Tag Archives: James Taylor

Carly Simon: Hotcakes

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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

Ralph MacDonald

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On December 18, 2011, Ralph Anthony MacDonald died aged 67. He was musician (percussion, steelpan), songwriter, arranger, record producer, and philanthropist. His best known compositions are “Where Is the Love”, a “Grammy Award” winner for Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway duet), “Just the Two of Us” (recorded by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr.), and “Mister Magic” (recorded by Grover Washington Jr.). MacDonald was member of the bands Desperadoes Steel Orchestra,  Steelband Panorama, and Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. He recorded with many famous musicians including David Bowie, Aretha Franklin, Art Garfunkel, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Miriam Makeba, David Sanborn, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Luther Vandross, Amy Winehouse, Bob James, Ashford and Simpson, and The Brothers Johnson. As a leader MacDonald released ten albums.

Melissa Manchester: Singin’…

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On September 6, 1977, “Arista” label released “Singin’…” the sixth Melissa Manchester album. It was recorded in 1977, at “A&R Studios”, “Sound Labs” in Hollywood, and was produced by Vini Poncia.

Personnel:

  • Melissa Manchester – lead vocals
  • Jeff Mironov – guitar
  • David Spinozza– guitar
  • Sid McGinnis– guitar
  • Don Grolnick– keyboards
  • James Newton Howard– Oberheim synthesizer, string arrangements
  • Will Lee– bass guitar
  • Tony Levin– bass guitar
  • Steve Gadd– drums
  • Lenny Castro– percussion
  • Tom Saviano – woodwind arrangements, flute, horn arrangements, tenor saxophone
  • Mike Carnahan – flute
  • Leo Potts – flute
  • Andy Macintosh – baritone saxophone
  • Stanley Schwartz – tenor saxophone
  • George Bohanon– trombone
  • Richard Felts – trumpet, flugelhorn solo
  • Sid Sharp – concertmaster
  • Vini Poncia– backing vocals
  • Claudia Cagan – backing vocals
  • Wendy Haas – backing vocals
  • Brie Howard – backing vocals
  • Gail Kantor – backing vocals
  • The Faragher Brothers– backing vocals
  • Bob Schaper – engineer
  • Tom Bush – second engineer
  • Galen Senogles – mixing
  • Ron Hitchcock – mastering
  • Kay Steele – cover coordinator
  • John Kosh – art direction, desiign
  • David Alexander – photography
  • Anne Streer – production coordinator

Track listing:

  1. Sad Eyes – David Spinozza
  2. I Wanna Be Where You Are – Arthur Ross, Leon Ware
  3. A Love Of Your Own – Ned Doheny
  4. No One’s Ever Seen This Side Of Me – Melissa Manchester
  5. You Make It Easy – James Taylor
  6. Stand – Melissa Manchester
  7. My Love Is All I Know – Wendy Waldman
  8. Time – Robert Marshall, John Miles
  9. Let Me Serenade You – John Finley
  10. The Warmth Of The Sun – Brian Wilson

Carly Simon: Spy

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On June 30, 1979, “Elektra” label released “Spy”, the eight Carly Simon studio album. It was recorded December 1978 – April 1979, at “Atlantic Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Arif Mardin.

Personnel:

