Tag Archives: Pennsylvania

Ahmad Jamal

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On April 16, 2023, Ahmad Jamal died aged 92. He was musician (piano), composer, bandleader, and educator, one of the most successful small-group leaders and one of the most important artists in jazz history. For his work Jamal received many awards including:

  • 1959: Entertainment Award, Pittsburgh Junior Chamber of Commerce
  • 1980: Distinguished Service Award, City of Washington D.C., Anacostia Neighborhood Museum
  • 1986: Mellon Jazz Festival Salutes Ahmad Jamal, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • 1987: Honorary Membership, Philippines Jazz Foundation
  • 1994: American Jazz Masters award, National Endowment for the Arts
  • 2001: Arts & Culture Recognition Award, National Coalition of 100 Black Women
  • 2001: Kelly-Strayhorn Gallery of Stars, for Achievements as Pianist and Composer, East Liberty Quarter Chamber of Commerce
  • 2003: American Jazz Hall of Fame, New Jersey Jazz Society
  • 2003: Gold Medallion, Steinway & Sons 150 Years Celebration
  • 2007: Living Jazz Legend, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • 2007: Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, French government
  • 2011: Down Beat Hall of Fame, 76th Readers Poll
  • 2015: Honorary Doctorate of Music, The New England Conservatory
  • 2017: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, The Recording Academy
  • 2018: Leopolis Jazz Music Awards Leopolis Jazz Fest, Lviv

As leader, Jamal released 69 albums.

Bobby Previte: Set the Alarm for Monday

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On May 13, 2008, “Palmetto” label released “Set The Alarm For Monday”, the 27th Bobby Previte album (as Bobby Previte & The New Bump). It was recorded in August 2007 at “Maggie’s Farm” in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Bobby Previte.

Personnel:

  • Bobby Previte – drums, arrangements, mixing
  • Ellery Eskelin- tenor saxophone
  • Steve Bernstein– trumpet
  • Bill Ware– vibraphone
  • Brad Jones – bass
  • Jim Pugliese– percussion
  • Matt Balitsaris – engineer, mixing
  • Michael Didonna – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Bobby Previte.

  1. Set The Alarm For Monday
  2. I’d Advise You Not To Miss Your Train
  3. She Has Information
  4. Were You Followed?
  5. I’m On To Her
  6. There Was Something In My Drink
  7. You’re In Over Your Head
  8. Drive South, Along The Canyon
  9. Wake Up Andrea, We’re Pulling In

Pere Ubu: Pennsylvania

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On March 2, 1998, “Cooking Vinyl” label released “Pennsylvania”, the eleventh Pere Ubu studio album. It was recorded in 1997, and was produced by David Thomas.

Personnel:

  • David Thomas– vocals, organ, virtual voices
  • Tom Herman – guitar, bass, tack piano, snare
  • Jim Jones– guitar, bass, organ
  • Robert Wheeler – EML & digital synthesizers, theremin, organ
  • Michele Temple – bass, guitar, organ, piano
  • Steve Mehlman – drums, percussion

Track listing:

  1. Woolie Bullie
  2. Highwaterville
  3. TXT
  4. Urban Lifestyle
  5. Silent Spring
  6. Mr Wheeler
  7. Muddy Waters
  8. Slow
  9. Drive
  10. Indiangiver
  11. Monday Morning
  12. Perfume
  13. Fly’s Eye
  14. The Duke’s Saharan Ambitions
  15. Wheelhouse

 

 

Waxahatchee: Out In The Storm

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On July 14, 2017, “Merge” label released “Out in the Storm”, the fourth  Waxahatchee studio album. It was recorded in 2017, at “Miner Street Recordings” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by John Agnello and Katie Crutchfield.

Personnel:

  • Katie Crutchfield – vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Katie Harkin – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion, piano
  • Allison Crutchfield– keyboards, percussion
  • Katherine Simonetti – bass
  • Ashley Arnwine – drums
  • Joey Doubek – percussion
  • John Agnello– engineer
  • Daniel Murphy – design
  • Daniel Shea – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Katie Crutchfield.

