Tag Archives: Marlena Shaw

Marlena Shaw: The Spice Of Life

In November 1969, “Cadet” label released “The Spice of Life”, the second Marlena Shaw studio album. It was recorded February – July 1969, at “Ter Mar Studios” in Chicago, Illinois, and was produced by Richard Evans and Charles Stepney.

Personnel:

  • Marlena Shaw – vocal
  • Richard Evans – arrangements
  • Charles Stepney – arrangements
  • Stu Black – engineer
  • Dave Purple – engineer
  • Jerry Griffin – design
  • Bob Crawford – photography
  • Bobby Miller – album supervision
  • Loonis McGlohon – liner notes
  • Ken Druker – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Woman of the Ghetto – Bobby Miller, Marlena Shaw, Richard Evans
  2. Call it Stormy Monday – T-Bone Walker
  3. Where Can I Go? – Leo Fuld, Sigment Berland, Sonny Miller
  4. I’m Satisfied – Morris Dollison
  5. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) – Billy Taylor, Dick Dallas
  6. Liberation Conversation – Bobby Miller, Marlena Shaw
  7. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Go Away Little Boy – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
  9. Looking Through the Eyes of Love – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
  10. Anyone Can Move a Mountain – Johnny Marks

Marlena Shaw: From The Depts Of My Soul

In September 1973, “Blue Note” label released “From the Depths of My Soul”, the fourth Marlena Shaw album. It was recorded May – June 1973, at “A&R Studios” in New York City, and was produced by George Butler.

Personnel:

  • Marlena Shaw – vocals
  • Gene Bertoncini, Cornell Dupree, Carl Lynch, Hugh McCracken – guitar
  • Derek Smith – piano, electric piano, clavinet
  • Eugene Bianco – harp
  • Ron Carter – double bass
  • Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. – electric bass
  • Charles Collins, Herbie Lovelle, Grady Tate – drums
  • Arthur Jenkins – congas
  • George Devens, George Jenkins – percussion
  • Wade Marcus – arrangements, conductor
  • Uncredited horns and strings musicians

Track listing:

  1. Prelude / I Know I Love Him – Bodie Chandler, Wade Marcus
  2. Hum This Song – Carl Davis
  3. But For Now – Bob Dorough
  4. Easy Evil – Alan O’Day
  5. The Laughter and the Tears – Randy Edelman
  6. The Feeling’s Good – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel
  7. Wildflower – David Richardson, Doug Edwards
  8. Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely – Bobby Eli, John C. Freeman, Jr., Vinnie Barrett
  9. Waterfall – Randy Edelman
  10. Say a Good Word – Marlena Shaw
  11. Time For Me to Go – Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel

Paul Griffin

On June 14, 2000, Paul Griffin died aged 62. He was musician (piano, keyboards), performed and recorded with hundreds of musicians including: King Curtis, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, Don McLean, the Isley Brothers, Van Morrison, the Shirelles, Dionne Warwick. Dion DiMucci, George Benson, Tom Rush, Wilson Pickett, Michael Franks, John Denver, Peter, Paul and Mary, David Clayton-Thomas, Gloria Loring, Melba Moore, LaVern Baker, Janis Siegel, Solomon Burke, Jackie Lomax, Marlena Shaw, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Don Mclean, Carly Simon, Juddy Collins, Cheryl Lynn, Gloria Gaynor, Stephanie Mills, Donald Fagen,  Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Garland Jeffreys, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt and Laura Nyro.

Hugh McCracken

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.

Johnny Bristol

On March 21, 2004, John William “Johnny” Bristol died aged 65. He was musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a songwriter for the Motown”  label in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His personal most successful recording was “Hang On in There Baby”. As a producer and songwriter he has collaborated with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Edwin Starr, David Ruffin, The Velvelettes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Jermaine Jackson, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Randy Crawford, Marlena Shaw, Johnny Mathis and Boz Scaggs.