Tag Archives: Hugh McCracken

Paul Simon: One-Trick Pony

In August 1980, “Warner Bros” label released “One-Trick Pony”, the fifth Paul Simon studio album. It was recorded 1979 – 1980, at “A&R Studios” in New York City and  “Agora Club” in Cleveland, Ohio, and was produced by Paul Simon and Phil Ramone. The album was released concurrently with the film of the same name, in which Paul Simon also starred.

Personnel:

  • Paul Simon – vocals, nylon string and electric guitar, percussion, horn and string arrangements
  • John Tropea– acoustic guitar
  • Joe Beck– electric guitar
  • Eric Gale– electric and nylon string guitar
  • Hiram Bullock– electric slide guitar
  • Hugh McCracken– acoustic guitar
  • Jeff Mironov – electric guitar
  • Richard Tee – co-lead and backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, tambourine
  • Don Grolnick– string synthesizer
  • Anthony Jackson, Tony Levin– bass
  • Steve Gadd– drums
  • Ralph MacDonald– percussion
  • Jon Faddis– flugelhorn
  • Irwin “Marky” Markowitz – trumpet
  • Patti Austin– vocals
  • Lani Groves – backing vocals
  • Dave Grusin– horn and string arrangements
  • Bob Friedman – horn and string arrangements
  • Jim Boyer – recording, mixing
  • Ted Jensen- mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Paul Simon.

  1. Late in the Evening
  2. That’s Why God Made the Movies
  3. One-Trick Pony
  4. How the Heart Approaches What It Yearns
  5. Oh, Marion
  6. Ace in the Hole
  7. Nobody
  8. Jonah
  9. God Bless the Absentee
  10. Long, Long Day

Spooky Tooth: The Last Puff

In July 1970, “Island” label released “The Last Puff” (credited as Spooky  Tooth featuring Mike Harrison), the fifth Spooky Tooth studio album. It was recorded in 1970, at “Island Studios” in London, and was produced by Chris Stainton and Chris Blackwell.

Personnel:

  • Mike Harrison– vocals
  • Luther Grosvenor– guitar
  • Henry McCullough– guitar
  • Chris Stainton– bass guitar, piano, organ, guitar
  • Alan Spenner– bass guitar
  • Mike Kellie– drums
  • Roger Beale – engineer
  • Brian Humphries – engineer
  • Glyn Johns – remix

Track listing:

  1. I Am the Walrus – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  2. The Wrong Time – Gary Wright, Hugh McCracken
  3. Something to Say – Joe Cocker, Peter Nichols
  4. Nobody There At All – Mike Post, Timothy Martin
  5. Down River – David Ackles
  6. Son of Your Father – Elton John, Bernie Taupin
  7. The Last Puff – Chris Stainton

Carly Simon: Boys in the Trees

In April 1978, “Elektra” label released “Boys in the Trees”, the seventh Carly Simon studio album. It was recorded in 1978, and was produced by Arif Mardin. The album won “Grammy Award” for “Best Album Package”.

Personnel:

  • Carly Simon – vocals, guitar, piano
  • James Taylor- guitar, backing vocals
  • John Hall – guitar, backing vocals
  • Hamish Stuart- guitar, backing vocals
  • Richard Tee- keyboards
  • Cornell Dupree- guitar
  • Eric Gale- guitar
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar
  • Onnie McIntyre – guitar
  • Jeff Mironov – guitar
  • Stuart Scharf – guitar
  • Don Grolnick- keyboards
  • Ken Bichel- keyboards
  • Gordon Edwards – bass
  • Will Lee- bass
  • Tony Levin- bass
  • Steve Gadd- drums
  • Rubens Bassini- percussion
  • Errol “Crusher” Bennett – percussion
  • David Sanborn- alto saxophone
  • George Young – alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker- tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber- baritone saxophone
  • Jaroslav Jakubovic- baritone saxophone
  • Randy Brecker- trumpet
  • James Buffington – French horn
  • Brooks Tillotson – French horn
  • Eddie Bert – trombone
  • Barry Rogers- trombone
  • Phil Bodner – oboe
  • Joe Farrell- flute
  • Gloria Agostini – harp
  • Margaret Ross – harp
  • David Carey – marimba
  • Alex Ligertwood- backing vocals
  • Lucy Simon- backing vocals
  • Luther Vandross – backing vocals
  • Cissy Houston- backing vocals
  • Steven Dickson, Marc Embree, Ruderick George, Alyia Orme, Joanna Simon, Ken Williams – backing vocals
  • George Marge – recording
  • Harvey Estrin – recording

Track listing:

All tracks by Carly Simon except where noted.

  1. You Belong to Me – Carly Simon, Michael McDonald
  2. Boys in the Trees
  3. Back Down to Earth
  4. Devoted to You – Boudleaux Bryant
  5. De Bat (Fly in Me Face)
  6. Haunting
  7. Tranquillo (Melt My Heart) – Carly Simon, James Taylor, Arif Mardin
  8. You’re the One
  9. In a Small Moment
  10. One Man Woman – James Taylor
  11. For Old Times Sake – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman

Kenny Loggins: Celebrate Me Home

In April 1977, “Columbia” label released “Celebrate Me Home”, the debut Kenny Loggins solo album. It was recorded 1975-1976, and was produced by Phil Ramone and Bob James.

Personnel:

  • Kenny Loggins – lead and backing vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Hiram Bullock– guitar
  • Robben Ford– guitar
  • Eric Gale– guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Hugh McCracken– guitar
  • Dean Parks– guitar
  • Lee Ritenour– guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco– mandolin
  • Richard Tee– keyboards
  • Bob James– keyboards
  • George Hawkins – bass, backing vocals
  • Steve Gadd– drums
  • Ralph MacDonald– drums
  • Harvey Mason, Sr.– drums
  • Jon Clarke – percussion, woodwinds
  • Steve Forman – percussion
  • Laudir de Oliveira– percussion
  • Vince Denham – backing vocals, woodwinds
  • Lani Groves– backing vocals
  • Gwen Guthrie– backing vocals
  • Patti Austin– backing vocals
  • Ed Caraeff- photography

Track listing:

  1. Lady Luck – Kenny Loggins, lyrics: John Townsend
  2. If You Be Wise – Kenny Loggins, lyrics: Jimmy Webb
  3. I Believe in Love – Kenny Loggins, lyrics: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
  4. Set It Free – Eva Ein, Kenny Loggins
  5. Why Do People Lie – Eva Ein, Kenny Loggins
  6. Enter My Dream – Kenny Loggins
  7. I’ve Got the Melody (Deep in My Heart) – Patti Austin
  8. Celebrate Me Home – Bob James, Kenny Loggins
  9. Daddy’s Back – Eva Ein, David Foster, Kenny Loggins
  10. You Don’t Know Me – Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker

Steely Dan: Katy Lied

In March 1975, “ABC Records” label released “Katy Lied” the fourth Steely Dan album. It was recorded November 1974-January 1975, at “ABS Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Gary Katz.

Personnel:

  • Donald Fagen– vocals, piano, keyboards, saxophone
  • Walter Becker– bass, guitar
  • Michael Omartian, David Paich– pianos, keyboards
  • Hugh McCracken– guitar
  • Denny Dias– guitar
  • Rick Derringer– guitar
  • Dean Parks– guitar
  • Elliott Randall– guitar
  • Larry Carlton– guitar
  • Wilton Felder, Chuck Rainey– bass guitars
  • Jeff Porcaro– drums
  • Hal Blaine– drums
  • Victor Feldman– percussion
  • Phil Woods– alto saxophone
  • Jimmie Haskell– horns, horns arrangement
  • Bill Perkins– horns
  • Michael McDonald– backing vocals
  • Myrna Matthews, Sherlie Matthews, Carolyn Willis – backing vocals
  • Jimmie Haskell – arrangements
  • Roger Nichols – engineer
  • Rick Collins – mastering
  • Dinky Dawson – sound consultant
  • Daniel Levitin – concultant

Track listing:

All tracks by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

  1. Black Friday
  2. Bad Sneakers
  3. Rose Darling
  4. Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More
  5. Doctor Wu
  6. Everyone’s Gone to the Movies
  7. Your Gold Teeth II
  8. Chain Lightning
  9. Any World (That I’m Welcome To)
  10. Throw Back the Little Ones

Donald Fagen: Morph the Cat

On March 7, 2006, “Reprise” label released “Morph the Cat”, the third Donald Fagen solo album. It was recorded 2005 – 2006, and was produced by Donald Fagen.

Personnel:

  • Donald Fagen – Fender Rhodes, organ, piano, melodica, backing vocals
  • Frank Vignola, Ken Wessel, Ken Emerson, Hugh McCracken, Wayne Krantz, Jon Herington – guitar
  • Ted Baker – piano
  • Ted Baker – Wurlitzer Electric Piano
  • Howard Levy – harmonica
  • Phonus Quaver – vibraphone
  • Brian Montgomery – bass
  • Harlan Post, Jr – acoustic bass.
  • Freddie Washington – bass
  • Keith Carlock – drums
  • Bashiri Johnson – percussion
  • Gordon Gottlieb – percussion
  • Joe Pasaro – percussion
  • Walt Weiskopf – tenor saxophone
  • Lawrence Feldman – tenor saxophone
  • Roger Rosenberg – baritone saxophone
  • Marvin Stamm – trumpet
  • Roger Rosenberg – bass clarinet
  • Illinois Elohainu – flute
  • Mark Patterson – trombone
  • Phonus Quaver – marimba
  • Jerry Barnes, Michael Harvey, Amy Helm, Carolyn Leonhart, Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
  • Camille Meza, Candice Predham, Eddie Jackson, Jennifer Battista – handclaps
  • Elliot Scheiner – tracking engineer, mixing
  • Brian Montgomery – overdub, Pro Tools engineer. engineer assistant, mixing assistant
  • T. J. Doherty – overdub, Pro Tools engineer
  • Eddie Jackson, Jim Keller, Chad Lupo, Steve Mazur, Matt Scheiner, Bryan Smith, Allan “A.T.” Thomas – engineer assistant
  • Darcy Proper – mastering
  • Joseph M. Palmaccio – additional mastering
  • Maria Triana – mastering assistant
  • Jeri Heiden – art direction
  • Ryan Corey – design
  • Danny Clinch – photography
  • Jill Dell’Abate, Cindy Osborne – production coordinator
  • Mary Lou Arnold – production assistant

Track listing:

All tracks by Donald Fagen.

  1. Morph the Cat
  2. H Gang
  3. What I Do
  4. Brite Nitegown
  5. The Great Pagoda of Funn
  6. Security Joan
  7. The Night Belongs to Mona
  8. Mary Shut the Garden Door
  9. Morph the Cat (Reprise)

B. B. King: There Must Be a Better World Somewhere

there-must-be-a-better-world-somewhere

In January 1981, “MCA” label released “There Must Be a Better World Somewhere” the twenty seventh B. B. King studio album. It was recorded in 1980, and was produced by Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack. The album won “Grammy Award” for “Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording”.

Personnel:

  • B. B. King- vocals, guitar
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar
  • Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack- keyboards
  • Wilbur Bascomb- bass guitar
  • Bernard “Pretty” Purdie- drums
  • Hank Crawford- alto saxophone
  • David “Fathead” Newman- tenor saxophone
  • Ronald E. Cuber- baritone saxophone
  • Waymon Reed- trumpet
  • Tom Malone- trombone
  • Charlie Miller – trumpet
  • Donny Gerrard, Vennette Gloud, Carmen Twillie- backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Doc Pomus and Dr. John; except where noted.

  1. The Victim
  2. More, More, More – Hugh McCracken, Jay Hirsh
  3. You’re Going with Me
  4. Life Ain’t Nothing But a Party
  5. Born Again Human
  6. There Must Be a Better World Somewhere

Donald Fagen: The Nightfly

donald_fagen_-_the_nightfly

On October 29, 1982, “Warner Bros” label released “The Nightfly”, the  first Donald Fagen solo album. It was recorded 1981 – 1982, at “Soundworks Digital Audio/Video Recording Studios”, “Automated Sound” in N.Y; “Village Recorders” in L.A., and was produced by Gary Katz. The album was certified Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and in the US by “RIIA”.

  • Donald Fagen- lead and backing vocals, organ, synthesizer, synth blues harp, electric piano, horn arrangements, linear notes
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar, harmonica
  • Larry Carlton- lead guitar, guitar
  • Rick Derringer- guitar
  • Dean Parks- guitar
  • Steve Khan- acoustic guitar
  • Michael Omartian– piano, electric piano
  • Greg Phillinganes- synthesizer, piano, piano solo, electric piano ,  clavinet, synthesizer bass
  • Rob Mounsey- synthesizer, horn arrangements
  • Anthony Jackson- bass
  • Abraham Laboriel- bass
  • Marcus Miller- bass
  • Chuck Rainey- bass
  • Will Lee- bass
  • James Gadson- drums, additional drums
  • Ed Greene- drums
  • Jeff Porcaro- drums, additional drums
  • Roger Nichols- percussion, special effects
  • Starz Vanderlocket- percussion, backing vocals
  • David Tofani -alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker- tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber- baritone saxophone
  • Randy Brecker- trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Dave Bargeron- trombone, euphonium
  • Frank “Harmonica Frank” Floyd- backing vocals
  • Gordon Grody – backing vocals
  • Leslie Miller – backing vocals
  • Daniel Lazerus – backing vocals
  • Zachary Sanders – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson- backing vocals
  • Daniel Lazerus,Roger Nichols, Elliot Scheiner – engineer
  • Robin Lane,  Cheryl Smith – engineer assistant
  • Mike Morongell – engineer assistant, digital editing assistant
  • Wayne Yurgelun – engineer assistant, digital editing assistant
  • Elliot Scheiner – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Daniel Lazerus – overdub engineer
  • Elliot Scheiner – tracking
  • Roger Nichols – sequencing
  • Ginger Dettman, Steve Pokorny, Steve Woolard – project assistant
  • David Dieckmann, George Lydecker – authoring
  • George Delmerico – art director
  • Greg Allen – design
  •  Gale Sasson, Vern Yenor – design
  • James Hamilton – photography
  • Cory Frye – editorial supervision
  • Andrew Thomas – screen design

Track listing:

All tracks by Donald Fagen, except where noted

  1. G.Y.
  2. Green Flower Street
  3. Ruby Baby – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, arranged by Donald Fagen
  4. Maxine
  5. New Frontier
  6. The Nightfly
  7. The Goodbye Look
  8. Walk Between Raindrops

Art Garfunkel: Watermark

watermark

On October 25, 1977, “Columbia” label released “Watermark”, the third Art Garfunkel solo studio album. It was recorded in 1977, and was produced by Art Garfunkel and Phil Ramone. The album cover photo was taken by actress Laurie Bird, Garfunkel’s girlfriend.

Personnel:

  • Art Garfunkel – vocals
  • Paul Simon– vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Stephen Bishop– guitar, backing vocals
  • Pete Carr– guitar
  • Jimmy Johnson– guitar
  • Hugh McCracken– guitar
  • Bob Dorough– vocals
  • James Taylor– vocals
  • Jimmy Webb– keyboards
  • Richard Tee– electric piano
  • Barry Beckett– piano
  • Bill Payne– synthesizer
  • Derek Bell – harmonica
  • David Hood– bass
  • Tony Levin– bass
  • Joe Osborn– bass
  • Rick Shlosser– drums
  • Steve Gadd– drums
  • Roger Hawkins– drums
  • Tom Roady – percussion
  • Ralph MacDonald– percussion
  • Craig Krampf– percussion
  • Thomas Latondre – percussion, handclapping
  • Jack Schroer– saxophone
  • Paul Desmond– alto saxophone
  • Michael Tubridy– flute
  • Joe Farrell– flute, English horn, oboe
  • Martin Fay– fiddle
  • Seán Keane– fiddle
  • Paddy Moloney– uilleann pipes, tin whistle
  • Tommy Vig– vibraphone, backing vocals
  • Fred Farell – vocals
  • Carol Flamm – vocals
  • Ed Hasselbrink – vocals
  • Shelley Hirsch – vocals
  • Oklahoma Uni Chorale – vocals
  • Alexandra Stavrou – vocals
  • David Crosby– backing vocals
  • Leah Kunkel– backing vocals
  • David Campbell– arrangement
  • Christopher Dedrick – arrangements
  • Jimmie Haskell– arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks by Jimmy Webb, except where noted

  1. Crying in My Sleep
  2. Marionette
  3. Shine It on Me
  4. Watermark
  5. Saturday Suit
  6. All My Love’s Laughter
  7. (What a) Wonderful World – Herb Alpert, Sam Cooke, Lou Adler
  8. Shuck’n Jive
  9. Paper Chase
  10. She Moved Through the Fair – traditional
  11. Someone Else
  12. Wooden Planes

John Lennon And Yoko Ono: Wedding Album

wedding-album

On October 20, 1969, “Apple” label released “Wedding Album”, the final of the three experimental albums by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It followed “Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins” and  “Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions”. It was recorded 25–31 March 1969, at Room 902, Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam, and 22 and 27 April 1969, at “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Personnel:

  • John Lennon – vocals, guitars, keyboards, heartbeat sounds
  • Yoko Ono– vocals, rare sounds, heartbeat sounds
  • Klaus Voormann– electric guitar, bass guitar
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano, chimes
  • Hugh McCracken– piano, chimes

Track listing:

All tracks by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, except where noted.

  1. John & Yoko
  2. Amsterdam
  3. Who Has Seen the Wind? – Yoko Ono
  4. Listen, the Snow Is Falling – Yoko Ono
  5. Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow) – Yoko Ono