Tag Archives: Billy Preston

Sly And The Family Stone: There’s A Riot Goin’ On

Leave a comment

Theres a riot

On November 20.1971, “Epic” label released “There’s a Riot Goin’ On”, the fifth Sly and the Family Stone” studio album. It was recorded in 1970 and 1971, at the”Record Plant Studios” in Sausalito, California, and was produced by Sly Stone. In 2003, “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” was ranked number 99 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the “500 greatest albums of all time”. The album was certified Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) – vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, drum programming, keyboard programming, arrangements
  • Bobby Womack– guitar
  • Freddie Stone– guitar
  • Ike Turner– guitar
  • Rose Stone– vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Preston– keyboards
  • Larry Graham– bass, backing vocals
  • Greg Errico– drums
  • Gerry Gibson – drums
  • Jerry Martini– tenor saxophone
  • Cynthia Robinson– trumpet
  • Little Sister– backing vocals
  • Chris Hinshaw, Jack Ashkinazy, James Conniff, James Greene, Robert Gratts, Willie Greer, Rich Tilles – engineer
  • Lynn Ames, John Berg – artwork concept

All tracks  by Sylvester Stewart.

  1. Luv n’ Haight
  2. Just Like a Baby
  3. Poet
  4. Family Affair
  5. Africa Talks to You ‘The Asphalt Jungle’
  6. There’s a Riot Goin’ On
  7. Brave & Strong
  8. (You Caught Me) Smilin
  9. Time
  10. Spaced Cowboy
  11. Runnin’ Away
  12. Thank You for Talkin’ to Me Africa

George Harrison: Thirty Three & 1/3

Leave a comment

3313

On November 19, 1976, “Dark Horse” label released “Thirty Three & 1/3”, the seventh George Harrison studio album.  It was recorded May – September 1976, at the “Friar Park”, Harrison’s home studio, and was produced by Harrison and Tom Scott. The album was accompanied by comedy themed video clips for three of the songs, two of which were directed by Eric Idle.

Personnel:

  • George Harrison – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, synthesizers, percussion
  • Billy Preston– piano, organ, synthesizer
  • David Foster– Fender Rhodes, clavinet
  • Gary Wright– keyboards
  • Richard Tee– piano, organ, Fender Rhodes
  • Willie Weeks– bass
  • Alvin Taylor– drums
  • Emil Richards– marimba
  • Tom Scott– saxophones, flute, lyricon
  • Hank Cicalo – recording
  • Mike Manoogian – typography
  • Bob Cato – design, photography
  • Henry Grossman – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by George Harrison, except where noted.

  1. Woman Don’t You Cry for Me
  2. Dear One
  3. Beautiful Girl
  4. This Song
  5. See Yourself
  6. It’s What You Value
  7. True Love – Cole Porter
  8. Pure Smokey
  9. Crackerbox Palace
  10. Learning How to Love You

Johnny Cash: American IV: The Man Comes Around

Leave a comment

American IV

On November 4, 2002, “American Recordings” released “American IV: The Man Comes Around”, the 87th Johnny Cash album and the fourth one in the “American Recordings Series”. This was the last album released before his death in 2003. “American IV: The Man Comes Around” was recorded in 2002 at the “American Recording Studios”, and was produced by Rick Rubin and John Carter Cash. The album won “Album of the Year” award at the 2003 “CMA Awards” and was awarded platinum certification 2003 by the “R.I.A.A”. In 2004, Johnny Cash won “Grammy Award” for “Best Country Male Vocal Performance” for “Give My Love To Rose,” and the music video for “Hurt” won “Grammy Award” for “Best Short Form Video”.

Personnel:

  • Johnny Cash- vocals, guitars , arranger, adaptation
  • Mike Campbell, John Frusciante, Randy Scruggs- guitars
  • Thom Bresh, Jeff Hanna, Kerry Marx, Marty Stuart – guitars
  • Smokey Hormel- guitars
  • David R. Ferguson- ukulele
  • Benmont Tench- organ, piano, harmonium, keyboards, Mellotron, vibraphone, pipe organ, Wurlitzer
  • Roger Manning– piano, harmonium, mellotron, chamberlin, orchestra bells
  • Billy Preston- piano
  • Don Henley – vocals, drums, keyboards
  • Joey Waronker- drums
  • Jack Clement- dobro
  • Laura Cash – fiddle
  • Terry Harrington – clarinet
  • Fiona Apple- vocals
  • Nick Cave- vocals
  • Christine Cano – art direction, design
  • Martyn Atkins – photography

Track listing

  1. The Man Comes Around – Johnny Cash
  2. Hurt – Reznor
  3. Give My Love to Rose – Johnny Cash
  4. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon
  5. I Hung My Head – Sting
  6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Ian MacColl
  7. Personal Jesus – Martin Gore
  8. In My Life – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
  9. Sam Hall – Ritter
  10. Danny Boy – Weatherly
  11. Desperado – Frey and Henley
  12. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – Duet with Nick Cave- Williams
  13. Streets of Laredo – Traditional
  14. Wichita Lineman – Jimmy Webb
  15. Big Iron – Marty Robbins
  16. Tear Stained Letter – Johnny Cash
  17. We’ll Meet Again – Hughie Charles and Ross Parker

The Rolling Stones: It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll

Leave a comment

Its Only Rock n Roll

On October 16, 1974, “Rolling Stones Records” label released “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll” , the twelfth Rolling Stones studio album. It was recorded  November – December 1972; November 1973; January – May 1974, and was produced by The Glimmer Twins. The album marked the 10th anniversary of the band’s debut album and was the last Rolling Stones album with Mick Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Mick Jagger– lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
  • Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Taylor – acoustic, electric, twelve–string acoustic and slide guitar, bass, synthesizer, congas, backing vocals
  • Bill Wyman– bass guitar, synthesizer
  • Charlie Watts– drums
  • Ronnie Wood– twelve–string acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano
  • Billy Preston– piano, clavinet, organ
  • Ian Stewart– piano
  • Willie Weeks– bass guitar
  • Kenney Jones– drums
  • Ray Cooper– percussion
  • Charlie Jolly – tabla
  • Ed Leach – cowbell
  • David Bowie– backing vocals
  • Blue Magic– backing vocals

All tracks by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except where noted.

