Tag Archives: California

Ultravox: Brilliant

On May 25, 2012, “Chrysalis” label released “Brilliant”, the eleventh and final Ultravox studio album. It was recorded September 2010 – December 2011, at “The Lakehouse” in Montreal, Canada, “Environment” in Bath, England, “Sarm” and “Battery” in London, “Studio City Sound” in California, and was produced by Stephen Lipson, Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie and Midge Ure.

Personnel:

  • Midge Ure – vocals, guitar, synthesizer, mixing
  • Billy Currie – piano, synthesizer, violin, mixing
  • Chris Cross – bass, synthesizer, mixing
  • Warren Cann – drums, mixing
  • Stephen Lipson – mixing
  • Tom Weir – drum engineering
  • Mazen Murad – mastering
  • Darren Evans – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Midge Ure, Billy Currie and Chris Cross.

  1. Live
  2. Flow
  3. Brilliant
  4. Change
  5. Rise
  6. Remembering
  7. Hello
  8. One
  9. Fall
  10. Lie
  11. Satellite
  12. Contact

Jean-Lyc Ponty: King Kong: Jean-Lyc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa

On May 25, 1970, “World Pacific” and “Liberty” labels released “King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa”, the sixth Jean-Luc Ponty album. It was recorded in October 1969, at “Whitney Studios” in Glendale, California, and was produced by Richard Bock. 

Personnel:

  • Jean-Luc Ponty – electric violin, baritone violectra
  • Frank Zappa – electric guitar, arrangements, conductor
  • George Duke – acoustic and electric piano
  • Buell Neidlinger – double bass 
  • Wilton Felder – Fender Precision electric bass 
  • John Guerin – drums 
  • Arthur Dyer Tripp III – drums 
  • Gene Estes – vibraphone, percussion
  • Ernie Watts – alto and tenor saxophone
  • Ian Underwood – tenor saxophone, orchestra conductor
  • Gene Cipriano – oboe, English horn
  • Arthur Maebe – French horn, tuba 
  • Vincent DeRosa – descant recorder, French horn, descant 
  • Jonathan Meyer – flute
  • Donald Christlieb – bassoon
  • Milton Thomas – viola
  • Harold Bemko – cello
  • Gerald Wilson – conductor
  • Ian Underwood – conductor
  • Dick Kunc – engineer
  • Ron Wolin – art direction, design
  • Leonard Feather – liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa, except where noted.

  1. King Kong
  2. Idiot Bastard Son
  3. Twenty Small Cigars
  4. How Would You Like to Have a Head Like That – Jean-Luc Ponty
  5. Music for Electric Violin and Low-Budget Orchestra
  6. America Drinks and Goes Home

MisterWives: Connect the Dots

On May 19, 2017, “Photo Finish” and “Republic Records” labels released “Connect the Dots”, the second MisterWives studio album. It was recorded in 2016, at “Rubyred Productions” in California, “DB Studios” in New York, and was produced by Butch Walker and Etienne Bowler.

Personnel:

  • Mandy Lee – lead vocals
  • Marc Campbell – lead guitar, gang vocals
  • Jesse Blum – keyboards, synthesizer, piano, gang vocals
  • William Hehir – bass guitar, gang vocals
  • Butch Walker – keyboards, synthesizer, gang vocals, programming, recording
  • Etienne Bowler – drums, percussion, synthesizer, gang vocals, programming
  • Todd Stopera – recording
  • Neal Avron – mixing
  • Joe Spix – art direction, design
  • Viktoriya Tsoy – design
  • Matt Burnette-Lemon – package production
  • Mary Ellen Matthews – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Mandy Lee, except where noted.

