Tag Archives: James Taylor

Carole King: Writer

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In May 1970, “Ode” label released “Writer”, the debut Carole King album. It was recorded March-April 1970, at “Crystal Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by John Fischbach.

Personnel:

  • Carole King – lead and backing vocals, piano, arrangements
  • James Taylor- acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Daniel Kortchmar- acoustic and electric guitar, conga
  • Ralph Schuckett- organ
  • John Fischbach – Moog synthesizer
  • Charles Larkey – Fender bass
  • Joel O’Brien – drums, percussion, vibes
  • Abigale Haness, Delores Hall – backing vocals
  • Andrew Berliner – engineer
  • Gerry Goffin – mixing
  • Guy Webster – cover photography
  • Tom Neuwirth – liner photographs
  • Rod Dyer, Paul Bruhwiler – layout, design

Track listing:

All tracks by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, except where noted.

  1. Spaceship Races
  2. No Easy Way Down
  3. Child of Mine
  4. Goin’ Back
  5. To Love
  6. What Have You Got to Lose – lyrics by Toni Stern
  7. Eventually
  8. Raspberry Jam – lyrics by Toni Stern
  9. Can’t You be Real
  10. I Can’t Hear You No More
  11. Sweet Sweetheart
  12. Up on the Roof

Carly Simon: Boys in the Trees

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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

Carly Simon: Playing Possum

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In April 1975, “Elektra” label released “Playing Possum”, the fifth Carly Simon studio album. It was recorded in 1975 at “Sound Labs”, “Sunset Sound Recorders”, “Crystal Sound”, “ A&M Studios” and “Burbank Studios” in California, and was produced by Richard Perry.In 1991, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album cover at number 20 on its  list of the “100 Greatest Album Covers.

Personnel:

  • Carly Simon — lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar, piano, arrangements
  • James Taylor— acoustic guitar, guitar, vocals, backing vocals
  • Jeff Baxter— guitar
  • Andrew Gold— guitar, drums, tambourine
  • Sneaky Pete Kleinow— pedal steel guitar
  • Lee Ritenour— guitar, mandolin
  • Alvin Robinson— guitar
  • Richard Perry— tambourine
  • Billy Mernit — piano
  • James Newton Howard— synthesizer, keyboards, electric piano
  • Tommy Morgan — harmonica
  • Joe Mondragon — bass
  • Klaus Voormann— bass
  • Willie Weeks— bass
  • Leland Sklar— bass, drums
  • Ringo Starr— drums
  • Irving Cottler— drums
  • Jim Gordon— drums
  • Russ Kunkel— drums
  • Eddie Bongo — conga
  • Andy Newmark— percussion, drums
  • Fred Staehle — percussion
  • Alan Estes — percussion
  • Emil Richards— percussion
  • Trevor Lawrence — saxophone, alto saxophone
  • Derrek Van Eaton — fiddle, flute
  • Lon Van Eaton — clarinet, flute, sitar
  • Liza Strike — vocals
  • Rita Coolidge— vocals, backing vocals
  • Abigale Haness — vocals, backing vocals
  • Carole King— vocals, backing vocals
  • Clydie King— vocals, backing vocals
  • Ken Moore — vocals, backing vocals
  • Vini Poncia— vocals, backing vocals
  • Rodney Richmond — vocals, backing vocals
  • Julia Tillman Waters — vocals, backing vocals
  • Carolyn Willis — vocals, backing vocals
  • Maxine Willard — backing vocals
  • Bill Schnee – engineer
  • Norm Kinney – engineer
  • Andrew Berliner – engineer
  • Charles Beasley – second engineer
  • Larry Emerine, Reed Stanley – engineer assistant
  • Noam Kinney – remix
  • Bill Schnee – remix
  • Doug Sax – mastering
  • Glen Christensen – art direction
  • Norman Seeff – design, photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Carly Simonexcept where noted.

  1. After the Storm,
  2. Love Out in the Street
  3. Look Me in the Eyes
  4. More and More – Mac Rebennack, Alvin Robinson
  5. Slave – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  6. Attitude Dancing – Carly Simon, Jacob Brackman
  7. Sons of Summer – Bill Mernit
  8. Waterfall
  9. Are You Ticklish
  10. Playing Possum

Melanie: Candles in the Rain

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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.

  1. Candles in the Rain
  2. Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
  3. Carolina in My Mind – James Taylor
  4. Citiest People
  5. What Have They Done to My Song Ma
  6. Alexander Beetle – Melanie Safka, A. Milne
  7. The Good Guys
  8. Lovin’ Baby Girl
  9. Ruby Tuesday – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  10. Leftover Wine

Hugh McCracken

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On March 28, 2013, Hugh C. McCracken died aged 70. He was musician (guitar, harmonica), arranger and producer, best known as session musician. McCracken  recorded with Graham Parker, Yoko Ono, Eric Carmen, Loudon Wainwright III, Lou Donaldson, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, The Four Seasons, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Hank Crawford, Jerry Jemmott, Dr. John, Gary Wright, Donald Fagen, Jimmy Rushing, Billy Joel, Roland Kirk, Roberta Flack, B. B. King, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, The Monkees, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Idris Muhammad, James Taylor, Phoebe Snow, Bob Dylan, Linda McCartney, Ron Carter, Rusty Bryant, Marlena Shaw, Deodato, Carly Simon and Andy Gibb. From 1969-1972, McCracken was member of Mike Mainieri’s White Elephant Orchestra.