  1. If You Can’t Rock Me
  2. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland
  3. It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)
  4. Till the Next Goodbye
  5. Time Waits for No One
  6. Luxury
  7. Dance Little Sister
  8. If You Really Want to Be My Friend
  9. Short and Curlies
  10. Fingerprint File

Billy Preston: Music Is My Life

Leave a comment

Music_Is_My_Life

On October 8, 1972, “A&M” label released “Music is my Life” the seventh Billy Preston studio album.  It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Billy Preston.

Personnel:

  • Billy Preston – vocals, keyboards, bass guitar
  • George Johnson – guitars
  • Hubert Heard – keyboards
  • Louis Johnson – bass guitar
  • Manuel Kellough – drums
  • Tom Scott – horn
  • Jim Horn – horn
  • George Bohanon – horn
  • Buck Monari – horn
  • Paul Hubison – horn
  • Clarence McDonald, David T. Walker- arrangements
  • Roland Young – art direction
  • Jim McCarty – photography

Track listing:

All songs by Billy Preston, except where noted.

  1. We’re Gonna Make It
  2. One Time or Another – Billy Preston, Robert Sam
  3. Blackbird – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  4. I Wonder Why – Billy Preston, George Johnson
  5. Will It Go Round in Circles – Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher
  6. Ain’t That Nothin – Billy Preston, Joe Greene, Robert Sam
  7. God Loves You – Billy Preston, John Schuler
  8. Make the Devil Mad – Turn on to Jesus
  9. Nigger Charlie – Billy Preston, Joe Greene
  10. Heart Full of Sorrow – Billy Preston, George Johnson
  11. Music Is My Life

The Rolling Stones: Goats Head Soup

Leave a comment

The Rolling Stones - Goats Head Soup

On August 31, 1973, “Rolling Stone” label released “Goats Head Soup”, the eleventh Rolling Stones album. It was recorded November – December 1972 and May – June 1973, at the “Dynamic Sound Studio” in Kingston, Jamaica, except “Hide your love”, recorded in 1973, at “De Doelen” in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and was produced by Jimmy Miller.

Personnel:

  • Mick Jagger– lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, harmonica, piano
  • Keith Richards – lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar
  • Mick Taylor– acoustic, electric and slide guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Bill Wyman– bass guitar
  • Charlie Watts– drums
  • Ian Stewart– piano
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano
  • Billy Preston– clavinet
  • Bobby Keys– tenor and baritone saxophone
  • Jim Horn– flute and alto saxophone
  • Chuck Findley– trumpet
  • Jim Price– horn arrangements
  • Nicky Harrison– string arrangements
  • Anthony “Rebop” Kwaku Baah– percussions
  • Pascal (Nicholas Pascal Raicevic) – percussions
  • Jimmy Miller– percussions

Track listing:

All tracks by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

  1. Dancing With Mr. D
  2. 100 Years Ago
  3. Coming Down Again
  4. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
  5. Angie
  6. Silver Train
  7. Hide Your Love
  8. Winter
  9. Can You Hear the Music
  10. Star Star

Billy Preston

Leave a comment

On June 6, 2006, William Everett “Billy” Preston, died aged 59. He was musician (keyboards, Hammond organ), Grammy-winning artist,  recorded and performed with some of the greatest names in the modern music history, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. Preston also had a successful solo career, his best known songs include “That’s the way God planned it”, “Outa-Space”, “Will it go round in circles”, “Space Race”, and “Nothing from nothing”.

The Concert for Bangladesh

Leave a comment

zx

“The Concert for Bangladesh” were actually two benefit concerts organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, held at 2.30 and 8 pm on Sunday, August 1, 1971, playing to a total of 40,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The shows were organized to raise international awareness and fund relief efforts for refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), following the Bangladesh Liberation War-related Bangladesh atrocities. The concerts were followed by a live album, a boxed three-record set, and “Apple Films” concert documentary, which opened in cinemas in the spring of 1972. The event was the first-ever benefit concert of such a magnitude and featured a supergroup of performers that included Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and the Badfinger. In addition, Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan – both of whom had ancestral roots in Bangladesh – performed an opening set of Indian classical music. Decades later, Shankar would say of the overwhelming success of the event: “In one day, the whole world knew the name of Bangladesh. It was a fantastic occasion”.

The concerts raised close to US$250,000 for Bangladesh relief, which was administered by UNICEF. Although the project was subsequently marred by financial problems – a result of the pioneering nature of the venture – the “Concert for Bangladesh” is recognized as a highly successful and influential humanitarian aid project, generating both awareness and considerable funds as well as providing valuable lessons and inspiration for projects that followed, notably Live Aid. By 1985, through revenue raised from the “Concert for Bangladesh” live album and film, an estimated $12 million had been sent to Bangladesh in relief. Sales of the live album and DVD release of the film continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.