  1. Machine – Mandy Lee, Etienne Bowler
  2. Chasing This
  3. Only Human
  4. Drummer Boy
  5. Revolution
  6. My Brother
  7. Out of Tune Piano – Mandy Lee, Etienne Bowler
  8. Band Camp – Mandy Lee, Etienne Bowler, Marc Campbell
  9. Let the Light In – Mandy Lee, Etienne Bowler
  10. Coloring Outside the Lines – Mandy Lee, Marc Campbell
  11. Oh Love

The Doobie Brothers: Cycles

On May 17, 1989, “Capitol” label released “Cycles”, the tenth Doobie Brothers (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1988, at “The Plant” in Sausalito, California, and was produced by Rodney Mills, Charlie Midnight and Eddie Schwartz.

Personnel:

  • Tom Johnston – lead vocals, guitar
  • Patrick Simmons – lead vocals, guitar
  • Tiran Porter – bass, backing vocals
  • John Hartman – drums, backing vocals
  • Michael Hossack – drums, percussion
  • Bobby LaKind – percussion, backing vocals
  • Bill Payne – keyboards
  • Dave Tyson – keyboards
  • Kim Bullard – keyboards
  • Dale Ockerman – keyboards
  • Phil Aaberg – keyboards
  • Don Frank – electronic drums
  • The Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love) – horns
  • Rem Smiers – keytar
  • Bobby La Kind – conductor
  • Brian Wayy – programming, remix
  • Tom Sadzeck, Devon Bernadoni, Jim Gaines, Rodney Mills, Jeffrey Norman – engineer
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Jeffery Fey – design
  • Tommy Steele – art direction
  • Tom Nikosey – logo design
  • Tom Keller – photography

Track listing:

  1. The Doctor – Tom Johnston, Charlie Midnight, Eddie Schwartz
  2. One Chain Don’t Make no Prison – Dennis Lambert, Brian Potter
  3. Take Me to the Highway – Patrick Simmons, Dale Ockerman, Tome Fedele, Charlie Midnight, Eddie Schwartz, Dale Ockerman,
  4. South of the Border – Tom Johnston
  5. Time Is Here and Gone – Bobby La Kind, John Mcfee, Keith Knudsen
  6. Need a Little Taste of Love – Marvin Isley, Ernie Isley, Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley, Chris Jasper
  7. I Can Read Your Mind – Patrick Simmons, Dale Ockerman, Chris Thompson
  8. Tonight I’m Coming (Through the Border) – Bobby La Kind, Michael McDonald
  9. Wrong Number – Tom Johnston
  10. Too High a Price – Bobby La Kind, Zeke Zirngeibel, John Herron

The Longshot: Love is for Losers

On April 20, 2018, an independent label released “Love Is for Losers”, the debut Longshot (The) studio album. It was recorded in 2018, at “OTIS” in Oakland, California, and was produced by Billie Joe Armstrong.

Personnel:

  • Billie Joe Armstrong – vocals, guitars, bass, drums
  • Joey Armstrong – drums
  • Chris Dugan – engineer
  • Lee Bothwick – engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by Billie Joe Armstrong, except where noted.

  1. The Last Time
  2. Taxi Driver
  3. Chasing a Ghost
  4. Body Bag
  5. Love Is for Losers
  6. Cult Hero
  7. Kill Your Friends
  8. Happiness
  9. Soul Surrender
  10. Turn Me Loose
  11. Goodbye to Romance – Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley

Midtown: Living Well is the Best Revenge

On April 16, 2002, “Drive Thru” label released “Living Well Is the Best Revenge”, the second Midtown studio album. It was recorded 2001 -2002, at “Larrabee East” in Los Angeles, “Media Vortex” in Burbank, California, and was produced by Mark Trombino.

Personnel:

  • Gabe Saporta – lead vocals, bass
  • – drums, backing vocals
  • Vinnie Caruana – additional backing vocals 
  • Mark Trombino – programming, engineer, mixing
  • Justin Smith – engineer
  • Pete Novak – engineer assistant
  • Dave Ahlert – engineer assistant
  • Brian Gardner – mastering
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering assistant
  • Tim Stedman – art direction, design
  • Marco Orozco – design
  • Justin Stephens – photography

Track listing:

All lyrics written by Gabe Saporta, except where noted, all music by Gabe Saporta, Heath Saraceno, Tyler Rann and Rob Hitt.

