Tag Archives: George Devens

Melanie: Leftover Wine

On September 26, 1970. “Buddah” label released “Leftover Wine” a live album by Melanie. It was recorded in 1970, at “Carnegie Hall” in New York City, except “Peace Will Come”, which is a studio recording, and was produced by Peter Schekeryk.

Personnel:

  • Melanie – vocals, guitar
  • Al Gorgoni, Sal DiTroia – guitar
  • Ron Frangipane – keyboards
  • Joe Macho – bass
  • Gregg Diamond – drums
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Artie Kaplan – woodwind

Track listing:

All tracks by Melanie Safka.

  1. Close to It All
  2. Uptown Down
  3. Momma Momma
  4. The Saddest Thing
  5. Beautiful People
  6. Animal Crackers
  7. I Don’t Eat Animals
  8. Happy Birthday
  9. Tuning My Guitar
  10. Psychotherapy
  11. Leftover Wine
  12. Peace Will Come (According to Plan)

Aretha Franklin: La Diva

On September 6, 1979, “Atlantic” label released “La Diva”, the twenty-fifth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded February – May 1979, at “Penny Lane Studios” in New York City, “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Aretha Franklin, Van McCoy, Skip Scarborough and Charles Kipps.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – lead and backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
  • Jack Cavari, Cornell Dupree, Tom Hanlon – guitar
  • Van McCoy – keyboards, backing vocals, rhythm arrangements
  • Kenneth Ascher, Richard Tee, Paul Griffin – keyboards
  • Ken Bichel – synthesizer, orchestra bells
  • Brian Aslop, Gordon Edwards – bass guitar
  • Chris Parker – drums
  • Errol “Crusher” Bennett, George Devens – percussion
  • Richard Gibbs – rhythm arrangements
  • Arthur Jenkins – rhythm arrangements
  • Skip Scarborough – rhythm arrangements
  • Zulema Cusseaux – rhythm arrangements, backing vocals
  • Gene Orloff – conductor
  • Albert Bailey – backing vocals
  • Sharon Brown – backing vocals
  • Diane Destry – backing vocals
  • Carolyn Franklin – backing vocals
  • Richard Harris – backing vocals
  • Brenda Hilliard – backing vocals
  • Jerome Jackson – backing vocals
  • Pete Marshall – backing vocals
  • Pat Williamson – backing vocals
  • Lee Decarlo, Alan Varner – engineer
  • Rick Delana, Brian Marine, John Terrell – engineer assistant
  • George Piros – mastering

Track listing:

  1. Ladies Only – Aretha Franklin
  2. It’s Gonna Get a Bit Better – Lalome Washburn
  3. What If I Should Ever Need You – Charles H. Kipps
  4. Honey I Need Your Love – Aretha Franklin
  5. I Was Made for You – Clarence Franklin
  6. Only Star – Aretha Franklin
  7. Reasons Why – Skip Scarborough, Wanda Hutchinson, Wayne Vaughan
  8. You Brought Me Back to Life – Van McCoy
  9. Half a Love – Zulema Cusseaux
  10. The Feeling – Van McCoy

Don Sebesky: The Rape Of El Morro

In July 1975, “CTI” label released “The Rape of El Morro”, the fourth Don Sebesky album. It was recorded April – May 1975, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Don Sebesky – keyboards, arranger, conductor
  • Joan LaBarbara – vocals
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Jon Faddis – trumpet
  • Wayne Andre, Barry Rogers, Sonny Russo – trombone
  • Tony Studd – bass trombone
  • Ray Beckenstetein – flute, alto flute, piccolo
  • Harvey Estrin, Walt Levinsky, George Marge, Al Regni – flute
  • Joe Beck – guitar
  • Don Grolnick, Roland Hanna, Pat Rebillot – keyboards
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Will Lee – bass
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • George Devens, Phil Kraus – percussion
  • Harry Cykman, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondi, David Rose – violin
  • Jean R. Dane, Manny Vardi – viola
  • Seymour Barab, Charles McCracken – cello
  • Bob Ciano, Richard Mantel – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Don Sebesky, except where noted.

  1. The Rape of El Morro
  2. Moon Dreams – John Chalmers MacGregor, Johnny Mercer
  3. Skyliner – Charlie Barnet, Billy Moore Jr.
  4. The Entertainer – Scott Joplin
  5. Footprints of the Giant – based on themes by Béla Bartók, arranged and adapted by Don Sebesky
  6. Lucky Seven

Jim Croce: I Got A Name

On December 1, 1973, “ABC” label released “I Got a Name”, the fifth, final and first posthumous Jim Croce studio album. It was recorded in 1973, at “The Hit Factory” in New York City, and was produced by Terry Cashman and Tommy West.

