On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: Grammy Awards
Jack DeJohnette
On October 26, 2025, Jack DeJohnette died aged 83. He was musician (drums, piano) and composer, regarded as one of the most influential jazz drummers of all time. He recorded and performed with some of the best known jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Lloyd, John Abercrombie, Alice Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and John Scofield. In 2007, he was inducted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of Fame”, and won two “Grammy Awards”. As leader DeJohnette released 38 albums.
The Brecker Brothers: Out of the Loop
On September 30, 1994, “GRP” label released “Out of the Loop”, the seventh and final Brecker Brothers (The) album. It was recorded April – August 1992, and was produced by George Whitty, Maz Kessler and Robbie Kilgore. In 1995 the album won two “Grammy Awards” – “Best Contemporary Jazz Performance” and “Best Instrumental Composition”.
Personnel:
- Michael Brecker – soprano and tenor saxophone, Akai EWI, arrangements
- Randy Brecker – trumpet, flugelhorn, arrangements
- George Whitty – keyboards, Hammond organ bass, acoustic piano, keyboard programming, arrangements
- Chris Botti – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
- Andy Snitzer – keyboard programming, bass and drum programming, arrangements
- Maz Kessler – keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
- Robbie Kilgore – guitars, keyboards, rhythm programming, arrangements
- Eliane Elias – vocals, keyboards, vocals, arrangements
- Dean Brown – guitars, electric guitar
- Larry Saltzman – guitars
- James Genus – bass, acoustic bass
- Armand Sabal-Lecco – bass, acoustic piccolo bass
- Steve Jordan – drums
- Shawn Pelton – drums
- Rodney Holmes – drums
- Steve Thornton – percussion
- Mark Ledford – additional backing vocals
- James Farber – recording, mixing
- George Whitty – additional recording
- Chris Botti – additional recording
- Andy Snitzer – additional recording
- Rich Lamb – additional recording
- Maz Kessler – mixing, additional recording
- Robbie Kilgore – mixing, additional recording
- “Q” Engstrom – mixing
- Scott Hull – mastering
- Elaine Elias – editing
- Ron Bach – editing engineer
- Hiro Ishihara – engineer assistant
- Chris Albert – mixing assistant
- Scott Austin – mixing assistant
- Rory Romano – mixing assistant
- Robert Smith – mixing assistant
- Joseph Doughney – post-production engineer
- Michael Landy – post-production engineer
- Cara Bridgins – production coordinator
- Joseph Moore – assistant production coordinator
- Sonny Mediana – production director, art direction
- Andy Baltimore – creative director
- Darryl Pitt – cover concept
- Laurie Goldman – design
- Matt Zumbo – front cover illustration
- Kim Steele – back cover photography
- Dave Grusin – executive producer
- Larry Rosen – executive producer
Track listing:
- Slang – Michael Brecker
- Evocations – Chris Botti, Michael Brecker
- Scrunch – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
- Secret Heart – Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias
- African Skies – Michael Brecker
- When It Was – Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Maz Kessler, Robbie Kilgore
- Harpoon – Randy Brecker
- The Nightwalker – Michael Brecker
- And Then She Wept – Randy Brecker
Rosanne Cash: The River & The Thread
On January 14, 2014, “Blue Note” label released “The River & the Thread”, the thirteenth Rosanne Cash studio album. It was recorded in 2013, and was produced by John Leventhal. In 2015, the album won three “Grammy Awards” for “Best Americana Album”, “Best American Roots Song” and “Best American Roots Performance”.