  1. Never Been Wrong
  2. 8 Ball
  3. Silver
  4. Recite Remorse
  5. Sparks Fly
  6. Brass Beam
  7. Hear You
  8. A Little More
  9. No Question
  10. Fade

Blue Magic: Same

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In January 1974, “Atco” label released the self-titled, debut Blue Magic album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Norman Harris, Alan Rubens and Steven Bernstein.

Personnel:

  • Vernon Sawyer, Richard Pratt, Wendell Sawyer, Keith Beaton, Ted Mills – vocals
  • Bobby Eli, Norman Harris, Ted Cohen, Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Ted Mills, Ron Kersey, Cotton Kent – piano
  • Ronnie Baker, Jimmy Grant, Lee Smith, Jimmy DeJulio – bass
  • Earl Young, Larry James – drums
  • Larry Washington – percussion
  • Vince Montana– vibes
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings and horns accompaniment
  • Norman Harris– arrangements, remix
  • Vince Montana– arrangements
  • Carl Helm – vocal arrangements
  • Joe Tarsia, Kenny Present, Don Murray, Jay Mark, Carl Paruolo – recording
  • Alan Rubens, Steven Bernstein – executive producer
  • Bruce Gable – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Sideshow – Bobby Eli, Vinny Barrett
  2. Look Me Up – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  3. What’s Come Over Me – Ted Mills
  4. Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely – Bobby Eli, Vinny Barrett, John Freeman
  5. Stop to Start – Jimmy Grant, Allan Felder
  6. Welcome to the Club – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  7. Spell – Ted Mills
  8. Answer to My Prayer – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  9. Tear it Down – Ted Mills, Allan Felder

Spinners: New and Improved

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In December 1974, “Atlantic” label released “New and Improved”, the fifth Spinners album. It was recorded in 1974, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson– vocals
  • Dionne Warwick– vocals
  • Tony Bell, Bobby Eli, Don Murray – guitar
  • Thom Bell– keyboards
  • Bob Babbitt– bass guitar
  • Andrew Smith – drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
  • Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
  • Joe DeAngelis, Milt Phibbs, Danny Davis – French horn
  • Freddie Joiner, Bobby Moore, Richie Genevese, Ed Cascarella – trombone
  • Don Renaldo – strings
  • Walter Pfeil – harp
  • Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Sitting on Top of the World – Joseph B. Jefferson, Bruce Hawes, Charles Simmons
  2. Smile, We Have Each Other – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes, Joseph B. Jefferson
  3. Then Came You – Sherman Marshall, Phillip Pugh
  4. There’s No One Like You – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes
  5. Living a Little, Laughing a Little – Thom Bell, Linda Creed
  6. Sadie – Joseph B. Jefferson, Bruce Hawes, Charles Simmons
  7. Lazy Susan – Linda Creed, Thom Bell
  8. I’ve Got to Make It on My Own – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes

Blue Magic: The Magic of the Blue

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In December 1974, “Atco” label released “The Magic of the Blue”, the second Blue Magic album. It was recorded in 1974, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Norman Harris and Bobby Eli.

Personnel:

  • Ted Mills – vocals
  • Vernon Sawyer – vocals
  • Richard Pratt – vocals
  • Keith Beaton – vocals
  • Wendell Sawyer – vocals
  • Bobby Eli, Roland Chambers, Norman Harris, Tony Bell – guitar
  • Ted Mills, Ron Kersey, Cotton Kent – piano
  • Rusty Jackmon, Ron Baker, Bob Babbitt– bass
  • Earl Young, Charles Collins, John Nero – drums
  • Larry Washington – congas
  • Vince Montana– vibraphone
  • Life – harmonica solo
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings and horns accompaniment
  • Ted Mills – sound effects
  • Norman Harris, Bobby Eli– arrangement
  • Carl Paruolo, Joe Tarsia, Kenny Present, Don Murray, Jay Mark – recording
  • Ron Kersey, Vince Montana, Jack Faith – arrangements
  • Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson, Ted Mills, Wendall Sawyer, Darryl Grant – vocal arrangements
  • Alan Rubens, Steven Bernstein, Bruce Gable – executive producers

Track listing:

  1. Three Ring Circus – Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett
  2. Stringin’ Me Along – Norman Harris, Pat Cooper, Ronnie Tyson
  3. You Don’t Have to Tell Me Goodbye – Norman Harris, Vinnie Barrett, James Hendricks
  4. Never Get Over You – Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  5. Talking to Myself – Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett
  6. Let Me Be the One – Norman Harris, Allan Felder, Chuck Brooks
  7. Maybe Just Maybe (We Can Fall in Love Again) – Morris Bailey, Jr., Edward Green
  8. Love Has Found Its Way to Me – Bobby Eli, Allan Waldman
  9. When Ya Coming Home – Ted Mills, Allan Felder
  10. Looking for a Friend – Ted Mills

Spinners: Pick Of The Litter

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In August 1975, “Atlantic” label released “Pick of the Litter”, the sixth Spinners studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Thom Bell.

Personnel:

  • Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson– vocals
  • Tony Bell, Bobby Eli, Don Murray – guitars
  • Thom Bell– keyboards
  • Bob Babbitt– bass guitar
  • Andrew Smith – drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • MFSB– strings, horns
  • Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Honest I Do – Sherman Marshall, Philip Pugh, Thom Bell
  2. I Don’t Want to Lose You – Linda Creed, Thom Bell
  3. Love or Leave – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes, Joseph B. Jefferson
  4. Sweet Love of Mine – Vinnie Barrett, Bobby Eli
  5. All That Glitters Ain’t Gold – Philip Terry, Theodore Life, Talmadge Conway
  6. You Made a Promise to Me – Charles Simmons, Bruce Hawes, Joseph B. Jefferson
  7. Games People Play – Joseph B. Jefferson, Bruce Hawes, Charles Simmons
  8. Just as Long as We Have Love – Vinnie Barrett, Bruce Hawes

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes: I Miss You

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In August 1972, “Philadelphia International” label released “I Miss You”, the debut Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.

Personnel:

  • Harold Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass, Bernard Wilson, Lawrence Brown, Lloyd Parks– vocals
  • Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Leon Huff– piano
  • Leonard Pakula – organ
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – congas, bongos
  • Vince Montana– vibraphone
  • Sam Reed and his Horns – horns
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings – strings

Track listing:

All tracks by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, except where noted.

  1. I Miss You
  2. Ebony Woman – Morris Bailey
  3. Yesterday I Had the Blues
  4. If You Don’t Know Me by Now
  5. Be for Real – Leon Huff, Cary Gilbert, Kenneth Gamble
  6. Let Me into Your World – Kenneth Gamble, Norman Harris, Allan Felder
  7. Let It Be You

O’Jays: Back Stabbers

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In August 1972, “Philadelphia International” label released “Back Stabbers”, the seventh O’Jays studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Bunny Sigler.In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 318 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time.

Personnel:

  • Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, Bill Isles.– vocals
  • Dennis Harris – guitar
  • Bobby Eli– guitar
  • Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Bunny Sigler– guitar, keyboards, piano
  • Lenny Pakula – keyboards
  • Norman Harris– arranger, guitar
  • Ronnie Baker– bass
  • Lenny Pakula – keyboards
  • Leon Huff– keyboards, piano
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Earl Young– drums
  • Larry Washington – bongos, percussion
  • Vincent Montana, Jr.– percussion, vibraphone
  • Don Renaldo – conductor, horn, strings
  • Thom Bell – arrangements, strings
  • Bobby Martin– arrangements
  • Joe Tarsia– engineer
  • Tony Sellari – art direction
  • Tony Martell – executive producer
  • Adam Block – director

Track listing:

  1. When the World’s at Peace – Kenneth Gamble, Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  2. Back Stabbers – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
  3. Who Am I – Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  4. (They Call Me) Mr. Lucky – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff,
  5. Time to Get Down – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
  6. 992 Arguments – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
  7. Listen to the Clock on the Wall – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenneth Gamble
  8. Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People – Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenneth Gamble
  9. Sunshine – Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt
  10. Love Train – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff