Tag Archives: Billy Davis

Etta James: Etta James Rocks The House

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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

Taj Mahal: Phantom Blues

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On February 27, 1996, “Private Music” label released “Phantom Blues”, the 20th Taj Mahal album. It was recorded in May 1995, at “Sound City Studios” in Van Nuys, California, and was produced by John Porter.

Personnel:

  • Taj Mahal – lead vocals, dobro, harmonica
  • Bonnie Raitt – additional vocal
  • Dean Parks – lead guitar
  • Eric Clapton – lead guitar
  • Joe McGrath, John Parks, Johnny Lee Schell – guitar
  • Mike Campbell – 12-string guitar
  • John Porter – lead, acoustic and slide guitar
  • Jon Cleary – guitar, piano, Wurlitzer, clarinet
  • Jon Brion – guitar, chamberlin
  • Mick Weaver – organ
  • David Hidalgo – accordion
  • James “Hutch” Hutchinson – bass guitar
  • Larry Fulcher – bass guitar
  • Tony Braunagel – drums, percussion
  • Myric “Freeze” Guillory – rubboard
  • Bernard “Dr. B.” Anderson, Joe Sublett – tenor saxophone
  • Darrell Leonard – trumpet, trombone
  • Alfie Silas Durio, Billie Barnum, Sir Harry Bowens, Regina Taylor, Sweat Pea Atkinson, Terrence Forsythe – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes – Taj Mahal
  2. Cheatin’ On You – Jon Cleary
  3. The Hustle Is On – H.E. Owens
  4. Here in the Dark – Bernard Anders
  5. Fanning the Flames – Jon Cleary
  6. I Need Your Loving – Clarence Lewis, Don Gardner, James McDougal, Morris Levy
  7. Ooh Poo Pah Doo – Jessie Hill
  8. Lonely Avenue – Doc Pomus
  9. Don’t Tell Me – Pat McLaughlin
  10. What Am I Living For? – Art Harris, Fred Jay
  11. We’re Gonna Make It – Billy Davis, Carl William Smith, Gene Barge, Raynard Miner
  12. Let the Four Winds Blow – Dave Bartholomew, Antoine “Fats” Domino
  13. (You’ve Got to) Love Her with a Feeling – Freddie King, Sonny Thompson

Etta James: The Second Time Around

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On December 14, 1961, “Argo” label released “The Second Time Around”, the second Etta James studio album. It was recorded 1960 – 1961, and was produced by Phil Chess and Leonard Chess.

Personnel:

  • Etta Jemes – vocals
  • Riley Hampton – arrangements, conductor
  • Johnny Magnus – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Don’t Cry Baby – Saul Bernie, James P. Johnson, Stella Unger
  2. Fool That I Am – Floyd Hunt
  3. One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
  4. In My Diary – Michael Angelo Graham, Mark Silverman
  5. Saven Day Fool – Billy Davis, Berry Gordy, Sonny Woods
  6. It’s Too Soon to Know – Deborah Chessler, E.H. Morris
  7. Dream – Johnny Mercer
  8. I’ll Dry My Tears – Etta James, Clyde Walker
  9. Plum Nuts – Robert Plummer
  10. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – Duke Ellington, Bob Russell

Etta James: Queen Of Soul

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On December 5, 1964, “Argo” label released “Queen of Soul”, the fifth Etta James studio album. It was recorded in 1964, and was produced by Leonard Chess.

Personnel:

  • Etta James – vocal
  • Riley Hampton – arranger
  • Bert Keyes – arranger
  • Cliff Parman – arranger
  • Al Pokonka – arranger
  • Phil Wright – arranger

Track listing:

  1. Bobby Is His Name – Etta James, Ed Townsend
  2. I Wish Someone Would Care – Irma Thomas
  3. That Man Belongs Back Here with Me – Angela Riela, Clint Ballard Jr.
  4. Somewhere Out There – Billy Davis, Carl Smith, Wilfred McKinley
  5. Breaking Point – Maurice McAlister
  6. Flight 101 – Cathy Lynn, Robert Higginbotham
  7. Loving You More Every Day – Ronnie Mitchell
  8. Do Right – Fred Johnson, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods
  9. I Worry ‘Bout You – Norman Mapp
  10. Mello Fellow – Ed Townsend

Etta James: At Last!

