Tag Archives: Berry Gordy

Etta James: Etta James Rocks The House

Leave a comment

On December 13, 1963, “Argo” label released “Etta James Rocks the House”, the first Etta James live album. It was recorded in September 1963, at the “New Era Club” in Nashville, Tennessee, and was produced by Leonard Chess and Etta James.

Personnel:

  • Etta James – vocals
  • David T. Walker – guitar
  • Vonzell Cooper – organ
  • Marion Wright – bass
  • Freeman Brown – drums
  • Richard Waters – drums
  • Garnell Cooper – tenor saxophone

Track listing:

  1. Something’s Got a Hold on Me – Etta James, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods
  2. Baby What You Want Me to Do – Jimmy Reed
  3. What’d I Say – Ray Charles
  4. Money (That’s What I Want) – Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy, Jr.
  5. Seven Day Fool – Billy Davis, Berry Gordy, Jr., Sonny Woods
  6. Sweet Little Angel – Robert McCollum
  7. Ooh Poo Pah Doo – Jessie Hill
  8. Woke Up This Morning – B.B. King

The Jackson 5: Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

Leave a comment

On December 12, 1969, “Motown” label released “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5”, the debut Jackson 5 (The) studio album. It was recorded May – August 1969, at “The Sound Factory” in Hollywood, California, and was produced by Bobby Taylor and The Corporation (Berry Gordy, Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards).

Personnel:

  • The Jackson 5 (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael) – vocals
  • David Blumberg, David Van DePitte, Paul Riser, The Corporation – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – artwork direction
  • Ken Kim – artwork, design
  • Jim Hendin – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah – Ray Gilbert, Allie Wrubel
  2. Nobody – The Corporation
  3. I Want You Back – The Corporation
  4. Can You Remember – Thom Bell, William Hart
  5. Standing in the Shadow of Love – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  6. You’ve Changed – Jesse Reese
  7. My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Hank Cosby
  8. Who’s Lovin’ You – Smokey Robinson
  9. Chained – Frank Wilson
  10. I Know I’m Losing You – Cornelius Grant, Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland
  11. Stand – Sylvester Stewart
  12. Born to Love You – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson

Jackson 5: Skywriter

Leave a comment

On March 29, 1973, “Motown” label released “Skywriter”, the seventh Jackson 5 studio album. It was recorded April 1972 – January 1973, and was produced by Hal Davis and The Corporation.

Personnel:

  • Tito Jackson – vocals, lead guitar, synthesizer
  • Jermaine Jackson – lead vocals, bass guitar
  • Michael Jackson – lead vocals, percussion
  • Jackie Jackson – lead vocals, percussion
  • Marlon Jackson – vocals, percussion
  • Rod Dyer – design
  • Leandro Correa – photography
  • Berry Gordy – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Skywriter – Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino
  2. Hallelujah Day – Freddie Perren, Christine Yarian
  3. The Boogie Man – Deke Richards
  4. Touch – Pam Sawyer, Frank Wilson
  5. Corner of the Sky – Stephen Schwartz
  6. I Can’t Quit Your Love – Leonard Caston, Kathy Wakefield
  7. Uppermost – Clifton Davis
  8. World of Sunshine – Mel Larson, Jerry Marcellino
  9. Ooh, I’d Love to Be with You – Fonce Mizell, Larry Mizell
  10. You Made Me What I Am – The Corporation

The Supremes: The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop

Leave a comment

On February 22, 1965, “Motown” label released “The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop”, the fourth Supremes (The) studio album. It was recorded 1962 – 1965, at “Hitsville U.S.A.” in Detroit, and was produced by Clarence Paul.

Personnel:

  • Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson – lead and backing vocals
  • Cranford Nix, Sr. – banjo
  • The Andantes – additional backing vocals
  • Lawrence Horn – co-producer

Track listing:

  1. Funny How Time Slips Away – Willie Nelson
  2. My Heart Can’t Take It No More – Clarence Paul
  3. It Makes No Difference Now – Floyd Tillman
  4. You Didn’t Care – Clarence Paul
  5. Tears in Vain – Clarence Paul
  6. Tumbling Tumbleweeds – Bob Nolan
  7. Lazy Bones – Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael
  8. You Need Me – Clarence Paul
  9. Baby Doll – Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder
  10. Sunset – Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder
  11. The Man With the) Rock and Roll Banjo Band – Clarence Paul, Berry Gordy, Jr.

The Miracles: Hi…We’re The Miracles

Leave a comment

In January 1961, “Tamla” label released “Hi… We’re the Miracles”, the debut Miracles (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1960, and was produced by Berry Gordy Jr.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead and backing vocals
  • Ronnie White – lead and backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – lead and backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers – additional instrumentation
  • Wakefield & Mitchell – design
  • Pictorial Studios Inc. – photography

Track listing:

  1. Who’s Lovin’ You – Smokey Robinson
  2. Depend on Me – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  3. Heart Like Mine – Ronnie White, Smokey Robinson
  4. Shop Around – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  5. Won’t You Take Me Back – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  6. Cause I Love You – Ronnie White, Smokey Robinson
  7. Your Love – Smokey Robinson
  8. After All – Smokey Robinson
  9. Way Over There – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  10. Money – Berry Gordy, Janie Bradford
  11. Don’t Leave Me – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, Brian Holland, Robert Bateman

The Kingsmen: The Kingsmen In Person

Leave a comment

In December 1963, “Wand” label released “The Kingsmen in Person”, the debut Kingsmen (The) album. It was recorded April – November 1963, and was produced by Jerry Dennon.