Personnel:
- Rosanne Cash – lead and backing vocals
- John Leventhal – guitar, bass guitar, organ, celeste, mandolin, electric sitar, drums, percussion, harmony vocals, string arrangements, mixing
- Derek Trucks – slide guitar
- Jon Cowherd – Wurlitzer piano
- Tim Luntzel – bass guitar, upright bass
- Dan Rieser – drums
- Shawn Pelton – drums
- Rick DePofi – percussion, backing vocals, mixing
- Jake Leventhal – percussion, backing vocals
- Gabe Witcher – fiddle
- Larry Farrell – trombone
- David Mansfield – violin, viola
- Dave Eggar – cello
- Allison Moorer – harmony vocals
- John Paul White – harmony vocals
- Cory Chisel – harmony vocals
- Donivan Cowart – recording
- Reuben Cohen – mastering
- Tawatha Agee – backing vocals
- Tabitha Fair – backing vocals
- Catherine Russell – backing vocals
- Amy Helm – backing vocals, choir
- Kris Kristofferson – choir
- John Prine – choir
- Tony Joe White – choir
- Rodney Crowell – choir
- Bobby Tis – recording
- Gavin Lurssen – mastering
- Jill Dell’Abate – production co-ordination
Track listing:
All tracks by Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal.
- A Feather’s Not a Bird
- The Sunken Lands
- Etta’s Tune
- Modern Blue
- Tell Heaven
- The Long Way Home
- World of Strange Design
- Night School
- 50.000 Watts
- When the Master Calls the Roll
- Money Road
Kriss Kristofferson
On September 28, 2024, Kristoffer Kristofferson died aged 88 years. He was musician (guitar, harmonica), singer, composer and actor. His best known songs are “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”. Kristofferson has won three “Grammy Awards” and received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2014. As leader he released twenty-one albums.
Sérgio Santos Mendes
On September 5, 2024, Sérgio Santos Mendes died aged 83. He was musician (piano), bandleader, composer and arranger, founder and leader of the bands Sexteto Bossa Rio and Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’65, known for playing bossa nova crossed with funk. He won three “Grammy Awards and as leader released 44 albums.
Steve Earle: The Revolution Starts Now
On August 24, 2004, “E-Squared Records” label released “The Revolution Starts Now”, the 11th Steve Earle studio album. It was recorded in 2004, and was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy. In 2005, at the 47th “Grammy Awards”, Steve Earle won “Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album”.
Personnel:
- Steve Earle – vocals, guitars, mandola, organ, harmonica, harmonium
The Dukes
- Eric “Roscoe” Ambel – vocals, guitars
- Kelley Looney – vocals, bass
- Will Rigby – vocals, drums, percussion
- Patrick Earle – percussion
- Emmylou Harris – vocals
- String quartet
- Chris Carmichael – viola, arrangements, conductor
- David Angell – violin
- David Henry – cello
- Edward Henry – violin
Track listing:
All tracks by Steve Earle.
- The Revolution Starts …
- Home to Houston
- Rich Man’s War
- Warrior
- The Gringo’s Tale
- Condi, Condi
- F the CC
- Comin’ Around
- I Thought You Should Know
- The Seeker
- The Revolution Starts Now
Frank Sinatra: Strangers In The Night
On May 30, 1966, “Reprise” label released “Strangers in the Night”, the 43rd Frank Sinatra album. It was recorded April – May 1966, in Hollywood, and was produced by Jimmy Bowen. At the 1967 “Grammy Awards”, Frank Sinatra won “Record of the Year” and “Best Male Vocal Performance”. Ernie Freeman’s arrangement of the title track won him the “Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist or Instrumentalist”, and Eddie Brackett and Lee Herschberg’s engineering earned them the “Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical”. The album was certified Platinum in Us by the “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- Frank Sinatra – vocals
- The Nelson Riddle Orchestra
- Nelson Riddle – arranger, conductor
- Glen Campbell, Al Viola – guitar
- Artie Kane – Hammond B3 organ
- Pete Candoli, Don Fagerquist, Cappy Lewis, Ray Triscari – trumpet
- Dick Noel, Tommy Pederson, Tom Shepard – trombone
- George Roberts – bass trombone
- Chuck Gentry, Bill Green, Justin Gordon, Harry Klee, Ronny Lang – saxophone
