Tag Archives: Los Angeles

Steve Vai: Real Illusions: Reflections

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On February 22, 2005, “Epic” label released “Real Illusions: Reflections”, the seventh Steve Vai studio album. It was recorded in 2004, at “The Mothership Studio” in Hollywood Hills, “The Harmony Hut” in Los Angeles, and “De Oosterpoort” in Amsterdam, and was produced by Steve Vai.

Personnel:

  • Steve Vai– lead vocals, guitar, instrumentation, engineer, mixing
  • Chris Opperman– piano
  • Billy Sheehan, Bryan Beller– bass
  • Jeremy Colson– drums, percussion
  • Gregg Bissonette– percussion
  • Dan Higgins– saxophone
  • Larry Williams – saxophone
  • Jerry Hey, Gary Grant – trumpet
  • Bill Reichenbach, Jr., Charlie Loper – trombone
  • Metropole Orchestra – orchestra
  • Pia Vai– harp
  • Fire Vai, Laurel Fishman, Ruby Birman, Len Birman, Jeff Mallard, Michael Mesker, Thomas Nordegg – spoken vocals
  • Stacy Ellis – backing vocals
  • David Kole – orchestration
  • Dick Bakker – conducting
  • Neil Citron, Paul Bliven – engineer assistant
  • Bernie Grundman– mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Steve Vai.

  1. Building the Church
  2. Dying for Your Love
  3. Glorious
  4. K’m-Pee-Du-Wee
  5. Firewall
  6. Freak Show Exces
  7. Lotus Feet
  8. Yai Yai
  9. Midway Creatures
  10. I’m Your Secrets
  11. Under it All

Ben Lee: Awake Is The New Sleep

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On February 22, 2005, “Inertia Distribution” label released “Awake Is the New Sleep”, the fifth Ben Lee album. It was recorded in 2004, at “Seagrass Studio” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Brad Wood. In October 2010, “Awake Is the New Sleep” was listed in the book “100 Best Australian Albums.”

Personnel:

  • Ben Lee- vocals, guitar, bass, percussion
  • Lara Meyerratken- vocals, drums, percussion, keyboards
  • McGowan Southworth – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Rob Hann – bass
  • Brad Wood– vocals, drums, bass, drum programming; saxophone, percussion
  • Jason Schwartzman, Eric Gardner – drums
  • Chick Wolverton – percussion
  • Har Mar Superstar. Jenny Lewis, Jason Falkner, Scarlett Chorvatt, Melanie Sirmons, Sam Spiegel, Jason Boesel, Olivia Asta Wood, Gracie Garcia, Katie Mulcahy – party vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Ben Lee except where noted

  1. Whatever It Is
  2. Gamble Everything for Love
  3. Begin
  4. Catch My Disease – Ben Lee, McGowan Southworth
  5. Apple Candy
  6. Ache for You
  7. Into the Dark
  8. No Right Angles
  9. Get Gotten
  10. Close I’ve Come
  11. The Debt Collectors
  12. We’re All in This Together
  13. Light
  14. I’m Willing

Mavis Staple: Livin’ On A High Note

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On February 19, 2016, “Epitaph” label released “Livin’ on a High Note”, the Mavis Staples studio album. It was recorded in August 2015, at “Agoura Borealis” in Agoura Hills, California, “Kingsize” in Los Angeles, and “CRC” in Chicago, and was produced by Matthew Ward.

Personnel:

  • Mavis Staples – vocals
  • Donny Gerrard – vocals
  • Rick Holmstrom – guitar
  • Tucker Martine – tambourine, mixing
  • Matthew Ward – guitars, organ, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Jeff Turmes – bass
  • Stephen Hodges – drums
  • Alex Budman – tenor saxophone, flute
  • David Moyer – baritone saxophone
  • Sean Billings – trumpet
  • Nathaniel Walcott – trumpet, clavinet, horn arrangements
  • Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews – trumpet, trombone
  • Humberto Ruiz – trombone
  • Vicki Randle – backing vocals
  • Pierre de Reeder, Josh Kvale, Mat Lejeune – engineer
  • Adam Ayan – mastering
  • Masaki Koike – art direction, design

Track listing:

  1. Take Us Back – Benjamin Booker
  2. Love and Trust – Ben Harper
  3. If It’s a Light – Charity Rose Thielen
  4. Action – Merrill Garbus
  5. High Note – Valerie June
  6. Don’t Cry – Matthew Ward
  7. Tomorrow – Jon Batiste, Aloe Blacc
  8. Dedicated – Justine Vernon, Matthew Ward
  9. History Now – Neko Case, Donny Gerrard, Laura Veirs
  10. One Love – Aaron Livingston
  11. Jesus Lay Down Beside Me – Nick Cave
  12. MLK Song – Martin Luther King Jr., Matthew Ward

Local Natives: Gorilla Manor

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On February 16, 2010, “Frenchkiss” label released “Gorilla Manor”, the debut Local Natives album. It was recorded in 2009, at “Red Rockets Glare Studio” in Los Angeles, “Hot Pie Studios” in Pasadena, California, and was produced by Taylor Rice, Kelcey Ayer, Ryan Hahn, Matthew Frazier and Andy Hamm.

Personnel:

  • Taylor Rice — vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Kelcey Ayer — vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar
  • Ryan Hahn — vocals, lead guitar
  • Andy Hamm — vocals, bass
  • Matthew Frazier — vocals, drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Taylor Rice, Kelcey Ayer, Ryan Hahn, Matthew Frazier and Andy Hamm,  except where noted.

  1. Wide Eyes
  2. Airplanes
  3. Sun Hands
  4. World News
  5. Shape Shifter
  6. Camera Talk
  7. Cards & Quarters
  8. Warning Sign – David Byrne, Chris Frantz
  9. Who Knows Who cares
  10. Cubism Dream
  11. Stranger Things
  12. Sticky Thread

Paul Siebel: Jack Knife Gypsy

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In February 1971, “Elektra” label released “Jack-Knife Gypsy”, the second Paul Siebel album. It was recorded in 1970, at “Sunset Sound” and “Elektra Sound Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Robert W. Zachary.

Personnel:

  • Paul Siebel- vocals, guitar
  • Clarence White, Robert Warford – guitar
  • Bernie Leadon- guitar
  • Buddy Emmons- steel guitar
  • David Grisman- mandolin
  • Ralph Shuckett – organ, piano
  • Billy Wolfe, Gary White – bass
  • Jim Buchanan- violin, viola
  • Doug Kershaw- fiddle
  • Russ Kunkel– drums
  • Bill Lazerus, Fritz Richmond – recording
  • Greg Fulginiti– overdub
  • Bruce Morgan – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Robert L. Heimall – art direction
  • Frank Bez – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Paul Siebel.

  1. Jasper and the Miners
  2. If I Could Stay
  3. Jack-Knife Gypsy
  4. Prayer Song
  5. Legend of the Captain’s Daughter
  6. Chips Are Down
  7. Pinto Pony
  8. Hillbilly Child
  9. Uncle Dudley
  10. Miss Jones
  11. Jeremiah’s Song

Broken Bells: After the Disco

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On January 31, 2014, “Columbia” label released “After the Disco”, the  second  Broken Bells studio album. It was recorded October 2012 – November 2013, at “Mondo Studio” and “Sound Recorders” in Los Angeles, Glenwood Place Studios” in Burbank, California, “Firehouse Studios” in Pasadena, California, and was produced by Danger Mouse (Brian Burton).

Personnel:

  • James Mercer– vocals, guitar, bass, organ, synthesizer, percussion
  • Brian Burton– drums, organ, piano, synthesizer, percussion, bass, guitar
  • Elizabeth Berg, Heather Porcaro, Myla Balugay, Rebecca Ann Stark- backing vocals

Orchestra

  • The Angel City String Orchestra – strings

Daniele Luppi – conductor, string arrangement

Anton Riehl – score

Peter Kent – concertmaster, violin

Chris Tedesco – contractor

  • Carolyn Osborn – violin
  • Erika Walczak – violin
  • Jennifer Walton – violin
  • Judy Yoo – violin
  • Julie Beavers – violin
  • Norman Hughes – violin
  • Shari Zippert – violin
  • Sharon Jackson – violin
  • Susan Chatman – violin
  • Vladimir Polimatidi – violin
  • Adrianna Zoppo – viola
  • Brianna Bandy – viola
  • Jessica Van Velzen – viola
  • Alisha Bauer – cello
  • Stefanie Fife – cello
  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello
  • Kamasi Washington – tenor saxophone
  • David Ralicke – trombone
  • Nathaniel Walcott- trumpet
  • Brian Burton – programmer
  • Kennie Takahashi – programmer, mixing, recording, engineer
  • Todd Monfalcone – recording
  • Jeff Peters – recording
  • Jacob Dennis – engineer assistant, mixing assistant
  • Chris Kahn – engineer assistant, mixing assistant
  • Laura Sisk – second engineer
  • Jeremy Underwood – engineer assistant
  • Todd Monfalcone – second engineer, mixing
  • Geoff Neal – mixing assistant
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering
  • Jacob Escobedo – artwork

Track listing:

All tracks by James Mercer and Brian Burton.

  1. Perfect World
  2. After the Disco
  3. Holding On for Life
  4. Leave it Alone
  5. The Changing Lights
  6. Control
  7. Lazy Wonderland
  8. Medicine
  9. No Matter What You’re Told
  10. The Angel and the Fool

Richard Thompson: Mirror Blue

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In January 1994, “Capitol” label released “Mirror Blue”, the seventh Richard Thompson studio album. It was recorded in January 1993, at “The Sound Factory” in Los Angeles and “RAK Studios” in London, and was produced by Mitchell Froom.

Personnel:

  • Richard Thompson – vocals, guitar, mandolin
  • Mitchell Froom– keyboards
  • John Kirkpatrick- accordion, concertinas
  • Alistair Anderson – concertina, Northumbrian pipes
  • Danny Thompson- double bass
  • Jerry Scheff– bass guitar, double bass
  • Pete Thomas– drums, percussion
  • Tom McConville, Martin Dunn – flute
  • Philip Pickett- shawms
  • Christine Collister, Michael Parker – backing vocals
  • Tchad Blake – engineer
  • Henry Binns – engineer
  • John Paterno – engineer
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Track listing:

All tracks by Richard Thompson.

  1. For the Sake of Mary
  2. I Can’t Wake Up to Save my Life
  3. MGB-GT
  4. The Way That it Shows
  5. Easy There, Steady Now
  6. King of Bohemia
  7. Shane and Dixie
  8. Mingus Eyes
  9. I Ride in Your Slipstream
  10. Beeswing
  11. Fast Food
  12. Mascara Tear
  13. Taking my Business Elsewhere

Biffy Clyro: Opposites

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On January 28, 2013, “14th Floor” label released “Opposites”, the sixth Biffy Clyro studio album. It was recorded 2011 – 2012, at “The Village” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Garth “GGGarth” Richardson.

Personnel:

  • Simon Neil– lead vocals, guitars, co-producer
  • James Johnston– bass, backing vocals, co-producer
  • Ben Johnston– drums, percussion, backing vocals, co-producer
  • Ben Bridwell- additional vocals
  • Mike Vennart– additional guitar, additional vocals
  • David Campbell- string, brass, choir and bagpipe arrangements
  • Eric Rigler- bagpipes
  • Alex Orosa – violin
  • James Rushent – programming, additional production
  • Ryan Williams, Ben Kaplan – recording
  • Steve Churchyard, JP Reid, Nick Rowe – additional engineering
  • Garth Richardson– additional editing
  • Ted Jensen- mastering
  • Storm Thorgerson – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Simon Neil.

  1. Different People
  2. Black Chandelie
  3. Sounds Like Balloons
  4. Opposite
  5. The Joke’s on Us
  6. Biblical
  7. A Girl and His Cat
  8. The Fog
  9. Little Hospitals
  10. The Thaw

Toto: Turn Back

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In January 1981, “Columbia” label released “Turn Back”, the third Toto studio album. It was recorded March–November 1980, at “Cherokee Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by   Geoff Workman.David Hungate, Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro and Steve Porcaro.

Personnel:

  • Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Lukather – guitars, lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Porcaro – keyboards, electronics
  • David Paich – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • David Hungate – bass, acoustic guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
  • John Weaver – recording
  • Geoff Workman – engineer, mixing
  • Leo Bonamy – live mix
  • George Marino, Nestor Lencenella – mastering
  • Ralph Dyck, Roger Linn, Guy Moore, Bruce Heigh, Paul Jamieson, Shep Lonsdale – technicians
  • Chris Littleton – crew
  • Sam Emerson, John Cosgrove – photography

Track listing:

  1. Gift with a Golden Gun – David Paich, Bobby Kimball
  2. English Eyes – David Paich, Bobby Kimball, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro
  3. Live for Today – Steve Lukather
  4. A Million Miles Away – David Paich
  5. Goodbye Elenore – David Paich
  6. I Think I Could Stand You Forever – David Paich
  7. Turn Back – Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather
  8. If It’s the Last Night – David Paich

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