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.
Tag Archives: Linda McCartney
Paul McCartney: Press To Play
On August 25, 1986, “Parlaphone” label released “Press to Play”, the sixth Paul McCartney studio album. It was recorded March–May 1985, at McCartney’s “Sussex studios” and October–December 1985 at McCartney’s Scottish studios, and was produced by Paul McCartney, Hugh Padgham and Phil Ramone. The album cover’s photograph was taken by George Hurrell, using the same box camera that he used in Hollywood in the 1930s and the 1940s, for his photographs of movie stars of the 1930s and 1940s like Clark Gable and Greta Garbo,
Personnel:
- Paul McCartney– lead vocals, bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, keyboards, synthesizers
- Eric Stewart– acoustic and electric guitars
- Pete Townshend– electric guitars
- Carlos Alomar– acoustic and electric guitars
- Eddie Rayner– keyboards
- Nick Glennie-Smith– keyboards
- Simon Chamberlain – piano
- Linda McCartney– keyboards, backing vocals
- Neil Jason– bass guitar
- Phil Collins– drums, percussion
- Jerry Marotta– drums, percussion
- John Bradbury– drums, percussion
- Graham Ward– drums, percussion
- Ray Cooper– percussion
- Dick Morrissey– tenor saxophone
- Lenny Pickett– alto and tenor saxophone
- Gary Barnacle– saxophone
- Gavyn Wright– violin solo
- Kate Robbins– harmony vocals
- Ruby James – harmony vocals
- James McCartney– spoken word
- Steve Jackson– spoken word
- Eddie Klein – spoken word
- John Hammel – spoken word
- Matt Howe – spoken word
- Tony Visconti– orchestral arrangements
- Anne Dudley– orchestral arrangements
- Hugh Padgham – engineer
- Tony Clark– engineer assistant
- Jon Kelly– engineer assistant
- Peter Mew– engineer assistant
- Matt Howe – engineer assistant
- Steve Jackson – engineer assistant
- Haydn Bendall– engineer assistant
- Hugh Padgham – mixing
- Bert Bevans – mixing
- Steve Forward – mixing
- Julian Mendelsohn – mixing
Track listing:
All tracks by Paul McCartney and Eric Stewart, except where noted.
- Stranglehold
- Good Times Coming/Feel the Sun – Paul McCartney
- Talk More Talk – Paul McCartney
- Footprints
- Only Love Remains – Paul McCartney
- Press – Paul McCartney
- Pretty Little Head
- Move Over Busker
- Angry
- However Absurd
Paul McCartney: Flowers In The Dirt
On June 5, 1989, “Parlaphone” label released “Flowers in the Dirt”, the eighth Paul McCartney studio album. It was recorded September 1987 – February 1989, and was produced by Paul McCartney, Mitchell Froom, Neil Dorfsman, Elvis Costello,Trevor Horn, Steve Lipson, Chris Hughes, Ross Cullum and David Foster.
Personnel:
- Paul McCartney– lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, piano, synth, drums, tambourine, percussion, celeste, sitar, wine glasses,harmonium, hand claps, finger snaps, mellotron, flugelhorn, bongos, violin, keyboards, woodsaw
- Linda McCartney– Mini Moog, backing vocals, hand claps
- Robbie McIntosh– acoustic and electric guitars
- Hamish Stuart– electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals
- Chris Whitten– drums, percussion, hand claps, synth drums
- Paul “Wix” Wickens– keyboards
- Elvis Costello– backing and co-lead vocals, keyboards
- David Gilmour– electric guitar
- David Foster– keyboards
- Dave Mattacks– drums
- Guy Barker– trumpet
- Steve Lipson– computer, drum programming, guitar, bass, keyboards
- Peter Henderson – computer programming
- Trevor Horn– keyboards, hand claps
- Nicky Hopkins– piano
- Mitchell Froom– keyboards
- David Rhodes– EBow guitar
- Judd Lander – harmonica
- Chris Davis – saxophone
- Chris White– saxophone
- Dave Bishop – saxophone
- John Taylor – cornet
- Tony Goddard – cornet
- Ian Peters – euphonium
- Ian Harper – tenor horn
- Jah Bunny – tongue styley
- Eddie Klien – additional computer programming
- Clare Fischer– orchestral arrangement
Track listing:
- My Brave Face – Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus
- Rough Ride – Paul McCartney
- You Want Her Too – Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus
- Distractions – Paul McCartney
- We Got Married – Paul McCartney
- Put it There – Paul McCartney
- Figure of Eight – Paul McCartney
- This One – Paul McCartney
- Don’t Be Careless Love – Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus
- That Day is Done – Paul McCartney, Declan MacManus
- How Many People – Paul McCartney
- Motor of Love – Paul McCartney
George Harrison: Somewhere In England
On June 5, 1981, “Dark Horse” label released “Somewhere in England”, the ninth George Harrison studio album. It was recorded October 1979 – February 1981, at “FPSHOT” in Oxfordshire, and was produced by George Harrison and Ray Cooper.
Personnel:
- George Harrison – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers
- Gary Brooker– keyboards, synthesizers
- Al Kooper– keyboards, synthesizers
- Mike Moran– keyboards, synthesizers
- Neil Larsen – keyboards, synthesizers
- Ray Cooper– keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, drums
- Willie Weeks– bass
- Ringo Starr– drums
- Jim Keltner– drums
- Dave Mattacks– drums
- Alla Rakha – tabla
- Tom Scott– lyricon, horns
- Herbie Flowers– tuba, bass
- Paul McCartney– backing vocal
- Linda McCartney– backing vocal
- Denny Laine– backing vocal
Track listing:
All tracks by George Harrison, except where noted.
- Blood from a Clone
- Unconsciousness Rules
- Life Itself
- All Those Years Ago
- Baltimore Oriole – Hoagy Carmichael
- Teardrops
- That Which I Have Lost
- Writing’s on the Wall
- Hong Kong Blues – Hoagy Carmichael
- Save the World
James Taylor: Walking Man
On June 1, 1974, “Warner Bros” released “Walking Man”, the fifth James Taylor studio album. It was recorded January–April 1974, at “The Hit Factory” in New York City, and was produced by David Spinozza.
Personnel:
- James Taylor – vocals, acoustic guitar
- David Spinozza– acoustic and electric electric guitar, Wurlitzer electric piano
- Hugh McCracken – acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica, backing vocals
- Don Grolnick– piano, Hammond organ, Vox humana,
- Kenny Ascher– Fender Rhodes electric piano, piano
- Andy Muson – bass
- Rick Marotta– drums
- Ralph MacDonald– percussion
- George Young – alto saxophone
- Kenny Berger – baritone saxophone
- Michael Brecker– tenor saxophone
- Barry Rogers– trombone
- Alan Rubin– trumpet
- Ralph Schuckett– clavinet
- Randy Brecker– trumpet
- Peter Gordon– French horn
- Howard Johnson– tuba
- George Marge –oboe
- Carly Simon– vocals
- Linda McCartney– vocals
- Paul McCartney– backing vocals
- Gene Orloff– strings
- Harry Maslin – recording, mixing
Track listing:
All tracks by James Taylor, except where noted.
- Walking Man
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Music Now
- Let It All Fall Down
- Me and My Guitar
- Daddy’s Baby
- Ain’t No Song – Joey Levine,David Spinozza
- Hello Old Friend
- Migration
- The Promised Land – Chuck Berry
- Fading Away
Wings: Venus And Mars
On May 27, 1975, “Capitol” label released “Venus and Mars”, the fourth Wings studio album. It was recorded 5–13 November 1974, at “Abbey Road Studios” in London, 20 January–20 February 1975 at “Sea Saint” in New Orleans, and “Wally Heider Studios”, and was produced by Paul McCartney. The album has been certified Platinum in UK (BPI), Canada (Music Canada) and in the US (RIIA).
Personnel:
- Paul McCartney– vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards, piano, percussion
- Linda McCartney– keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
- Denny Laine– vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion
- Jimmy McCulloch– guitars, vocals, percussion
- Dave Mason– guitar
- Allen Toussaint– piano, guitar
- Joe English– drums, percussion
- Geoff Britton– drums
- Kenneth “Afro” Williams –congas
- Tom Scott– saxophone
Track listing:
All tracks by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, except where noted.
- Venus and Mars
- Rock Show
- Love in Song
- You Gave Me the Answer
- Magneto and Titanium Man
- Letting Go
- Venus and Mars (Reprise)
- Spirits of Ancient Egypt
- Medicine Jar – Jimmy McCulloch,Colin Allen
- Call Me Back Again
- Listen to What the Man Said
- Treat Her Gently – Lonely Old People
- Crossroads Theme – Tony Hatch
Paul McCartney: Ram
On May 17, 1971, “Apple” label released “Ram”, the second Paul McCartney studio album. It was recorded October 1970 – March 1971, at “Columbia Recording Studio” in New York, and was produced by Linda McCartney and Paul McCartney. “Ram” is the only album credited to Linda and Paul together.
Personnel:
- Paul McCartney- lead, harmony and backing vocals, bass, piano, keyboards, guitar, ukulele
- Linda McCartney- co-lead vocals, harmony and backing vocals
- David Spinozza- guitar
- Hugh McCracken- guitar
- Denny Seiwell- drums
- Heather McCartney- backing vocals
- Marvin Stamm- flugelhorn
- New York Philharmonic
Track listing:
- Too Many People – Paul McCartney
- 3 Legs – Paul McCartney
- Ram On – Paul McCartney
- Dear Boy – Paul and Linda McCartney
- Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey – Paul and Linda McCartney
- Smile Away – Paul McCartney
- Heart of the Country – Paul and Linda McCartney
- Monkberry Moon Delight – Paul and Linda McCartney
- Eat at Home – Paul and Linda McCartney
- Long Haired Lady – Paul and Linda McCartney
- Ram On (reprise) – Paul McCartney
- The Back Seat of My Car – Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney: McCartney II
On May 16, 1980, “Parlaphone” label released “McCartney II”, the second Paul McCartney solo album. It was recorded July–August 1979, and was produced by Paul McCartney. In 2003, “Mojo” magazine ranked the album at number 26 on its list of the “Top 50 Eccentric Albums”.
Personnel:
- Paul McCartney– vocals, guitar, bass, electric piano, synthesizer, keyboards, drums, engineer
- Linda McCartney- vocals, photography
- Malcolm Davies – mastering
- Eddie Klein – technican
Track listing:
All tracks by Paul McCartney.
- Coming Up
- Temporary Secretary
- On the Way
- Waterfalls
- Nobody Knows
- Front Parlour
- Summer’s Day Song
- Frozen Jap
- Bogey Music
- Darkroom
- One of These Days
The Beatles: Let It Be
On May 8, 1970, “Apple” label released “Let It Be”, the twelve and final Beatles (The) studio album. It was recorded February 1968, January–February 1969, January; March–April 1970, at “Abbey Road Studios” and “Apple Studios” and “Twickenham Film Studios” in London, and was produced by Phil Spector and George Martin. The album was released at the same time with a motion picture of the same name. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Let it Be” at number 392 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified Platinum in Australia by the “ARIA”, 3 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada” and 4 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- John Lennon– lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, lap steel guitar, acoustic guitar, six-string bass guitar, whistling
- Paul McCartney– lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, Hammond organ. electric piano, maracas
- George Harrison– lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar, tambura, tuned-down six-string electric guitar
- Ringo Starr– drums, percussion
- Richard Anthony Hewson– string and brass arrangements
- John Barham– choral arrangements
- George Martin– shaker, string and brass arrangements, original mix
- Linda McCartney– backing vocals
- Billy Preston– electric piano, Hammond organ
- Brian Rogers– string and brass arrangements
- Glyn Johns – engineer, mixing
- Alan Parsons – engineer assistant
- Phil Spector– final mix
Track listing:
All tracks by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, except where noted.
- Two of Us
- Dig a Pony
- Across the Universe
- I Me Mine – George Harrison
- Dig It – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison,Richard Starkey
- Let it Be
- Maggie Mae – trad. arranged by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison,Richard Starkey
- I’ve Got a Feeling
- One After 909
- The Long and Winding Road
- For you Blue – George Harrison
- Get Back
Denny Lane: Holly Days
On May 6, 1977, “EMI” label released “Holly Days”, the second Denny Laine album. It was recorded in August 1976, at “Rude Studio”, and was produced by Paul McCartney. The album is tribute to Buddy Holly.
Personnel:
- Denny Laine – vocals, guitars, piano, Hammond organ, harmonica, xylophone, linear notes
- Paul McCartney – guitars, bass guitar, piano, keyboards, drums, backing vocals, engineer
- Linda McCartney – keyboards, backing vocals, design, photography
Track listing:
- Heartbeat – Bob Montgomery, Norman Petty
- Moondreams – Norman Petty
- Rave On – Sonny West, Bill Tilghman, Norman Petty
- I’m Gonna Love You Too – Joe Mauldin, Niki Sullivan, Norman Petty
- Fool’s Paradise – Sonny Le Claire, Horace Linsley, Norman Petty
- Lonesome Tears – Buddy Holly
- It’s So Easy”/”Listen to Me – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Charles Hardin
- Look at Me – Norman Petty, Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison
- Take Your Time – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
- I’m Looking for Someone to Love – Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
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