Tag Archives: Nickolas Ashford

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

Aretha Franklin: Live At Fillmore West

On May 19, 1971, “Atlantic” label released “Aretha Live at Fillmore West”, the third Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in March 1971, at “Filmore West Concert Hall”, in San Francsico, and was produced by Jerry Wexler.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – vocals, Fender Rhodes
  • Cornell Dupree – guitar
  • Truman Thomas – piano
  • Ray Charles – piano
  • Billy Preston – organ
  • Jerry Jemmott – bass
  • Bernard Purdie – drums
  • Pancho Morales – congas
  • King Curtis – saxophone, orchestra leader
  • Memphis Horns – horns
  • Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch, Pat Smith – backing vocals
  • Arif Mardin – horn arrangements
  • Larry Wilcox – horn arrangements
  • Tom Dowd – horn arrangements

Track listing:

  1. Respect – Otis Redding
  2. Love the One Youy’re With – Stephen Stills
  3. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon
  4. Eleanor Rigby – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  5. Make It with You – David Gates
  6. Don’t Play That Song – Ahmet Ertegun, Betty Nelson
  7. Dr. Feelgood – Aretha Franklin
  8. Spirit in the Dark – Aretha Franklin
  9. Spirit in the Dark (reprise with Ray Charles) – Aretha Franklin
  10. Reach Out and Touch – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson

Dusty Springfield: Cameo

On February 10, 1973, “ABC Dunhill Records” label released “Cameo”, the eighth Dusty Springfield studio album. It was recorded July – October 1972, at “ABC Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Steve Barri, Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert.

Personnel:

  • Dusty Springfield – vocals
  • Ben Benay – guitar
  • Larry Carlton – guitar
  • David Cohen – guitar
  • Dennis Lambert – keyboards
  • Michael Lang – keyboards
  • Michael Omartian – keyboards, string, horn and flute arrangements
  • Wilton Felder – bass guitar
  • Carol Kaye – bass guitar
  • Wilton Felder – bass guitar
  • Carol Kaye – bass guitar
  • Hal Blaine – drums
  • Paul Humphrey – drums
  • Brian Potter – percussion
  • Victor Feldman – percussion
  • Clydie King – backing vocals
  • Venetta Fields – backing vocals
  • Sherlie Matthews – backing vocals
  • Myrna Matthews – backing vocals
  • Sid Sharp – concertmaster
  • Jimmie Haskell – string arrangements
  • Ruby Mazur – design
  • Joe Black – project coordinator

Track listing:

All tracks by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, except where noted.

  1. Who Gets Your Love
  2. Breakin’ Up a Happy Home
  3. Easy Evil – Alan O’Day
  4. Mama’s Little Girl
  5. The Other Side of Life – David Gates
  6. Comin’ and Goin’
  7. I Just Wanna Be There – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Who Could Be Loving You Other Than Me? – Willie Hutchinson
  9. Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison
  10. Of All the Things
  11. Learn to Say Goodbye” (from the ABC Movie of the Week, Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole) – Hugo Montenegro, Bradford Craig

The Supremes & The Four Tops: Dynamite

In December 1971, “Motown” label released “Dynamite”, the third and last album between Supremes (The) and Four Tops (The). It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Johnny Bristol, Joe Hinton, Bobby Taylor and Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • The Supremes – Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong – vocals 
  • The Four Tops – Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton – vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • David Van DePitte, Gene Page, H.B. Barnum, Robert White – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Warren Linn – illustration
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphics

Track listing:

  1. It’s Impossible – Armando Manzanero, Sid Wayne
  2. The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall) – Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  3. Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
  4. Love the One You’re With – Stephen Stills
  5. Good Lovin’ Ain’t Easy to Come By – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. Melodie – Deke Richards, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  7. If – David Gates
  8. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  9. Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  10. Do You Love Me Just a Little, Honey – Gladys Knight, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock

David Ruffin: Feelin’ Good

In November 1969, “Motown” label released “Feelin’ Good”, the second David Ruffin album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Clay McMurray, Hank Cosby, Leonard Caston, Berry Gordy, Johnny Bristol, Ashford & Simpson, Al Kent, George Gord and Allen Story.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin – vocal
  • David Van De Pitte, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, Willie Shorter – arrangements
  • Randy Kling
  • Curtis McNair – design

Track listing:

  1. Loving You (Is Hurting Me) – Jeana Jackson, Leonard Caston
  2. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Randy Myers
  3. I’m So Glad I Fell for You – Art Posey, Glenna Session
  4. Feeling Alright – Dave Mason
  5. I Could Never Be President – Bettye Crutcher, Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson
  6. I Pray Everyday You Won’t Regret Loving Me – Bubba Knight, Gladys Knight, Johnny Bristol
  7. What You Gave Me – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. One More Hurt – Albert Hamilton, Norma Toney, William Garrett
  9. I Let Love Slip Away – Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye, Horgay Gordy
  10. I Don’t Know Why I Love You – Clay McMurray
  11. The Forgotten Man – Henry Cosby, Joe Hinton, Pam Sawyer
  12. The Letter – Al Cleveland, William Robinson, Terry Johnson

Diana Ross & The Supremes And The Temptations: Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations

On November 6, 1968, “Motown” label released “Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations”, album by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations. It was recorded May – September 1968, and was produced by  Frank Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland, Henry Cosby, Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Nickolas Ashford and Deke Richards.

Personnel:

  • Diana Ross & The Supremes – vocals
  • The Temptations – vocals
  • Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – horns, strings
  • Los Angeles area session musicians – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Try It Baby – Berry Gordy
  2. I Second That Emotion – Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland
  3. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, Jerry Ross
  5. This Guy’s in Love With You – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  6. Funky Broadway – Arlester Christian
  7. I’ll Try Something New – Smokey Robinson
  8. A Place in the Sun – Ron Miller, Bryan Wells
  9. Sweet Inspiration – Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
  10. Then – Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore
  11. The Impossible Dream – Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh

The Miracles: Four In Blue

On November 3, 1969, “Motown” label released “Four in Blue”, album by The Miracles. It was recorded in 1969, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Pete Moore – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar

Track listing:

  1. You Send Me (With Your Good Lovin’) – Al Cleveland, Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Smokey Robinson
  2. Dreams Dreams – Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland
  3. Tomorrow Is Another Day – Deke Richards, Beatrice Verdi
  4. Hey Jude – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  5. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. A Legend in Its Own Time – Smokey Robinson
  7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Barry Mann, Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil
  8. We Can Make It We Can – Nikolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  9. When Nobody Cares – Smokey Robinson
  10. Don’t Say You Love Me – Richard Morris
  11. Wish I Knew – Debbie Dean, Deke Richards
  12. My World Is Empty Without You – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland

Martha Reeves And The Vandellas: Natural Resources

On September 8, 1970, “Gordy” label released “Natural Resources”, the seventh Martha Reeves and the Vandellas album. It was recorded 1969 – 1970, and was produced by Henry Cosby and Clarence Paul.

Personnel:

  • Martha Reeves – lead and backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • Lois Reeves – backing vocals
  • Sandra Tilley – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • Nickolas Ashford – backing vocals
  • David Van De Pitte – arrangements
  • Henry Cosby – arrangements
  • Paul Riser – arrangements
  • Robert White – arrangements
  • Wade Marcus – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction, design
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision

Track listing:

  1. Something – George Jarrison
  2. Easily Persuaded – Dick Cooper, Clarence Paul, Ernie Shelby, Morris Broadnax
  3. Didn’t We – Jimmy Webb
  4. I’m in Love – Ernie Shelby
  5. Love, Guess Who – Clarence Paul, Ermie Shelby
  6. Everybody’s Talking – Fred Neil
  7. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Randy Myers
  8. The Hurt Is Over (Since I Found You) – Duke Browner
  9. Take a Look – Clyde Otis
  10. Won’t It Be So Wonderful – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  11. I Should Be Proud – Henry Cosby, Joe Hinton, Pam Sawyer
  12. People Got to Be Free – Felix Cavaliere, Ed Brigati

Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen

In August 1970, “A&M” label released “Mad Dogs & Englishmen”, the third Joe Cocker album. It was recorded in March 1970, at “Filmore East” in New York City, and was produced by Denny Cordell and Leon Russell. In 2021, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.

Personnel:

  • Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge, Donna Weiss, Donna Washburn, Claudia Lennear, Denny Cordell, Daniel Moore, Pamela Polland, Matthew Moore, Nicole Barclay, Bobby Jones – vocals
  • Leon Russell – vocals, lead guitar, piano, backing vocals, arrangements
  • Don Preston – vocals, guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Stainton – organ, piano
  • Carl Radle – bass guitar
  • Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Chuck Blackwell – drums
  • Chuck Blackwell, Sandy Konikoff, Bobby Torres – percussion
  • Jim Horn, Bobby Keys – saxophone
  • Jim Price – trumpet
  • Chris Stainton – arrangements
  • Edwin Kramer – engineer
  • Craig Braun – design concept
  • Ron Wolin – illustration
  • Tom Wilkes – design
  • Jim McCrary – cover photography
  • Cosmina Andee Cohen, Linda Wolf – tour photographer

Track listing:

  1. Introduction
  2. Honky Tonk Women – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  3. Introduction
  4. Sticks and Stones – Titus Turner, Henry Glover
  5. Cry Me a River – Arthur Hamilton
  6. Bird on the Wire – Leonard Cohen
  7. Feelin’ Alright – Dave Mason
  8. Superstar – Leon Russell, Delaney Bramlett
  9. Introduction
  10. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Josephine Armstead
  11. Blue Medley
  12. Till Drown in My Own Tears – Henry Glover
  13. When Something Is Wrong with My Baby – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
  14. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long – Otis Redding, Jerry Butler
  15. Introduction
  16. Girl from the North Country – Bob Dylan
  17. Give Peace a Chance – Leon Russell, Bonnie Bramlett
  18. Introduction
  19. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  20. Space Captain – Matthew Moore
  21. The Letter – Wayne Carson Thompson
  22. Delta Lady – Leon Russel

Marvin Gaye: In the Groove

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