On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: Paul Simon
Anthony Jackson
On October 19, 2025, Anthony Claiborne Jackson died aged 73. He was musician (electric bass, contrabass, guitar), bassist, regarded as “one of the masters of the instrument”. He performed live in more than 30 countries and recorded in more than 3000 sessions on more than 500 albums, with Al Di Meola, Billy Paul, Carlos Garnett, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon, Michel Camilo, Jorge Dalto, Mandoki Soulmates, Will Downing, Carlos Franzetti, Jun Fukamachi, Eric Gale, Terumasa Hino, Garland Jeffreys, Chaka Khan, Steve Khan, Tania Maria, Harvey Mason, Michel Petrucciani, Buddy Rich, Lee Ritenour, Mike Stern, Hiromi Uehara, Grover Washington Jr., Monty Alexander, Peter Allen, Gabriela Anders, Ashford & Simpson, Fahir Atakoglu, Anita Baker, Bob Baldwin, Gato Barbieri, Thereza Bazar, Jim Beard, Bee Gees, George Benson, Warren Bernhardt, Randy Bernsen, Rory Block, Perry Botkin Jr., Ralph Bowen, Till Brönner, Peabo Bryson, Jimmy Buffett, Dina Carroll, Dennis Chambers, Sandeep Chowta, John Clark, Norman Connors, Chick Corea, Hank Crawford, Randy Crawford, Lou Courtney, Eddie Daniels, Michael Davis, Rainy Davis, Eumir Deodato, Devonsquare, Paul Dresher, Ned Rothenberg, Gene Dunlap, Eliane Elias, Pee Wee Ellis, Jon Faddis, Donald Fagen, Joe Farrell, Rachelle Ferrell, Barry Finnerty, Sonny Fortune, Hiroshi Fukumura, Four Tops, Henry Gaffney, Carlos Garnett, Stephane Grappelli, Urbie Green, Michael Gregory, Dave Grusin, Kit Hain, Delores Hall, Lionel Hampton, Gene Harris, Takehiro Honda, Lena Horne, Miki Howard, Bobbi Humphrey, Phyllis Hyman, Masaru Imada, Freddie Jackson, Joe Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Ryo Kawasaki, Earl Klugh, Kahoru Kohiruimaki, Wayne Krantz, Bireli Lagrene, Yusef Lateef, Webster Lewis, Dave Liebman, Reggie Lucas, Ralph MacDonald, Teo Macero, Madonna, Teena Marie, Sleepy Matsumoto, Maureen McGovern, Sergio Mendes, Pat Metheny, Bette Midler, Barry Miles, Russell Morris, Gerry Mulligan, Milton Nascimento, David “Fathead” Newman, Maxine Nightingale, Claude Nougaro, The O’Jays, Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry, Peter, Paul & Mary, Esther Phillips, Simon Phillips, Noel Pointer, Jesse Rae, Ernest Ranglin, Lou Rawls, Jess Roden, Diana Ross, Ray Russell, Sam & Dave, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Alejandro Sanz, Lalo Schifrin, Helen Schneider, John Scofield, John Sebastian, Doc Severinsen, Carly Simon, Edward Simon, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, Kathy Sledge, Lonnie Liston Smith, Steve Smith, Phoebe Snow, Bert Sommer, David Spinozza, Steely Dan, Jeremy Steig, Charles Sullivan, Ximo Tebar, Nino Tempo, John Tropea, Michal Urbaniak, Dave Valentin, Luther Vandross, Harold Vick, Roch Voisine, Martha Wash, Kazumi Watanabe, Sadao Watanabe, Frank Weber, Dave Weckl, James D-Train Williams, Vanessa Williams, Nancy Wilson, Bernie Worrell and Akiko Yano. As co – leader Jackson released three albums.
Milton Nascimento And Esperanza Spalding: Milton + Esperanza
On August 9, 2024, “Concord” label released “Milton + Esperanza”, album by Milton Nascimento and Esperanza Spalding. It was recorded in 2023, and was produced by Esperanza Spalding.
Personnel:
- Milton Nascimento – vocals
- Esperanza Spalding – vocals, bass, liner notes
- Dianne Reeves – vocal
- Paul Simon – vocal
- Matthew Stevens – guitar
- Lula Galvão – guitar
- Guinga – guitar
- Leo Genovese – piano
- Corey D. King – vocals, synths
- Justin Tyson – drums
- Eric Doob – drums
- Kainã Do Jêje – percussion
- Ronaldinho Silva – percussion
- Elena Pinderhughes – flute
- Carolina Shorter
- Orquestra Ouro Preto
- Lianne La Havas
- Maria Gadú
- Tim Bernardes
- Lula Galvão
Track listing:
- The Music was There – Justin Tyson
- Cais – Milton Nascimento, Ronaldo Bastos
- Late September – Esperanza Spalding
- Outubro – Milton Nascimento
- A Day in the Life – Lennon, McCartney
- Interlude for Saci – Corey D. King
- Saci – Guinga, Paulo César Pinheiro
- Wings for the Thought Bird – Esperanza Spalding
- The Way You Are – Esperanza Spalding
- Earth Song – Michael Jackson
- Morro Velho – Milton Nascimento
- Saudade dos Aviões da Panair – Milton Nascimento, Fernando Brant
- Um Vento Passou – Milton Nascimento, Márcio Borges
- Get It by Now – Esperanza Spalding
- Outro Planeta – Tyson
- When You Dream – Wayne Shorter, Edgy Lee
The Cyrkle: Red Rubber Ball
On June 30, 1966, “Columbia” label released “Red Rubber Ball”, the debut Cyrkle (The) album. It was recorded February – June 1966, and was produced by John Simon.
Personnel:
- Don Dannemann – vocals, arrangements
- Tom Dawes – guitar, sitar, bass, harmonica, castanets, arrangements
- John Simon – calliope organ, arrangements, conductor
- Marty Fried – drums, arrangements
- Eddie Smith – engineer
- Gordy Clark – engineer
- Stanley Weiss – engineer
Track listing:
- Red Rubber Ball – John Simon, Bruce Woodley
- Why Can’t You Give Me What I Want – Stephen Friedland, Tom Dawes
- Baby, You’re Free – Bob Crewe, Gary Weston
- Big Little Woman – Don Dannemann, Tom Dawes
- Cloudy – John Simon, Bruce Woodley
- Cry – Don Dannemann, Tom Dawes
- Turn-Down Day – Jerry Keller, David Blume
- There’s a Fire in the Fireplace – Stephen Friedland
- Bony Moronie – Larry Williams
- How Can I Leave Her – Don Dannemann, Tom Dawes
- Money to Burn – Don Dannemann, Tom Dawes
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:
- Respect – Otis Redding
- Love the One Youy’re With – Stephen Stills
- Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon
- Eleanor Rigby – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Make It with You – David Gates
- Don’t Play That Song – Ahmet Ertegun, Betty Nelson
- Dr. Feelgood – Aretha Franklin
- Spirit in the Dark – Aretha Franklin
- Spirit in the Dark (reprise with Ray Charles) – Aretha Franklin
- Reach Out and Touch – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Paul Simon: So Beautiful Or So What
On April 8, 2011, “Hear Music” label released “So Beautiful or So What”, the twelfth Paul Simon studio album. It was recorded in 2010, at Paul Simon’s cottage in New Canaan, Connecticut, Paul Simon’s summer home in New York, and was produced by Phil Ramone and Paul Simon.
Personnel:
- Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic and electric twelve string-guitar, nylon string guitar, bells, glockenspiel, lyricist, percussion, whistle
- Vincent Nguini – acoustic and electric guitar
- Mick Rossi – piano
- David Finck – bass
- Jim Oblon – bass, electric and slide guitar, drums, percussion
- Steve Shehan –bass, brushes, crotale, cymbals, djembe, glass harp, resonator, saz, stick and talking drum, angklung
- Skip La Plante – gong, harp, wind chimes
- Karaikudi R. Mani – ensemble percussion, vocal percussion
- Nancy Zeltsman – marimba
- Charles Pillow – clarinet
- Mary Abt – clarinet
- Michael White – clarinet
- Sara Cutler – flute, harp
- Elizabeth Mann – flute
- Pamela Sklar – flute
- Diane Lesser – horn
- Lois Martin – viola
- Desiree Elsevier – viola
- Vincent Lionti – viola
- Richard Locker – cello
- Jeanne LeBlanc – cello
- Steve Gorn – bansuri
- Yacouba Sissoko – kora
- Etienne Stadwijk – celeste
- Joshua Swift – dobro
- Gabe Witcher – fiddle
- Chris Bear – electronics
- Edie Brickell – backing vocals
- Doyle Lawson – backing vocals
- Lulu Simon – backing vocals
- Gil Goldstein – arrangements
- Andy Smith – engineer
- Phil Ramone – mixing
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Geoff Gans – art direction, design
- Sven Geier – cover image
- Mark Seliger – photography
- Kevin Mazur – band photography
- Elvis Costello – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Paul Simon.
- Getting Ready for Christmas Day
- The Afterlife
- Dazzling Blue
- Rewrite
- Love and Hard Times
- Love Is Eternal Sacred Light
- Amulet
- Questions for the Angels
- Love & Blessings
- So Beautiful or So What
Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper: The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield And Al Kooper
In January 1969, “Columbia” label released “The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper”, album by Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper. It was recorded in September 1968, at “Fillmore West” in San Francisco, and was produced by Al Kooper.
Personnel:
- Mike Bloomfield – vocals, guitar
- Al Kooper – lead vocals, organ, ondioline, piano
- Carlos Santana – guitar
- Elvin Bishop – lead vocals, guitar
- John Kahn – bass
- Skip Prokop – drums
- Norman Rockwell – cover artwork
Track listing:
- Opening Speech – Mike Bloomfield
- The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) – Paul Simon
- I Wonder Who – Ray Charles
- Her Holy Modal Highness – Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield
- The Weight – Robbie Robertson
- Mary Ann – Ray Charles
- Together ‘Til the End of Time – Frank Wilson
- That’s All Right – Arthur Crudup
- Green Onions – Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Lewie Steinberg
- Opening Speech – Al Kooper
- Sonny Boy Williamson – Jack Bruce, Paul Jones
- No More Lonely Nights – Sonny Boy Williamson
- Dear Mr. Fantasy – Jim Capaldi, Stevie Winwood, Chris Wood
- Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong – Albert King
- Finale-Refugee – Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield
Elvis Presley: That’s The Way It Is
On November 11, 1970, “RCA” label released “That’s the Way It Is”, the twelfth Elvis Presley studio album. In 1970, the eight studio tracks were recorded at “RCA Studio B” in Nashville, and four live tracks were recorded at “The International Hotel” in Las Vegas, and was produced by Felton Jarvis. In March 2018, the album was certified Platinum in US by the “RIAA”.
Personnel:
Studio tracks:
- Elvis Presley – lead and harmony vocals, guitar
- James Burton – lead guitar
- Chip Young – rhythm guitar
- Charlie Hodge – acoustic rhythm guitar, harmony vocals
- Weldon Myrick – steel guitar
- David Briggs – piano, organ
- Charlie McCoy – organ, harmonica, marimba
- Norbert Putnam – bass
- Jerry Carrigan – drums
- Farrell Morris – percussion, vibes
- The Jordanaires – backing vocals
- The Imperials – backing vocals
Live tracks
- Elvis Presley – lead vocals, guitar
- James Burton – lead guitar
- John Wilkinson – rhythm guitar
- Charlie Hodge – acoustic rhythm guitar, scarves, harmony and backing vocals
- Glen Hardin – piano, electric piano
- Jerry Scheff – bass
- Ronnie Tutt – drums
- Millie Kirkham – backing vocals
- The Sweet Inspirations – backing vocals
- The Imperials – backing vocals
- The Joe Guercio Orchestra
Track listing:
- I Just Can’t Help Believin’ – Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann
- Twenty Days and Twenty Nights – Ben Weisman, Clive Westlake
- How the Web Was Woven – Clive Westlake, David Most
- Patch It Up – Eddie Rabbitt, Rory Bourke
- Mary in the Morning – Johnny Cymbal, Michael Rashkow
- You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me – Vicky Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell, Pino Donaggio, Vito Pallavicini
- You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector
- I’ve Lost You – Alan Blaikley, Ken Howard
- Just Pretend – Guy Fletcher, Doug Flett
- Stranger in the Crowd – Winfield Scott
- The Next Step Is Love – Paul Evans, Paul Parnes
- Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon
Paul Simon: Still Crazy After All These Years
On October 17, 1975, “Columbia” label released “Still Crazy After All These Years”, the fourth Paul Simon studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “A&R Recording” in New York City, and was produced by Phil Ramone and Paul Simon.
Personnel:
- Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, string and horn arrangements
- Pete Carr – electric guitar
- Joe Beck – electric guitar
- Jerry Friedman – electric guitar
- Hugh McCracken – acoustic and electric guitar
- John Tropea – electric guitar
- Barry Beckett – Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano
- Bob James – woodwind arrangements, string arrangements, Fender Rhodes
- Kenneth Ascher – Fender Rhodes, organ
- Sivuca – vocal solo, accordion
- Richard Tee – acoustic piano
- Leon Pendarvis – acoustic piano
- Toots Thielemans – harmonica
- David Hood – bass
- Tony Levin – bass
- Gordon Edwards – bass
- Roger Hawkins – drums
- Steve Gadd – drums
- Grady Tate – drums
- Ralph MacDonald – percussion
- Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
- Eddie Daniels – saxophone
- David Sanborn – saxophone
- Phil Woods – alto saxophone
- David Mathews – horn arrangements
- Phoebe Snow – vocals, backing vocals
- Art Garfunkel – vocals
- Patti Austin – backing vocals
- Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
- The Jessy Dixon Singers – backing vocals
- Chicago Community Choir – backing vocals
- Phil Ramone – engineer
- Jerry Masters – engineer
- Glenn Berger – recording
- Bert Szerlip – recording
- John Berg – design
- Anthony Maggiore – design
- Edie Baskin – cover photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Paul Simon.
- Still Crazy After All These Years
- My Little Town
- I Do It for Your Love
- 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
- Night Game
- Gone at Last
- Some Folks Lives Roll Easy
- Have a Good Time
- You’re Kind
- Silent Eyes
Jesse Cook: The Rumba Foundation
On September 29, 2009, “EMI Music Canada” label released “The Rumba Foundation”, the eight Jesse Cook album. It was recorded in 2009, at “Coach House Music”, “Phase One Studio” in Toronto, Canada, Estudios Avila Musical” in Colombia, and was produced by Jesse Cook.
Personnel:
- Jesse Cook – guitar, arrangements, recording
- Jeremy Fisher – vocals
- Juan Alberto Fernandez – voice
- Dennis Mohammed – bass
- Drew Birston – double bass
- Juan De Sedas – accordion
- Gabriel Torregrosa – gaita, pito, percussion
- Fredys Arrieta – gaita
- Manuel Antonio Garcia- gaita
- Rosendo Leon JR – drums, percussion
- Rosendo Leon SR – bongos
- Chri Church – violin
- Jonathan Tortolano, Kevin Fox – cello
- George Seara – recording
- Ernesto Santos – additional recording
- Jay Dufour – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Marc Eijkelenbroom – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Al Schmitt – mixing
- George Seara – mixing
- Steve Genewick – mixing assistant
- Chris Athens – mastering
- Terry Lau – art direction, design
Track listing:
All tracks by Jesse Cook, except where noted.
- Bogota by Bus
- Santa Marta
- Tuesday’s Child
- Manolo’s Lament – Juan Alberto Fernandez
- Improv 1
- La Rumba D’el Jete
- Improv 2
- Gaita
- Rain Day
- Bombay Diner
- Afternoon At Satie’s
- Cecilia – Paul Simon
- Homebound – Chris Church, Jesse Cook
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