- Vincent DeRosa, Henry Sigismonti, Gale Robinson, Richard Perissi – French horn
- Bill Green, Andreas Kostelas – flute
- Sidney Sharp, Lennie Malarsky, William Kurasch, Ralph Schaeffer, Israel Baker, Arnold Belnick, Jerome Reisler, Robert Sushe, John De Voogdt, Bernard Kundell, Tibor Zelig, Victor Amo, Alex Beller, Herman Clebanoff, James Getzoff, Anatol Kaminsky, Paul Shure, Gerald Vinci Gerald Vinci, William Weiss, Harry Bluestone – violin
- Harry Hyams, Joseph Di Fiore, Darrel Terwilliger, Alex Neiman, Joseph Saxon, Jesse Ehrlich, Emmet Sargeant, Stanley Harris, Paul Robyn, Armand Kaproff – viola
- Justin DiTullio, Elizabeth Greenschpoon, Armand Kaproff – vielle
- Bill Miller, Michel Rubini – piano
- Alvin Casey, William Pitman, Glen Campbell, Tommy Tedesco – guitar
- Chuck Berghofer, Ralph Pefla – bass
- Hal Blaine, Irving Cottler – drums
- Eddie Brackett Jr., Emil Richards – percussion
- Ernie Freeman – arrangements
- Donnie Lanier, Nelson Riddle – conductor
Track listing:
- Strangers in the Night (from the “Universal” picture “A Man Could Get Killed” – Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton, Eddie Snyder
- Summer Wind – Heinz Meier, Hans Bradtke, Johnny Mercer
- All or Nothing at All – Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence
- Call Me – Tony Hatch
- You’re Driving Me Crazy – Walter Donaldson
- On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) – Alan Jay Lerner, Burton Lane
- My baby Just Cares for Me – Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn
- Downtown – Tony Hatch
- Yes Sir, That’s My Baby – Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn
- The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
Peter, Paul And Mary: Same
In May 1962, “Warner Bros” label released the self-titled, debut Peter, Paul and Mary album. It was recorded in 1962, and was produced by Albert Grossman. In 1963 “Grammy Awards”, the recording of “If I Had a Hammer” won the “Best Folk Recording and Best Performance by a Vocal Group Grammies”.
Personnel:
- Peter Yarrow – vocals, guitar, arrangements
- Paul Stookey – vocals, guitar, arrangements
- Mary Travers – vocals
- Bill Schwartau – recording
- Milton Glaser – design
- Bernard Cole – cover photography
- Milton Okun – musical director
Track listing:
All tracks are traditional American folk songs, except where noted.
- Early in the Morning – Noel “Paul” Stookey
- 500 Miles – Hedy West
- Sorrow
- This Train
- Bamboo – Dave Van Ronk
- It’s Raining
- If I Had My Way – Rev. Gary Davis
- Cruel War – Peter Yarrow, Noel Stookey
- Lemon Tree – Will Holt
- If I Had a Hammer – Pete Seeger, Lee Hays
- Autumn to May – Peter Yarrow, Noel Stookey
- Where Have All the Flowers Gone? – Pete Seeger
Chris Stapleton: From A Room: Volume 1
On May 5, 2017, “Mercury Nashville” label released “From A Room: Volume 1”, the second Chris Stapleton studio album. It was recorded 2016 – 2017, at “RCA Studio A” in Nashville, Tennessee, and was produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton. In May 2018, the album was certified Platinum by the “RIAA” in the US, and won “Best Country Album” at the 60th “Grammy Awards”.
Personnel:
- Chris Stapleton – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
- Dave Cobb – acoustic guitar, percussion
- Robby Turner – pedal steel guitar
- Morgane Stapleton – tambourine, backing vocals
- Michael Webb – B-3 organ, piano, Wurlitzer
- Mickey Raphael – harmonica
- J.T. Cure – bass guitar, upright bass
- Derek Mixon – drums, percussion
- Vance Powell – engineer, mixing
- Gena Johnson – engineer assistant
- Pete Lyman – mastering
- Mary Hooper – design
- Rachel Urquhart – illustrations
Track listing:
All tracks by Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson, except where noted.
- Broken Halos
- Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning – Gary P. Nunn, Donna Sioux Farar
- Second One to Know
- Up to No Good Livin’ – Chris Stapleton, Casey Beathard
- Either Way – Chris Stapleton, Tim James, Kendell Marvel
- I Was Wrong – Chris Stapleton, Craig Wiseman
- Without Your Love
- Them Stems – Chris Stapleton, Jimmy Alan Stewart, Shawn Camp
- Death Row
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