  1. Become What You Hate
  2. Still Trying
  3. Get It Together
  4. Like a Movie
  5. There’s No Going Back
  6. Perfect – Hearth Saraceno
  7. You Should Know
  8. One Last Time – Tyler Rann
  9. A Faulty Foundation
  10. In the Songs
  11. Find Comfort in Yourself – Hearth Saraceno
  12. Make This Right
  13. Let Go (remix)

Marianne Faithfull: Vagabond Ways

On April 14, 1999, “Instinct Records” label released “Vagabond Ways”, the 15th Marianne Faithfull studio album. It was recorded in July 1998, at “Teatro Studios” in Oxnard, California, and was produced by Daniel Lanois and Mark Howard.

Personnel:

  • Marianne Faithfull – vocals
  • Daniel Lanois – guitar, bass, drums, percussion, loops
  • Barry Reynolds – guitar, slide guitar, bass, piano
  • Michael Chaves – guitar
  • Victor Indrizzo – guitar
  • Glenn Patscha – keyboards, piano, bass pedals, string arrangements
  • Mark Howard – keyboards, organ, percussion, loops, mixing
  • Roger Waters – bass, keyboards
  • Christopher Thomas – bass, fuzz bass, double bass
  • Brian Blade – drums, percussion
  • Danny Frankel – drums, percussion
  • Novi Novog – viola
  • Stephanie File – cello
  • Emmylou Harris – backing vocals
  • Daryl Johnson – backing vocals
  • Simon Francis – engineer
  • Zack Allentuck – engineer
  • Ellen von Unwerth – photography

Track listing:

  1. Vagabond Ways – Marianne Faithfull, David Courts
  2. Incarceration of a Flower Child – Roger Waters
  3. File It Under Fun from the Past – Marianne Faithfull, Barry Reynolds
  4. Electra – Marianne Faithfull, Barry Reynolds, Frank McGuinness
  5. Wilder Shores of Love – Marianne Faithfull, Barry Reynolds, Guy Pratt
  6. Marathon Kiss – Daniel Lanois
  7. For Wanting You – Elton John, Bernie Taupin
  8. Great Expectations – Marianne Faithfull, Daniel Lanois
  9. Tower of Song – Leonard Cohen
  10. After the Ceasefire – Daniel Lanois, Frank McGuinness

UFO: Walk on Water

On April 14, 1995, “Zero Corporation” label released “Walk on Water”, the fourteenth UFO album. It was recorded in 1994, at “Rumbo Recorders” in Canoga Park, California, and was produced by Ron Nevison.

Personnel:

  • Phil Mogg – vocals
  • Michael Schenker – guitar
  • Paul Raymond – keyboards, guitar
  • Pete Way – bass
  • Andy Parker – drums
  • Mark Philips – backing vocals
  • Ron Nevison – engineer, mixing

Track listing:

All tracks by Phil Mogg and Michael Schenker.

  1. A Self-Made Man
  2. Venus
  3. Pushed to the Limit
  4. Stopped by a Bullet (of Love)
  5. Darker Days
  6. Running on Empty
  7. Knock, Knock
  8. Dreaming of Summer
  9. Doctor Doctor ’95 (re-recorded version)
  10. Lights Out ’95 (re-recorded version)

Tarnation: Mirador

On April 7, 1997, “4AD” label released “Mirador”, the third Tarnation album. It was recorded in 1996, at “Prairie Sun Recording Studios” in Cotati, California, and was produced by David Katznelson, Paula Frazer, Alex Propeza, Jamie Meagan and Juma Joe Byrnes.

