Tag Archives: Brian Holland

Eddie Kendricks: The Hit Man

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In July 1975, “Tamla” label released “The Hit Man”, the sixth Eddie Kendricks album. It was recorded in 1975, and was produced by Frank Wilson, Leonard Caston and Brian Holland.

Personnel:

  • Eddie Kendricks – lead and backing vocals
  • Jay Graydon, Johnny McGhee, Melvin “Wah-Wah” Ragin, Ray Parker Jr. – guitar
  • Harold Johnson, Leonard Caston Jr. – keyboards
  • James Jamerson – bass
  • Earl Palmer, Ed Greene, Harvey Mason, James Gadson – drums
  • Bobbye Hall, Gary Coleman, Gene Estes – percussion
  • Eddie “Bongo” Brown – congas
  • Bobby Taylor, Carolyn Majors, Frank Wilson, Harold Johnson, Joe Croyle, Joe White, John Fox, Karin Patterson, Leonard Caston Jr., Mara Baygulow, Mike Campbell – vocal ensemble
  • Jim Britt – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. If Anyone Can – Kathy Wakefield, Leonard Caston
  2. Happy – Kathy Wakefield, Leonard Caston
  3. Get the Cream Off the Top – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland
  4. Body Talk – Frank Wilson, Kathy Wakefield
  5. Fortune Teller – Barrett Strong
  6. Skippin’ Work Today – J. Christopher Fox
  7. You Loved Me Then – Kathy Wakefield, Leonard Caston
  8. I’ve Got to Be – Kathy Wakefield, Leonard Caston

Stevie Wonder: Up-Tight

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On May 4, 1966, “Motown” label released “Up-Tight”, the fifth Stevie Wonder album. It was recorded 1962 – 1966, at “Hitsville U.S.A.” in Detroit, Michigan, and was produced by Henry Cosby, Willam “Mickey” Stevenson, Clarence Paul, Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – lead and harmony vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion
  • Clarence Paul – co-lead vocals
  • Levi Stubbs – co-lead vocals
  • Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Lawrence Payton, Renaldo “Obie” Benson – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • Pat Lewis – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Temptations – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Love a Go Go – Beth Beatty, Ernie Shelby
  2. Hold Me – Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder
  3. Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan
  4. Nothing’s Too Good for My Baby – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, William Stevenson
  5. Teach Me Tonight – Sammy Cahn, Gene De Paul
  6. Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder (as Stevie Judkins), Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby
  7. Ain’t That Asking for Trouble – Sylvia Moy, Gene De Paul, Stevie Wonder
  8. I Want My Baby Back – Harvey Fuqua, Cornelius Grant, Eddie Kendricks, Norman Whitfield
  9. Pretty Little Angel – Gene De Paul, Mike Valvano, Stevie Wonder
  10. Music Talk – Ted Hull, Gene De Paul, Stevie Wonder
  11. Contract on Love – Janie Bradford, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
  12. With a Child’s Heart – Vicki Basemore, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy

Four Tops: Same

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On January 21, 1965, “Motown” label released self-titled, debut Four Tops studio album. It was recorded in 1964, and was produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.

Personnel:

  • Levi Stubbs – baritone, lead vocals and backing vocals
  • Abdul Fakir – first tenor, backing vocals
  • Renaldo Benson – bass, backing vocals
  • Lawrence Payton – second tenor, backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Baby I Need Your Loving – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  2. Without the One You Love (Life’s Not Worth While) – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  3. Where Did You Go? – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  4. Ask the Lonely – William “Mickey” Stevenson
  5. Your Love Is Amazing – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  6. Sad Souvenirs – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  7. Don’t Turn Away – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  8. Tea House in China Town – Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  9. Left With a Broken Heart – Marv Johnson
  10. Love Has Gone – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  11. Call on Me – Holland–Dozier–Holland

Freddie McCoy: Beans & Greens

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In January 1968, “Prestige” label released “Beans & Greens”, the fifth Freddie McCoy album. It was recorded in May 1967, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Cal Lampley.

Personnel:

  • Freddie McCoy – vibraphone
  • Wilbur “Dud” Buscomb, Edward David Williams – trumpet
  • JoAnne Brackeen – piano
  • Wally Richardson – guitar
  • Dave Blume – organ
  • Joseph Macho, Don Payne – electric bass
  • Ray Lucas – drums
  • Rudy Van Gelder – recording
  • Don Schlitten – design, photography
  • Chris Albertson – liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Freddie McCoy, except where noted.

  1. Beans & Greens
  2. Tony’s Pony
  3. A Whiter Shade of Pale – Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher
  4. I Was Made To Love Her – Stevie Wonder, Lula Mae Hardaway, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy
  5. You Keep Me Hangin’ On – Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland
  6. Take My Love (And Shove It Up Your Heart)
  7. Sixth Avenue Stroll
  8. Makin’ Whoopee – Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn
  9. Doxy – Sonny Rollins

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

Honey Cone: Soulfull Tapestry

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In December 1971, “Hot Wax/Invictus” label released “Soulful Tapestry”, the third Honey Cone studio album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Angelo Bond, Ronald Dunbar, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr., General Norman Johnson, Greg Perry, and Edith Wayne.

Personnel:

  • Edna Wright – lead singer
  • Carolyn Willis – vocals
  • Shelly Clark – vocals
  • Angelo Bond, General Norman Johnson, Greg Perry – arrangements
  • Barney Perkins – engineer

Track listing:

  1. One Monkey Don’t Stop no Show Part I – General Johnson, Greg Perry
  2. One Monkey Don’t Stop no Show Part II – General Johnson, Greg Perry
  3. Don’t Count Your Chickens (Before They Hatch) – General Johnson, Greg Perry, Angelo Bond
  4. A Little More – Ronald Dunbar, Edyth Wayne
  5. Stick-Up – General Johnson, Angelo Bond, Greg Perry
  6. Want Ads – General Johnson, Barney Perkins, Greg Perry
  7. Who’s It Gonna Be – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. How Does It Feel – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Ronald Dunbar, Edyth Wayne
  9. V.I.P. – Greg Perry, General Johnson, Angelo Bond
  10. The Day I Found Myself – Ronald Dunbar, Edyth Wayne, General Johnson
  11. All the King’s Horses (All the King’s Men) – Angelo Bond, General Johnson, Greg Perry

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Away We A Go-Go

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In November 1966, “Tamla Motown” label released “Away We a Go-Go”, album by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (second album by the name of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles). It was recorded in 1966, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson, Mickey Gentile, Frank Wilson, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Norman Whitfield and Ivy Jo Hunter.

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
  • Various New York session musicians – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Whole Lot of Shakin’ in My Heart (Since I Met You) – Frank Wilson
  2. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me – Pino Donaggio, Simon Napier-Bell, Vicki Wickham, Vito Pallavicini
  3. Come ‘Round Here) I’m the One You Need – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  4. Save Me – Smokey Robinson, Robert Rogers, Warren Moore
  5. Oh Be My Love – Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore
  6. Can You Love a Poor Boy – Ivy Jo Hunter, Stevie Wonder
  7. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland, Jr.
  8. I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  9. Baby Baby – Helen Lewis, Kay Lewis
  10. Walk On By – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  11. Swept for You Baby – Smokey Robinson
  12. More, More, More of Your Love – Smokey Robinson

Four Tops: Four Tops Second Album

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On November 13, 1965, “Motown” label released “Four Tops Second Album”, the second Four Tops studio album. It was recorded in 1965, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Smokey Robinson.

Personnel:

  • Levi Stubbs – lead (baritone) and backing vocals
  • Abdul Fakir – first tenor and backing vocals
  • Renaldo Benson – bass backing vocals
  • Lawrence Payton – second tenor backing vocals, lead vocals, keyboards
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

All tracks by Holland–Dozier–Holland (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland), except where noted.

  1. I Can’t Help Myself
  2. Love Feels Like Fire
  3. Is There Anything That I Can Do – Warren “Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  4. Something About You
  5. It’s the Same Old Song
  6. Helpless
  7. Just as Long as You Need Me
  8. Darling, I Hum Our Song
  9. I Like Everything About You
  10. Since You’ve Been Gone
  11. Stay in My Lonely Arms
  12. I’m Grateful – Eddie Holland, Cleo Drake, George Fowler

The Miracles: The Miracles Doin’ Mickey’s Monkey

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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.  

The Miracles: Four In Blue

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On November 3, 1969, “Motown” label released “Four in Blue”, album by The Miracles. It was recorded in 1969, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Pete Moore – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar

Track listing:

  1. You Send Me (With Your Good Lovin’) – Al Cleveland, Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Smokey Robinson
  2. Dreams Dreams – Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland
  3. Tomorrow Is Another Day – Deke Richards, Beatrice Verdi
  4. Hey Jude – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  5. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. A Legend in Its Own Time – Smokey Robinson
  7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Barry Mann, Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil
  8. We Can Make It We Can – Nikolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  9. When Nobody Cares – Smokey Robinson
  10. Don’t Say You Love Me – Richard Morris
  11. Wish I Knew – Debbie Dean, Deke Richards
  12. My World Is Empty Without You – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland