On July 3, 2023, Michael Ralph “Mo” Foster died aged 79. He was multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, author, and public speaker. In his career spanning over half a century, Foster recorded and performed with dozens of artists, including Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Phil Collins, Ringo Starr, Joan Armatrading, Gerry Rafferty, Brian May, Scott Walker, Frida (of ABBA), Cliff Richard, Van Morrison, Dr John, Hank Marvin, Heaven 17, the London Symphony Orchestra, Peter Green, Micheal Schenker, Gary Moore, Sting, Cher, Olivia Newton John, Elkie Brroks, Neil Innes, Judie Tzuke, Sheena Easton, Meat Loaf, Trevor Rabin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Luka Bloom, Tim Rice, Nigel Kennedy, Affinity, Mike d’Abo, Roger Glover, Jimmy Helms. Fancy, Veronique Sanson, Mike Smith, Cerrone, Ray Russell, Andy Bown, The Walker Brothers, Chris Rainbow, Dollar, Dennis Waterman, Eric Clapton, RMS, Bob Geldof, Joe Walsh, Tony Banks, Leo Sayer, Russ Ballard, Claudio Baglioni, Kenny Rogers, Howard Jones, Tanita Tikaram, Georger Martin, Nancy Griffith and Maggie Bell. As leader, Foster released several albums, and authored a humorous book on the history of British rock guitar. In 2014, he was awarded with the “BASCA Gold Badge Award”.
Tag Archives: Maggie Bell
Long John Baldry: It Ain’t Easy
In June 1971, “Warner Music” label released “It Ain’t Easy”, the fifth Long John Baldry album. It was recorded December 1970 – February 1971, at “Morgan Studios” and “IBC Studios” in London, and was produced by Elton John and Rod Stewart.
Personnel:
- Long John Baldry – vocals, 12-string guitar
- Maggie Bell– vocals
- Ron Wood– guitar, 12-string guitar
- Caleb Quaye– guitar
- Joshua M’Bopo – guitar
- Sam Mitchell – dobro, guitar, slide guitar
- Ray Jackson– mandolin
- Madelene Bell – tambourine
- Elton John– organ, piano
- Ian Armitt – piano
- Ricky Brown – bass guitar
- Dave Glover – bass guitar
- Mick Waller– drums
- Roger Pope – drums
- Alan Skidmore– tenor saxophone
- Lesley Duncan, Tony Hazzard, Doris Troy, Tony Burrows, Kay Garner, Liza Strike – backing vocals
- Lesley Duncan – chorus caster
- Ed Thrasher– art director
- Judith Sims – liner notes
- Jimi Horowitz – executive producer
Track listing:
- Intro: Conditional Discharge – Long John Baldry, Ian Armitt
- Don’t Try to Lay No Boogie-Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll – Jeff Thomas
- Black Girl – traditional, Lead Belly
- It Ain’t Easy – Ron Davies
- Morning, Morning – Tuli Kupferberg
- I’m Ready – Willie Dixon
- Let’s Burn Down the Cornfield – Randy Newman
- Rubin – Lesley Duncan
- Rock Me When He’s Gone – Elton John, Bernie Taupin
- Flying – Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane
Peter Grant
On November 21, 1995, Peter James “G” Grant died aged 60. He was music manager, working with Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, The Jeff Beck Group, Terry Reid, The New Vaudeville Band, Bad Company, Maggie Bell, The Nashville Teens and Stone the Crows. He was known as “one of the most ruthless and successful managers in rock history”.
Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells a Story
On May 28, 1971, “Mercury” label released “Every Picture Tells a Story”, the third Rod Stewart album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Rod Stewart. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 172 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “Every Picture Tells a Story” was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- Rod Stewart- lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Ronnie Wood- electric guitar, 12-string guitar, slide guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass guitar
- Martell Brandy – acoustic guitar
- Sam Mitchell – resonator guitar
- Martin Quittenton- classical guitar
- Pete Sears- piano, celeste
- Micky Waller- drums
- Ian McLagan- organ, piano
- Danny Thompson- upright bass
- Andy Pyle- bass guitar
- Dick Powell – violin
- Long John Baldry- vocals
- Maggie Bell- vocal abrasives
- Madeline Belland friends – vocal abrasives
- Lindsay Raymond Jackson- mandolin
- Kenney Jones- drums
- Ronnie Lane- bass guitar, backing vocals
- Desmond Strobel – art direction
- John Craig – design, illustration
- Lisa Margolis – cover photography
Track listing:
- Every Picture Tells a Story – Rod Stewart,Ronnie Wood
- Seems Like a Long Time – Theodore Anderson
- That’s All Right – Arthur Crudup
- Amazing Grace – traditional, arranged Rod Stewart
- Tomorrow Is a Long Time -Bob Dylan
- Henry – Martin Quittenton
- Maggie May – Rod Stewart
- Mandolin Wind – Rod Stewart
- (I Know) I’m Losing You – Norman Whitfield,Eddie Holland, Cornelius Grant
- Reason to Believe – Tim Hardin
Stone the Crows: Same
On January 1, 1970, “Polydor” label released self-titled, debut Stone the Crows album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Mark London.
Personnel:
- Maggie Bell– vocals
- Les Harvey– acoustic and electric guitars
- John McGinnis– organ, piano, keyboards
- Jimmy Dewar– vocals, bass guitar
- Colin Allen– drums, percussion
Track listing:
- The Touch of Your Loving Hand – Jimmy Dewar, Les Harvey
- Raining in Your Heart – Jimmy Dewar, Les Harvey
- Blind Man – Josh White Jr.
- The Fool on the Hill – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- I saw America – Daevid Allen, Colin Allen, Les Harvey, Mark London
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