Personnel:

  • Jim Croce – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Maury Muehleisen – lead acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Henry Gross – lead and rhythm electric guitar, slide guitar
  • Tommy West – piano, electric piano, keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Kamen – ARP synthesizer, oboe, ARP tuba synthesizer
  • Joe Macho – bass
  • Stu Woods – bass
  • Rick Marotta – drums, percussion
  • Gary Chester – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Bobby Matos – percussion
  • Terence P. Minogue – strings, backing vocals
  • Leroy Brown – backing vocals
  • Ellie Greenwich – backing vocals
  • Marty Nelson – backing vocals
  • Alan Rolnick – backing vocals
  • Tasha Thomas – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Jim Croce, except where noted.

  1. I Got a Name – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel
  2. Lover’s Cross
  3. Five Short Minutes
  4. Age – Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce
  5. Workin’ at the Car Wash Blues
  6. I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song
  7. Salon and Saloon – Maury Muehleisen
  8. Thursday – Sal Joseph
  9. Top Hat Bar and Grille
  10. Recently
  11. The Hard Way Every Time

Marlena Shaw: From The Depts Of My Soul

In September 1973, “Blue Note” label released “From the Depths of My Soul”, the fourth Marlena Shaw album. It was recorded May – June 1973, at “A&R Studios” in New York City, and was produced by George Butler.

Personnel:

  • Marlena Shaw – vocals
  • Gene Bertoncini, Cornell Dupree, Carl Lynch, Hugh McCracken – guitar
  • Derek Smith – piano, electric piano, clavinet
  • Eugene Bianco – harp
  • Ron Carter – double bass
  • Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. – electric bass
  • Charles Collins, Herbie Lovelle, Grady Tate – drums
  • Arthur Jenkins – congas
  • George Devens, George Jenkins – percussion
  • Wade Marcus – arrangements, conductor
  • Uncredited horns and strings musicians

Track listing:

  1. Prelude / I Know I Love Him – Bodie Chandler, Wade Marcus
  2. Hum This Song – Carl Davis
  3. But For Now – Bob Dorough
  4. Easy Evil – Alan O’Day
  5. The Laughter and the Tears – Randy Edelman
  6. The Feeling’s Good – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel
  7. Wildflower – David Richardson, Doug Edwards
  8. Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely – Bobby Eli, John C. Freeman, Jr., Vinnie Barrett
  9. Waterfall – Randy Edelman
  10. Say a Good Word – Marlena Shaw
  11. Time For Me to Go – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel

Idris Muhammad: House of the Rising Sun

On January 14, 1976, “Kudu Records” label released “House of the Rising Sun”, the fourth Idris Muhammad album. it was recorded May – October 1975, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Idris Muhammad – drums
  • Eric Gale – guitar  
  • Joe Beck – guitar
  • Leon Pendarvis – piano   
  • Don Grolnick – piano 
  • Roland Hanna – piano
  • Will Lee, Wilbur Bascomb – bass
  • George Devens – percussion
  • David Sanborn – alto saxophone
  • George Young – tenor saxophone
  • Bob Berg – tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone
  • Tom Harrell- trumpet
  • Barry Rogers – trombone
  • David Matthews – arrangements, conducting
  • Tom Harrell – arrangements

Track listing:

  1. House of the Rising Sun – traditional
  2. Baia (Boogie Bump) – Ary Barroso, Ray Gilbert
  3. Hard to Face the Music – Ashford & Simpson
  4. Theme for New York City (based on prelude No. 41) – Frédéric Chopin
  5. Sudan – Idris Muhammad, Tom Harrell
  6. Hey Pock A-Way – Aaron Neville, Greg Porter, Joseph Modelliste, Leo Nocentelli

Carly Simon: Hotcakes

On January 11, 1974, “Elektra” label released “Hotcakes”, the fourth Carly Simon studio album. It was recorded in September 1973, at “Producers Workshop” in Los Angeles, and October – November 1973, at “The Hit Factory” in New York City, and was produced by Richard Perry.

Personnel:

  • Carly Simon – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, whistle
  • James Taylor – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, horn arrangements and conductor
  • Kenny Ascher – acoustic piano, Hammond organ
  • Dr. John – acoustic piano, Hammond organ
  • David Spinozza – electric guitar
  • Bucky Pizzarelli – electric guitar
  • Jimmy Ryan – acoustic and electric guitar
  • Robbie Robertson – electric guitar
  • Klaus Voormann – bass guitar
  • Richard Davis – string bass
  • Larry Brean – slap bass 
  • Rick Marotta – drums
  • Jim Keltner – drums
  • Jim Gordon – drums
  • Billy Cobham – drums
  • Andy Newmark – drums
  • Russ Kunkel – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – congas, percussion
  • George Devens – cabasa
  • Paul Buckmaster – string and woodwind arrangements, conductor
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Howard Johnson – baritone saxophone, tuba 
  • Bobby Keys – tenor and baritone saxophone
  • Steve Madaio – trumpet
  • Barry Rogers – trombone 
  • Lani Groves – backing vocals
  • Carl Hall – backing vocals
  • Tasha Thomas – backing vocals
  • Todd Graff – backing vocals
  • Lucy Simon – backing vocals
  • Benny Diggs – backing vocals
  • Revelation – backing vocals
  • Richard Perry – backing vocals
  • Harry Maslin – engineer, remix
  • Bill Schnee – engineer, remix
  • Blasie Castellano – engineer assistant
  • Doug Sax – mastering
  • Vincent Cesi (Push Pin Studios) – art direction, design
  • Ed Caraeff – cover photography
  • Vieri Salvadori – centerfold photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Carly Simon, except where noted.

  1. Safe and Sound – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  2. Mind on my Man
  3. Think I’m Gonna Have a Baby
  4. Older Sister
  5. Just Not True
  6. Hotcakes – James Taylor
  7. Misfit
  8. Forever My Love – Carly Simon, James Taylor
  9. Mockingbird – Inez Foxx, Charlie Foxx, James Taylor
  10. Grownup – Carly Simon
  11. Haven’t Got Time for the Pain – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman

Aretha Franklin: Through the Storm

On April 27, 1989, “Arista” label released “Through the Storm”, the thirty-second Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1988, and was produced by Narada Michael Walden, Walter Afanasieff, Arif Mardin, Joe Mardin and Aretha Franklin.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin– lead and backing vocals, piano, vocal engineer
  • James Brown – lead vocals
  • Elton John– lead vocals
  • Four Tops– lead and backing vocals
  • Whitney Houston– lead vocals
  • Corrado Rustici – guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Reggie Griffin – guitar
  • David Paich– piano
  • David Foster– piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer
  • Walter Afanasieff– keyboards, synthesizer, programming
  • Aaron Zigman– keyboards, bass vocals
  • Ren Klyce– additional keyboards, programming
  • Robbie Kondor – synthesizer, piano
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jerry Knight – bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • John Robinson– drums
  • Yogi Horton– drums
  • Sammy Merendino – electronic drums
  • Narada Michael Walden– electronic drums, sequencer, synthesizer, arrangements
  • Steve Kroon – percussion
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Greg Gigi Gonaway– cymbal
  • Kenny G– saxophone
  • Marc Russo– saxophone
  • Andy Snitzer – tenor saxophone
  • Kenneth Hitchcock – baritone saxophone
  • Kent Smith – trumpet
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Mike Davis – trombone
  • Liz Jackson – backing vocals
  • Skyler Jett – backing vocals
  • Melisa Kary – backing vocals
  • Brenda Corbett – backing vocals
  • Edie Lehman – backing vocals
  • Marti McCall – backing vocals
  • Claytoven Richardson– backing vocals
  • Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Siedah Garrett– backing vocals
  • “Bongo” Bob Smith – programming
  • Arif Mardin– arrangements
  • Rod Hui – recording, mixing
  • Mike Lacopelli – recording, vocal recording
  • Lincoln Clapp – engineer
  • David Frazer – engineer
  • Darren Klein – engineer, mixing
  • Joe Mardin– programming, sequencer, recording, mixing
  • Peter Max – front and back cover art
  • Marlene Cohen – art direction
  • Norman Parkinson – photography

Track listing:

  1. Gimme Your Love – Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen
  2. Mercy – Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
  3. He’s the Boy – Aretha Franklin
  4. It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  5. Through the Storm – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  6. Think (1989) – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  7. Come to Me – Willard Eugene Price
  8. If Ever a Love There Was – Pamela Phillips Oland, Todd Cerney

Al Kooper: Easy Does It

In August 1970, “Columbia” label released “Easy Does It”, the third Al Kooper album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Al Kooper.

Personnel:

  • Al Kooper – vocals, piano, organ, guitars, ondioline, sitar, vibraphone, prepared guitar, electronic effects
  • Tom Cosgrove, Louie Shelton, Stu Scharf, Joe Beck, Tommy Tedesco, Keith Allison, Freddie Weller, Wayne Moss, Charlie Daniels– guitar
  • Pete Drake– pedal steel
  • David Bromberg– pedal steel, guitar
  • Larry Knechtel– piano
  • Lyle Ritz, John Miller, Joe Osborn, Charlie McCoy– electric bass
  • Stu Woods – electric bass, backing vocal
  • Rick Marotta– drums, backing vocal
  • Earl Palmer, Joe Corero, Jr, Ken Buttrey, Al Rogers – drums
  • Fred Lipisus – tenor saxophone
  • Peter Ivers– harmonica
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Bobby Colomby– congas
  • Milt Holland– tabla
  • The Blossoms– backing vocal
  • Charlie Calello– string and horn arrangements
  • Jackson Marlie – vocals
  • Jimmie Haskell– arrangements, conductor
  • Don Puluse, Neil Wilburn, Stan Tonkel, Sy Mitchell, Tim Geelan – engineer
  • Mike Ruschack – mastering
  • Stan Weiss – remix

Track listing:

  1. Brand New Day – Al Kooper
  2. Piano Solo Introduction to I Got a Woman
  3. I Got a Woman – Ray Charles, Renald Richard
  4. Country Road – James Taylor
  5. I Bought You the Shoes (You’re Walking Away In) – Bob Brass, Irwin Levine, Kooper
  6. Introduction
  7. Easy Does It – Al Kooper
  8. Buckskin Boy – Al Kooper, Charlie Calello
  9. Love Theme from The Landlord – Al Kooper
  10. Sad, Sad Sunshine – Al Kooper
  11. Let the Duchess No – John Gregory, Jim Roberts
  12. She Gets Me Where I Live – Al Kooper, Charlie Calello
  13. A Rose and a Baby Ruth – D. Loudermilk
  14. Baby, Please Don’t Go – Big Joe Williams
  15. God Sheds His Grace on Thee – Al Kooper, Charlie Calello

Aretha Franklin: Through the Storm

In May 1989, “Arista” label released “Through the Storm”, the thirty-fifth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1988, and was produced by Narada Michael Walden, Walter Afanasieff, Arif Mardin, Joe Mardin and Aretha Franklin.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin– lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano, vocals engineer
  • James Brown – lead vocals
  • Whitney Houston– lead vocals
  • Elton John– lead vocals
  • Four Tops– vocals
  • Reggie Griffin – guitar
  • Corrado Rustici – guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Narada Michael Walden– Simmons drums, synthesizer, arrangements
  • Aaron Zigman– bass vocal, keyboards
  • David Foster– electric piano, synthesizer
  • Robbie Kondor – synthesizer, acoustic piano
  • David Paich– acoustic piano
  • Walter Afanasieff– keyboards, synth bass, drum programming
  • Ren Klyce– Fairlight CMI programming, additional keyboards
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Jerry Knight – bass guitar
  • Yogi Horton– drums
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • John Robinson– drums
  • George Devens – percussion
  • Steve Kroon – percussion
  • Greg “Gigi” Gonaway – cymbal
  • Marc Russo– saxophone solo
  • Kenny G– saxophone
  • Andy Snitzer – tenor saxophone
  • Kenneth Hitchcock – baritone saxophone
  • Chris Botti– trumpet
  • Kent Smith – trumpet
  • Mike Davis – trombone
  • Arif Mardin– arrangements
  • “Bongo” Bob Smith – drum programming
  • Sammy Merendino – additional drum samples
  • Joe Mardin – programming, sequencing, recording, mixing
  • Claytoven Richardson– backing vocals
  • Edie Lehman – backing vocals
  • Siedah Garrett– backing vocals
  • Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Brenda Corbett – backing vocals
  • Liz Jackson – backing vocals
  • Skyler Jett – backing vocals
  • Melisa Kary – backing vocals
  • Marti McCall – backing vocals
  • Rod Hui – recording, mixing
  • Mike Iacopelli – recording , vocal recording
  • Darren Klein – engineer, mixing
  • Lincoln Clapp – engineer
  • David Frazer – engineer
  • Marlene Cohen – art direction
  • Peter Max – cover art
  • Norman Parkinson – photography

Track listing:

  1. Gimme Your Love – Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen
  2. Mercy – Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
  3. He’s the Boy – Aretha Franklin
  4. It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  5. Through the Storm – Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
  6. Think – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  7. Come to Me – Willard Eugene Price
  8. If Ever a Love There Was – Pamela Phillips Oland, Todd Cerney