Personnel:                                                                                                                                        

  • Paula Frazer – lead and backing vocals, guitar, bass, piano, Hammond organ, accordion, saw, percussion
  • Alex Propeza – guitar, lap steel, Hammond organ, backing vocals 
  • Jamie Meagan – bass, guitar, lap steel, organ, percussion, backing vocals
  • Yuma Joe Byrnes – drums, percussion, whistling
  • Jim Passarell – trumpet
  • Shella Schat – violin, cello
  • Arch Stanton – noises
  • Dylan Champagne – engineer
  • Scotty Johnson – engineer
  • Mark Mooka Rennick – engineer, mixing
  • Wally Traugott – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Paula Frazer, except where noted.

  1. An Awful Shade of Blue
  2. Wait
  3. A Place Where I Know
  4. Is She Lonesome Now?
  5. Your Thoughts and Mine
  6. Christine
  7. Destiny
  8. There’s Someone
  9. Like a Ghost
  10. Idly
  11. Little Black Egg – Michael S. Stone
  12. You’ll Understand
  13. The Well Sequel (hidden track)
  14. Sailor’s Lament (hidden track)

The Brothers Johnson: Light Up the Night

On April 4, 1980, “A&M” label released “Light Up the Night”, the fourth Brothers Johnson (The) album. It was recorded 1978 – 1980, at “Allen Zentz Recording” and “A&M Studios” in Hollywood, “Kendun Recorders” in Burbank, California, and was produced by Quincy Jones.

Personnel:

  • George Johnson – lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, rhythm arrangements
  • Louis Johnson – acoustic piano, Prophet-5, guitars, lead guitar, bass, backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
  • Greg Phillinganes – acoustic and electric piano, synthesizer
  • Rod Temperton – electric piano, synthesizer and BGV arrangements
  • Steve Porcaro – synthesizers, synthesizer programming
  • John Robinson – drums
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion, vocal percussion
  • Richard Heath – lead and backing vocals, percussion
  • Kim Hutchcroft – soprano, tenor and baritone saxophone, flute
  • Larry Williams – alto and tenor saxophone, flute, synthesizers
  • Bill Reichenbach Jr. – euphonium, trombone, slide trumpet
  • Gary Grant – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jerry Hey – trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, horn and string arrangements
  • Alex Weir – lead and backing vocals
  • Michael Jackson – backing vocals fills, BGV arrangements
  • Merry Clayton – backing vocals
  • Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals
  • Susaye Greene-Brown – backing vocals
  • Josie James – backing vocals
  • Valerie Johnson – backing vocals
  • Scherrie Payne – backing vocals
  • Quincy Jones – rhythm, synthesizer and BGV arrangements, backing vocals
  • Johnny Mandel – synthesizer arrangements
  • Bill Reichenbach Jr. – string conductor
  • Bruce Swedien – recording, mixing
  • Tim Gerrity – engineer assistant
  • Ralph Osborn – engineer assistant
  • Randy Pipes – engineer assistant
  • John Van Nest – engineer assistant
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Chuck Beeson – art direction
  • Glen Wexler – art direction, cover concept, photography
  • Ed Eckstien – cover concept
  • Kurt Triffet – illustration
  • The Fitzgerald/Hartley Co. – direction

Track listing:

  1. Stomp! – Rod Temperton, Louis Johnson, George Johnson, Valerie Johnson
  2. Light Up the Night – Rod Temperton, Louis Johnson, George Johnson
  3. You Make Me Wanna Wiggle – Rod Temperton, Louis Johnson, George Johnson, Valerie Johnson
  4. Treasure – Rod Temperton
  5. This Had to Be – Michael Jackson, Louis Johnson, George Johnson
  6. All About the Heaven – Rod Temperton
  7. Smilin’ on Ya – George Johnson, Greg Phillinganes, Louis Johnson, Jerry Hey
  8. Closer to the One That You Love – Rod Templeton, Louis Johnson, George Johnson
  9. Celebration – Rod Templeton, Louis Johnson, George Johnson