Tag Archives: France

Rick Wakeman: No earthly Connection

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In May 1976, “A&M” label released “No Earthly Connection”, the fourth Rick Wakeman solo album. It was recorded January-March 1976, at “Château d’Hérouville” in Herouville, France, and was produced by Rick Wakeman.

Personnel:

  • Rick Wakeman – Mander pipe organ, Hammond C3 organ, 9′ Steinwaygrand piano, RMI Electra piano, Hohner clavinet, Moog synthesizer, Baldwin electric harpsichord, upright honky-tonk piano, Fender Rhodes 88 electric piano,  Mellotron, Godwin organ with Sisme Rotary-Cabinet, Systech effects pedals
  • Ashley Holt – vocals
  • Roger Newell – bass guitar, bass pedals, vocals
  • John Dunsterville – acousticand electric guitars, mandolin, vocals
  • Tony Fernandez– drums, percussion
  • Martyn Shields – trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, vocals
  • Reg Brooks – trombone, bass trombone, vocals
  • Paul Tregurtha – engineer
  • Didier Utard – engineer assistant
  • Toby Errington – crew in France
  • Jake Berry – crew in France
  • John Cleary – crew in England
  • Tony Merrell – crew in England
  • Tony Powell – crew in England
  • Fabio Nicoli – art direction
  • Mike Doud – concept, design
  • Chris Moore – cover illustrations
  • Geoff Halpin – logo design
  • George Snow – inner sleeve design
  • Mike Putland – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Rick Wakeman.

  1. Music Reincarnate

Part I: The Warning

Part II: The Maker

Part III: The Spaceman

Part IV: The Realisation

  1. Music Reincarnate (Continued)

Part V: The Reaper

  1. The Prisoner
  2. The Lost Cycle

Radiohead: A Moon Shaped Pool

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On May 8, 2016, Radiohead digitally released “A Moon Shaped Pool”, band’s ninth studio album.  CD and LP releases followed in June 2016 on “XL Recordings”. Through its website, the band also sold a special edition containing two extra tracks and additional artwork. The album material was recorded 2014-2016, at “La Fabrique Studios”, in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, and “RAK Studios” in London, and was produced by Nigel Godrich, Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Philip Selway and Thom Yorke. “A Moon Shaped Pool” was voted album of the year by “Exclaim”, “Slant Magazine” and “The Sunday Times”.

Personnel:

  • Thom Yorke – vocals, rhyth guitar, piano, artwork, design
  • Jonny Greenwood – lead guitar, keyboards
  • Ed O’Brien – guitar, backing vocals
  • Colin Greenwood – bass guitar, synthesizers
  • Philip Selway – drums, percussion
  • Clive Deamer– additional drums
  • Hugh Brunt– conductor
  • London Contemporary Orchestra and Choir– strings, choir
  • Nigel Godrich– mixing, engineer
  • Maxime LeGuil – assistant engineer
  • Sam Petts-Davies – engineer
  • Bob Ludwig– mastering
  • Stanley Donwood – artwork, design

Track listing:

All tracks by Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Philip Selway and Thom Yorke.

  1. Burn the Witch
  2. Daydreaming
  3. Decks Dark
  4. Desert island Disk
  5. Ful Stop
  6. Glass Eyes
  7. Identikit
  8. The Numbers
  9. Present Times
  10. Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief
  11. True Love Waits

Mick Ronson: Slaughter on 10th Avenue

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In February 1974, “RCA” label released “Slaughter on 10th Avenue”, the debut Mick Ronson album. It was recorded in July 1973, at “Château d’Hérouville” in Hérouville, France, and “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by Mick Ronson.

Personnel:

  • Mick Ronson– guitar, piano, vocals, arrangement, conductor
  • Mike Garson– piano, electric piano, organ
  • Trevor Bolder– bass, trumpet, trombone
  • Aynsley Dunbar– drums, percussion
  • Margaret Ronson – backing vocals
  • Sidney Sax – strings
  • David Hentschel– ARP
  • Dennis MacKay – engineer, backing vocals
  • Leee Black Childers – cover

Track listing:

  1. Love Me Tender – George R. Poulton,Ken Darby
  2. Growing Up and I’m Fine – David Bowie
  3. Only After Dark – Mick Ronson, Scott Richardson
  4. Music Is Lethal – Lucio Battisti, English lyrics by Bowie
  5. I’m the One – Annette Peacock
  6. Pleasure Man / Hey Ma Get Papa – Mick Ronson, Scott Richardson, David Bowie
  7. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue – Richard Rodgers

David Bowie: Black Star

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blackstar

On January 8, 2016, “ISO”, “RCA”, “Columbia”, and “Sony” labels released “Black Star”, the twenty-fifth and final David Bowie studio album. It was recorded in 2015, at “The Magic Shop” and “Human Worldwide Studios”, in New York City, and was produced by David Bowie and Tony Visconti.  The album was voted Best album of 2016, in the annual choices by many medias including The A.V. Club, Mojo, Newsweek, Paste, Q, Rolling Stone (Readers Poll), Uncut and The Wire Magazine. “Black Star” became Bowie’s only album to top the “Billboard 200” in the United States, and it remained at the number one position in the UK charts for three weeks. The album was certified Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; in Austria by “IFPI”; in Belgium by “BEA”; in Canada by “Music Canada”; in France by “SNEP”; in Italy by “FIMI”, and in UK by “BPI”.

Personnel:

  • David Bowie– vocals, acoustic guitar, “Fender Guitar”, harmonica, string  arrangements, mixing
  • Ben Monder– guitar
  • Jason Lindner– piano, organ, keyboards
  • Tim Lefebvre– bass
  • Mark Guiliana– drums, percussion
  • James Murphy– percussion
  • Donny McCaslin– flute, saxophone, woodwinds
  • Tony Visconti– strings, engineer, mixing
  • Kevin Killen– engineer
  • Erin Tonkon – backing vocals, engineer assistant
  • Kabir Hermon – engineer assistant
  • Tom Elmhirst– mixing
  • Joe Visciano – mixing assistant
  • Joe LaPorta– mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by David Bowie, except where noted.

  1. Blackstar
  2. Tis a Pity She Was a Whore
  3. Lazarus
  4. Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) – David Bowie, Maria Schneider, Paul Bateman, Bob Bharma
  5. Girl Loves Me
  6. Dollar Days
  7. I Can’t Give Everything Away

The Black Keys: El Camino

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the_black_keys_el_camino

On December 6, 2011, “Nonesuch” label released “El Camino”, the seventh Black Keys studio album. It was recorded March – May 2011, at “Easy Eye Sound Studio” in Nashville, and was produced by Brian Burton (Danger Mouse), Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. At the 55th “Annual Grammy Awards”, The Black Keys won the award for “Best Rock Album”, “Best Rock Performance” and “Best Rock Song” for “Lonely Boy”. The album was certified 2 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; 3 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; Platinum in France by “SNEP”; Platinum in Ireland by “IRMA”; 2 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Dan Auerbach– vocals, guitars
  • Patrick Carney– drums
  • Brian Burton– keyboards
  • Leisa Hans – vocals
  • Heather Rigdon – vocals
  • Ashley Wilcoxson – vocals
  • Kennie Takahashi – engineer
  • Collin Dupuis – engineer assistant
  • Tchad Blake – mixing
  • Tom Elmhirst – mixing
  • Ben Baptie – mixing assistant
  • Brian Lucey – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks written Dan Auerbach, Patrick Carney, and Brian Burton.

  1. Lonely Boy
  2. Dead and Gone
  3. Gold on the Ceiling
  4. Little Black Submarines
  5. Money Maker
  6. Run Right Back
  7. Sister
  8. Hell of a Season
  9. Stop Stop
  10. Nova Baby
  11. Mind Eraser

Coldplay: A Head Full Of Dreams

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coldplay_-_a_head_full_of_dreams

On December 4, 2015, “Parlaphone” label released “A Head Full of Dreams”, the seventh Coldplay studio album. It was recorded  2014 – 2015, at “Henson Recording Studio” in Hollywood; “AIR Studios” and “The Bakery and The Beehive” in London, and was produced by Rik Simpson, Stargate and Daniel Green. The artwork was created by Argentine artist Pilar Zeta in collaboration with the band. “A Head Full of Dreams” was the eighth best-selling album of 2015 worldwide. The album was certified Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Belgium by “BEA”; Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; Platinum in Denmark by “IFPI Denmark”; 3 x Platinum in France by “SNEP”; Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; 2 x Platinum in Hungary by “MAHASZ”; 3 x Platinum in Italy by “IFMI”; Platinum in Mexico by “AMPROFON”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 2 x Platinum in Poland by “ZPAV”; Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland” and 3 x Platinum in UK by “BPI”.

