Tag Archives: Chester Thompson

Frank Zappa And The Mothers: Roxy & Elsewhere

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On September 10, 1974, “DiscReet” label released “Roxy & Elsewhere”, album by Frank Zappa and The Mothers (the 19th Frank Zappa album overall). It was recorded in December 1973, at “The Roxy Theater” in Hollywood, and was produced by Frank Zappa.

Personnel:

  • Frank Zappa – vocals, lead guitar
  • Jeff Simmons – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Duke – vocals, keyboards, synthesizer
  • Don Preston – synthesizer
  • Tom Fowler – bass guitar
  • Ralph Humphrey – drums
  • Chester Thompson – drums
  • Ruth Underwood – percussion
  • Napoleon Murphy Brock – vocals, flute, tenor saxophone
  • Walt Fowler – trumpet, bass trumpet
  • Bruce Fowler – trombone, dancer
  • Robert “Frog” Camarena – backing vocals
  • Debbie Wilson – backing vocals
  • Linda “Lynn” Sims – backing vocals
  • Ruben Ladron de Guevara – backing vocals
  • Kerry McNabb – engineer, remix
  • Wally Heider – engineer
  • Cal Schenkel – design
  • Coy Featherston, Steve Magedoff – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa, except where noted.

  1. Penguin in Bondage
  2. Pygmy Twylyte
  3. Dummy Up – Napoleon Murphy Brock, Jeff Simmons, Frank Zappa
  4. Village of the Sun
  5. Echidna’s Arf (of You)
  6. Cheepnis
  7. Son of Orange County
  8. More Trouble Every Day
  9. Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen’s Church)

Keb’ Mo: Oklahoma

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On June 14, 2019, “Concord” label released “Oklahoma”, the fourteenth Keb’ Mo’ studio album. It was recorded in 2018, at “Stu Stu Studio” and was produced by Colin Linden and Keb’ Mo’.

Personnel:

  • Keb’ Mo’ (Kevin Moore) – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, steel guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, shaker
  • Rosanne Cash – vocals
  • Taj Mahal -vocals
  • Robert Randolph – lap steel guitar
  • Jaci Velasquez – vocals
  • Eric Ramey – bass
  • Marcus Finnie – drums
  • Chester Thompson – drums
  • Keio Strouds – drums
  • Colin Linden – electric guitar, mandolin
  • Jim Hoke – Wurlitzer piano, accordion
  • David Rodgers – keyboards
  • Samuel Alexander – keyboards, Hammond organ, electric piano
  • DeMarco Johnson – Hammond organ
  • Jovan Quallo – saxophone
  • Josh Scalf – trombone
  • Scotty Huff – trumpet
  • Corrie Covell, Michael O’Gieblyn – violin
  • Emily Kohavi – viola
  • Cremaine Booker – cello
  • Carter Moore, Dara Tucker, Robbie Brooks Moore, Dara Tucker, Emoni Wilkins, Jason Eskridge, Moiba Mustapha, Nickie Conley- backing vocals
  • Melvin “Maestro” Lightford – string arrangements
  • Zach Allen – recording
  • Alex Jarvis, Dave Hagen, Joe Martino – mixing
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • David Diskin, Lori Lambert – art direction
  • Michele Morgan – artwork
  • Jeremy Cowart – photography
  • Anthony Scarlati, Christy Watkins, Robbie Brooks Moore – additional photography

Track listing:

  1. I Remember You – Bill LaBounty, Kevin Moore
  2. Oklahoma – Dara Tucker, Kevin Moore
  3. Put a Woman in Charge – Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore
  4. This Is My Home – John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore
  5. Don’t Throw It Away – Charles Esten, Colin Linden, Kevin Moore
  6. The Way I – John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore
  7. Ridin’ on a Train – Jenny Yates, Kevin Moore
  8. I Should’ve – Joseph Alan Wood, Kevin Moore
  9. Cold Outside – Cliff Goldmacher, Kevin Moore 
  10. Beautiful Music – John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore

Tower Of Power: In The Slot

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In September 1975, “Warner Bros” label released “In the Slot”, the sixth Tower of Power studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Record Plant” in Sausalito, California, and was produced by Emilio Castillo, Hubert Tubss, Bruce Conte, Chester Thompson, Francis Rocco Prestia, David Garibaldi, Lenny Pickett, Emilio Castillo, Steve Kupka, Mic Gillette and Greg Adams.

