On June 25, 2006, Arif Mardin died aged 74. He was music arranger and producer, worked at Atlantic Records for over 30 years, before moving to EMI. Mardin worked with many famous artists including Aretha Franklin, Queen, Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Wilson Pickett, Average White Band, The Bee Gees, Chaka Khan, Laura Nyro, Hall & Oates, Phil Collins, Barbra Streisand and Norah Jones. Mardin won eleven “Grammy Awards”.
Tag Archives: Laura Nyro
Laura Nyro: Smile
In February 1976, “Columbia” label released “Smile”, the sixth Laura Nyro album. It was recorded in 1975, at “CBS 30th Street Studio” in New York City, and was produced by Laura Nyro and Charlie Calello.
Personnel:
- Laura Nyro – vocals, piano, guitar, wood block
- John Tropea, Hugh McCracken, Joe Beck, Jeff Mironov, Jerry Friedman, Greg Bennett – guitar
- Will Lee, Richard Davis, Bob Babbitt- bass
- Chris Parker, Allan Schwartzberg, Rick Marotta- drums
- Jimmy Maelen- tambourine, wood block
- Nydia Mata, Carter C.C. Collins – congas
- Rubens Bassini- shaker
- David Friedman – vibraphone
- Joe Farrell, Michael Brecker, George Young – saxophone
- Randy Brecker- trumpet
- Paul Messing – triangle
- Nisako Yoshida, Reiko Kamota – koto
- Don Puluse, Tim Geelan – engineer
- Jay Messina, Lou Waxman, Stan Tonkel – engineer assistant
- Ed Lee – artwork
- Patty Newport – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Laura Nyro, except where noted.
- Sexy Mama – Al Goodman, Sylvia Robinson, Harry Ray
- Children of the Junks
- Money
- I Am the Blues
- Stormy Love
- The Cat Song
- Midnite Blue
- Smile
5th Dimensions: Stoned Soul Picnic
In August 1968, “Soul City” label released “Stoned Soul Picnic”, the third 5th Dimension album. It was recorded March – June 1968, at “United/Western Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bones Howe.
Personnel:
- Billy Davis, Jr. – vocals
- Florence LaRue – vocals
- Marilyn McCoo – vocals
- Lamonte McLemore – vocals
- Ron Townson – vocals
- Mike Deasy- acoustic and electric guitar
- Tommy Tedesco- acoustic and electric guitar
- Larry Bunker- marimba, bells, vibraphone, temple blocks, percussion
- Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles- piano, organ, keyboard
- Ray Pohlman- guitar, “super-twang” bass
- Joe Osborn- bass
- Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
- The Sid Sharp Strings – string Section
- The Bill Holman Brass – horn Section
- Bill Hilman – horns and strings arrangements
- Bob Alcivar – vocal arrangements
- Bones Howe – music arrangements
- Ray Pohlman – music arrangements
- Captain Nemo (Michael Shields), Bones Howe, Alex Kazanegras, Phil Ramone, Joe Sidore, Sol Weiss, Winston Wong, Mary Wood – engineer
- Elliot Federman – mastering
- Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Marc Gordon, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
- Mandana Eidgah – product manager
- Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
- Hal Blaine – orchestra manager
- René DeKnight – music director
- Ray Pohlman – vocals coach
- Johnny Rivers – realization
- Woody Woodward – art direction
- Wayne Kimbell – design
- Rob Santos – photography
- Mike Ragogna – liner notes
Track listing:
- Sweet Blindness – Laura Nyro
- It’ll Never Be the Same Again – Jeff Comanor
- The Sailboat Song – Jeff Comanor
- It’s a Great Life – Denny McReynolds, Karen O’Hara
- Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro
- California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
- Lovin’ Stew – Jules Alexander, Jeff Comanor
- Broken Wing Bird – Bob Alcivar, Kellie McKinney
- Good News – Dick Addrisi, Don Addrisi
- Bobbie’s Blues (Who Do You Think of?) – Jeff Comanor
- The Eleventh Song (What a Groovy Day!) – Jimmy Webb
Laura Nyro: Nested
In June 1978, “Columbia” label released “Nested”, the seventh Laura Nyro studio album. It was recorded in 1977 in Danbury, Connecticut, and was produced by Laura Nyro and Roscoe Harring.
Personnel:
- Laura Nyro – vocals, acoustic and electric piano, church organ, guitar, strings
- Vinnie Cusano- guitar
- John Tropea- guitar
- Felix Cavaliere- electric piano, organ
- John Sebastian- harmonica
- Cyril Cianflone – bass guitar
- Tony Levin – bass guitar
- Will Lee- bass guitar
- Andy Newmark- drums
- Nydia “Liberty” Mata – percussion
- Dale Ashby, Frank Koenig – engineer
- Adger W. Cowans – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Laura Nyro.
- Blue (Song of Communications)
- Rhythm and Blues
- My Innocence
- Crazy Love
- American Dreamer
- Springblown
- The Sweet Sky
- Light
- Child in a Universe
- The Nest
The Supremes: Touch
In June 1971, “Motown” label released “Touch”, the twenty-third Supremes studio album. It was recorded 1970 – 1971, and was produced by Frank Wilson.
Personnel:
- Jean Terrell– lead and backing vocals
- Mary Wilson– lead and backing vocals
- Cindy Birdsong– lead and backing vocals
- The Blackberries– backing vocals
Track listing:
- This Is the Story – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
- Nathan Jones – Leonard Caston, Kathleen Wakefield
- Here Comes the Sunrise – Clifton Davis
- Love It Came to Me This Time – Leonard Caston, Kathleen Wakefield
- Johnny Raven- Billy Page
- Have I Lost You – Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer
- Time and Love – Laura Nyro
- Touch – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
- Happy (Is a Bumpy Road) – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
- It’s So Hard for Me to Say Goodbye – Frank Wilson, Pam Sawyer
Blood, Sweat & Tears: 3
In June 1970, “Columbia” label released “Blood, Sweat & Tears 3”, the third Blood, Sweat & Tears album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Bobby Colomby and Roy Halee.
Personnel:
- David Clayton-Thomas- lead vocals, arrangements
- Steve Katz – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Dick Halligan- organ, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, celeste, trombone, flute, alto flute, baritone horn, backing vocals, arrangements
- Fred Lipsius- alto saxophone, piano, electric piano, music box, backing vocals, arrangements
- Jim Fielder- bass
- Bobby Colomby – drums, percussion, backing vocals, arrangements
- Lew Soloff- trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
- Chuck Winfield- trumpet, flugelhorn
- Jerry Hyman- trombone, bass trombone, recording
- Roy Halee, Lou Waxman, Robert Honablue – engineer
- John Berg – design
- Lee Friedlander, Melissa Katz, Fred Lombardi – photography
Track listing:
- Hi-De-Ho – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
- The Battle – Dick Halligan, Steve Katz
- Lucretia MacEvil – David Clayton-Thomas
- Lucretia’s Reprise – Blood, Sweat & Tears
- Fire and Rain – James Taylor
- Lonesome Suzie – Richard Manuel
- Symphony for the Devil – Dick Halligan / Sympathy for the Devil – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
- He’s a Runner – Laura Nyro
- Somethin’ Comin’ On – Joe Cocker, Chris Stainton
- 40,000 Headmen – Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi
5th Dimension: Portrait
In April 1970, “Bell Records” label released “Portrait”, the fifth 5th Dimension album. It was recorded August 1969-March 1970, at Wally Heider Studios in Hollywood, and was produced by Bones Howe. The album cover features an impressionistic portrait by the artist LeRoy Neiman.
Personnel:
- Billy Davis, Jr.- lead and backing vocals
- Florence LaRue- lead and backing vocals
- Marilyn McCoo- lead and backing vocals
- Ron Townson- lead and backing vocals
- Michael Anthony- electric guitar
- Mike Deasy- electric guitar
- Dennis Budimir – rhythm guitar
- Tommy Tedesco- rhythm guitar
- Fred Tackett- finger pickin’ guitar
- Larry Knechtel- piano, organ, tack piano
- Jimmy Rowles– piano
- Gary Illingworth – electric piano
- Joe Osborn- bass
- Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
- Larry Bunker- congas, mallets, percussion, drums
- Gary Coleman – mallets, percussion
- Bob Alcivar, Bill Hollman – arrangements
- Bones Howe – arrangements, engineer
- Elliot Federman – mastering
- Joanne Feltman, Glenn Korman – archivist
- Joel Whitburn – research
- Larry Cox, Johnny Golden, Rik Pekkonen – assistants
- Beverly Weinstein – art direction
- Mathieu Bitton – design
- Mike Ragogna – liner notes
- Jeremy Holiday – production coordinator
- Bones Howe, Ann McClelland, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
- Mandana Eidgah – production manager
- Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Laura Gregory, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Bill Stafford, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
Track listing:
- Puppet Man – Howard Greenfield, Neil Sedaka
- One Less Bell to Answer – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
- Feelin’ Alright – Dave Mason
- This Is Your Life – Jimmy Webb
- A Love Like Ours – Bob Alcivar, Lamonte McLemore
- Save the Country – Laura Nyro
- Medley
- The Declaration – Julianne Johnson, René DeKnight
- A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
- People Gotta Be Free – Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
- Dimension 5ive – Bob Alcivar
On the Beach (In the Summertime) – McNeil
Laura Nyro: Mother’s Spiritual
In January 1984, “Columbia” label released “Mother’s Spiritual”, the eighth Laura Nyro studio album. It was recorded in 1973, in Danbury, and was produced by Laura Nyro.
Personnel:
- Laura Nyro – vocals, harmonies, acoustic and electric pianos, dulcimer
- John Bristow – electric guitar
- Jan Nigro – acoustic guitar
- Todd Rundgren- synthesizer, production assistance
- Lisa Sunshine – bass
- Terry Silverlight- drums
- Julie Lyonn Lieberman– violin
- Nydia “Liberty” Mata – percussion, production assistance
- Arthur Kelm, Chris Andersen – engineer, mixing
- Irene Young – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Laura Nyro.
- To a Child
- The Right to Vote
- A Wilderness
- Melody in the Sky
- Late for Love
- A Free Thinker
- Man in the Moon
- Talk to a Green Tree
- Trees of the Ages
- The Brighter Song
- Roadnotes
- Sophia
- Mother’s Spiritual
- Refrain
Laura Nyro: New York Tendaberry
On September 24, 1969, “Columbia” label released “New York Tendaberry”, the third Laura Nyro album. It was recorded September 1968 – July 1969 in New York City, and was produced by Laura Nyro and Roy Halee. In 2003, “New York Tendaberry” was included in Mojo’s Collection book of the best albums of all time.
Track listing:
- Laura Nyro – vocals, piano, arrangements
- Gary Chester– drums
- Jimmie Haskell- conductor, orchestral arrangements
- Roy Halee– engineer
- David L. Geffen- friend
- David Gahr – photography
All tracks by Laura Nyro.
- You Don’t Love Me When I Cry
- Captain for Dark Mornings
- Tom Cat Goodbye
- Mercy on Broadway
- Save the Country
- Gibsom Street
- Time and Love
- The Man Who Sends Me Home
- Sweet Lovin’ Baby
- Captain Saint Lucifer
- New York Tendaberry
The Bottom Line
On February 12, 1974, “The Bottom Line” club opened in New York City. Owned by Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky, during the 70’s and 80’s, the club was a major space for small-scale music performances. The club stoped working in 2004. Some of the artists who performed in the club were Miles Davis, Gato Barbieri, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Mose Allison, Muddy Waters, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Ray Barretto, Peter Gabriel, Al Kooper, Tom Waits, Melvin Van Peebles, Neil Sedaka, Billy Joel, Suzi Quatro, Patti Smith, Flo & Eddie, Toots and the Maytals, Cheech & Chong, Tower of Power, Tim Hardin, Roger McGuinn, JJ Cale, The Meters, Greg Kihn Band, Ry Cooder,Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Sam & Dave, Asım Can Gündüz, The Ronettes, John Cale, Gong, Peter Bardens, The Violent Femmes, Eric Clapton, Carl Perkins, Linda Ronstadt,The Police, Richard Marx, Prince, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Van Morrison, The Stone Poneys, Chuck Mangione, Emmylou Harris, Clinn Rippy, Neil Young, Barry Manilow, Laura Nyro, Loudon Wainwright III, New York Dolls, Lyle Lovett, The Electric Flag, Pat Martino, Todd Rundgren, Graham Parker, Grayson Hugh, Stan Ridgway, Horslips, Dire Straits,Chris Hillman, Hawkwind, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Tracy Nelson, The Pointer Sisters, Betty Carter, Ravi Shankar, Ramones and Michael Hedges.
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