Tag Archives: Bob James

Bob James: Touchdown

Leave a comment

On July 20, 1978, “Tappan Zee” label released “Touchdown”, the sixth Bob James album. It was recorded in 1978, at “CBS Studios”, “Sound Mixers” and “A&R Recording” in New York, and was produced by Bob James.

Personnel:

  • Bob James – acoustic piano, Yamaha electric grand piano, Fender Rhodes, Oberheim Polyphonic synthesizer, arrangements, conductor
  • Eric Gale – electric guitar
  • Hiram Bullock – vocals, electric guitar
  • Earl Klugh – acoustic guitar
  • Richard Resnicoff – rhythm acoustic guita
  • Gary King – electric bass
  • Ron Carter – acoustic bass, piccolo bass
  • Idris Muhammad – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Mongo Santamaria – percussion
  • Phil Bodner – alto saxophone, flute, oboe
  • Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone, flute
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone solo
  • Harvey Estrin – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute
  • George Marge – tenor saxophone, English horn, flute, oboe, recorder
  • Howard Johnson – baritone saxophone, contrabass clarinet
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Jon Faddis – trumpet
  • Mike Lawrence – trumpet
  • Ron Tooley – trumpet
  • Wayne Andre – trombone
  • Dave Bargeron – trombone
  • Alan Raph – trombone
  • Hubert Laws – flute
  • David Nadien – concertmaster
  • Harry Cykman, Lewis Eley, Max Ellen, Louis Gabowitz, Diana Halprin, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, John Pintavalle, Matthew Raimondi, Herbert Sorkin, Richard Sortomme – violin
  • Jean Dane, Theodore Israel, Sue Pray and Emanuel Vardi – viola
  • Jonathan Abramowitz, Seymour Barab, Richard Locker, Charles McCracken – cello
  • Joe Jorgensen – engineer, associate producer
  • Tim Bomba – engineer assistant
  • Ted Bronson – engineer assistant
  • Lou Jannone – engineer assistant
  • Harold Tarowsky – engineer assistant
  • Vlado Meller – mastering
  • Paula Scher – art direction, design
  • Buddy Endress – photography
  • Jay Chattaway – associate producer
  • Marion Orr – production coordinator

Track listing:

All tracks by Bob James.

  1. Angela (Theme from Taxi)
  2. Touchdown
  3. I Want to Thank You (Very Much)
  4. Sun Runner
  5. Caribbean Nights

Grover Washington Jr.: All The King’s Horses

Leave a comment

On July 1, 1972, “Kudu” label released “All the King’s Horses”, the second Grover Washington Jr. studio album. It was recorded May – June 1972, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Grover Washington Jr. – alto and tenor saxophone
  • Gene Bertoncini – guitar
  • Cornell Dupree – guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • David Spinozza – guitar
  • Bob James – electric piano, harpsichord, arrangements, conductor
  • Richard Tee – organ
  • Gordon Edwards – bass
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Bernard Purdie – drums
  • Billy Cobham – drums
  • Airto Moreira – percussion
  • Ralph MacDonald – congas
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet, flugelhorn

Brass and Woodwind Section

  • George Marge – alto saxophone, flute, English horn, oboe, recorder
  • Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone
  • Arthur Clarke – baritone saxophone, flute
  • Wayne Andre, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd – trombone
  • Jon Faddis, John Frosk, Marky Markowitz, Ernie Royal, Alan Rubin, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Ray Alonge, Donald Corrado, Fred Klein, Brooks Tillotson – French horn

String Section

  • Alexander Cores, Bernard Eichen, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, David Nadien, Gene Orloff, John Pintaualle, Irving Spice – violin
  • Richard Dickler, Emanuel Vardi – viola
  • Charles McCracken, George Ricci – cello
  • Margaret Ross – harp

String Trio

  • David Nadien – violin
  • Emanuel Vardi – viola
  • George Ricci – cello
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
  • Bob Ciano – design
  • Pete Turner – photography

Track listing:

  1. No Tears, in the End – Ralph MacDonald, William Salter
  2. All the King’s Horses – Aretha Franklin
  3. Where Is the Love – Ralph MacDonald, William Salter
  4. Body and Soul (Montage) – Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green
  5. Lean on Me – Bill Withers
  6. Lover Man – Jimmy Davis, James Sherman, Ram Ramirez
  7. Love Song 1700 – Henry Purcell

George Benson: Good King Bad

Leave a comment

In June 1976, “CTI” label released “Good King Bad”, the thirteenth George Benson studio album. It was recorded July – October – December 1975, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • George Benson – vocals, guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • Don Grolnick – clavinet
  • Bobby Lyle – keyboards
  • Roland Hanna – keyboards
  • Ronnie Foster – keyboards
  • Gary King – bass, rhythm arrangements
  • Andy Newmark – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Dennis Davis – drums
  • Sue Evans – percussion
  • David Friedman – vibraphone
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Frank Vicari – tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone 
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Fred Wesley – trombone
  • Joe Farrell – flute
  • Romeo Penque – flute
  • David Tofani – flute
  • David Matthews – arrangements
  • Bob James – conductor
  • Max Ellen – violin
  • Paul Gershman – violin
  • Harry Glickman – violin
  • Emanuel Green – violin
  • Harold Kohon – violin
  • David Nadien – violin
  • John Pintavalle – violin
  • Max Pollikoff – violin
  • Harold Coletta – viola
  • Theodore Israel – viola
  • Charles McCracken – cello
  • Alan Shulman – cello
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
  • Rene Schumacher – design
  • Pete Turner – cover and liner photography
  • Leonard Feather – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Theme from Good King Bad – David Matthews
  2. One Rock Don’t Make No Boulder – David Matthews
  3. Em – Philip Namanworth
  4. Cast Your Fate to the Wind – Vince Guaraldi
  5. Siberian Workout – David Matthews
  6. Shell of a Man – Eugene McDaniels

Bob James: Two

Leave a comment

On May 29. 1975, “CTI” label released “Two”, the fourth Bob James album. It was recorded December 1974 – January 1975, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taulor.

Personnel:

  • Bob James – electric piano, clavinet, ARP Odyssey, Yamaha YC-30 combo organ, arrangements, conductor
  • Richard Resnicoff – guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar, bass
  • Gary King – bass
  • Andrew Smith – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Arthur Jenkins – percussion
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Patti Austin – vocals, lead vocal
  • Frank Floyd – vocals
  • Lani Groves – vocals
  • Zachary Sanders – vocals
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • John Frosk – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Victor Paz – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Lew Soloff – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Wayne Andre – trombone
  • Eddie Bert – trombone
  • Tom Mitchell – trombone
  • Tony Studd – trombone
  • Hubert Laws – flute, electric flute
  • Eddie Daniels – clarinet
  • James Buffington – French horn
  • Peter Gordon – French horn
  • Al Richmond – French horn
  • Harry Cykman, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, David Nadien, Gene Orloff and Matthew Raimondi – violin
  • Seymour Barab, Alla Goldberg, Warren Lash, Jesse Levy, George Ricci, Alan Shulman and Anthony Sophos – cello
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
  • Bob Ciano – design
  • Greg Laurents – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Take Me to the Mardi Gras – Paul Simon
  2. I Feel a Song (In My Heart) – Tony Camillo, Mary Sawyer
  3. The Golden Apple – Bob James
  4. Farandole – Georges Bizet
  5. You’re as Right as Rain – Thom Bell, Linda Creed
  6. Dream Journey – Bob James

David Sanborn

Leave a comment

On May 12, 2024, David William Sanborn died aged 78. He was musician (alto saxophone, piano), one of the most highly regarded session musicians. He recorded and performed with some of the best-known artist of the modern music including Albert King, Little Milton, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Michael Stanley, Eric Clapton, Bobby Charles, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Paul Simon, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, Michael Franks, Kenny Loggins, Casiopea, Players Association, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, Tommy Bolin, Bob James, Pure Prairie League, Kenny G, Loudon Wainwright III, George Benson, Joe Beck, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, Gil Evans, Carly Simon, Guru, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Kenny Garrett, Roger Waters, Steely Dan, Ween, the Eagles, Grateful Dead, Nena, Hikaru Utada, The Rolling Stones, Ian Hunter, and Toto. As leader, Sanborn released 25 albums.

Stanley Turrentine: Cherry

Leave a comment

In September 1972, “CTI” label released “Cherry”, the 36th Stanley Turrentine album. It was recorded in May 1972, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Stanley Turrentine – tenor saxophone
  • Milt Jackson – vibraphone
  • Cornell Dupree – guitar
  • Bob James – piano, electric piano, arranger
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Billy Cobham – drums
  • Weldon Irvine Jr. – arranger

Track listing:

  1. Speedball – Lee Morgan
  2. I Remember You – Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
  3. The Revs – Milt Jackson
  4. Sister Sanctified – Weldon Irvine
  5. Cherry – Ray Gilbert, Don Redman
  6. Introspective – Weldon Irvine

George Benson: The Other Side of Abbey Road

Leave a comment

In June 1970, “A&M” label released “The Other Side of Abbey Road”, the eight George Benson album. It was recorded October – November 1969, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • George Benson – vocals, guitar
  • Bob James – acoustic piano, organ, harpsichord
  • Herbie Hancock – acoustic piano, organ, harpsichord
  • Ernie Hayes – acoustic piano, organ, harpsichord
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Jerry Jemmott – bass
  • Idris Muhammad – drums
  • Ed Shaughnessy – drums
  • Ray Barretto – percussion
  • Andy Gonzalez – percussion
  • Sonny Fortune – alto saxophone
  • Jerome Richardson – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute
  • Don Ashworth – baritone saxophone
  • Phil Bodner – flute, oboe
  • Hubert Laws – flute
  • Wayne Andre – trombone, euphonium
  • Freddie Hubbard – trumpet
  • Mel Davis – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Bernie Glow – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Raoul Poliakin – violin
  • Max Pollikoff – violin
  • Emanuel Vardi – viola
  • George Ricci – cello
  • Don Sebesky – arrangements
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
  • Sam Antupit – design
  • Eric Meola – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, except where noted.

  1. Golden Slumbers / You Never Give Me Your Money
  2. Because / Come Together
  3. Oh! Darling
  4. Here Comes the Sun – George Harrison / I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
  5. Something – George Harrisons / Octopus’s Garden – Richard Starkey / The End

Fourplay: Let’s Touch the Sky

Leave a comment

October 25, 2010, “Heads Up” label released “Let’s Touch the Sky”, the eleventh Fourplay studio album. It was recorded in 2010, and was produced by Bob James, Chuck Loeb, Nathan East and Harvey Mason.

Personnel:

  • Bob James – keyboards
  • Chuck Loeb – guitars
  • Nathan East – vocals, bass guitar
  • Harvey Mason – drums, percussion
  • Ruben Studdard – vocals
  • Anita Baker – vocals
  • Heather Mason – backing vocals
  • Ken Freeman – engineer
  • Andrew Hey – engineer
  • Joshua Blanchard – engineer assistant
  • Paul Blackmore – mastering
  • Jennifer Armstrong – photography
  • Sandrine Lee – photography
  • Debbie Johnson – production coordinator
  • Amy McGuire Lynch – production coordinator
  • Marion Orr – production coordinator
  • Natalie Singer – product manager
  • Mark Wexler – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Let’s Touch the Sky – Bob James
  2. 3rd Degree – Chuck Loeb
  3. More Than a Dream – Harvey Mason
  4. Pineapple Getaway – Harvey Mason
  5. I’ll Still Be Lovin’ You – Nathan East
  6. Gentle Giant (for Hank) – Bob James
  7. A Night in Rio – Nathan East, Tom Keane
  8. Love TKO – Cecil Womack, Linda Womack, Gip Noble
  9. Above and Beyond – Chuck Loeb
  10. Golden Faders – Bob James
  11. You’re My Thrill – Jay Gorney, Sidney Clare

Blood, Sweat & Tears: More Than Ever

Leave a comment

In July 1976, “Columbia” label released “More Than Ever”, the ninth Blood, Sweat & Tears album. It was recorded in 1975, and was produced by Bob James.

Personnel:

  • David Clayton-Thomas – vocals
  • Mike Stern – guitar
  • Steve Khan – guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • Larry Willis – keyboards
  • Bob James – keyboards
  • Richard Tee – keyboards
  • Hugh McCracken – guitar
  • Danny Trifan – bass
  • Gary King – bass
  • Eric Weissberg – banjo, dobro
  • Bobby Colomby – drums
  • Don Alias – percussion
  • Dave Freidman – xylophone, marimba, vibes
  • Arnie Lawrence – alto saxophone
  • Bill Tillman – tenor saxophone, flute
  • Tony Klatka – trumpet
  • Forest Buchtell – trumpet
  • Jon Faddis – trumpet
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet
  • Dave Taylor – trombone
  • Dave Bargeron – trombone, tuba
  • Sid Weinberg – oboe
  • Patti Austin, Vivian Cherry, Lani Groves, Gwendolyn Guthrie, Yolanda McCullough, Frank Lloyd, William Eaton, Zachery Sanders – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. They – David Clayton-Thomas, William Daniel Smith
  2. I Love You More Than Ever – Allan Langdon, Douglas Lenier
  3. Katy Bell – Stephen C. Foster, Bob James
  4. Sweet Sadie the Savior – Patti Austin
  5. Hollywood – David Clayton-Thomas, William Daniel Smith
  6. You’re the One – David Clayton-Thomas, William Daniel Smith
  7. Heavy Blue – Larry Willis
  8. Saved By the Grace Of Your Love – William Daniel Smith, David Palmer