Tag Archives: Chet Amsterdam

The Left Banke: The Left Banke Too

In November 1968, “Smash” label released “The Left Banke Too”, the second Left Banke (The) studio album. It was recorded in September 1967 – October 1968, at “Capitol” and “Olmstead” in New York City, and was produced by Paul Leka, Michael Brown, Arthur Schroeck and Gene Radice.

Personnel:

  • Steve Martin Caro – lead vocals, bass, tambourine, drums
  • Tom Finn – lead and backing vocals, bass, guitar
  • Tom Feher – piano, guitar
  • Michael Brown – piano, organ
  • George Cameron – lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion
  • Rick Brand – banjo 
  • Hugh McCracken – guitar
  • Ralph Casale – guitar
  • Marvin Potocki – guitar
  • Steve Tallarico – tambourine, backing vocals
  • Paul Griffin – keyboards
  • Paul Leka – piano, string arrangements
  • Chet Amsterdam – bass
  • Joe Mack – bass
  • Bobby Gregg – drums
  • Artie Schroek – vibraphone, drums, string arrangements
  • Ray Alonge – French horn
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet
  • Ray Desio – trombone
  • George Young – woodwinds
  • John Abbott – horn arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks by Tom Finn, except where noted.

  1. Goodbye Holly – Tom Feher
  2. There’s Gonna Be a Storm
  3. Sing Little Bird Sing – Tom Feher
  4. Mice to See You
  5. Give the Man a Hand – Marvin Potocki
  6. Bryant Hotel – Tom Feher
  7. Desirée – Michael Brown, Tom Feher
  8. Dark is the Back – George Cameron, Tom Finn, Steve Martin Caro
  9. In the Morning Light – Michael Brown, Tom Feher
  10. My Friend Today

Phil Woods: Greek Cooking

In March 1967, “Impulse!” label released “Greek Cooking”, the tenth Phil Woods album. It was recorded January – February 1967, in New York City, and was produced by Bob Thiele.

Personnel:

  • Phil Woods – alto saxophone
  • William Costa – accordion, marimba
  • George Mgrdichian – oud
  • Stuart Scharf – guitar
  • Chet Amsterdam – electric bass
  • Bill LaVorgna – drums
  • Souren Baronian – drums, cymbals
  • Seymour Salzberg – percussion
  • Iordanis Tsomidis – bouzouki
  • John Yalenezian – dumbeg
  • Norman Gold – arrangements


Track listing:

All tracks by Norman Gold, except where noted.

  1. Zorba the Greek – Mikis Theodorakis
  2. A Taste of Honey – Bobby Scott, Ric Marlow
  3. Theme from Anthony & Cleopatra – Alex North
  4. Got a Feelin’ – Denny Doherty, John Phillips
  5. Theme from Samson & Delilah – Victor Young
  6. Greek Cooking
  7. Nica

Spanky and Our Gang: Like To Get To Know You

In April 1968, “Mercury” label released “Like to Get to Know You”, the second Spanky and Our Gang studio album. It was recorded in 1967, at “Western Recorders” in Hollywood, “Universal Recording Studio” in Chicago, “Impact Sound Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Bob Dorough and Stuart Scharf.

Personnel:

  • Spanky McFarlane – vocals
  • Malcolm Hale – vocals, lead guitar, trombone
  • Lefty Baker – vocals, lead guitar, banjo
  • Nigel Pickering – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Kenny Hodges – vocals, bass
  • John Seiter – vocals, drums
  • Mike Deasy – guitar
  • Walter Raim – 12-string guitar
  • Red Rhodes – steel guitar
  • Artie Schroeck – organ, piano
  • Chet Amsterdam, Larry Knechtel, Richard Davis – bass
  • Bill LaVorgna, Donald MacDonald, Hal Blaine – drums
  • Lee Katzman – trumpet

Track listing:

  1. The Swingin’ Gate – John Ferrell, Geoffrey Meyers
  2. Prescription for the Blues – Little Brother Montgomery, Bruce Saunders
  3. Three Ways from Tomorrow – Lefty Baker
  4. My Bill – Bob Dorough, Daniel Greenburg, Monte Ghertler
  5. Sunday Mornin’ – Margo Guryan
  6. Echoes (Everybody’s Talkin’) – Fred Neil
  7. Suzanne – Leonard Cohen
  8. Stuperflabbergasted – Bruce Summers, Carlos Bernal
  9. Like to Get to Know You – Stuart Scharf
  10. Chick-a-Ding-Ding – Stuart Scharf
  11. Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish
  12. Coda (Like to Get to Know You) – Stuart Scharf