Tag Archives: Al Schmitt

Everything But The Girl: Language Of Life

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On February 5, 1990, “Atlantic” and “Blanco y Negro Records” labels released “The Language of Life”, the fifth Everything but the Girl studio album. It was recorded in 1989, at “Bill Schnee Studios”, “Ocean Way Recording” and “Sunset Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Tracey Thorn – vocals
  • Ben Watt – vocals, guitar, piano
  • Michael Landau – guitar
  • Larry Williams – piano, synthesizers
  • Russell Ferrante – piano
  • Joe Sample – piano
  • John Patitucci – bass
  • Omar Hakim – drums
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
  • Lenny Castro – percussion
  • Marc Russo – alto saxophone
  • Stan Getz – tenor saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Kirk Whalum – tenor saxophone
  • Jerry Hey – flugelhorn, horn arrangements
  • Al Schmitt – engineer
  • Bill Schnee – mixing
  • Nick Knight – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Ben Watt, except where noted.

  1. Driving
  2. Get Back Together
  3. Meet Me in the Morning – Ben Watt, Tracey Horn
  4. Me and Bobby D – Ben Watt, Tracey Thorn
  5. The Language of Life – Ben Watt, Tracey Horn
  6. Take Me – Cecil Womack, Linda Womack
  7. Imagining America
  8. Letting Love Go
  9. My Baby Don’t Love Me
  10. The Road

Horace Silver: A Prescription For The Blues

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In October 1997, “Impulse!” label released “A Prescription for the Blues”, the 35th Horace Silver album. It was recorded in May 1997, in New York City, and was produced by Horace Silver.

Personnel:

  • Horace Silver – piano, arrangements
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Louis Hayes – drums
  • Jim Anderson – recording
  • Al Schmitt – mixing
  • Tommy LiPuma – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Horace Silver.

  1. A Prescription for the Blues
  2. Whenever Lester Plays the Blues
  3. You Gotta Shake That Thing
  4. Yodel Lady Blues
  5. Brother John and Brother Gene
  6. Free at Last
  7. Walk On
  8. Sunrise in Malibu
  9. Doctor Jazz

Hot Tuna: Same

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In May 1970, “RCA Victor” label released the self-titled, debut Hot Tuna album. It was recorded in September 1969, at “New Orleans House” in Berkeley, and was produced by Al Schmitt.

Personnel:

  • Jorma Kaukonen – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Will Scarlett – harmonica
  • Jack Casady – bass guitar
  • Allen Zentz – engineer
  • Pat Leraci – master of the machines
  • Margareta Kaukonen – painting
  • Gut – art direction
  • Mike Frankel – photography

Track listing:

  1. Hesitation Blues – traditional, arranged by Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
  2. How Long Blues – Leroy Carr
  3. Uncle Sam Blues – traditional, arranged by Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
  4. Don’t You Leave Me Here – Jelly Roll Morton
  5. Death Don’t Have No Mercy – Reverent Gary Davis
  6. Know Your Rider – traditional, arranged by Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady
  7. Oh Lord, Search My Heart – Reverent Gary Davis
  8. Winin’ Boy Blues – Jelly Roll Morton
  9. New Song (for the Morning) – Jorma Kaukonen
  10. Mann’s Fate – Jorma Kaukonen

Diana Krall: Only Trust Your Heart

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On February 14, 1995, “GRP” label released “Only Trust Your Heart”, the second Diana Krall studio album. It was recorded in September 1994, at “The Power Station” in New York City, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Diana Krall – vocals, piano
  • Ray Brown – bass
  • Christian McBride – bass
  • Lewis Nash – drums
  • Stanley Turrentine – tenor saxophone 
  • Al Schmitt – recording, mixing
  • Rich Lamb – engineer assistant
  • Scott Austin – engineer assistant
  • Doug Sax – mastering
  • Gavin Lurssen – mastering
  • Michael Landy – post-production
  • Joseph Doughney – post-production
  • Cara Bridgins – production coordination
  • Joseph Moore – production coordination assistant
  • Hollis King – art direction
  • Freddie Paloma – graphic design
  • Carol Weinberg – photography
  • Sonny Mediana – studio photos
  • Michael Bourne – liner notes
  • Carl Griffin – executive production

