On March 7, 1971, Harold McNair died aged 39. He was musician (saxophone, flute), recorded and performed with many artists including Quincy Jones, Tony Crombie, Jack Costanzo,Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Philly Joe Jones, John Cameron, Blossom Dearie, Jon Hendricks, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Ginger Baker’s Air Force (Polydor, 1970), with Steve Winwood, Phil Seamen, Johnny Harris, Donovan, The Picadilly Line, Lionel Bart, Steamhammer, Davy Graham, John Martyn, Don Partridge, Syd Dale, Brian Bennett, Kathe Green, Alun Ashworth Jones, Magna Carta, Marc Brierley, Nick Drake – Bryter Layter, CCS, Peter Collins, Peter Collins, Rosetta Hightower, Cressida, Caetano Veloso, Alexis Korner, Seven Ages of Man and Tim Hollier. As band leader he released ten albums.
Tag Archives: Harold McNair
Donovan: Mellow Yellow
In March 1967, “Epic” label released “Mellow Yellow”, the fourth Donovan album. It was recorded September – October 1966, at “Abbey Road Studio” and “Landsowne Studios” in London, and was produced by Mickie Most.
Personnel:
- Donovan – vocals, acoustic guita
- John McLaughlin, Joe Moretti – rhythm guitar
- Big Jim Sullivan, Eric Ford – electric guitar
- Shawn Phillips– sitar
- John Cameron – piano, harpsichord, organ, celesta, arrangements
- John Paul Jones– bass, arrangement
- Danny Thompson– bass
- Spike Heatley– bass
- Phil Seamon, Bobby Orr– drums
- Danny Moss, Ronnie Ross– saxophone
- Harold McNair – flute
- Pat Halling – violin
Track listing:
All tracks by Donovan Leitch. .
- Mellow Yellow
- Writer in the Sun
- Sand and Foam
- The Observation
- Bleak City Woman
- House of Jansch
- Young Girl Blues
- Museum
- Hampstead Incident
- Sunny South Kensington
John Martyn: The Tumbler
In October 1968, “Island” label released “The Tumbler”, the second John Martyn album. It was recorded in July 1968, at “Regent Sound” in London, and was produced by Al Stewart.
Personnel:
- John Martyn – vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards
- Paul Wheeler – guitar
- Harold McNair– flute
- David Moses – double bass
- Francine Winham – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by John Martyn except where noted.
- Sing A Song of Summer
- The River
- Goin’ Down to Memphis
- The Gardeners – Bill Lyons
- A Day at the Sea
- Fishin’ Blues – Henry Thomas
- Dusty
- Hello Train
- Winding Boy – Jelly Roll Morton
- Fly on Home – John Martyn, Paul Wheeler
- Knuckledy Crunch and Slippledee-slee Song
- Seven Black Roses
Melanie: Candles in the Rain
In April 1970, “Buddah” label released “Candles in the Rain”, the third Melanie album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Peter Schekeryk.
Personnel:
- Melanie – vocals, guitars
- Alan Parker- guitars
- Alan Hawkshaw- keyboards, organ
- Edwin Hawkins- keyboards, piano
- Harold McNair- fiddle, flute
- Herbie Flowers- bass
- Barry Morgan- drums
- Rico Reyes – congas, percussion
- John Abbott, Lee Holdridge- arrangements
Track listing:
All tracks by Melanie Safka except where noted.
- Candles in the Rain
- Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
- Carolina in My Mind – James Taylor
- Citiest People
- What Have They Done to My Song Ma
- Alexander Beetle – Melanie Safka, A. Milne
- The Good Guys
- Lovin’ Baby Girl
- Ruby Tuesday – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
- Leftover Wine
Donovan: Fairytale
On October 22, 1965, “Pye” label released “Fairytale”, the second Donovan studio album. It was recorded September 1965, at “Peer Music” in London, and was produced by Peter Eden, Geoff Stephens and Terry Kennedy.
Personnel:
- Donovan – vocals, banjo, guitar, harmonica
- Shawn Phillips– guitar, 12 string guitar
- Harold McNair– flute
- Brian Locking– bass
- Skip Alan (Alan Skipper) – drums
- Ren Grevatt – liner notes
Track listing:
- Colours – Donovan Leitch
- To Try for the Sun – Donovan Leitch
- Sunny Goodge Street – Donovan Leitch
- Oh Deed I Do – Bert Jansch
- Circus of Sour – Paul Bernath
- The Summer Day Reflection Song – Donovan Leitch
- Candy Man – traditional; arranged by Donovan Leitch
- Jersey Thursday – Donovan Leitch
- Belated Forgiveness Plea – Donovan Leitch
- The Ballad of a Crystal Man – Donovan Leitch
- The Little Tin Soldier – Shawn Phillips
- The Ballad of Geraldine – Donovan Leitch
Donovan: Barabajagal
On August 11, 1969, “Epic” label released “Barabajagal”, the seventh Donovan studio album and his eighth album overall. It was recorded November 1968 – May 1969, at “American Recording Company” in Los Angeles; “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Mickie Most.
Personnel:
- Donovan – vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Jeff Beck– guitar
- Ronnie Wood– guitar
- Big Jim Sullivan- guitar
- Alan Hawkshaw– piano
- Nicky Hopkins– keyboards
- Gabriel Meckler – keyboards
- Danny Thompson– bass
- John Paul Jones- bass
- Aynsley Dunbar– drums
- Tony Carr– drums, percussion
- James Kehn – drums, percussion
- Harold McNair– flute
- Madeline Bell– backing vocals
- Lesley Duncan- backing vocals
- Rod Stewart– backing vocals
Track listing:
All tracks by Donovan Leitch.
- Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)
- Superlungs (My Supergirl)
- Where Is She?
- Happiness Runs
- I Love My Shirt
- The Love Song
- To Susan on the West Coast Waiting
- Atlantis
- Trudi
- Pamela Jo
Ginger Baker’s Air Force: 2
On December 10, 1970, “Polydor” label released “Ginger Baker’s Air Force 2”, the second and final Ginger Baker’s Air Force album. It was recorded May – October, 1970, at the “Trident Studios” and “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Ginger Baker, Rick Grech, Denny Laine and Graham Bond.
Personnel:
- Ginger Baker: vocals, drums, timpani, tubular bells, African drums
- Ken Craddock: vocals, guitars, Hammond organ, piano
- Graham Bond: vocals, alto saxophone, Hammond organ, piano
- Denny Laine: vocals, guitars, piano
- Colin Gibson: bass guitar
- Rick Grech: bass guitar
- Rocki Dzidzornu: percussion, conga
- Neemoi “Speedy” Acquaye: drums, percussion, African drums
- Harold McNair: tenor & alto saxophones, flutes
- Steve Gregory: tenor saxophone, flutes
- Bud Beadle: baritone, alto and tenor saxophones
- Diane Stewart: vocals
- Catherine James: vocals
- Aliki Ashman: vocals
Track listing:
- Let Me Ride – Roebuck Staples
- Sweet Wine – Ginger Baker, Janet Godfrey
- Do U No Hu Yor Phrenz R? – Ginger Baker
- We Free Kings – Ginger Baker
- I Don’t Want to Go on Without You – Bert Berns, Jerry Wexler
- Toady – Ginger Baker
- 12 Gates of the City – Graham Bond
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