Tag Archives: Burt Bacharach

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

Scott Walker: Scott 2

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scott_2

In March 1968, “Philips” label released “Scott 2”, the second Scott Walker album. It was recorded 1967 – 1968, and was produced by John Franz.

Personnel:

  • Wally Stott- vocals, arrangements, conductor
  • Reg Guest – arrangements, conductor
  • Peter Knight- arrangements, conductor
  • Peter Olliff – engineer

Track listing:

  1. Jackie – Jacques Brel, Gérard Jouannest, Mort Shuman
  2. Best of Both Worlds – Mark London, Don Black
  3. Black Sheep Boy – Tim Hardin
  4. The Amorous Humphrey Plugg – -Noel Scott Engel
  5. Next – Jacques Brel, Mort Shuman
  6. The Girls from the Streets – Noel Scott Engel
  7. Plastic Palace People – Noel Scott Engel
  8. Wait Until Dark – Henry Mancini, Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
  9. The Girls and the Dogs – Jacques Brel, Gérard Jouannest, Mort Shuman
  10. Windows of the World – Hal David, Burt Bacharach
  11. The Bridge – Noel Scott Engel
  12. Come Next Spring – Lenny Anderson

Love: Same

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love-love

In March 1966, “Elektra” label released the self-titled, debut Love album. It was recorded December 1965 – January 1966, at “RCA Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Mark Abramson and Jac Holzman.

Personnel:

  • Arthur Lee – lead vocals, percussion, harmonica, drums
  • Johnny Echol –  lead guitar
  • Bryan MacLean – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Ken Forssi – bass
  • Alban “Snoopy” Pfisterer – drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Arthur Lee, except where noted.

  1. My Little Red Book – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  2. Can’t Explain – Arthur Lee, John Echols, John Fleckenstein
  3. A Message to Pretty
  4. My Flash on You
  5. Softly to Me – Bryan MacLean
  6. No Matter What You Do
  7. Emotions – Arthur Lee, John Echols
  8. You I’ll Be Following
  9. Gazing
  10. Hey Joe – Billy Roberts
  11. Signed D.C.
  12. Colored Balls Falling
  13. Mushroom Clouds – Arthur Lee, John Echols, Ken Forssi, Bryan MacLean
  14. And More – Arthur Lee, Bryan MacLean

Elvis Costello And Bill Frisell: The Sweetest Punch

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the-sweetest-punch

On September 21, 1999, “Decca” label released “The Sweetest Punch”, album by Elvis Costello and Bill Frisell. The album was produced by Lee Townsend.

Personnel:

  • Bill Frisell — acoustic and electric guitar, arrangements
  • Elvis Costello = vocals
  • Cassandra Wilson – vocal
  • Viktor Krauss— bass
  • Brian Blade— drums, percussion
  • Don Byron— clarinet, bass clarinet
  • Billy Drewes — alto saxophone
  • Curtis Fowlkes— trombone
  • Ron Miles — trumpet
  • Judy Clapp – engineer, mixing
  • Scott Young – engineer assistant
  • Greg Gasperino – engineer assistant
  • Adam Munoz – engineer assistant
  • Joe Feria – recording, mixing
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Penny Bennett – creative director
  • Carla Leighton – art direction, design
  • Sandi Hanowitz – package coordinator
  • Jimmy Katz – photography
  • Jenny Langsam – photography assistant
  • Christine Williams – cover photography
  • Chris Roberts – executive producer
  • Chuck Mitchell – executive producer
  • Noel Grey – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach, except where noted.

  1. The Sweetest Punch
  2. Toledo
  3. Such Unlikely Lovers
  4. This House Is Empty Now
  5. Painted from Memory
  6. What’s Her Name Today?
  7. In the Darkest Place
  8. Vamp Dolce – Bill Frisell
  9. My Thief
  10. I Still Have That Other Girl
  11. Painted from Memory (Reprise)
  12. Long Division
  13. Tears at the Birthday Party
  14. I Still Have That Other Girl (Reprise)
  15. God Give Me Strength

Paul Weller: Studio 150

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studio_150

On September 14, 2004, “V2 Records” label released “Studio 150”, the seventh Paul Weller album. It was recorded in 2004, at “Studio 150” inn Amsterdam, and was produced by Paul Weller and Jan Kybert.

Personnel:

  • Paul Weller – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Cradock– guitar
  • Bill Newsinger – mandolin
  • Stefan Schmid – Moog synthesizer
  • Damon Minchella – bass
  • Steve “Supe” White– drums
  • Benjamin Herman – saxophone, flute, horn arrangements
  • Ray Bruinsma – trumpet
  • Jan Van Duikeren – trumpet
  • Louk Boudesteijn – trombone
  • Frans Cornelissen – tuba
  • Jan Van Duikeren – flugelhorn
  • Ray Bruinsma – flugelhorn
  • Joeri DeVente – French horn
  • Lorre Trytten – violin
  • Herman Van Haaren – violin
  • Pauline Terlow – violin
  • Sarah Koch – violin
  • Eliza Carthy– violin
  • Martin de Ruiter – violin
  • Seya Teeuwen – violin
  • Aimee Versloot – viola
  • Mieke Honingh – viola
  • Bastiaan Van Der Werf – cello
  • Petra Rosa – harp
  • Williem Friede – string arrangements
  • The Stands – backing vocals
  • Sam Leigh Brown – backing vocals
  • Claudia Fontaine – backing vocals
  • Carleen Anderson– backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. If I Could Only Be Sure – Gabriel Mekler, Nolan Porter
  2. Wishing on a Star – Billie Rae Calvin
  3. Don’t Make Promises – Tim Hardin
  4. The Bottle – Gil Scott-Heron
  5. Black Is the Colour – Traditional
  6. Close To You – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  7. Early Morning Rain – Gordon Lightfoot
  8. One Way Road – Noel Gallagher
  9. Hercules – Allen Toussaint
  10. Thinking of You – Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers
  11. All Along The Watchtower – Bob Dylan
  12. Birds – Neil Young

Aretha Franklin: Aretha Now

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Aretha_Franklin_-_Aretha_Now

On June 14, 1968, “Atlantic” label released “Aretha Now”, the fifteenth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded December 1967 – April 1968 at “Atlantic Studios” in New York, and was produced by Jerry Wexler. The album was certified Gold in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – lead vocals, piano
  • Spooner Oldham – organ, electric piano, piano
  • Tommy Cogbill – guitar, bass
  • Jimmy Johnson – guitar
  • Bobby Womack – guitar
  • Jerry Jemmott – bass
  • Roger Hawkins – drums
  • The Sweet Inspirations – backing vocals
  • Carolyn Franklin: backing vocals
  • Wayne Jackson: trumpet
  • Charlie Chalmers: tenor saxophone
  • Andrew Love: tenor saxophone
  • Floyd Newman: baritone saxophone
  • Willie Bridges: baritone saxophone
  • Tony Studd: bass trombone
  • King Curtis: tenor saxophone
  • Seldon Powell: tenor saxophone
  • Frank Wess: tenor saxophone, flute
  • Haywood Henry: baritone saxophone
  • Bernie Glow: trumpet
  • Melvin Lastie: trumpet
  • Joe Newman: trumpet
  • Tom Dowdand, Arif Mardin – arrangements
  • Robert Honablue: engineer

Track listing:

  1. Think – Aretha Franklin, Teddy White
  2. I Say a Little Prayer – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  3. See Saw – Steve Cropper, Don Covay
  4. Night Time Is the Right Time – Big Bill Broonzy
  5. You Send Me – Sam Cooke
  6. You’re a Sweet Sweet Man – Ronnie Shannon
  7. I Take What I Want – Isaac Hayes, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, David Porter
  8. Hello Sunshine – Jimmy Cliff, King Curtis, Ronald Dean Miller
  9. A Change – Dorian Burton, Clyde Otis
  10. I Can’t See Myself Leaving You – Ronnie Shannon

Elvis Costello: Kojak Variety

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Kojak Variety

On May 9, 1995, “Warner Bros” label released “Kojak Variety”, covers album by Elvis Costello. It was recorded 1989 – 1994, and was produced  by Kevin Killen and Elvis Costello.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Costello – vocals, harmonica
  • James Burton– acoustic, electric and rhythm guitar
  • Larry Knechtel– piano, Hammond organ, electric piano
  • Marc Ribot– banjo, electric guitar, rhythm guitar, horn, classical guitar
  • Jerry Scheff– bass
  • Jim Keltner– drums
  • Pete Thomas– drums

Track listing:

  1. Strange – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
  2. Hidden Charms – Willie Dixon
  3. Remove This Doubt – Brian Holland,Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland, Jr.
  4. I Threw It All Away – Bob Dylan
  5. Leave My Kitten Alone – Little Willie John,Titus Turner, James McDougal
  6. Everybody’s Crying Mercy – Mose Allison
  7. I’ve Been Wrong Before- Randy Newman
  8. Bama Lama Bama Loo – Richard Penniman
  9. Must You Throw Dirt in My Face? – Bill Anderson
  10. Pouring Water on a Drowning Man – Drew Baker,Dani McCormick
  11. The Very Thought of You – Ray Noble
  12. Payday – Jesse Winchester
  13. Please Stay – Burt Bacharach,Bob Hilliard
  14. Running Out of Fools – Richard Ahlert,Kay Rogers
  15. Days – Ray Davies

The Beatles: Please Please Me

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Please_please_me

On March 22, 1963, “Parlaphone” label released “Please Please Me”, the debut Beatles studio album. It was recorded September 11,  November 26, 1962, February 11 – 20, 1963, at “EMI Studios” in London, and was produced by George Martin. The album was released as a mono LP, the stereo version was released on April 26, same year. In 2012, magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Please Please Me” at number 39 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” “Rolling Stone” also ranked two songs from the album on its list of “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” – number 140, “I Saw Her Standing There”, and number 186, “Please Please Me”.

Personnel:

  • John Lennon– lead and backing vocals, acoustic and rhythm guitar, harmonica, hand claps
  • Paul McCartney– lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, hand claps
  • George Harrison – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and lead guitar, hand claps
  • Ringo Starr– lead vocals, drums, tambourine, maracas, hand claps
  • Andy White– drums, percussion
  • George Martin – piano, celesta, mixing, additional arrangements
  • Norman Smith – engineer, mixing

Track listing:

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

  1. I Saw Her Standing There
  2. Misery
  3. Anna (Go to Him) – Arthur Alexander
  4. Chains – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
  5. Boys – Luther Dixon, Wes Farrell
  6. Ask Me Why
  7. Please Please Me
  8. Love Me Do
  9. P. S. I Love You
  10. Baby It’s You – Mack David, Barney Williams, Burt Bacharach
  11. Do You Want to Know a Secret?
  12. A Taste of Honey – Bobby Scott, Ric Marlow
  13. There’s a Place
  14. Twist and Shout – Phil Medley, Bert Russell

The Divine Comedy: A Short Album about Love

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ashortalbum

On February 10, 1997, “Setanta” label released “A Short Album about Love”, the fifth Divine Comedy album. It was recorded in October 1996 at the “Shepherd’s Bush Empire” in London.

Personnel:

  • Neil Hannon – vocals, guitar
  • Ivor Talbot – guitar
  • Joby Talbot – piano, orchestral arrangements
  • Stuart “Pinkie” Bates – Hammond organ
  • Bryan Mills – bass guitar
  • Miguel Barradas – drums

The Brunel Ensemble:

  • Simon Baggs – violin, orchestra leader
  • Lisa Betteridge, Kate Birchall, Krista Juanita Caspersz, Emily Davis, Benjamin Harte, Mary Martin, Timothy Myall, Benjamin Nabarro, Juliet Warden – violins
  • Yannick Dondelinger, Zoe Lake, Jong On Lau, John Murphy – violas
  • Betsy Taylor, Robbie Jacobs, Douncan Moulton – celli
  • Peter Devlin, Philip Dawson – double bass
  • Max Spiers – oboe
  • Charlotte Glasson – saxophone, flute
  • Matthew Gunner – horn
  • Simon Jones – trumpet
  • Adam Howard – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jane Butterfield – trombone
  • Robert Farrer – percussion
  • Christopher Austin – conductor

Track listing:

All tracks by Neil Hannon except where noted.

  1. In Pursuit of Happiness
  2. Everybody Knows (Except You)
  3. Someone
  4. If…
  5. If I Were You (I’d Be Through with Me)
  6. Timewatching
  7. I’m All You Need
  8. Motorway to Damascus
  9. Love Is Lighter Than Air – Stephin Merritt
  10. Birds of Paradise Farm
  11. Make It Easy on Yourself – Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Aretha Franklin: Young, Gifted And Black

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ArethaFranklinYoung,Gifted&Black

On January 24, 1972, “Atlantic” label released “Young, Gifted and Black”, the nineteenth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded August 1970 – February 1971, and was produced by Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin and Jerry Wexler. In 1972, the album won Aretha Franklin “Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance”. In 2003, the TV network “VH1” ranked it the 76th greatest album of all time.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – lead vocals, acoustic piano, celesta, electric piano
  • Don Arnone – acoustic guitar
  • Cornell Dupree- guitar
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar
  • Donny Hathaway- organ, electric piano
  • Billy Preston- organ
  • Eric Gale- bass
  • Chuck Rainey- bass
  • Robert Popwell- bass, percussion
  • Bernard “Pretty” Purdie- drums
  • Al Jackson, Jr.- drums
  • Ray Lucas – drums
  • The Memphis Horns- horn section
  • Andrew Love (of the Memphis Horns) – tenor saxophone
  • Neal Rosengarden – trumpet, vibraphone
  • Wayne Jackson (of the Memphis Horns) – trumpet
  • Hubert Laws- flute
  • Tom Dowd- horn arrangements
  • Pat Smith – backing vocals
  • Ronald Bright – backing vocals
  • R. Bailey – backing vocals
  • Carolyn Franklin- backing vocals
  • Erma Franklin- backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Ann S. Clark – backing vocals
  • The Sweet Inspirations- backing vocals
  • Sammy Turner – backing vocals
  • Stanislaw Zagorski – cover design
  • David Nathan – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby) – Jim Doris
  2. Day Dreaming – Aretha Franklin
  3. Rock Steady – Aretha Franklin
  4. Young, Gifted and Black – Weldon Irvine, Nina Simone
  5. All the King’s Horses – Aretha Franklin
  6. A Brand New Me – Theresa Bell, Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble
  7. April Fools – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  8. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long – Jerry Butler, Otis Redding
  9. First Snow in Kokomo – Aretha Franklin
  10. The Long and Winding Road – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  11. Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – Thom Bell, William Hart
  12. Border Song (Holy Moses) – Bernie Taupin, Elton John