Tag Archives: Adolfo Acosta

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.

  1. I Haven’t Played This Song in Years
  2. Don’t Look Down
  3. I Believe in Happy Endings
  4. At the Movies
  5. Midnight Dream
  6. You Are the Best Part of Me
  7. Baby Let’s Drive
  8. My Special Someone
  9. A Mission of Love
  10. Elijah’s Song
  11. Leave a Little Room for God
  12. Turn Down the Lights

Tower of Power: Step Up

On March 20, 2020, “Mack Avenue Records” label released “Step Up”, the 22nd Tower of Power album. It was recorded over the course of the 2010s, at “Blue Moon” in Los Angeles, “Track Shack” in Sacramento, and was produced by Joe Vannelli and Emilio Castillo.

Personnel:

  • Emilio Castillo – lead and backing vocals, tenor saxophone
  • Roger Smith – lead vocals, keyboards, Hammond B3 organ
  • Jerry Cortez – guitars, electric sitar, backing vocals
  • Marcus Scott – lead and backing vocals
  • Ray Greene – lead and backing vocals, trombone
  • Joe Vannelli – keyboards, auxiliary percussion, vibes, marimba
  • Tom E. Politzer – alto and tenor saxophone
  • Stephen “Doc” Kupka – baritone saxophone
  • Chuck Hansen – bass saxophone
  • Adolfo Acosta – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Sal Cracchiolo – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Francis Rocco Prestia – bass guitar
  • David Garibaldi – drums
  • Leah Meux – backing vocals
  • Tiwana Porter – backing vocals
  • Melanie Jackson – backing vocals
  • Dave Eskridge – horn and string arrangements

Track listing:

  1. East Bay, All the Way! – David Garibaldi, Francis Rocco Prestia, Roger Smith, Jerry Cortez
  2. Step Up – Emilio Castillo, Roger Smith
  3. The Story of You and I – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
  4. Who Would Have Thought – Stephen Kupka, Nick Lane, Lamont Van Hook
  5. Addicted to You – Emilio Castillo, Sydney Justin
  6. Look in My Eyes – Francis Rocco Prestia, Thomas William Schuman, Kevin Henry Whalum
  7. You da One – Francis Rocco Prestia, Thomas William Schuman, Sennie Rudolph Martin
  8. Sleeping with You Baby – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka
  9. If It’s Tea Give Me Coffee – Stephen Kupka, William Ross
  10. Beyond My Wildest Dreams – Bruce Conte
  11. Any Excuse Will Do – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, Lenny Pickett
  12. If You Wanna Be a Winner – Emilio Castillo, David Garibaldi, Francis Rocco Prestia, Roger Smith, Jerry Cortez
  13. Let’s Celebrate Our Love – Emilio Castillo, Mark Dolin
  14. East Bay! Oaktown All the Way! – David Garibaldi, Francis Rocco Prestia, Roger Smith, Jerry Cortez