  • Carly Simon – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano
  • Ian McLagan– acoustic piano
  • Don Grolnick– acoustic piano, clavinet
  • Warren Bernhardt– keyboards, acoustic piano, electric piano
  • Richard Tee– clavinet, electric piano
  • Ken Bichel– Polymoog, synthesizer
  • Cliff Carter – synthesizer
  • Billy Mernit – acoustic piano
  • Joe Caro – acoustic and electric guitar
  • John Hall – electric guitar
  • David Spinozza– acoustic and electric guitar
  • Frank Carillo– guitar
  • Tony Levin– bass
  • Will Lee– bass
  • Steve Gadd– drums
  • Rick Marotta– drums
  • Errol “Crusher” Bennett – percussion, congas
  • Raphael Cruz – cowbell, congas, percussion
  • Mike Mainieri– vibraphone
  • David Sanborn– alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker– tenor saxophone, tenor sax solo
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet
  • Peter Ballin – alto saxophone
  • Lew Del Gatto – baritone saxophone
  • Tom Malone– trombone
  • Hubert Laws– flute
  • Arif Mardin– horn, string and choir arrangement
  • Gene Orloff– concertmaster
  • Tim Curry– backing vocals
  • Ullanda McCullough – backing vocals
  • James Taylor– backing vocals
  • Lucy Simon – backing vocals
  • Jonathan Abramowitz, Lamar Alsop, Julien Barber, Phil Bodner, James Buffington, Frederick Buldrini, Jean R. Dane, Eddie Daniels, Peter Dimitriades, Lewis Eley, Gerald Tarack, Paul Gershman, Ted Hoyle, Regis Iandiorio, Teddy Israel, Harold Kohon, Jesse Levy, Guy Lumia, Joseph Malin, Richard Maximoff, Kermit Moore, Eugene J. Moye, Gene Orloff, Tony Posk, Alan Shulmanand Mitsue Takayama – strings
  • Lew Hahn – recording, mixing
  • Mike O’Malley – engineer assistant
  • George Piros – mastering
  • Robert Heimall – art direction, design
  • Pam Frank – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Carly Simon, except where noted.

  1. Vengeance
  2. Just Like You Do
  3. We’re So Close
  4. Coming to Get You
  5. Never Been Gone – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  6. Pure Sin – Carly Simon, Frank Carillo
  7. Love You By Heart – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman, Libby Titus
  8. Spy – Carly Simon, James Taylor, Arif Mardin
  9. Memorial Day

Carly Simon: Another Passenger

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On June 5, 1976, “Elektra” label released “Another Passenger”, the seventh Carly Simon album. It was recorded in 1976, at “Sunset Sound Recorders” in Hollywood, and was produced by Ted Templeman.

Personnel:

  • Carly Simon – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, celesta, acoustic and electric piano
  • Jeff Baxter– electric, slide and steel guitar
  • Andrew Gold– electric guitar
  • Patrick Simmons– electric guitar
  • James Taylor– guitars, backing vocals
  • Tom Johnston– acoustic guitar
  • Paul Barrere– electric and slide guitars
  • Laurindo Almeida – guitar
  • Stephen Bruton– electric guitar
  • Lowell George– slide guitar
  • John– electric rhythm guitar
  • Glenn Frey– guitar
  • Michael McDonald– acoustic piano, keyboards, electric piano, backing vocals
  • Bill Payne– keyboards, organ
  • Van Dyke Parks– acoustic and electric pianos, accordion, marimba, arrangements
  • Mark T. Jordan – acoustic piano
  • Nick DeCaro – accordion
  • Fred Tackett– mandocellos
  • Tiran Porter– bass
  • Klaus Voormann – acoustic and electric basses
  • Kenny Gradney – bass
  • Bob Glaub– bass
  • John Hartman– drums
  • Keith Knudsen– drums
  • Richie Hayward– drums, backing vocals
  • Jim Keltner– drums
  • Rick Jaeger – drums
  • Andy Newmark– drums
  • Victor Feldman– percussion, marimba
  • Milt Holland– percussion, congas
  • Robert Greenidge– steel drums
  • Andrew Love– saxophone solo
  • Bud Shank – flute
  • David Campbell– string arrangements, viola, woodwind arrangements
  • Novi Novog– viola
  • Kirby Johnson – string arrangements
  • Ellen Kearney – backing vocals
  • Leah Kunkel – backing vocals
  • Linda Ronstadt– backing vocals
  • The Doobie Brothers– backing vocals
  • Jackson Browne– backing vocals
  • Libby Titus– backing vocals
  • Lucy Simon– backing vocals
  • Alex Taylor– backing vocals
  • Donn Landee – engineer
  • Glen Christiensen – art direction
  • Anne Gardner – design
  • Mary Ellen Mark – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Carly Simon, except where noted.