Track listing:

  1. Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby – Billy Austin, Louis Jordan
  2. Only Trust Your Heart – Benny Carter, Sammy Cahn
  3. I Love Being Here with You – Peggy Lee, Bill Schluger
  4. Broadway – Bill Byrd, Teddy McRae, Henri Woode
  5. Folks Who Live on the Hill – Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
  6. I’ve Got the World on a String – Ted Koehler, Harold Arlen
  7. Squeeze Me – Duke Ellington, Lee Gaines
  8. All Night Long – Curtis Lewis
  9. CES Craft – Ray Brown

Dr. John: Goin’ Back to New Orleans

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On June 12, 1992, “Warner Bros” label released “Goin’ Back to New Orleans”, the 17th Dr. John album. It was recorded in 1992, at “Ultrasonic Studios” in New Orleans, and was produced by Stewart Levine.

Personnel:

  • Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) – lead vocal, piano, electric piano, organ, guitar
  • Tommy Moran – guitar
  • Chief “Smiley” Ricks, Alfred “Uganda” Roberts, Charles Neville, Cyril Neville – percussion
  • Al Schmitt – engineer
  • Chris Rich, David Farrell, Steve Reynolds – engineer assistant
  • Tom Recchion – art direction, design
  • Lyn Bradley – design
  • Jason Jones – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Mac Rebennack, except where noted.

  1. Litanie des Saints
  2. Careless Love – Martha Koenig, Spencer Williams, W. C. Handy
  3. My Indian Red
  4. Mineburg Joys – Charles Melrose, Jellyroll Morton, Leon Roppola, Paul Mayers
  5. I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say – Ferdinand Morton
  6. Basin Street Blues – Spencer Williams
  7. Didn’t He Ramble – Hattie Bolten
  8. Do You Call That a Buddy? – Don Raye, Wesley Wilson
  9. How Come My Dog Don’t Bark (When You Come Around) – Prince Partridge
  10. Goodnight Irene – Huddie Ledbetter, John Lomax
  11. Fess Up
  12. Since I Fell for You – Buddy Johnson
  13. I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You – Sam Theard
  14. Cabbage Head – Henry Roeland Byrd, Mac Rebennack
  15. Goin’ Home Tomorrow – Alvin Young, Fats Domino
  16. Blue Monday – Dave Bartholomew
  17. Scald Dog Medley / I Can’t Go On – Huey “Piano” Smith, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino
  18. Goin’ Back to New Orleans – Joe Liggins

Michael Franks: The Art of Tea

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In February 1976, “Reprise” label released “The Art of Tea”, the second Michael Franks album. It was recorded May – June 1975, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Michael Franks – vocals
  • Michael Brecker – saxophone
  • David Sanborn – saxophone
  • Joe Sample – keyboards
  • Larry Bunker – vibraphone
  • Larry Carlton – guitar
  • Wilton Felder – bass
  • John Guerin – drums
  • Jerry Steinholtz – congas
  • Al Schmitt – recording, mixing
  • Lee Hershbrook, Bruce Botnick – recording
  • Doug Sax – mastering
  • Ed Thrasher – art direction, photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Michael Franks, except where noted.

  1. Nightmoves – Michael Franks, Michael Small
  2. Eggplant
  3. Monkey See – Monkey Do
  4. St. Elmo’s Fire
  5. I Don’t Know Why I’m So Happy I’m Sad
  6. Jive
  7. Popsicle Toes
  8. Sometimes I Just Forget To Smile
  9. Mr. Blue

Michael Franks: Sleeping Gypsy

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On January 22, 1977, “Warner Bros” label released “Sleeping Gypsy”, the third Michael Franks album.  It was recorded in 1976, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Michael Franks – vocals
  • Joe Sample – keyboards, piano
  • João Donato – piano
  • Larry Carlton – guitar
  • Hélio Delmiro – guitar
  • Wilton Felder – bass, saxophone
  • David Sanborn – saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Larry Bunker – vibraphone, drums, percussion
  • Ray Armando – congas, percussion
  • João Palma – drums
  • John Guerin – percussion
  • Claus Ogerman – orchestra arrangements, conductor
  • Al Schmitt – recording, mixing

Track listing:

All tracks by Michael Franks, except where noted.

