Tag Archives: Berry Gordy Jr

Miracles: The Fabolous Miracles

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On February 28, 1963, “Tamla” label released “The Fabulous Miracles”, the fourth Miracles (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1962, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy Jr.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals, executive producer
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

All tracks by Smokey Robinson, except where noted.

  1. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
  2. I’ve Been Good to You
  3. Such Is Love, Such Is Life
  4. I Can Take a Hint – Smokey Robinson, Janie Bradford, Stanley Ossman, Bobby Rogers
  5. Won’t You Take Me Back
  6. A Love She Can Count On
  7. Whatever Makes You Happy – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  8. Heartbreak Road – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  9. Happy Landing – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  10. Your Love

The Miracles: Hi…We’re The Miracles

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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 Miracles: Cookin’ With The Miracles

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On November 13, 1961, “Tamla” label released “Cookin’ with the Miracles” the second Miracles (The) album. It was recorded in 1961, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, “RCA Studios” in Chicago, and was produced by Berry Gordy Jr.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Berry Gordy, Jr. – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. That’s the Way I Feel – Berry Gordy Jr, Smokey Robinson
  2. Everybody’s Gotta Pay Some Dues – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  3. Mama – Smokey Robinson, Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy Jr.
  4. Ain’t It Baby – Berry Gordy Jr, Smokey Robinson
  5. Determination – Smokey Robinson
  6. You Never Miss A Good Thing – Berry Gordy Jr, Smokey Robinson
  7. Embraceable You – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  8. The Only One I Love – Smokey Robinson
  9. Broken Hearted – Berry Gordy Jr, Smokey Robinson
  10. I Can’t Believe – Smokey Robinson

The Hollies: Stay with the Hollies

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In January 1964, “Parlaphone” label released “Stay with The Hollies”, the debut   Hollies album. It was recorded 15 May 1963 – 28 January 1964, at “EMI Studios” (later changed the name in Abbey Road Studios) in London, and was produced by Ron Richards.

Personnel:

  • Allan Clarke– vocals, harmonica
  • Eric Haydock– bass guitar
  • Tony Hicks– vocals, lead guitar
  • Graham Nash– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Bobby Elliott– drums
  • Don Rathbone – drums
  • Tommy Sanderson – piano

Track listing:

  1. Talking ‘bout You – Chuck Berry
  2. Moonlight – Roy Lee Johnson
  3. You Better Move On – Arthur Alexander
  4. Lucille – Al Collins, Little Richard
  5. Baby Don’t Cry – Tony Hiller, Perry Ford
  6. Memphis – Chuck Berry
  7. Stay – Maurice Williams
  8. Rockin’ Robin – Jimmie Thomas
  9. Whatcha Gonna Do ‘bout it? – Gregory Carroll, Doris Payne
  10. Do You Love Me – Berry Gordy Jr.
  11. It’s Only Make Believe – Conway Twitty, Jack Nance
  12. What Kind of Girl Are You – Ray Charles
  13. Little Lover – Graham Nash, Alan Clarke
  14. Candy Man – Fred Neil, Beverly Ross

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Same

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On December 11, 1968, “Columbia” label released self titled, second Blood, Sweet & Tears album. It was recorded October 1968, at “CBS Studios” in New York,  and was produced by James William Guercio. The album was certified 4 x Platinum in the US by the RIAA. The album received “Grammy Award” for “Album of the Year” in 1970.

Personnel:

  • David Clayton-Thomas– lead vocals
  • Steve Katz– lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Dick Halligan– organ, piano, flute, trombone, vocals
  • Jim Fielder– bass
  • Bobby Colomby– vocals, drums, percussion
  • Lew Soloff– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Fred Lipsius– alto saxophone, piano
  • Chuck Winfield– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jerry Hyman– trombone, recorder
  • Dick Halligan, Fred Lipsius, Al Kooper – arrangements
  • Timothy Quay, Bob Cato – cover art
  • John Berg – design
  • Harrie George – photography

Track listing:

  1. Variations on a theme by Erik Satie (1st and 2nd Movements)
  2. Adapted from “Trois Gymnopédies”; arr. by Dick Halligan
  3. Smiling Phases –  Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood
  4. Sometimes in Winter – Steve Katz
  5. More and More – Vee Pee Smith, Don Juan
  6. And When I Die – Laura Nyro
  7. God Bless the Child – Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr.
  8. Spinning Wheel -David Clayton-Thomas
  9. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy – Berry Gordy Jr., Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson
  10. Blues – Part II – Blood, Sweat & Tears
  11. Interpolating Sunshine of Your Love (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown,  Eric Clapton), Spoonful – Willie Dixon, Somethin’ Goin’ On – Al Kooper
  12. Variations on a theme by Erik Satie” (1st Movement)