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On November 15, 1960, “Argo” label released “At Last!”, the debut Etta James studio album. It was recorded January – October 1960, and was produced by Phil Chess and Leonard Chess. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “At Last!” at number 191 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Etta James – vocals
  • Harvey Fuqua – vocals
  • Riley Hampton – arrangements, conductor
  • Don Bronstein – cover
  • Don Kamerer – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Anything to Say You’re Mine – Sonny Thompson
  2. My Dearest Darling – Edwin “Eddie Bo” Bocage, Paul Gayten
  3. Trust in Me – Milton Ager, Jean Schwartz, Ned Wever
  4. A Sunday Kind of Love – Louis Prima, Barbara Belle, Anita Leonard, Stan Rhodes
  5. Tough Mary – Etta James, Joe Josea
  6. I Just Want to Make Love to You – Willie Dixon
  7. At Last – Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
  8. All I Could Do Was Cry – Billy Davis, Gwen Fuqua, Berry Gordy
  9. Stormy Weather – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
  10. Girl of My Dreams – Charles “Sunny” Clapp

Savoy Brown: Street Corner Talking

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In September 1971, “Parrot” label released “Street Corner Talking”, the seventh Savoy Brown studio album. It was recorded in 1971, at “Olympic Sound Studios” in London, and was produced by Neil Slaven.

Personnel:

  • Dave Walker– vocals
  • Kim Simmonds– vocals, lead guitar, harmonica
  • Paul Raymond– vocals, keyboards, guitar
  • Andy Silvester– bass guitar
  • Dave Bidwell – drums
  • George Chkiantz– engineer
  • Rod Thear – engineer assistant
  • David Anstey – illustrations

Track listing:

  1. Tell Mama – Paul Raymond, Kim Simmonds
  2. I Can’t Get Next To You – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  3. Let It Rock – Paul Raymond, Kim Simmonds
  4. Time Does Tell – Kim Simmonds
  5. Street Corner Talking – Kim Simmonds
  6. All I Can Do – Billy Davis, Gwen Gordy Fuqua, Berry Gordy, Jr.
  7. Wang Dang Doodle – Willie Dixon

5th Dimensions: Stoned Soul Picnic

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In August 1968, “Soul City” label released “Stoned Soul Picnic”, the third  5th Dimension album. It was recorded March – June 1968, at “United/Western Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bones Howe.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr. – vocals
  • Florence LaRue – vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo – vocals
  • Lamonte McLemore – vocals
  • Ron Townson – vocals
  • Mike Deasy- acoustic and electric guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco- acoustic and electric guitar
  • Larry Bunker- marimba, bells, vibraphone, temple blocks, percussion
  • Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles- piano, organ, keyboard
  • Ray Pohlman- guitar, “super-twang” bass
  • Joe Osborn- bass
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • The Sid Sharp Strings – string Section
  • The Bill Holman Brass – horn Section
  • Bill Hilman – horns and strings arrangements
  • Bob Alcivar – vocal arrangements
  • Bones Howe – music arrangements
  • Ray Pohlman – music arrangements
  • Captain Nemo (Michael Shields), Bones Howe, Alex Kazanegras, Phil Ramone, Joe Sidore, Sol Weiss, Winston Wong, Mary Wood – engineer
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Marc Gordon, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
  • Mandana Eidgah – product manager
  • Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Hal Blaine – orchestra manager
  • René DeKnight – music director
  • Ray Pohlman – vocals coach
  • Johnny Rivers – realization
  • Woody Woodward – art direction
  • Wayne Kimbell – design
  • Rob Santos – photography
  • Mike Ragogna – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Sweet Blindness – Laura Nyro
  2. It’ll Never Be the Same Again – Jeff Comanor
  3. The Sailboat Song – Jeff Comanor
  4. It’s a Great Life – Denny McReynolds, Karen O’Hara
  5. Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro
  6. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  7. Lovin’ Stew – Jules Alexander, Jeff Comanor
  8. Broken Wing Bird – Bob Alcivar, Kellie McKinney
  9. Good News – Dick Addrisi, Don Addrisi
  10. Bobbie’s Blues (Who Do You Think of?) – Jeff Comanor
  11. The Eleventh Song (What a Groovy Day!) – Jimmy Webb