  1. Half a Chance – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  2. It Keeps You Runnin’ – Michael McDonald
  3. Fairweather Father
  4. Cow Town
  5. He Likes to Roll
  6. In Times When My Head
  7. One Love Stand – Paul Barrere, Bill Payne, Kenny Gradney
  8. Riverboat Gambler – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  9. Darkness ‘Til Dawn – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  10. Dishonest Modesty – Carly Simon, Zach Wiesner
  11. Libby
  12. Be With Me – Carly Simon, Zach Wiesner

Edwin McCain: Misguided Roses

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On June 24, 1997, “Lava Records” label released “Misguided Roses”, the second  Edwin McCain album. It was recorded 1996 – 1997, and was produced by Matt Serletic, and Kenny Greenberg.

Personnel:

  • Edwin McCain – vocals, guitar
  • Larry Chaney – electric guitar, cuatro, lap steel guitar
  • Kenny Greenberg– acoustic, electric and 12 string guitars, dobro
  • Matt Rollings- organ, synthesizer, piano, wurlitzer, anvil
  • Craig Shields – keyboards, alto, baritone, soprano and tenor saxophone, wind controller
  • Scott Bannevich – bass
  • Eric Darken- percussion, pandeiro
  • Dave Harrison – percussion, drums
  • Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ashley Cleveland– backing vocals
  • Michael McDonald – backing vocals
  • Vicki Hampton – backing vocals
  • Russ Taff – backing vocals
  • Jeff Tomei, Carl Meadows – engineer
  • Bob Clearmountain, Richard Dodd – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig, Joseph M. Palmaccio – mastering
  • Larry Freemantle – art direction
  • Hans Neleman – design
  • Clay McBride – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Edwin McCain. except where noted.

  1. See the Sky Again
  2. Grind Me in the Gears
  3. Cleveland Park
  4. I’ll Be
  5. How Strange It Seems
  6. The Rhythm Of Life
  7. Punish Me
  8. Darwin’s Children
  9. Take Me
  10. Stop Thinking ‘Bout That, (I’ve Got To)” – James Taylor, Daniel Kortchmar
  11. What Matters
  12. Holy City – hidden track “Through The Floor” follows

Cassandra Wilson: Belly Of The Sun

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On February 26, 2002, “Blue Note” label released “Belly of the Sun”, the 13th Cassandra Wilson album. It was recorded in 2001, in the Clarksdale, Mississippi train station, and was produced by Cassandra Wilson.

Personnel:

  • Cassandra Wilson– vocals; surdo, guitar
  • Marvin Sewell – guitars
  • Jesse Robinson – electric guitar
  • Richard Johnston– vocals, guitar
  • Kevin Breit– vocals, mandolin, guitars, bouzouki, omnichord
  • Rhonda Richmond – vocals, piano
  • Boogaloo” Ames – piano
  • Mark Peterson – basses
  • Jeffrey Haynes – percussion, plastic tub, steel pans
  • Xavyon Jamison – drums
  • Cyro Baptista– vocals, percussion
  • Olu Dara– trumpet
  • Children of M.S.44 (NYC)
  • Jewell Bass, Vasti Jackson, Patrice Moncell, Henry Rhodes, Arie– vocals

Track listing:

  1. The Weight – Robbie Robertson
  2. Justice – Cassandra Wilson
  3. Darkness on the Delta – Jay Livingston, Al J. Neiburg, Marty Symes
  4. Waters of March Antônio Carlos Jobim
  5. You Gotta Move – Mississippi Fred McDowell
  6. Only a Dream in Rio – James Taylor
  7. Just Another Parade – Cassandra Wilson
  8. Wichita Lineman – Jimmy Webb
  9. Shelter from the Storm – Bob Dylan
  10. Drunk as Cooter Brown – Cassandra Wilson
  11. Show Me a Love – Jesse Robinson, Cassandra Wilson
  12. Road So Clear – Rhonda Richmond
  13. Hot Tamales – Robert Johnson

James Taylor: James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine

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In February 1971, “Euphoria” label released “James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine”,  archival release of 1966 recordings of James Taylor’s band The Flying Machine, and was produced by Al Gorgoni, and Chip Taylor.

Personnel:

  • James Taylor— vocals, guitar
  • Danny Kortchmar— vocals, guitar
  • Zachary Wiesner — bass
  • Joel O’Brien — drums
  • Al Gorgoni— harpsichord
  • Wally Sheffey, Eddie Youngblood – engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by James Taylor except where noted

  1. Night Owl
  2. Brighten Your Night With My Day
  3. Kootch’s Song – Danny Kortchmar
  4. Knocking ‘Round the Zoo
  5. Rainy Day Man – James Taylor, Zach Wiesner
  6. Knocking ‘Round the Zoo
  7. Something’s Wrong

James Taylor: Never Die Young

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In January 1988, “Columbia / Legacy” label released “Never Die Young”, the twelfth James Taylor album. It was recorded in 1987, and was produced by Don Grolnick.

Personnel:

  • James Taylor – vocals, guitar
  • Bob Mann– guitar
  • Jeff Mironov – guitar
  • Dan Dugmore– banjo, pedal steel guitar
  • Don Grolnick– piano
  • Bill Payne– keyboards
  • Greg “Fingers” Taylor– harmonica
  • Jay Leonhart– bass
  • Leland Sklar– bass
  • Carlos Vega– drums, percussion
  • Michael Brecker– tenor saxophone
  • Rosemary Butler– vocals
  • David Lasley– vocals
  • Arnold McCuller– vocals
  • Mark O’Connor– violin
  • Lani Groves– backing vocals
  • Robby Kilgore, Clifford Carter – synthesizer programming
  • James Farber – recording, mixing
  • Don Rodenbach – engineer, assistant
  • Rhonda Schoen – digital editing
  • Greg Calbi– mastering
  • Edd Kolakowski – guitar and piano technician, production assistant
  • Marc Balet – art direction
  • Jim Brandenburg– wolf photos
  • Rudy Molacek – James Taylor photo

Track listing:

All tracks by James Taylor, except where noted.

  1. Never Die Young
  2. T-Bone – Bill Payne, James Taylor
  3. Baby Boom Baby – James Taylor, Zachary Wiesner
  4. Runaway Boy
  5. Valentine’s Day
  6. Sun on the Moon
  7. Sweet Potato Pie
  8. Home by Another Way – Timothy Mayer, James Taylor
  9. Letter in the Mail
  10. First of May

Kate Taylor: Sister Kate

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In January 1971, “Cotillion” label released “Sister Kate”, the debut Kate Taylor album. It was recorded in 1970, at “Sunset Sound” and “Crystal Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Peter Asher.

Personnel:

  • Kate Taylor — lead vocals, clapping
  • Peter Asher— lead and backing vocals, clapping
  • John Beland, Bernie Leadon, James Taylor – guitar
  • Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar— guitar, percussion, conga, backing vocals
  • D. Souther— guitar, vocals, clapping
  • John Hartford— banjo
  • Carole King — lead and backing vocals, piano, string arrangements
  • Ralph Schuckett — organ, piano, accordion, keyboards
  • Charles Larkey, Leland Sklar— bass
  • Russ Kunkel, Joel O’Brian — drums
  • Sandra Crouch — percussion, tambourine
  • Abigale Haness — vocals
  • Merry Clayton — lead and backing vocals
  • Oma Drake — lead and backing vocals
  • Donna Prater — lead and backing vocals
  • Linda Ronstadt— lead and backing vocals
  • Gail Haness — backing vocals
  • Wayne Jackson— horns, horn arrangements
  • Andrew Love, The Memphis Horns — horns, horn arrangements
  • John Tartaglia — strings, string arrangements

Track listing:

  1. Home Again – Carole King
  2. Ballad of a Well Known Gun – Elton John, Bernie Taupin
  3. Be That Way – Livingston Taylor
  4. Handbags and Gladrags – Mike d’Abo
  5. You Can Close Your Eyes – James Taylor
  6. Look at Granny Run, Run – Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman
  7. Where You Lead – Carole King, Toni Stern
  8. White Lightning – Jape Richardson
  9. Country Comfort – Elton John, Bernie Taupin
  10. Lo and Behold/Jesus Is Just All Right – James Taylor, A. Reid Reynolds
  11. Do I Still Figure in Your Life – Pete Dello
  12. Sweet Honesty – Beverley Martyn