, cover conception
  • Yukihiro Takahashi – vocals, drums, electronic drums, electronics, arrangements, remix, cover concept, costume design
  • Hideki Matsutake – Microcomposer programming
  • Sandii – vocals
  • Makoto Ayukawa – electric guitar
  • Norio Yoshizawa – recording, remixing
  • Mitsuo Koike – recording
  • Masako Hikasa, Akira Ikuta – recording coordinators
  • Heikichi Harata – art director
  • Lou Beach – logo type
  • Masayoshi Sukita – photography
  • Kunihiko Murai, Shōrō Kawazoe – executive producers
  • Bricks – costumes
  • Takehime, Fumiko Iura, Mayo Tsutsumi – stylists
  • Mikio Honda (Clip) – hair

Track listing:

All tracks by Chris Mosdell, except where noted.

  1. Technopolis – Ryuichi Sakamoto
  2. Absolute Ego Dance – Haruomi Hosono
  3. Rydeen – Yukihiro Takahashi
  4. Castalia – Ryuichi Sakamoto
  5. Behind the Mask – lyrics by Chris Mosdell, music by Ryuichi Sakamoto
  6. Day Tripper – Lennon – McCartney
  7. Insomnia – lyrics by Chris Mosdell, music by Haruomi Hosono
  8. Solid State Survivor – lyrics by Chris Mosdell, music by Yukihiro Takahaski

Aretha Franklin: La Diva

Leave a comment

On September 6, 1979, “Atlantic” label released “La Diva”, the twenty-fifth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded February – May 1979, at “Penny Lane Studios” in New York City, “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Aretha Franklin, Van McCoy, Skip Scarborough and Charles Kipps.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
  • Jack Cavari, Cornell Dupree, Tom Hanlon – guitar
  • Van McCoy – keyboards, backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
  • Kenneth Ascher, Richard Tee, Paul Griffin – keyboards
  • Ken Bichel – synthesizer, orchestra bells
  • Brian Aslop, Gordon Edwards – bass guitar
  • Chris Parker – drums
  • Errol “Crusher” Bennett, George Devens – percussion
  • Richard Gibbs – rhythm arrangements
  • Arthur Jenkins – rhythm arrangements
  • Skip Scarborough – rhythm arrangements
  • Zulema Cusseaux – rhythm arrangements, backing vocals
  • Gene Orloff – conductor
  • Albert Bailey – backing vocals
  • Sharon Brown – backing vocals
  • Diane Destry – backing vocals
  • Carolyn Franklin – backing vocals
  • Richard Harris – backing vocals
  • Brenda Hilliard – backing vocals
  • Jerome Jackson – backing vocals
  • Pete Marshall – backing vocals
  • Pat Williamson – backing vocals
  • Lee Decarlo, Alan Varner – engineer
  • Rick Delana, Brian Marine, John Terrell – engineer assistant
  • George Piros – mastering

Track listing:

  1. Ladies Only – Aretha Franklin
  2. It’s Gonna Get a Bit Better – Lalome Washburn
  3. What If I Should Ever Need You – Charles H. Kipps
  4. Honey I Need Your Love – Aretha Franklin
  5. I Was Made for You – Clarence Franklin
  6. Only Star – Aretha Franklin
  7. Reasons Why – Skip Scarborough, Wanda Hutchinson, Wayne Vaughan
  8. You Brought Me Back to Life – Van McCoy
  9. Half a Love – Zulema Cusseaux
  10. The Feeling – Van McCoy

Trooper: Flying Colours

Leave a comment

On September 4, 1979, “MCA” label released “Flying Colours”, the fifth Trooper studio album. It was recorded in 1979, and was produced by Howard Steele. The album was certified Platinum in Canada. 

Personnel:

  • Ra McGuire – vocals
  • Brian Smith – guitar, backing vocals
  • Frank Ludwig – vocals, keyboards
  • Doni Underhill – bass, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stewart – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitar
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards
  • Harold Cowart – bass
  • Joe Lala – drums
  • Sandra Rhodes, Charles Chalmers, Donna Rhodes – backing vocals
  • James O’Mara, David Sharpe – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Ra McGuire and Brian Smith, except where noted.

  1. 3 Dressed Up as a 9
  2. All Day and All of the Night – Ray Davies
  3. Go Ahead and Sue Me
  4. Quiet Desperation – Tommy Stewart, Doni Underhill, Frank Ludwig
  5. She’s So Sweet
  6. Mr Big – Tommy Stewart, Doni Underhill, Frank Ludwig
  7. Janine
  8. Back to You – Frank Ludwig
  9. Good Clean Fun
  10. Drive Away

Rose Royce: Rainbow Connection IV

Leave a comment

On August 17, 1979, “Whitfield” label released “Rainbow Connection IV”, the fourth Rose Royce album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Fort Knox Studio” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Norman Whitfield.

Personnel:

  • Gwen Dickey – lead vocals
  • Kenji Brown – lead vocals, guitar
  • Michael Nash – keyboards, c0 – producer
  • Michael Moore – saxophone
  • Kenny Copeland – lead vocals, trumpet
  • Freddie Dunn – trumpet
  • Lequeint “Duke” Jobe – vocals, bass
  • Henry Garner – vocals, drums
  • Terry Santiel – congas
  • Walter Downing – clavinet, Rhodes piano
  • Lafayette Trey Stone, Isy Martin, Wah Wah Watson – guitar
  • Jack Ashford – tambourine, cowbell
  • Norman Whitfield – arrangements, mixing, album concept
  • Bruce Miller – string and horn arrangement
  • Leanard Jackson, Steve Smith – recording, mixing
  • Tim Bryant / Gribbitt! – art direction
  • Norman Moore – design
  • Scott Hensell – photography
  • Bill Whitfield – album coordinator

Track listing:

All tracks by Norman Whitfield, except where noted.