Personnel:

  • Chris Martin- lead vocals, piano, acoustic guitar
  • Jonny Buckland- electric guitar
  • Guy Berryman- bass guitar
  • Will Champion- drums, drum pad, percussion, backing vocals
  • Davide Rossi– strings
  • Regiment Horns – brass
  • Beyoncé– vocals
  • Gwyneth Paltrow– vocals
  • Merry Clayton– vocals
  • Tove Lo– vocals
  • Khatia Buniatishvili– piano
  • Coleman Barks– narration
  • Barack Obama– vocals
  • Annabelle Wallis– vocals
  • Noel Gallagher– guitar
  • Moses Martin– tambourine
  • Rik Simpson– vocals, additional instruments
  • Mikkel S Eriksen– additional instruments
  • Tor Erik Hermansen– additional instruments
  • Tim Bergling– additional programming
  • Pilar Zeta, Coldplay – design, art direction
  • Phil Harvey, Ultramajic – photography

The Choir

  • Nico Berryman
  • Jonah Buckland
  • Violet Buckland
  • Blue Ivy Carter
  • Ava Champion
  • Juno Champion
  • Marianna Champion
  • Rex Champion
  • Aubrey Costall
  • Harvey Costall
  • Brian Eno
  • Elise Eriksen
  • Hege Fossum Eriksen
  • Selma Eriksen
  • Jacob Green
  • Sophia Green
  • Daniel Grollo
  • Finn Grollo
  • Kat Grollo
  • Mathilda Grollo
  • Max Harvey
  • Rofi Harvey
  • Idil Hermansen
  • Isak Hermansen
  • Apple Martin
  • Moses Martin
  • Coleman Barks– narration
  • Barack Obama– vocals
  • Annabelle Wallis– vocals
  • Noel Gallagher– guitar
  • Moses Martin– tambourine
  • Rik Simpson– vocals, additional instruments
  • Mikkel S Eriksen– additional instruments
  • Tor Erik Hermansen– additional instruments
  • Bill Rahko – engineer
  • Miles Walker – engineer
  • Daniela Rivera – engineer
  • Tom Bailey – additional engineering
  • Robin Baynton – additional engineering
  • Daniel Green – additional engineering
  • Jaime Sickora – additional engineering
  • Aleks von Korff – additional engineering
  • Rik Simpson– mixing
  • Phil Tan– mixing
  • Emily Lazar– mastering
  • Merlin Watts – mastering
  • Laurence Anslow – additional studio assistance
  • Fiona Cruickshank – additional studio assistance
  • Nicolas Essig – additional studio assistance
  • Olga Fitzroy – additional studio assistance
  • Jeff Gartenbaum – additional studio assistance
  • Christian Green – additional studio assistance
  • Pablo Hernandez – additional studio assistance
  • Phil Joly – additional studio assistance
  • Miguel Lara – additional studio assistance
  • Matt McGinn – additional studio assistance
  • Chris Owens – additional studio assistance
  • Roxy Pope – additional studio assistance
  • John Prestage – additional studio assistance
  • Kyle Stevens – additional studio assistance
  • Derrick Stockwell – additional studio assistance
  • Matt Tuggle – additional studio assistance
  • Ryan Walsh – additional studio assistance
  • Joachim Berose – additional studio assistance
  • Will Wetzel – additional studio assistance
  • Digital Divide – additional production

Track listing:

All tracks by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion.

  1. A Head Full of Dreams
  2. Birds
  3. Hymn for the Weekend
  4. Everglow
  5. Adventure of a Lifetime
  6. Fun
  7. Kaleidoscope
  8. Army of One
  9. Amazing Day
  10. Color Spectrum
  11. Up & Up

Michael Jackson: Dangerous

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michael-jackson-dangerous

On November 26, 1991, “Epic” label released “Dangerous”, the eighth Michael Jackson studio album. It was recorded June 1990 – October 1991, at “Ocean Way Studios” and “Record One Studios”, and was produced by Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Bill Bottrell and Bruce Swedien.  The album was certified 10 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; 4 x Platinum in Austria by “IFPI Austria”;  6 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; 5 x Platinum in Chile by “IFPI’; Platinum in Finland by “Musiikkituottajat”; Diamond in France by “SNEP”; 4 x Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Diamond in Italy by “FIMI”; 2 x Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; 7 x Platinum by Malaysia by “RIM”;  2 x Platinum in Mexico by “AMPROFON”; 3 x Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; 6 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 6 x Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; 3 x Platinum in Sweden by “GLF”; 5 x Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland”; 6 x Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and 7 x Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Michael Jackson- lead and backing vocals, soprano voice, arrangement, vocal and rhythm arrangements, director
  • Slash – guitar
  • Tim Pierce – guitar
  • Paul Jackson Jr.- guitar
  • John Barnes – keyboards
  • Jasun Martz- keyboards
  • Michael Boddicker- synthesizers, speed sequencer, keyboards, keyboards programming
  • Bill Bottrell – rap, Father speaking part, synthesizer, guitar, bass, mellotron, drums, percussion, recording, mixing,
  • Brad Buxer- keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, keyboard arrangements, programming, keyboard programming
  • Bruce Swedien – keyboards, drums, percussion, recording, mixing, arrangements
  • Jai Winding – keyboards, keyboard programming, piano, bass
  • Greg Phillinganes- keyboards
  • René Moore – keyboards, arrangements
  • David Paich- keyboards, synthesizers, keyboard arrangements, keyboard programming, rhythm arrangement
  • Steve Porcaro- synthesizers, keyboards, keyboard programming
  • Teddy Riley – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, drums, rhythm arrangement, synthesizer arrangement, recording, mixing
  • Rhett Lawrence- synthesizers, synthesizer programming, drums , percussion, arrangements
  • Terry Jackson – bass guitar
  • Louis Johnson- bass guitar
  • Abraham Laboriel- bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro- drums
  • Bryan Loren- drums, Moog bass
  • Christa Larson- ending solo vocal
  • Mystery Girl (Princess Stéphanie of Monaco) – vocals
  • The John Bahler Singers – choir
  • The Andraé Crouch Singers – choir
  • Linda Harmon – soprano voice
  • Heavy D- rap
  • Andres McKenzie – Son speaking part
  • Larry Corbett – cello
  • George Del Barrio – string arrangements
  • Endre Granat- concert master
  • John Bahler- vocal and choir arrangements
  • Jerry Hey- arrangement
  • Glen Ballard- arrangements
  • Andraé Crouch- choir arrangements
  • Sandra Crouch- choir arrangements
  • Johnny Mandel- orchestral arrangements, conductor
  • Marty Paich- orchestral arrangements, conductor
  • Jim Mitchell – recording
  • Thom Russo- recording
  • Jean-Marie Horvat – recording
  • Matt Forger – recording, engineer, mixing, sound design
  • Craig Brock – recording assistant

Track listing:

  1. Jam – Michael Jackson, René Moore, Bruce Swedien, Teddy Riley
  2. Why You Wanna Trip on Me – Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle
  3. In the Closet – Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
  4. She Drives Me Wild – Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley; rap lyrics by Aqil Davidson
  5. Remember the Time – Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson, Bernard Belle
  6. Can’t Let Her Get Away – Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley
  7. Heal the World – Michael Jackson
  8. Black or White – Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell
  9. Who Is It – Michael Jackson
  10. Give In to Me – Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell
  11. Will You Be There – Michael Jackson
  12. Keep the Faith – Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett, Michael Jackson
  13. Gone Too Soon – Larry Grossman, Buz Kohan
  14. Dangerous – Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell, Teddy Riley

U2: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

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u2_-_how_to_dismantle_an_atomic_bomb

On November 22, 2004, “Island” label released “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb”, the eleventh U2 studio album. It was recorded November 2003 – August 2004, and was produced by Steve Lillywhite, with additional production by Chris Thomas, Jacknife Lee, Nellee Hooper, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and Carl Glanville. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 68 on its list of the “100 Best Albums of the Decade”. “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” was certified 4 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Austria by “IFPI Austria”; 5 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; 2 x Platinum in Brazil by “ABPD”; Platinum in France by “SNEP’; 10 x Platinum in Ireland by “IRMA”; Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; 3 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 2 x Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; 4 x Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and 3 x Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Bono – lead vocals, guitar, piano
  • The Edge – lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards
  • Adam Clayton– bass guitar, keyboards
  • Larry Mullen Jr.– drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Daniel Lanois– guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, shaker
  • Jacknife Lee– keyboards, synthesizers

Track listing:

All lyrics by Bono except where noted, all music by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.

  1. Vertigo – Bono, The Edge
  2. Miracle Drug – Bono, The Edge
  3. Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own
  4. Love and Peace or Else – Bono, The Edge
  5. City of Blinding Lights
  6. All Because of You
  7. A man and a Woman
  8. Crumbs from Your Table
  9. One Step Closer
  10. Original of the Species
  11. Yahweh – Bono, The Edge

Frank Zappa: Jazz From Hell

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jazz_from_hell

On November 15, 1986, “Barking Pumpkin Records” label released “Jazz from Hell”, the forty-seventh Frank Zappa album. It was recorded 1985–1986, at “UMRK”; “Palais des Sports” in St. Etienne, France, and was produced by Frank Zappa. “Jazz from Hell” was Zappa’s final studio album released in his lifetime. In 1988, Frank Zappa won “Grammy Award” for “Best Rock Instrumental Performance”.

Personnel:

  • Frank Zappa– lead guitar, Synclavier, keyboards
  • Steve Vai– rhythm guitar
  • Ray White– rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Mars– keyboards
  • Bobby Martin – keyboards
  • Scott Thunes– bass guitar
  • Chad Wackerman– drums
  • Ed Mann– percussion
  • Bob Stone – engineer
  • Greg Gorman – cover photography
  • Bob Rice – computer assistant

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa.

  1. Night School
  2. The Beltway Bandits
  3. While You Were Art II
  4. Jazz from Hell
  5. G-Spot Tornado
  6. Damp Ankles
  7. Etienne
  8. Massaggio Galore

 

Queen: Made In Heaven

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made-in-heaven

On November 6, 1995, “Parlaphone” label released “Made in Heaven”, the fifteenth Queen studio album. Until the release of “Queen Forever” in 2014, it was the final album containing original material featuring the band’s original line up. Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon worked with vocal and piano parts that Mercury recorded before his death, adding new instrumentation to the recordings. The recordings were made in 1980, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993 – 1995, at “Mountain Studios” in Allerton Hill, Cosford Mill, and “Metropolis Studios”, and were produced by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. The album was certified 2 x Platinum in Austria by “IFPI Austria”; Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”; Platinum in Finland by “Musiikkituottajat”; 2 x Platinum in France by “SNEP”; 3 x Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Platinum in Japan by “RIAJ”; 2 x Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; Platinum in Norway by “IFPI Norway”; Platinum in Poland by “ZPAV”; 2 x Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; 3 x Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI Switzerland”, and 4 x Platinum in UK by “BPI”.

Personnel:

  • Freddie Mercury– lead and backing vocals,  piano,  keyboards,  programming
  • Brian May – lead and backing vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano
  • Roger Taylor– lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards
  • John Deacon– bass guitar, guitar, keyboards
  • Rebecca Leigh-White, Gary Martin, Catherine Porter, Miriam Stockley– backing vocals
  • David Richards– keyboards, engineer, mixing supervision, co-production
  • Justin Shirley-Smith – engineer, co-production
  • Josh Macrae– engineer, co-production
  • Reinhold Mack– recording of additional material in the 80’s
  • Kevin Metcalfe – mastering
  • Richard Gray – artwork, cover photography of Irena Sedlecká’s Mercury sculpture in Montreux

Track listing:

  1. It’s a Beautiful Day – Freddie Mercury, John Deacon
  2. Made in Heaven – Freddie Mercury
  3. Let Me Live – Queen
  4. Mother Love – Freddie Mercury, Brian May
  5. My Life Has Been Saved – Queen, John Deacon
  6. I Was Born to Love You – Freddie Mercury
  7. Heaven for Everyone – Roger Taylor
  8. Too Much Love Will Kill You – Brian May, Frank Musker, Elizabeth Lamers
  9. You Don’t Fool Me – Queen
  10. A Winter’s Tale – Queen, Freddie Mercury
  11. Yeah – Queen
  12. Untitled, Hidden Track – Queen, Brian May, John Taylor, David Richards