Tag Archives: Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye: In the Groove

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On August 26, 1968, “Tamla” label released “In the Groove”, the eighth Marvin Gaye studio album. It was recorded 1967 – 1968, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Ivy Jo Hunter and Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • Gladys Knight & The Pips – backing vocals
  • Telma Hopkins – backing vocals
  • Joyce Vincent Wilson – backing vocals
  • Pamela Vincent – backing vocals 
  • Herbart – design

Track listing:

  1. You – Jeffrey Bowen, Jack Coga, Ivy Jo Hunter
  2. Tear Ot on Down – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  3. Chained -Frank Wilson
  4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  5. At Last (I Found a Love) – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover
  6. Some Kind of Wonderful – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
  7. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever – Ivy Jo Hunter, Stevie Wonder
  8. Change What You Can – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover
  9. It’s Love I Need – Stephen Bowden, Ivy Jo Hunter
  10. Every Now and Then – Eddie Holland, Frank Wilson
  11. You’re What’s Happening (In the World Today) – George Gordy, Robert Gordy, Allen Story
  12. There Goes My Baby – Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson, George Treadwell

The McCoys: Hang On Sloopy

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In November 1965, “Bang” label released “Hang on Sloopy”, the debut McCoys (The) album. It was recorded in 1965, and was produced by Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer.

Personnel:

  • Richard Zehringer (later Rick Derringer) – lead vocal, guitar
  • Dennis Kelly – bass
  • Randy Z (Randy Zehringer) – drums
  • Bassett Hand – arrangements, conductor
  • Eddie Smith, Gordy Clark, Stanley Weiss- engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer, except where noted.

  1. Meet the McCoys
  2. Hang On Sloopy – Wes Farrell, Bert Russell
  3. Fever – Eddie Cooley, John Davenport
  4. Sorrow
  5. If You Tell a Lie
  6. I Don’t Mind – James Brown
  7. Stubborn Kind of Fellow – Marvin Gaye, William “Mickey” Stevenson, George Gordy
  8. I Can’t Help Fallin’ In Love – Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss
  9. All I Really Want to Do – Bob Dylan
  10. Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag – James Brown
  11. I Can’t Explain It
  12. High Heel Sneakers – Robert Higginbotham
  13. Stormy Monday Blues – Aaron Walker

Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell: United

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On August 29, 1967, “Tamla” label released “United”, album by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (the first of three collaborative albums). It was recorded in 1967, and was produced by Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Hal Davis and Berry Gordy, Jr.,

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead and backing vocals
  • Tammi Terrell – lead and backing vocals
  • Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, The Originals, The Andantes, The Spinners – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. You Got What It Takes – Berry Gordy, Jr., Gwen Gordy, Tyran Carlo
  3. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  4. Somethin’ Stupid – C. Carson Parks
  5. Your Precious Love – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. Hold Me Oh My Darling – Harvey Fuqua
  7. Two Can Have a Party – Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Thomas Kemp
  8. Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl – Harvey Fuqua, Etta James, Brook Benton
  9. If This World Were Mine – Marvin Gaye
  10. Sad Wedding – Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers
  11. Give a Little Love – Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Clyde Wilson
  12. Oh How I’d Miss You – Hal Davis, Frank Wilson, Vance Wilson

Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell: You’re All I Need

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In August 1968, “Tamla” label released “You’re All I Need”, the second Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell studio album. It was recorded 1966 – 1967, and was produced by Robert Gordy, Harvey Fugua, Johnny Bristol and Ashford & Simpson.

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead and backing vocals
  • Tammi Terrell – lead and backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Nicholas Ashford – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Spinners – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. Keep on Lovin’ Me Honey – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  3. You’re All I Need to Get By – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. Baby Don’t Cha Worry – Johnny Bristol, Jackie Beavers
  5. You Ain’t Livin’ Till You’re Lovin’ – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson)
  6. Give In, You Just Can’t Win – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  7. When Love Comes Knocking at My Heart – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Gladys Knight, Vernon Bullock
  8. Come on and See Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  9. I Can’t Help but Love You – Robert Gordy, Thomas Kemp, Marvin Gaye
  10. That’s How It Is (Since You’ve Been Gone) – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  11. I’ll Never Stop Loving You Baby – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Beatrice Verdi
  12. Memory Chest – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol

Jeff Beck and Johnny Deep: 18

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On July 15, 2022, “Rhino” label released “18”, album Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp. It was recorded 2019 – 2022, and was produced by Jeff Beck and Johnny Deep.

Personnel:

  • Jeff Beck – lead guitar, acoustic and rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Johnny Depp – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and rhythm guitar, baritone guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion
  • Robert Adam Stevenson – keyboards, piano, strings
  • Tommy Henriksen – keyboards, strings
  • Ben Thomas – keyboards
  • James Pearson – keyboards
  • Jason Rebello – piano
  • Rhonda Smith – bass
  • Pino Palladino – bass
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
  • Vanessa Freebairn-Smith – cello
  • Olivia Safe – vocals
  • Sandra Beck – album cover
  • Barry Grint – mastering
  • Shon Hartman – product manager
  • Mike Engstrom – project manager
  • Allison Boron, Hugh Gilmour, Jason Etzy, Kent Liu, Kevin Gore, Lisa Gilnes, Matthew Taoatao, Paul Bromby, Rachel Gutek, Sheryl Farber, Susanne Savage – project manager assistants
  • Colin Newman – project manager supervisor

Track listing:

  1. Midnight Walker – Davy Spillane
  2. Death and Resurrection Show – Jaz Coleman, Geordie Walker, Martin Glover, Andy Gill
  3. Time – Dennis Wilson, Karen Lamm
  4. Sad Motherfucker Parade – Jeff Beck, Johnny Deep
  5. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) – Brian Wilson, Tony Asher
  6. This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr – Johnny Deep, Tommy Henriksen
  7. Caroline No – Brian Wilson, Tony Asher
  8. Ooo Baby, Baby – Warren “Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson
  9. What’s Going On – Renaldo Benson, Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland
  10. Venus in Furs – Lou Reed
  11. Let It Be Me – Gilbert Bécaud, Pierre Delanoë, Manny Curtis
  12. Stars – Janis Ian
  13. Isolation – John Lennon

Etta James: Life, Love & Blues

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On June 30, 1998, “Private Music” label released “Life, Love & the Blues”, the twenty-first Etta James studio album. It was recorded in 1998, at “Forth Athens Studios” in Riverside, California, “Conway Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Etta James.

Personnel:

  • Etta James – vocals
  • Leo Nocentelli – guitar
  • Bobby Murray – guitar
  • Josh Sklair – guitar, dobro
  • David K. Mathews – keyboards
  • Mike Finnigan – Hammond B-3 organ
  • Sametto James – bass
  • Donto Mento James – drums, percussion
  • Jimmy Z – saxophone, harmonica
  • Lee Thornburg – trumpet, valve trombone
  • Tom Poole – trumpet

Track listing:

  1. Born Under a Bad Sign – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
  2. I Want To Ta Ta You Baby – Johnny Guitar Watson
  3. Here I Am (Come and Take Me) – Al Green, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges
  4. Running Out of Lies – Paul Jordan
  5. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Marvin Gaye, James Nyx, Jr., James Nyx
  6. Spoonful – Willie Dixon
  7. Life, Love & the Blues – Etta James, Josh Sklair
  8. Hoochie Coochie Gal – Willie Dixon
  9. Cheating in the Next Room – George Jackson
  10. If You Want Me to Stay – Sylvester Stewart
  11. The Love You Save Maby Your Own – Joe Tex
  12. I’ll take Care of You – Brook Benton

The Miracles: Renaissance

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On April 18, 1973, “Tamla” label released “Renaissance”, album by The Miracles. It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren, Marvin Gaye, Frank Wilson, Clay McMurray, Leonard Caston, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson.

Personnel:

  • Billy Griffin – lead vocals
  • Ronnie White – baritone backing vocals
  • Pete Moore – bass backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – tenor backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • Smokey Robinson – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. What is a Heart Good For – Arthur Ross, Leon Ware
  2. If You’re Ever in the Neighborhood – Don Fenceton, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  3. I Wanna Be with You – Willie Hutch
  4. Wigs and Lashes – Larry Mizell
  5.  Don’t Let It End (‘Til You Let It Begin) – Christine Yarian, Freddie Perren
  6. I Love You Secretly – Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover, Marvin Gaye
  7. I Don’t Need No Reason – Leon Ware, Pam Sawyer
  8. Nowhere To Go – Clay McMurray, Dennis Jackson, Gary Fears
  9. I Didn’t Realize the Show Was Over – Richard Hutch, Willie Hutch

Etta James: All the Way

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On March 14, 2006, “RCA Victor” label released “All the Way”, the 28th Etta James album. It was recorded in 2005, and was produced by Sametto James, Donto James and Joshua Sklair.

Personnel:

  • Etta James – lead and backing vocals, executive producer
  • Joshua Sklair – acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals, recording, mastering, music director
  • Bobby Murray – electric guitar
  • David K. Mathews – keyboards, strings
  • Sametto James – acoustic and electric bass, backing vocals, recording
  • Donto James – drums, percussion, backing vocals, recording
  • Ronnie Buttacavoli – trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Randy Williams – backing vocals
  • Tamara Oliver – backing vocals
  • Ed Cherney – mixing, mastering
  • Anthony Montes De Oca – photography
  • Lithofayne Pridgeon – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. All the Way – Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen
  2. Stop On By – Thomas Truman, Bobby Womack
  3. Strung Out – Johnny Watson
  4. Somewhere – Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim
  5. Holding Back the Years – Michael James Hucknall, Neil Moss
  6. Imagine – John Lennon
  7. I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
  8. It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World – James Brown, Betty Newsome
  9. Purple Rain – Prince
  10. What’s Going On – Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye
  11. Calling You – Robert E. Telson

Barrett Strong

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On January 29, 2023, Barrett Strong died aged 81. He was singer and songwriter, the performer who had the first hit for Berry Gordy’s label “Tamla Records”, “Money (That’s What I Want)”. Strong was best known for his work as a songwriter, especially in association with the producer Norman Whitfield. In mid 1960s he became “Motown Records” writer lyricist, and together with Whitfield, they wrote some of the best known soul and funk classics of all times, including “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips; “War” by Edwin Starr; “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” by Marvin Gaye; “Smiling Faces Sometimes” by The Undisputed Truth; “Cloud Nine”, “I Can’t Get Next to You”, “Psychedelic Shack”, “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)”, and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, by The Temptations. In 1973, Strong received “Grammy Award for Best R&B Song” for “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”. As leader, Strong released four albums.

Jeffrey Deon Estus

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On October 11, 2021, Jeffery Deon Estus died aged 65. He was musician (bass), singer and songwriter, member of collective Boogie Box High and band Switch, but was best known as the bass player of Wham. He recorded and performed with Marvin Gaye, George Michael, Elton John, Aaron Neville, Tina Turner, Frank Zappa, Annie Lennox, Edgar Winter and George Clinton. As leader Estus released one album.