Tag Archives: Fool’s Paradise

Don McLean: Playin’ Favorites

In October 1973, “United Artists” and “BGO” labels released “Playin’ Favorites”, the fourth Don McLean studio album. It was recorded in 1973, at “The Record Plant” in New York City, and was produced by Ed Freeman.

Personnel:

  • Don McLean – vocals, guitar, banjo
  • Buzzy Feiten – guitar, tambourine
  • Steve Berg – guitar
  • John Hughey – pedal steel
  • Ronnie Zito – banjo, tambourine
  • Frank Wakefield – vocals, mandoline
  • Dave Bromberg – dobro
  • Neil Larsen – keyboards, piano
  • Chuck Leavell – piano
  • Tony Levin – bass
  • Rob Rothstein – vocals, bass
  • Rick Marotta – drums
  • Johnny Sandlin – percussion
  • Danny Manselino – percussion
  • Mike Mainieri – marimba
  • Frank Orsini – fiddle
  • Russ Savakus – bass violin
  • Albertine Robinson – backing vocals
  • Maretha Stewart – backing vocals
  • Tasha Thomas – backing vocals
  • Frank Hubach – engineer, remix
  • Jim Reeves – engineer
  • Mike Salisbury – art direction
  • Fred Conrad – photography

Track listing:

  1. Sitting on Top of the World – Bo Carter, Little Walter
  2. Living With the Blues – Brownie McGhee
  3. Mountains O’ Mourne – Percy French
  4. Fool’s Paradise – Sonny LeGlaire, Horace Linsley, Norman Petty
  5. Love O’ Love – traditional, arranged by Don McLean
  6. Medley: Bill Cheetham/Old Joe Clark – traditional, arranged by Don McLean
  7. Everyday – Charles Hardin, Norman Petty
  8. Ancient History – Irene Stanton, Wayne Walker
  9. Over the Mountains – Irene Stanton, Wayne Walker
  10. Lovesick Blues – Cliff Friend, Irving Mills
  11. New Mule Skinner Blues – Jimmie Rodgers, George Vaughn
  12. Happy Trails – Dale Evans

Leon Russell: Life Journey

On April 1, 2014, “Universal Records” label released “Life Journey”, the 37th Leon Russell album. It was recorded 2013 – 2014, at “Capitol Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Tommy LiPuma.

Personnel:

  • Leon Russell – lead and background vocals, piano, liner notes
  • Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
  • John Clayton- bass, conductor, arranger
  • Dixieland Band
  • William Cantos – background vocals
  • Alvin Chea– background vocals
  • Perry Morgan – background vocals
  • Louis Price– background vocals
  • Graham Dechter – acoustic guitar
  • Robben Ford– guitar
  • Anthony Wilson– guitar
  • Chris Simmons- slide guitar
  • Greg Leisz- pedal steel, pedal steel guitar
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar, soloist
  • Larry Goldings- Hammond B3
  • George Bohanon– trombone
  • Lee Callet – tenor saxophone
  • Charles Owens – tenor saxophone
  • Rickey Woodard– tenor saxophone
  • Keith Fiddmont – alto saxophone
  • Ira Nepus – trombone
  • Ryan Porter – trombone
  • Maurice Spears – bass trombone
  • Bijon Watson – trumpet
  • Gilbert Castellanos– trumpet
  • Clay Jenkins – trumpet
  • Sal Cracchiolo – trumpet
  • James Ford – trumpet
  • Darrell Leonard- flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Jeff Clayton- clarinet, alto saxophone
  • James Gordon – clarinet
  • Christoph Luty – bass
  • Willie Weeks- bass
  • Jeff Hamilton- drums
  • Abe Laboriel Jr.– drums
  • Elena Barere – concert master
  • Alan Broadbent- string arrangements
  • Jill Dell’Abate – string contractor
  • Elton John- executive producer
  • Shari Sutcliffe – music contractor, production coordination
  • Chandler Harrod – engineer, Pro-Tools
  • Mark Lambert – piano engineer, vocal engineer
  • Elliot Scheiner- string engineer
  • Al Schmitt- engineer, mixing
  • Doug Saks – mastering
  • Ryan Roth – design, photography
  • Mike Diehl – design

Track listing:

  1. Come On in My Kitchen – Robert Johnson
  2. Big Lips – Leon Russell
  3. Georgia on My Mind- Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
  4. That Lucky Old Sun- Haven Gillespie, Beasley Smith 4:09
  5. Fever- Eddie Cooley, John Davenport
  6. Think of Me – Mike Reid
  7. I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)- Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
  8. The Masquerade Is Over – Herb Magidson, Allie Wrubel
  9. I Really Miss You – Paul Anka
  10. New York State of Mind- Billy Joel
  11. Fool’s Paradise -Johnny Fuller, Bob Geddins, Dr. David Rosenbaum
  12. Down in Dixieland – Leon Russell