Personnel:

  • Hubert Tubbs- lead vocals
  • Bruce Conte – guitar, backing vocals
  • Chester Thompson – organ, bass pedals, acoustic piano, clavinet, ARP String Ensemble, backing vocals
  • Francis Rocco Prestia – bass guitar
  • David Garibaldi- drums
  • Lenny Pickett- soprano, alto and tenor  saxophone, piccolo, clarinet, contrabass clarinet, lyricon
  • Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone, backing vocals
  • Steve Kupka- baritone saxophone
  • Mic Gillette- trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, bass trombone, backing vocals
  • Greg Adams- trumpet, flugelhorn, string arrangements, conductor
  • Bootche Anderson, Marilyn Scott, Pepper Watkins, David Bartlett, Ron Beck, Frank Biner, Roger Rifkind – backing vocals
  • Tom Flye, Alan Chinowsky – engineer
  • Cris Morris – engineer assistant
  • Bruce Steinberg – design, photography
  • Ellie Oberzil – design assistant

Track listing:

  1. Just Enough and Too Much – Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, Frank Biner
  2. Treat Me Like Your Man – Lenny Williams, Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
  3. If I Play My Cards Right – Frank Biner, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
  4. As Surely as I Stand Here – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Chester Thompson, Emilio Castillo
  5. Fanfare-Matanuska – Greg Adams
  6. On the Serious Side – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
  7. Ebony Jam – Chester Thompson
  8. You’re So Wonderful, So Marvelous – Frank Biner, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
  9. Vuela Por Noche – David Garibaldi, Bruce Conte, Greg Adams, Francis Rocco Prestia
  10. Essence of Innocence – Chester Thompson
  11. The Soul of a Child – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Bruce Conte, Emilio Castillo
  12. Drop It in the Slot – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka

Frank Black: Fast Man Raider Man

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On June 20, 2006, “Back Porch” label released “Fast Man Raider Man”, the thirteen Frank Black album. It was recorded in 2000, in Nashville, Pasadena and Chicago, and was produced by Jon Tiven.

Personnel:

  • Frank Black- lead vocals, guitar, ukulele
  • Steve Cropper- guitar
  • Carol Kaye- guitar, bass guitar
  • Buddy Miller- guitar, mandoguitar, backing vocals
  • Rich Gilbert- pedal steel guitar
  • Duane Jarvis- guitar
  • Lyle Workman- guitar, arrangements
  • Reggie Young– guitar
  • Dave Phillips- pedal steel guitar
  • F. Sloan- piano, backing vocals
  • Al Kooper- organ
  • Ian McLagan- keyboards
  • Mark Jordan – keyboards
  • Spooner Oldham- keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jack Kidney- harmonica, tenor saxophone
  • Tom Petersson- bass guitar
  • Bob Babbitt- bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Marty Brown- bass guitar, backing and duet vocal
  • David Hood- bass guitar
  • Billy Block- drums, backing vocals
  • Steve Ferrone- drums
  • Levon Helm- drums, percussion
  • Jim Keltner- drums, percussion
  • Simon Kirke- drums, percussion
  • Akil Thompson- drums
  • Chester Thompson- drums
  • Jon Tiven- alto saxophone, guitar, percussion, piano, backing vocals
  • Wayne Jackson- trumpet, trombone, fluegelhorn
  • Violet Clark-Thompson- backing vocals
  • Jack Clement- dobro, backing vocals
  • Rick Duvall- backing vocals
  • James Griffin – backing vocals
  • Bobby Bare Jr.- backing vocals
  • Ellis Hooks- backing vocals
  • Billy Swan- backing vocals
  • Planet Swan- backing vocals
  • Sierra Swan- backing vocals
  • Brooks Watson- backing vocals
  • Lyle Workman – arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Black, except where noted.

  1. If Your Poison Gets You
  2. Johnny Barleycorn
  3. Fast Man
  4. You Can’t Crucify Yourself
  5. Dirty Old Town – Ewan MacColl
  6. Wanderlust
  7. Seven Days
  8. Raider Man
  9. The End of the Summer – music adapted from Gabriel Fauré’s Sicilienne, Op. 78,
  10. Dog Sleep – co-written by Reid Paley
  11. When the Paint Grows Darker Still
  12. I’m Not Dead (I’m in Pittsburgh) – co-written by Reid Paley
  13. Golden Shore – co-written byReid Paley
  14. In the Time of My Ruin
  15. Down to You – co-written byReid Paley
  16. Highway to Lowdown
  17. Kiss My Ring
  18. My Terrible Ways
  19. Fitzgerald
  20. Elijah
  21. It’s Just Not Your Moment
  22. The Real El Rey
  23. Where the Wind Is Going
  24. Holland Town
  25. Sad Old World
  26. Don’t Cry That Way
  27. Fare Thee Well

Tower Of Power: Same

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In May 1973, “Warner Bros” label released the self-titled, third Tower of Power album. It was recorded in 1973, and was produced by Greg Adams, Brent Byars, Emilio Castillo, Bruce Conte, David Garibaldi, Mic Gillette, Stephen” Doc” Kupka, Lenny Pickett, Francis ”Rocco” Prestia, Jay Spell, Bruce Steinberg, Chester Thompson and Lenny Williams.

Personnel:

  • Lenny Williams– lead vocals
  • Bruce Conte– guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg Adams– trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals, string arrangements, conductor
  • Stephen “Doc” Kupka– oboe, baritone saxophone, backing vocals
  • Lenny Pickett– clarinet, flute, tenor saxophone, backing vocals
  • Emilio Castillo– tenor saxophone, backing vocals, production supervisor
  • Francis “Rocco” Prestia– bass guitar
  • David Garibaldi– drums
  • Brent Byars – bongos, conga
  • Mic Gillette– trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, baritone, backing vocals
  • Jay Spell – acoustic piano
  • Bruce Steinberg – harmonica, art direction, design, photography, illustrations, cover design
  • Chester Thompson – organ, keyboards, backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka, except where noted.

  1. What Is Hip? – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, David Garibaldi
  2. Clever Girl – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Willie Fulton
  3. This Time It’s Real – David Bartlett, Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
  4. Will I Ever Find a Love?
  5. Get Yo’ Feet Back on the Ground – Willie Fulton
  6. So Very Hard to Go
  7. Soul Vaccination
  8. Both Sorry Over Nothin’ – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Lenny Williams
  9. Clean Slate – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Willie Fulton
  10. Just Another Day – Bruce Conte

Tower of Power: Urban Renewal

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urban_renewal

In January 1975, “Warner Bros” label released “Urban Renewal”, the fifth Tower of Power album. It was recorded in 1974, at “Record Plant” in Sausalito in California, and was produced by Emilio Castillo.

Personnel:

  • Lenny Williams: lead vocals
  • Bruce Conte: guitars, backing vocals
  • Chester Thompson: keyboards, organ, acoustic piano, clavinet, backing vocals, bass pedals
  • Francis “Rocco” Prestia: bass guitar
  • David Bartlett: drums
  • David Garibaldi: drums
  • Carter Collins: congas, percussion
  • Greg Adams: trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Emilio Castillo: tenor saxophone, backing vocals
  • Mic Gillette: trumpet, trombone, backing vocals
  • Stephen Kupka: baritone saxophone
  • Lenny Pickett: clarinet, bass clarinet, alto flute, baritone, tenor & soprano saxophones
  • Bootche Anderson: vocals
  • Marilyn Scott: vocals
  • Pepper Watkins: vocals
  • Greg Adams, Chester Thompson – arrangements
  • Alan Chinowsky, Tom Flye – engineer
  • Lee Herschberg – mastering

Track listing:

  1. Only So Much Oil in the Ground – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
  2. Come Back, Baby – Bruce Conte, Lenny Williams
  3. It’s Not the Crime – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
  4. I Won’t Leave Unless You Want Me To – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo, Greg Adams
  5. Maybe It’ll Rub Off – Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo, Chester Thompson
  6. (To Say the Least) You’re the Most – Johnny “Guitar” Watson
  7. Willing to Learn – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
  8. Give Me the Proof – David Bartlett
  9. It Can Never Be the Same – Bruce Conte, Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Emilio Castillo
  10. I Believe in Myself – Emilio Castillo, Stephen “Doc” Kupka
  11. Walkin’ Up Hip Street – Chester Thompson

 

Tony Banks: A Curious Feeling

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a-curious-feeling

On October 8, 1979, “Charisma” label released “A Curious Feeling” the début Tony Banks solo album. It was recorded in1979, at “Polar Music Studios” in Stockholm, Sweden, and was produced by Tony Banks and David Hentschel. The cover painting is “Wuluwait – Boatman of the Dead” by Australian artist Ainslie Robert

Personnel:

  • Tony Banks: keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion
  • Chester Thompson: drums, percussion
  • Kim Beacon: vocals
  • David Bascombe – recording, engineer
  • David Hentschel – recording, engineer
  • Hothouse – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Tony Banks.

  1. From the Undertow
  2. Lucky Me
  3. The Lie
  4. After the Lie
  5. A Curious Feeling
  6. Forever Morning
  7. You
  8. Somebody Else’s Dream
  9. The Waters ofLethe
  10. For a While
  11. In the Dark

Frank Black: Honeycomb

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Honeycomb

On July 19, 2005, “Back Porch Records” released “Honeycomb”, the tenth Frank Black studio album. It was recorded in 2005, and was produced by Jon Tiven.

Personnel:

  • Frank Black– vocals, guitar
  • Steve Cropper- lead guitar
  • Buddy Miller- guitar
  • Reggie Young- guitar
  • Spooner Oldham – vocals, keyboards, bells
  • Jon Tiven- harmonica
  • David Hood- bass guitar
  • Billy Block- drums
  • Anton Fig- drums
  • Akil Thompson- drums
  • Chester Thompson- drums
  • Jean Black – duet vocal
  • James Griffin – vocals
  • Ellis Hooks- vocals
  • Dan Penn- vocals, tracking engineer
  • Earl Drake- mixing

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Black, except where noted.

  1. Selkie Bride
  2. I Burn Today
  3. Lone Child
  4. Another Velvet Nightmare – Frank Black, Reid Paley
  5. Dark End of the Street – Dan Penn, Chips Moman
  6. Go Find Your Saint
  7. Song of the Shrimp – Roy C. Bennett, Sid Tepper
  8. Strange Goodbye
  9. Sunday Sunny Mill Valley Groove Day – Doug Sahm
  10. Honeycomb
  11. My Life Is in Storage
  12. Atom in My Heart
  13. Violet”
  14. Sing For Joy

Frank Zappa: Sleep Dirt

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Frank Zappa_sleep_dirt

On January 19, 1979, “DiscReet Records” label released “Sleep Dirt”, the 25th Frank Zappa album . It  was recorded in December 1974 and in 1976, at the “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, and “Caribou Studios” in Nederland, Colorado, and was produced by Frank Zappa.

Personnel:

  • Frank Zappa – guitar, percussion, keyboards, synthesizer
  • George Duke– keyboards, vocals
  • James “Bird Legs” Youman – bass guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Patrick O’Hearn– bass guitar
  • Dave Parlato – bass guitar
  • Chester Thompson– drums
  • Terry Bozzio– drums
  • Ruth Underwood– percussion, keyboards
  • Bruce Fowler– brass
  • Stephen Marcussen –mastering, equalization
  • Bob Stone – mastering, remastering, equalization
  • Gary Panter – art director

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa.

  1. Filthy Habits
  2. Flambay
  3. Spider of Destiny
  4. Regyptian Strut
  5. Time is Money
  6. Sleep Dirt
  7. The Ocean is the Ultimate Solution