The 5th Dimension: Up, Up and Away

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In May 1967, “Soul City” label released “Up, Up and Away” the debut 5th Dimension album. It w was produced byas recorded April 1966-March 1967, and was produced by Marc Gordon, Willie Hutch, Johnny Rivers and Rob Santos. In 1967, “Up, Up and Away” won four “Grammy Award” including “Record of the Year”.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr. – lead and backing vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo- lead and backing vocals
  • Lamonte McLemore- backing vocals
  • Ron Townson- backing vocals
  • Florence LaRue- backing vocals
  • Al Casey- guitar
  • Johnny Rivers– guitar
  • F. Sloan– guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco– guitar
  • Larry Knechtel- piano, keyboards
  • Jimmy Webb -keyboards,  musical conductor, arrangements
  • Joe Osborn- bass, guitar
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • Marty Paich – horns and strings arrangements
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Mandana Eidgah, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Bill Stafford, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
  • Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Joanna Feltman – archivist
  • Mike Hartry – transfer
  • Mathieu Bitton – art direction, design
  • Wardy Woodward – art direction
  • Wayne Kimbell – design
  • Bernard Yeszin – cover photography
  • Rob Santers – photography
  • Mike Ragehoa – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Up, Up and Away – Jimmy Webb
  2. Another Day, Another Heartache – Steve Barri, F. Sloan
  3. Which Way to Nowhere- Jimmy Webb
  4. California My Way – Willie Hutch
  5. Misty Roses – Tim Hardin
  6. Go Where You Wanna Go – John Phillips
  7. Never Gonna Be the Same – Jimmy Webb
  8. Pattern People – Jimmy Webb
  9. Rosecrans Blvd. – Jimmy Webb
  10. Learn How to Fly – Willie Hutch
  11. Poor Side of Town – Lou Adler, Johnny Rivers

5th Dimension: Portrait

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In April 1970, “Bell Records” label released “Portrait”, the fifth 5th Dimension album.  It was recorded August 1969-March 1970, at Wally Heider Studios in Hollywood, and was produced by Bones Howe. The album  cover features an impressionistic portrait by the artist LeRoy Neiman.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr.- lead and backing vocals
  • Florence LaRue- lead and backing vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo- lead and backing vocals
  • Ron Townson- lead and backing vocals
  • Michael Anthony- electric guitar
  • Mike Deasy- electric guitar
  • Dennis Budimir – rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco- rhythm guitar
  • Fred Tackett- finger pickin’ guitar
  • Larry Knechtel- piano, organ, tack piano
  • Jimmy Rowles– piano
  • Gary Illingworth – electric piano
  • Joe Osborn- bass
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • Larry Bunker- congas, mallets, percussion, drums
  • Gary Coleman – mallets, percussion
  • Bob Alcivar, Bill Hollman – arrangements
  • Bones Howe – arrangements, engineer
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Joanne Feltman, Glenn Korman – archivist
  • Joel Whitburn – research
  • Larry Cox, Johnny Golden, Rik Pekkonen – assistants
  • Beverly Weinstein – art direction
  • Mathieu Bitton – design
  • Mike Ragogna – liner notes
  • Jeremy Holiday – production coordinator
  • Bones Howe, Ann McClelland, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Mandana Eidgah – production manager
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Laura Gregory, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Bill Stafford, Steve Strauss – project coordinator

Track listing:

  1. Puppet Man – Howard Greenfield, Neil Sedaka
  2. One Less Bell to Answer – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  3. Feelin’ Alright – Dave Mason
  4. This Is Your Life – Jimmy Webb
  5. A Love Like Ours – Bob Alcivar, Lamonte McLemore
  6. Save the Country – Laura Nyro
  7. Medley
  • The Declaration – Julianne Johnson, René DeKnight
  • A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
  • People Gotta Be Free – Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
  1. Dimension 5ive – Bob Alcivar

On the Beach (In the Summertime) – McNeil