Alex Taylor: Alex Taylor with Friends and Neighbors

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In March 1971, “Capricorn” label released “Alex Taylor with Friends and Neighbors”, the debut Alex Taylor album. It was recorded in 1971, at “Capricorn Studios” in Macon, Georgia, and was produced by Johnny Sandlin.

Personnel:

  • Alex Taylor- vocals
  • James Taylor- guitar
  • Peter Kowalke- guitar
  • Joe Rudd- guitar
  • Scott Boyer- guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Talton- guitar
  • Paul Hornsby- keyboards
  • Johnny Sandlin- bass
  • Bill Stewart- drums
  • King Curtis- saxophone
  • Willie Bridges- saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber- saxophone
  • Frank Wess- saxophone
  • Daniel Moore- trumpet
  • William S. Fischer- conductor, string arrangements
  • Lewis Hahn, Jim Hawkins – recording
  • Jimmy Roberts – art direction
  • Mickey Dobo – photography
  • Frank Fenter – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Highway Song – James Taylor
  2. Southern Kids – Scott Boyer
  3. All in Line – Tommy Talton
  4. Night Owl – James Taylor
  5. C Song – Scott Boyer
  6. It’s All Over Now – Bobby Womack, Shirley Womack
  7. Baby Ruth – Johnny Wyker
  8. Take Out Some Insurance – Charles Singleton
  9. Southbound – Dickey Betts

Tom Rush: Same

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tom-rush

In March 1970, “Columbia” label released the seventh, self-titled Tom Rush album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Ed Freeman.

Personnel:

  • Tom Rush – vocals, guitar
  • Trevor Veitch- guitar, mandolin, mandocello
  • David Bromberg- dobro
  • Ed Freeman – 12-string guitar
  • Red Rhodes- steel guitar
  • Warren Bernhardt- organ, piano
  • Paul Griffin- organ
  • Duke Bardwell – bass
  • Ron Carter- bass
  • Herb Lovelle- drums
  • Julie Held – orchestra assembly
  • Jim Reeves – recording
  • Ed Freeman – arranger
  • Don Hunstein – photography

Track listing:

  1. Driving Wheel – David Wiffen
  2. Rainy Day Man – James Taylor, Zachary Wiesner
  3. Drop Down Mama – Sleepy John Estes
  4. Old Man’s Song – Murray McLauchlan
  5. Lullaby – Jesse Colin Young
  6. These Days – Jackson Browne
  7. Wild Child – Fred Neil
  8. Colors of the Sun – Jackson Browne
  9. Livin’ in the Country – Day, W. Winsted
  10. Child’s Song – Murray McLauchlan

James Taylor: Sweet Baby James

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sweet-baby-james

In February 1970, “Warner Bros” label released “Sweet Baby James”, the second James Taylor studio album. It was recorded in December 1969, at “Sunset Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Peter Asher. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Sweet Baby James” at number 103 on its list of the “Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 2003 the TV network “VH1” named  the album the 77th greatest album of all time. “Sweet Baby James” was certified 3 x Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • James Taylor— vocals, guitar
  • Danny Kortchmar— guitar
  • Red Rhodes— steel guitar
  • Carole King — vocals, piano
  • Bobby West —double bass
  • John London— bass
  • Randy Meisner— bass
  • Russ Kunkel— drums
  • Jack Bielan —brass
  • Chris Darrow —fiddle, violin

Tracks listing:

All tracks by James Taylor except where noted.

  1. Sweet Baby James
  2. Lo and Behold
  3. Sunny Skies
  4. Steamroller
  5. Country Road
  6. Oh, Susanna – Stephen Foster
  7. Fire and Rain
  8. Blossom
  9. Anywhere Like Heaven
  10. Oh Baby, Don’t You Loose Your Lip on Me
  11. Suite for 20 G

Crosby, Stills & Nash: Replay

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replay

On December 8, 1980, “Atlantic” label released “Replay”, the sixth Crosby, Stills & Nash album. It was recorded in 1980, and was produced by Bill Halverson, David Crosby, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills.

Personnel:

  • David Crosby— vocals, acoustic guitar, string arrangements
  • Stephen Stills— vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, congas, overdubbed drums, steel drum, percussion
  • Graham Nash— vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, string arrangements, congas
  • Jerry Garcia- pedal steel guitar
  • James Taylor— acoustic guitar
  • Paul Harris— keyboards
  • Craig Doerge— electric piano, piano, synthesizer
  • George “Chocolate” Perry— bass
  • Calvin “Fuzzy” Samuels— bass
  • Tim Drummond— bass
  • Leland Sklar— bass
  • Kenny Passarelli — bass
  • Dallas Taylor— drums
  • Russ Kunkel— drums, congas, percussion
  • Jim Gordon— drums
  • Jeff Whitaker — congas
  • Joe Lala— percussion
  • Joe Vitale— drums, percussion, organ, electric piano, tympani
  • Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Jones, John Sebastian— backing vocals
  • Fred Neil, Henry Diltz— backing vocals
  • Cass Elliot— backing vocals
  • Mike Lewis, Joel Bernstein— string arrangements

Track listing:

  1. Carry On – Stephen Stills
  2. Marrakesh Express – Graham Nash
  3. Just a Song Before I Go – Graham Nash
  4. First Things First – Stephen Stills, Joe Schermie, Jon Smith
  5. Shadow Captain – David Crosby, Craig Doerge
  6. To the Last Whale…- David Crosby, Graham Nash
  7. Love the One You’re With – Stephen Stills
  8. Pre-Road Downs – Graham Nash
  9. Change Partners – Stephen Stills
  10. I Give You Give Blind- Stephen Stills
  11. Cathedral – Graham Nash