  1. I Wonder Where You Are Tonight – Robert Daniels
  2. Is It Love You’re After – Miles Gregory
  3. Shine Your Light – Robert Daniels
  4. What You Waitin’ For – Norman Whitfield
  5. Bad Mother Funker
  6. You Can’t Run from Yourself
  7. Lock It Down – Miles Gregory
  8. Pazazz – Michael Nash

Huey Lewis And The News: Same

Leave a comment

On June 25, 1980, “Chrysalis” label released the self-titled, debut Huey Lewis and the News studio album. It was recorded in December 1979, at “American Recording” in Studio City, “Redwing Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bill Schnee.

Personnel:

  • Huey Lewis – vocals, harmonica
  • Chris Hayes – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Johnny Colla – rhythm guitar, saxophone, backing vocals
  • Sean Hopper – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Mario Cipollina – bass
  • Bill Gibson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Bill Schnee – engineer, mixing
  • Kirk Butler – engineer assistant
  • Bill Cooper – engineer assistant
  • Tim Dennen – engineer assistant
  • Doug Sax – mastering
  • Billy Bass – art direction, cover concept
  • Rod Dyer – design
  • Bill Murphy – design
  • Ron Slenzak – photography
  • Chris Welch – liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Mario Cipollina, Johnny Colla, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper and Huey Lewis, except where noted.

  1. Some of My Lies Are True (Sooner or Later)
  2. Don’t Make Me Do It
  3. Stop Trying
  4. Now Here’s You – Mario Cipollina, Johnny Colla, Bill Gibson, Chris Hayes, Sean Hopper, Huey Lewis, John McFee
  5. I Want You – Brian Marnell
  6. Don’t Ever Tell Me That You Love Me
  7. Hearts
  8. Trouble in Paradise
  9. Who Cares?
  10. If You Really Love Me You’ll Let Me

Cameo: Secret Omen

Leave a comment

On June 25, 1979, “Chocolate City” label released “Secret Omen”, the fourth Cameo studio album. It was recorded 1978 – 1979, at “H&L Studios” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Larry Blackmon.

Personnel:

  • Anthony Lockett – lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Gregory Johnson – vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Aaron Mills – bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals
  • Larry Blackmon – lead vocals, drums, percussion
  • Damon Mendes – percussion
  • Fred Wells – guitar
  • Randy Stern – keyboards
  • Arnett Leftenant – tenor saxophone, percussion, backing vocals
  • Nathan Leftenant, Arthur Young – trumpet
  • Carl Harleston – trombone
  • Seldon Powell, George Marge – flute
  • Angel Allende – conga
  • Tomi Jenkins, Wayne Cooper – vocals
  • Irving Spice’s Strings – strings

Track listing:

  1. Energy – Larry Blackmon
  2. I Just Want to Be – Larry Blackmon, Gregory Johnson
  3. Find My Way – Johnny Melfi
  4. Macho – Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, Nathan Leftenant
  5. The Rock – Larry Blackmon
  6. Sparkle – Larry Blackmon, Anthony Lockett
  7. New York – Larry Blackmon, Anthony Lockett, Aaron Mills

Blue Öyster Cult: Mirrors

Leave a comment

On June 19, 1979, “Columbia” label released “Mirrors”, the sixth Blue Öyster Cult studio album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Kendun Recorders” in Burbank, California, and was produced by Tom Werman.

Personnel:

  • Eric Bloom – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser – vocals, lead guitar
  • Allen Lanier – keyboards, guitar
  • Joe Bouchard – vocals, bass
  • Albert Bouchard – vocals, drums
  • Mickey Raphael – harmonica
  • Jai Winding – strings  
  • Genya Ravan – backing vocals 
  • Ellen Foley – backing vocals
  • Wendy Webb – backing vocals
  • Gary Ladinsky – engineer, mixing
  • Loren Salazar – painting

Track listing:

  1. Dr. Music – Joe Bouchard, Donald Roeser, Richard Meltzer
  2. The Great Dun Jester – Eric Bloom, Michael Moorcock, John Trivers
  3. In Thee – Allen Lanier
  4. Mirrors – Donal Roeser, Bruce Abbott
  5. Moon Crazy – Joe Bouchard
  6. The Vigil – Donald Roeser, Sandra Roeser
  7. I Am the Storm – Joe Bouchard, Ronald Binder
  8. You’re Not the One (I Was Looking For) – Albert Bouchard, Caryn Bouchard
  9. Lonely Teardrops – Allen Lanier

America: Silent Letter

Leave a comment

On June 15, 1979, “Capitol” label released “Silent Letter”, the eighth America studio album. It was recorded March – April 1979, at “AIR” in Montserrat, and was produced by George Martin.

Personnel:

  • Gerry Beckley – vocals, guitars, keyboards
  • Dewey Bunnell – vocals, guitars
  • Mike Woods – lead guitar
  • Jim Calire – keyboards, saxophone
  • David Dickey – bass
  • Willie Leacox – drums
  • Tom Walsh – percussion

Track listing:

  1. Only Fame in Town – Lewis Anderson, Julie Didier, Casey Kelly
  2. All Around – Gerry Beckley, Dewy Bunnell
  3. Tall Treasures – Gerry Beckley, Dewy Bunnell
  4. 1960 – Gerry Beckley
  5. And Forever – Dewy Bunnell
  6. Foolin’ – Gerry Beckley, Ricky Fataar
  7. All Night – Dewy Bunnell
  8. No Fortune – Gerry Beckley
  9. All of My Life – Gerry Beckley
  10. One Morning – Dewy Bunnell
  11. High in the City – Gerry Beckley, Dewy Bunnell