Tag Archives: Dave Baker

Ray Thomas: From Mighty Oaks

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On July 11, 1975, “Threshold” and “Decca” labels released “From Mighty Oaks” the debut Ray Thomas album. It was recorded 1974 – 1975, and was produced by Ray Thomas and Derek Varnals.

Personnel:

  •  Ray Thomas – lead and backing vocals, flute, bass flute, harmonica
  • Mike Silver– acoustic guitar, backing vocal
  • John Jones – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals
  • J. Cole– pedal steel guitar
  • Mike Moran– keyboards
  • Trevor Jones – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Potts – drums, percussion
  • Nicky James – percussion, backing vocals
  • Richard Hewson– orchestral arranger, conductor
  • Derek Varnals – recording
  • Dave Baker – 2nd engineer
  • Phil Travers – illustration, design
  • Graham Hughes – photography
  • Mike Pulland – photography

Track listing:

  1. From Mighty Oaks – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  2. Hey Mama Life – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  3. Play It Again – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  4. Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues – Nicky James
  5. High Above My Head – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  6. Love Is the Key – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  7. You Make Me Feel Alright – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  8. Adam and I – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  9. I Wish We Could Fly – Ray Thomas

Ray Thomas: Hopes, Wishes and Dreams

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On June 3, 1976, “Threshold” label released “Hopes, Wishes and Dreams”, the second Ray Thomas studio album. It was recorded February – April 1976 at “Threshold Studios” in London, and was produced by Ray Thomas and Derek Varnals.

Personnel:

  • Ray Thomas – lead and backing vocals, flute, bass flute, harmonica
  • Mike Moran– keyboards
  • John Jones – acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Trevor Jones – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Graham Deakin– drums, percussion
  • Barry St. John – backing vocals
  • Liza Strike – backing vocals
  • Helen Chappelle – backing vocals
  • Nicky James – backing vocals
  • Terry James – orchestral arrangements
  • Derek Varnals – recording, associate producer
  • Dave Baker – recording
  • Phil Travers – illustration, design
  • Gered Mankowitz– photography

Track listing:

  1. In Your Song – Nicky James
  2. Friends – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  3. We Need Love – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  4. Within Your Eyes – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  5. One Night Stand – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  6. Keep On Searching – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  7. Didn’t I – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  8. Migration – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  9. Carousel – Ray Thomas, Nicky James
  10. The Last Dream – Ray Thomas

Justin Hayward: Songwriter

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On February 11, 1977, “Deram” label released “Songwriter”, the second Justin Hayward album. It was recorded June – December 1976, at “Threshold” in London, and was produced by Tony Clarke, Justin Hayward and Martin Wyatt.

Personnel:

  • Justin Hayward – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, drums, bass, violin, cello, flute, tambourine
  • Jim Cockey – violin
  • Tom Tompkins – viola
  • Tim Tompkins – cello
  • Mel Galley– bass
  • Terry Rowley – guitar
  • Dave Holland– drums
  • Ken Freeman– keyboards
  • Doremi Hayward – backing vocals
  • Peter Knight- strings arranger, conductor
  • Tony Clarke, Derek Varnals, Dave Baker – engineer
  • Dean Rod – engineer assistant
  • Gary Ladinkski – mixing

Track listing:

All tracks by Justin Hayward.

  1. Tightrope
  2. Songwriter Part 1
  3. Songwriter Part 2
  4. Country Girl
  5. One Lonely Room
  6. Lay It on Me
  7. Stage Door
  8. Raised on Love
  9. Doin’ Time
  10. Nostradamus

Mercury Rev: See You On The Other Side

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On September 19, 1995, “Beggars Banquet” label released “See You on the Other Side”, the third Mercury Rev studio album. It was recorded in 1995, and was produced by Jonathan Donahue, Dave Fridmann, Grasshopper, Suzanne Thorpe and Jimy Chambers. The album cover is taken from a 1975 “7 Up” commercial entitled “Uncola”.

Personnel:

  • Dave Fridmann– vocals, bass explore, B-3, Pianos
  • Jonathan Donahue– vocals, harmony rocket guitars, guitorgan, bowed saws, sounds, horn and string arrangements
  • Jimy Chambers – drumming, mojo stick, Wurlitzer electric pianos, horn and string arrangements
  • Grasshopper– guitar shapes, single exhaust clarinet, Tettix Wave accumulator, horn and string arrangements
  • Suzanne Thorpe – quartz arhoolie flutes, French horns, horn and string arrangements
  • Jake Congelo – piano
  • Carmen Quinoñes – vocals
  • Tomcat Stamos – expressed male interruptions
  • Mark Marinoff – saxophones
  • Matt Jordan – trumpets
  • Rachel Handman – strings
  • Chris Reilly – tablas

Track listing:

  1. Empire State (Son House in Excelsis) – Jonathan Donahue, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak, Suzanne Thorpe
  2. Young Man’s Stride – Jonathan Donahue, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak
  3. Sudden Ray of Hope – Jimy Chambers, Jonathan Donahue, Dave Fridmann, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak, Suzanne Thorpe
  4. Everlasting Arm – Jonathan Donahue, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak, Suzanne Thorpe
  5. Racing the Tide – Jimy Chambers, Jonathan Donahue,Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak, Suzanne Thorpe
  6. Close Encounters of the 3rd Grade – Jimy Chambers, Jonathan Donahue, Dave Fridmann, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak, Suzanne Thorpe
  7. A Kiss from An Old Flame (A Trip to the Moon) – Jonathan Donahue, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak
  8. Peaceful Night – Jonathan Donahue, Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak