Tag Archives: London

Fairport Convention: Babbacombe Lee

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In November 1971, “island” label released “Babbacombe Lee”, the seventh Fairport Convention studio album. It was recorded August – September 1971, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by John Wood and Simon Nicol.

  • Sandy Denny– vocals
  • Simon Nicol– vocals, guitar, dulcimer
  • Jerry Donahue- lead guitar
  • Trevor Lucas- rhythm guitar
  • Dave Swarbrick– vocals, fiddle, mandolin
  • Dave Pegg– vocals, bass, mandolin
  • Dave Mattacks– drums, electric piano, harmonium

Track listing:

All tracks by Simon Nicol, Dave Mattacks, Dave Swarbrick, Dave Pegg, Trevor Lucas and Jerry Donahue.

The album story is about the life of John “Babbacombe” Lee, murderer who was condemned to death but reprieved after the gallows failed on three occasions to work properly.

The tracks are listed episodically rather than as discrete tracks, reflecting the structure of the narrative.

  1. John’s reflection on his boyhood, his introduction to Miss Keyes and The Glen, his restlessness, and his struggles with his family, finally successful, to join the navy
  2. This was the happiest period in his life. All locked set fair for a career until he was stricken with sickness and invalided out of his chosen niche in life. Reluctantly and unhappily he turned to a number of menial occupations and finally returned to the services of Miss Keyes
  3. Tragedy now strikes hard. The world’s imagination is caught by the brutal senseless[ness] of the apparent criminal who slays his kind old mistress
  4. John was hardly more than a bewildered observer at his own trial, not being allowed to say more than a few words. The tides of fate wash him to the condemned cell where he waits three sad weeks for his last night on earth
  5. When it comes, he cannot sleep, but when he does, a strange, prophetic dream comes to him, and helps him to bear the strain of his next day’s ordeal as scaffold and its crew try in vain three times to take his life

Family: Anyway

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In November 1970, “Reprise” label released “Anyway”, the fourth Family album.Side one was recorded on July 26, 1970, at a concert at “Fairfield Halls” in Croydon, London; side two is a collection of new tracks recorded in 1970, at “Olympic Sound Studios” in London. The album was produced by Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney, John Weider, Poli Palmer and Rob Townsend

Personnel:

  • Roger Chapman– vocals, percussion
  • Charlie Whitney– acoustic and electric guitars, bass
  • John Weider– bass, violin, amplified acoustic guitar, percussion
  • Poli Palmer- percussion, vibraphone, electric piano, piano, flute, drums
  • Rob Townsend– drums, percussion
  • George Chkiantz– engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by John “Charlie” Whitney and Roger Chapman, except where noted.

“Fairfield Halls”, Croydon.

  1. Good News Bad News
  2. Willow Tree
  3. Holding the Compass
  4. Strange Band – Charlie Whitney, Roger Chapman, Robin Williamson

“Olympic Studios”, London

  1. Part of the Load
  2. Anyway
  3. Normans – Poli Palmer, Charlie Whitney, John Weider
  4. Lives and Ladies

Bonzo Dog Band: The Doughnut In Granny’s Greenhouse

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In November 1968, “Liberty” label released “The Doughnut in Granny’s Greenhouse”, the second Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band album. By this time the band had changed their name to “The Bonzo Dog Band”. It was recorded in 1968, at “Morgan Studios” in London, and was produced by Gus Dudgeon and Terry Bron.

Personnel:

  • Vivian Stanshall– lead vocals, trumpet, tuba, wind instruments, design
  • Neil Innes– lead vocals, piano, guitar, sleeve notes
  • “Legs” Larry Smith– drums
  • Rodney “Rhino” Desborough Slater– saxophones
  • Roger Ruskin Spear- tenor sax, various contraptions
  • Terry Brown – engineer
  • Andy Johns – engineer
  • Phil Smee – design

Track listing:

  1. We Are Normal – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  2. Postcard – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  3. Beautiful Zelda – Neil Innes
  4. Can Blue Men Sing the Whites – Vivian Stanshall
  5. Hello Mabel – Neil Innes
  6. Kama Sutra – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  7. Humanoid Boogie – Neil Innes
  8. Trouser Press – Roger Ruskin Spear
  9. My Pink Half of the Drainpipe – Vivian Stanshall
  10. Rockaliser Baby – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  11. Rhinocratic Oaths – Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall
  12. 11 Moustachioed Daughters – Vivian Stanshall

Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated: R&B from the Marquee

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In November 1962, “Decca” label released “R&B from the Marquee”, the debut Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated album. It was recorded on June 8, 1962, at “West Hampstead Studios” in London, and was produced by Jack Good.

Personnel:

  • Alexis Korner – acoustic guitar
  • Cyril Davies – vocal, harmonica
  • Keith Scott – piano
  • Spike Heatley – string bass
  • Teddy Wadmore – bass guitar
  • Graham Burbidge – drums
  • Dick Heckstall-Smith – tenor saxophone, vocal chorus
  • Long John Baldry – vocal, vocal chorus
  • Big Jim Sullivan – vocal chorus
  • Jack Clegg – recording

Track listing:

  1. Gotta Move – Alexis Korner
  2. Rain is Such a Lonesome Sound – Jimmy Witherspoon, Rachel Witherspoon
  3. I Got My Brand On You – Willie Dixon
  4. Spooky But Nice – Cyril Davies
  5. Keep Your Hands Off – Cyril Davies
  6. I Wanna Put a Tiger in Your Tank – Willie Dixon
  7. I Got My Mojo Working – Preston Foster
  8. Finkle’s Café – Alexis Korner
  9. Hoochie Coochie – Willie Dixon
  10. Down Town – Alexis Korner
  11. How Long, How Long Blues – Leroy Carr
  12. I Thought I Heard That Train Whistle Blow – Long John Baldry

 

Cliff Richard: Cliff Sings

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In November 1959, “EMI Columbia” label released “Cliff Sings”, the second Cliff Richard album. It was recorded in September 1959, at “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by Norrie Paramor. The album was released in mono format.

Personnel:

  • Cliff Richard– lead vocals
  • Hank Marvin– lead guitar
  • Bruce Welch- rhythm guitar
  • Jet Harris– bass guitar
  • Tony Meehan– drums
  • Malcolm Addey – engineer

Track listing:

  1. Blue Suede Shoes – Carl Perkins
  2. The Snake and the Bookworm – Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
  3. I Gotta Know – Matt Williams, Paul Evans
  4. Here Comes Summer – Jerry Keller
  5. I’ll String Along With You – Al Dubin, Harry Warren
  6. Embraceable You – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  7. As Time Goes By – Herman Hupfeld
  8. The Touch of Your Lips – Ray Noble
  9. Twenty Flight Rock – Ned Fairchild, Eddie Cochran
  10. Pointed Toe Shoes – Carl Perkins
  11. Mean Woman Blues – Claude Demetrius
  12. I’m Walkin’ – Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew
  13. I Don’t Know Why (I Just Do) – Roy Turk, Fred E. Ahlert
  14. Little Things Mean a Lot – Carl Stutz, Edith Lindeman
  15. Somewhere Along the Way – Sammy Gallop, Kurt Adams
  16. That’s My Desire – Helmy Kresa, Carroll Loveday

Elton John: Tumbleweed Connection

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On October 30, 1970, “DJM” label released “Tumbleweed Connection”, the third Elton John studio album. It was recorded March 1970, at “Trident Studios” in London, and was produced by Gus Dudgeon.

Personnel:

  • Elton John – lead and backing vocals, piano, Hammond organ
  • Caleb Quaye– lead guitar, acoustic and electric guitar
  • Les Thatcher – acoustic guitar, twelve-string acoustic guitar
  • Lesley Duncan – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Mike Egan – acoustic guitar
  • Gordon Huntley – steel guitar
  • Brian Dee– Hammond organ
  • Ian Duck – harmonica
  • Herbie Flowers, Dave Glover, Chris Laurence – bass guitar
  • Dee Murray– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Nigel Olsson – drums, backing vocals
  • Roger Pope – drums, percussion
  • Barry Morgan– drums
  • Robin Jones – congas, tambourine
  • Karl Jenkins– oboe
  • Johnny Van Derek – violin
  • Skaila Kanga– harp
  • Madeline Bell, Tony Burrows, Kay Garner, Tony Hazzard, Tammi Hunt, Dusty Springfield, Heather Wheatman, Yvonne Wheatman – backing vocals
  • Paul Buckmaster– arrangement, conductor, orchestration
  • Robin Geoffrey Cable – engineer
  • Gus Skinas – editing
  • David Larkham – art direction, design, artwork, photography
  • Barry Wentzell, Ian Digby-Ovens – photography
  • John Tobler– liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

  1. Ballad of a Well-Known Gun
  2. Come Down in Time
  3. Country Comfort
  4. Son of Your Father
  5. My Father’s Gun
  6. Where to Now St. Peter?
  7. Love Song – Lesley Duncan
  8. Amoreena
  9. Talking Old Soldiers
  10. Burn Down the Mission

Madness: Can’t Touch Us Now

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On October 28, 2016, “Lucky 7 Records” label released “Can’t Touch Us Now”, the eleventh Madness studio album. It was recorded in 2016, at “Toe Rag Studios” and “Iguana Studio” in London, and was produced by Clive Langer, Liam Watson, Charlie Andrew, Graham McPharson, Mike Barson, Chris Foreman, Mark Bedford, Lee Thompson and Daniel Woodgate.

Personnel:

  • Suggs(Graham McPherson) – lead and backing vocals, tambourine, brass and string arrangements
  • Mike Barson– upright piano, organ, harpsichord, electric piano,  glockenspiel,  celesta, Mellotron, guitar, saw, backing vocals, string, brass and string arrangements
  • Chris Foreman– guitar, Mellotron, Roland Juno-60, brass and string arrangements
  • Mark Bedford– bass, double bass, tuba, string arrangements
  • Lee Thompson– lead and backing vocals, saxophone, Jew’s harp, brass arrangements
  • Daniel Woodgate– drums, programming, brass and string arrangements
  • Mike Kearsey – trombone, brass arrangements
  • Steve Hamilton – baritone saxophone, brass arrangements
  • Joe Auckland – trumpet, banjo, brass arrangements
  • Mez Clough – percussion
  • Ade Omotayo, Spider J., London Community Gospel Choir, Elise De Villaine – backing vocals
  • Jo Archard – violin
  • Kirsty Mangan– violin, string arrangements
  • Amy May, Sarah Chapman – viola
  • Rachael Lander– cello
  • Charlie Andrew– mixing, electric piano
  • Katie Earl – mixing assistant
  • Paul Agar – design, layout
  • Perou– photography

Track listing:

  1. Can’t Touch Us Now – Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson
  2. Good Times – Daniel Woodgate, Nick Woodgate
  3. Apples – Graham McPherson
  4. I Believe – Mike Barson, Lee Thompson
  5. Grandslam – Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson
  6. Blackbird – Chris Foreman, Graham McPherson
  7. You Are My Everything – Mike Barson
  8. Another Version of Me – Daniel  Woodgate, Nick Woodgate
  9. Mumbo Jumbo – Keith Finch, Lee Thompson
  10. Herbert – Mike Barson, Graham McPharson
  11. Don’t Leave the Past Behind You – Daniel Woodgate, Nick Woodgate
  12. (Don’t Let Them) Catch You Crying – Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson
  13. Pam the Hawk – Mike Barson, Graham McPharson
  14. Given the Opportunity – Chris Foreman, Lee Thompsn
  15. Soul Denying – Mike Barson, Lee Thompson
  16. Whistle in the Dark – Mike Barson, Lee Thompson

Gregory Porter: Nat King Cole & Me

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On October 27, 2017, “Blue Note” label released “Nat King Cole & Me”, the fifth Gregory Porter studio album. It was recorded in 2017, at “Air Studios” in London, “Capitol Studios” in Los Angeles and “Esplande Studios” in New Orleans.

Personnel:

  • Gregory Porter– vocals
  • Terence Blanchard – trumpet
  • Christian Sands– piano
  • Reuben Rogers – bass
  • Ulysses Owens – drums
  • Vince Mendoza– arrangements

Track listing:

  1. Mona Lisa – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
  2. Smile – Charles Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner
  3. Nature Boy – Eden Ahbez
  4. L-O-V-E – Bert Kaempfert, Milt Gabler
  5. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas – Farres Osvaldo
  6. Miss Otis Regrets – Cole Porter
  7. Pick Yourself Up – Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
  8. When Love Was King – Gregory Porter
  9. The Lonely One – Lenny Hambro, Roberta Helelr
  10. Ballenna – Bob Russell, Carl Sigman
  11. I Wonder Who My Daddy Is – Gladys Shelley
  12. The Christmas Song – Mel Tormé, Robert Wells

Hawkwind: Levitation

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On October 27, 1980, “Bronze” label released “Levitation”, the tenth Hawkwind studio album. It was recorded July – August 1980, at “Roundhouse Studios” in London, and was produced by Ashley Howe, Dave Brock, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Harvey Bainbridge, Tim Blake and Ginger Baker.

Personnel:

  • Dave Brock– vocals, electric guitar, keyboards
  • Huw Lloyd-Langton– acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Tim Blake– keyboards, backing vocals
  • Harvey Bainbridge– bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ginger Baker– drums
  • Linda Curry – front cover design
  • Phil Tonkyn – back cover design.

Track listing:

  1. Levitation – Dave Brock
  2. Motorway City – Dave Brock
  3. Psychosis – Harvey Bainbridge
  4. World of Tiers – Harvey Bainbridge, Huw Lloyd-Langton
  5. Prelude – Tim Blake
  6. Who’s Gonna Win The War? – Dave Brock
  7. Space Chase – Huw Lloyd-Langton
  8. The 5th Second of Forever – Dave Brock, Huw Lloyd-Langton
  9. Dust of Time – Dave Brock, Harvey Bainbridge, Huw Lloyd-Langton

The Pentangle: Basket of Light

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On October 26, 1969, “Transatlantic” label released “Basket of Light”, the third Pentangle (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1969, at”IBC Studios” in London and was produced by Shel Talmy.

Personnel:

  • Terry Cox– lead and backing vocals, drums, glockenspiel, hand drum
  • Bert Jansch– lead and backing vocals, guitar, banjo
  • Jacqui McShee– lead and backing vocals
  • John Renbourn– lead and backing vocals, guitar, sitar
  • Danny Thompson– double bass
  • Damon Lyon-Shaw, John Pantry– engineer
  • Diogenic Attempts Ltd. – design
  • Peter Smith – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox and Jacqui McShee, except where noted.

  1. Light Flight
  2. Once I Had a Sweetheart – traditional, arranged by Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox, Jacqui McShee
  3. Springtime Promises
  4. Lyke-Wake Dirge – traditional, arranged by Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox, Jacqui McShee
  5. Train Song
  6. Hunting Song
  7. Sally Go ‘Round the Roses – Lona Stevens, Zell Sanders
  8. The Cuckoo – traditional, arranged by Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox, Jacqui McShee
  9. House Carpente – traditional, arranged by Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox, Jacqui McShee