  1. The Lady Wants to Know
  2. I Really Hope It’s You
  3. In The Eye Of The Storm
  4. B’wana-He No Home
  5. Don’t Be Blue – Michael Franks, John Guerin
  6. Antonio’s Song (The Rainbow)
  7. Chain Reaction – Michael Franks, Joe Sample
  8. Down In Brazil

Paul McCartney: Egypt Station

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On September 7, 2018, “Capitol” label released “Egypt Station”, the 17th Paul McCartney studio album. It was recorded January – February 2018 and was produced by Greg Kurstin, Paul McCartney, Ryan Tedder, and Zach Skelton.

Personnel:

  • Paul McCartney– lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, percussion, drums, harmonica, tape loops
  • Greg Kurstin– keyboards, electric guitar, mellotron, percussion, marimba, sound effects, vibraphone, backing vocals, arrangements, engineer
  • Rob Millett – cimbalom
  • Wix Wickens– keyboards
  • Abe Laboriel Jr.– drums, percussion, tack piano, backing vocals
  • Rusty Anderson– acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Brian Ray– acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Tim Loo – cello
  • Greg Phillinganes– piano
  • Pedro Eustache– flute, duduk
  • Ryan Tedder– backing vocals, programming
  • Zach Skelton – programming
  • Inara George, Alex Pasco, Matt Tuggle, Collin Kadlec – backing vocals
  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith– cello
  • Jodi Burnett – cello
  • Caroline Le’gene, Roy Bennett – backing vocals,
  • Julian Burg – backing vocal, engineer
  • Steve Orchard, Mauricio Cersosimo, Al Schmitt, Billy Bush, Rich Rich, Alex Pasco – engineer
  • Mark “Spike” Stent– mixing

Track listing:

All tracks by Paul McCartney, except where you noted.

  1. Opening Station
  2. I Don’t Know
  3. Come On To Me
  4. Happy With You
  5. Who Cares
  6. Fuh You – Paul McCartney, Ryan Tedder
  7. Confidante
  8. People Want Peace
  9. Hand in Hand
  10. Dominoes
  11. Back in Brazil
  12. Do It Now
  13. Caesar Rock
  14. Despite Repeated Warnings
  15. Station II
  16. Hunt You Down/Naked/C-Link

Leon Russell: Life Journey

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On April 1, 2014, “Universal Records” label released “Life Journey”, the 37th Leon Russell album. It was recorded 2013 – 2014, at “Capitol Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Leon Russell – lead and background vocals, piano, liner notes
  • Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
  • John Clayton- bass, conductor, arranger
  • Dixieland Band
  • William Cantos – background vocals
  • Alvin Chea– background vocals
  • Perry Morgan – background vocals
  • Louis Price– background vocals
  • Graham Dechter – acoustic guitar
  • Robben Ford– guitar
  • Anthony Wilson– guitar
  • Chris Simmons- slide guitar
  • Greg Leisz- pedal steel, pedal steel guitar
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar, soloist
  • Larry Goldings- Hammond B3
  • George Bohanon– trombone
  • Lee Callet – tenor saxophone
  • Charles Owens – tenor saxophone
  • Rickey Woodard– tenor saxophone
  • Keith Fiddmont – alto saxophone
  • Ira Nepus – trombone
  • Ryan Porter – trombone
  • Maurice Spears – bass trombone
  • Bijon Watson – trumpet
  • Gilbert Castellanos– trumpet
  • Clay Jenkins – trumpet
  • Sal Cracchiolo – trumpet
  • James Ford – trumpet
  • Darrell Leonard- flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Jeff Clayton- clarinet, alto saxophone
  • James Gordon – clarinet
  • Christoph Luty – bass
  • Willie Weeks- bass
  • Jeff Hamilton- drums
  • Abe Laboriel Jr.– drums
  • Elena Barere – concert master
  • Alan Broadbent- string arrangements
  • Jill Dell’Abate – string contractor
  • Elton John- executive producer
  • Shari Sutcliffe – music contractor, production coordination
  • Chandler Harrod – engineer, Pro-Tools
  • Mark Lambert – piano engineer, vocal engineer
  • Elliot Scheiner- string engineer
  • Al Schmitt- engineer, mixing
  • Doug Saks – mastering
  • Ryan Roth – design, photography
  • Mike Diehl – design

Track listing:

  1. Come On in My Kitchen – Robert Johnson
  2. Big Lips – Leon Russell
  3. Georgia on My Mind- Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
  4. That Lucky Old Sun- Haven Gillespie, Beasley Smith 4:09
  5. Fever- Eddie Cooley, John Davenport
  6. Think of Me – Mike Reid
  7. I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)- Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
  8. The Masquerade Is Over – Herb Magidson, Allie Wrubel
  9. I Really Miss You – Paul Anka
  10. New York State of Mind- Billy Joel
  11. Fool’s Paradise -Johnny Fuller, Bob Geddins, Dr. David Rosenbaum
  12. Down in Dixieland – Leon Russell

Dee Dee Bridgewater: Dear Ella

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On September 30, 1997, “Verve” label released “Dear Ella”, the eleventh Dee Dee Bridgewater studio album. It was recorded January – February 1997.  At the 40th Grammy Awards, the album won Bridgewater the “Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album” and Slide Hampton the “Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist”, for the arrangement of “Cotton Tail”.

Personnel:

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater– vocals
  • Cecil Bridgewater– trumpet, arranger, conductor
  • Antonio Hart– alto saxophone, soloist
  • Jeff Clayton– alto saxophone
  • Teodross Avery– tenor saxophone
  • Bill Easley– tenor saxophone
  • Patience Higgins – baritone saxophone
  • Virgil Jones – trumpet, horn, soloist
  • Byron Stripling– trumpet
  • Ron Tooley – trumpet
  • Diego Urcola – trumpet
  • Slide Hampton– trombone, arranger, conductor
  • Clarence Banks – trombone, horn, soloist
  • Benny Powell– trombone
  • Robert Trowers– trombone
  • Douglas Purviance– bass trombone
  • Robert Lloyd – horn
  • Anderson – tuba
  • Taylor – flute
  • Jowitt – clarinet
  • Wallbank – bass clarinet
  • J. Morgan – oboe
  • Lou Levy– piano, arranger
  • Milt Jackson– vibraphone
  • Kenny Burrell– guitar, arranger
  • Ray Brown– double bass
  • Grady Tate– drums
  • André Ceccarelli– drums
  • Hakin – percussion
  • Boguslaw Kostecki, A. Noland, T. Williams, R. Wilson – violin
  • Graham and G. Jackson – viola
  • Peter Willison – cello
  • John Clayton – big band arranger, conductor
  • Rob Eaton, Keith Grant, Al Schmitt– engineer
  • Peter Doell, Koji Egawa, Brian Garten, Alex Marcou – engineer assistant
  • Jean Luc Barilla – design
  • Philippe Pierangeli – photography

Track listing:

  1. A-Tisket, A-Tasket – Van Alexander, Ella Fitzgerald
  2. Mack the Knife – Marc Blitzstein, Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill
  3. Undecided – Leo Robin, Charlie Shavers
  4. Midnight Sun – Sonny Burke, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Mercer
  5. Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love – Cole Porter
  6. How High the Moon – Morgan Hamilton, Nancy Lewis
  7. (If You Can’t Sing It) You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini) – Sam Coslow
  8. Cotton Tail – Duke Ellington
  9. My Heart Belongs to Daddy – Cole Porter
  10. (I’d Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China – Frank Loesser
  11. Oh, Lady be Good! – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  12. Stairway to the Stars — Matty Malneck, Mitchell Parish, Frank Signorelli
  13. Dear Ella – Kenny Burrell