Personnel:

  • Lynn Easton – vocals, saxophone, drums
  • Mike Mitchell – guitar
  • Don Gallucci – keyboards
  • Norm Sundholm – bass
  • Gary Abbott – drums
  • Jack Ely – vocals, guitar
  • Bob Nordby – bass
  • Dick Zimmerman – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Louie, Louie – Richard Berry
  2. The Waiting – Don Gallucci, Lynn Easton
  3. Mojo Workout – Julian Bright
  4. Fever – Otis Blackwell, Eddie Cooley
  5. Money – Berry Gordy, Janie Bradford
  6. Bent Scepter – Don Gallucci
  7. Long Tall Texan – Henry Strzelecki
  8. You Can’t Sit Down – Dee Clark, Cornell Muldrow
  9. Twist & Shout – Phil Medley, Bert Russell
  10. J.A.J. – Dave Lewis
  11. Night Train – Jimmy Forest, Oscar Washington, Lewis C. Simpkins
  12. Mashed Potatoes – Dessie Rozier

David Ruffin: Feelin’ Good

Leave a comment

In November 1969, “Motown” label released “Feelin’ Good”, the second David Ruffin album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Clay McMurray, Hank Cosby, Leonard Caston, Berry Gordy, Johnny Bristol, Ashford & Simpson, Al Kent, George Gord and Allen Story.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin – vocal
  • David Van De Pitte, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, Willie Shorter – arrangements
  • Randy Kling
  • Curtis McNair – design

Track listing:

  1. Loving You (Is Hurting Me) – Jeana Jackson, Leonard Caston
  2. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Randy Myers
  3. I’m So Glad I Fell for You – Art Posey, Glenna Session
  4. Feeling Alright – Dave Mason
  5. I Could Never Be President – Bettye Crutcher, Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson
  6. I Pray Everyday You Won’t Regret Loving Me – Bubba Knight, Gladys Knight, Johnny Bristol
  7. What You Gave Me – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. One More Hurt – Albert Hamilton, Norma Toney, William Garrett
  9. I Let Love Slip Away – Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye, Horgay Gordy
  10. I Don’t Know Why I Love You – Clay McMurray
  11. The Forgotten Man – Henry Cosby, Joe Hinton, Pam Sawyer
  12. The Letter – Al Cleveland, William Robinson, Terry Johnson

Diana Ross & The Supremes: Love Child

Leave a comment

On November 13, 1968, “Motown” label released “Love Child”, the fifteenth Diana Ross & the Supremes studio album. It was recorded February – October 1968, and was produced by Berry Gordy, Frank Wilson, R. Dean Taylor, Deke Richards, Henry Cosby, Smokey Robinson, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Marv Johnson, George Gordy, Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol.

Personnel:

  • Diana Ross – lead vocals
  • Mary Wilson – backing vocals
  • Cindy Birdsong – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • Nickolas Ashford – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – instrumentation
  • Los Angeles area session musicians – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Love Child – Pam Sawyer, R. Dean Taylor, Frank Wilson, Deke Richards
  2. Keep an Eye – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  3. How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone – Pam Sawyer, Frank Wilson
  4. Does Your Mama Know About Me – Tom Baird, Tommy Chong
  5. Honey Bee (Keep on Stinging Me) – Janie Bradford, Debbie Dean, Deke Richards
  6. Some Things You Never Get Used To – Nikolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  7. He’s My Sunny Boy – Smokey Robinson
  8. You’ve Been So Wonderful to Me – Anna Gordy Gaye, George Gordy, Allen Story
  9. (Don’t Break These) Chains of Love – George Beauchamp, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  10. You Ain’t Livin’ Till You’re Lovin’ – Nikolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  11. I’ll Set You Free – Gwen Fuqua, B. Gordy, Ivy Jo Hunter, Renee Tener
  12. Can’t Shake It Loose – Sidney Barnes, George Clinton, Joanne Jackson, Rose Marie McCoy

The Miracles: The Miracles Doin’ Mickey’s Monkey

Leave a comment

On November 11, 1963, “Tamla” label released “The Miracles Doin’ Mickey’s Monkey”, the fifth Miracles (The) album. It was recorded in 1963, at “Hitsville USA”, and was produced by Smokey Robinson, Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Claudette Rogers Robinson – lead and backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Pete Moore – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Stanley Mouse – artwork

Track listing:

  1. Mickey’s Monkey – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  2. Dance What You Wanna – James Alexander, Sam Cooke, Clifton White
  3. The Wah-Watusi – Dave Appell, Kal Mann
  4. The Twist – Hank Ballard
  5. Dancin’ Holiday – Diane Rogers, Fred Smith, Zelda Samuels
  6. Land of a Thousand Dances – Chris Kenner
  7. I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. The Monkey Time – Curtis Mayfield
  9. The Groovey Thing – Smokey Robinson
  10. Twist and Shout – Phil Medley, Bert Russell
  11. Do You Love Me – Berry Gordy, Jr.  

Diana Ross & The Supremes And The Temptations: Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations

Leave a comment

On November 6, 1968, “Motown” label released “Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations”, album by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations. It was recorded May – September 1968, and was produced by  Frank Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland, Henry Cosby, Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Nickolas Ashford and Deke Richards.

Personnel:

  • Diana Ross & The Supremes – vocals
  • The Temptations – vocals
  • Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – horns, strings
  • Los Angeles area session musicians – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Try It Baby – Berry Gordy
  2. I Second That Emotion – Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland
  3. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Jerry Ross
  5. This Guy’s in Love With You – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  6. Funky Broadway – Arlester Christian
  7. I’ll Try Something New – Smokey Robinson
  8. A Place in the Sun – Ron Miller, Bryan Wells
  9. Sweet Inspiration – Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
  10. Then – Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore
  11. The Impossible Dream – Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh