Tag Archives: platinum

Fairground Attractions: The First of a Million Kisses

Leave a comment

The_First_of_a_Million_Kisses

On May 1, 1988, “RCA” label released “The First of a Million Kisses”, the debut Fairground Attraction album. It was recorded in 1988, and was produced by Eddi Reader, Mark E. Nevin, Simon Edwards, Ray Dodds and Kevin Maloney. In 1989, “The First of a Million Kisses”, won the award for best album at the “Brit Awards” and was certified Platinum in UK by the “BPI”.

Personnel:

  • Eddi Reader- lead vocals
  • Mark E. Nevin- guitar
  • Simon Edwards- guitar
  • Kim Burton -accordion, tiny harp, piano
  • Ray Dodds- drums, percussion
  • Roger Beaujolais -vibes, glockenspiel
  • Anthony Thistlethwaite- mandolin
  • Steve Forster – mandolin
  • Will Hasty -clarinet
  • Ian Shaw – backing vocals
  • Elliot Erwitt – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Mark E. Nevin, except where noted.

  1. A Smile in a Whisper
  2. Perfect
  3. Moon on the Rain
  4. Find My Love
  5. Fairground Attraction
  6. The Wind Knows My Name
  7. Clare
  8. Comedy Waltz
  9. The Moon Is Mine
  10. Station Street
  11. Whispers – Eddie Reader
  12. Allelujah

Gnarls Barkley: St. Elsewhere

Leave a comment

St_Elsewhere

On April 24, 2006, “Downtown” label released “St. Elsewhere”, the debut Gnarls Barkley debut album. It was recorded 2005 – 2006, and was produced by Brian Burton (Danger Mouse). The album was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIAA”. “St. Elsewhere” was voted best release of 2006 by “Pop Matters”. In 2007, the album won “Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album”.

Personnel:

  • Cee-Lo Green– vocals
  • Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) – vocals, piano keyboards, guitar, bass guitar, percussion
  • Eddie Reyes– acoustic guitar
  • Ced Keys International – piano
  • President – keyboards, bass, guitar, organ
  • Daniele Luppi– bass, Minimoog, organ, synthesizer
  • Ben H. Allen – bass, guitar
  • David Piltch – bass
  • Eric Bobo– drums
  • Chris Tedesco – trumpet
  • Menta Malone – backing vocals
  • Tomika Walden – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Go-Go Gadget Gospel – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo Green, Nicolas Flagello
  2. Crazy – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Gian Franco Reverberi, Gian Piero Reverberi
  3. Elsewhere – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Barry Clarke, David Costa, Celia Humphris, Unwin Brown
  4. Gone Daddy Gone – Gordon Gano, Willie Dixon
  5. Smiley Faces – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo
  6. The Boogie Monster – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Armando Trovaioli,Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
  7. Feng Shui – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Nino Nardini
  8. Just a Thought – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Kevin Peek
  9. Transformer – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Marlene Moore
  10. Who Cares? – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Keith Mansfield
  11. Online – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo
  12. Necromancer – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo
  13. Storm Coming – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, arranged and orchestrated by Daniele Luppi
  14. The Last Time – Danger Mouse, Cee Lo, Ian Langley

Tom Petty: Full Moon

Leave a comment

Tom_Petty_Full_Moon_Fever

On April 24, 1989, “MCA” label released “Full Moon Fever”, the first solo Tom Petty album. It was recorded 1988–1989, at “M.C. Studios”, “Rumbo Studios”, “Sunset Sound”, “Devonshire Studios”, “Conway Studios” and “Sound City Studios”, and was produced by Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. The album was certified 5× platinum in the US by the “RIIA”, and 6× platinum in Canada. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Full Moon River” at number 92 on its list of the “100 best albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Tom Petty– lead and backing vocals, 6 and 12 string acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, tambourine, hand claps
  • Mike Campbell– lead guitar, bass, mandolin, slide guitar, dobro, keyboards
  • George Harrison– acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Benmont Tench– piano
  • Jeff Lynne– bass, guitar, guitar synthesizer, piano, keyboards, backing vocals, hand claps
  • Phil Jones –drums, percussion
  • Jim Keltner– drums, maracas and tambourine
  • Howie Epstein– backing vocals
  • Roy Orbison– backing vocals
  • Kelsey Campbell – scream
  • Alan Weidel –hand claps
  • Del Shannon– barnyard noises
  • Mike Campbell, Don Smith,Bill Bottrell, Dennis Kirk – engineer
  • Alan “Bugs” Weidel – engineer assistant
  • Steve Hall – mastering

 Track listing:

All tracks by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, except where noted.

  1. Free Fallin
  2. I Won’t Back Down
  3. Love Is a Long Road – Mike Campbell, Tom Petty
  4. A Face in the Crowd
  5. Runnin’ Down a Dream – Mike Campbell, jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
  6. I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better – Gene Clark
  7. Yer So Bad
  8. Depending on You – Tom Petty
  9. The Apartment Song – Tom Petty
  10. Alright for Now – Tom Petty
  11. A Mind with a Heart of Its Own
  12. Zombie Zoo

Tracy Chapman: Same

Leave a comment

Tracy_Chapman_-_Tracy_Chapman

On April 15, 1988, “Elektra” label released the self-titled, debut Tracy Chapman album. It was recorded at the “Powertrax” in Hollywood, and was produced by David Kershenbaum. The album was certified 6 x Platinum in the USA, by the “RIAA”.

Personnel:

  • Tracy Chapman – vocals, acoustic and rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Ed Black – steel guitar
  • Jack Holder – organ, dulcimer, dobro, piano, electric guitar, Hammond organ, sitar
  • Steve Kaplan– harmonica, keyboard
  • Larry Klein– bass guitar
  • Denny Fongheiser – drums, percussion
  • Paulinho Da Costa– percussion
  • Bob Marlette – keyboard
  • David LaFlamme – electric violin
  • Kevin Smith – engineer, mixing
  • Carol Bobolts – art direction
  • Matt Mahurin – photography
  • Brian Koppelman– executive production
  • Don Rubin – executive production

Track listing:

All tracks by Tracy Chapman.

  1. Talkin’ Bout a Revolution
  2. Fast Car
  3. Across the Lines
  4. Behind the Wall
  5. Baby Can I Hold You
  6. Mountains o’ Things
  7. She’s Got Her Ticket
  8. Why
  9. For My Lover
  10. If Not Now…
  11. For you

Soul II Soul: Club Classics Vol. One

Leave a comment

Club_classics_vol._one

On April 10, 1989, “Virgin” label released “Club Classics Vol. One”, the debut Soul II Soul album. It was recorded 1988 – 1989, and was produced by Jazzie B. and Nellee Hooper. The album was certified 3 x Platinum by the “British Phonographic Industry”, and 2 x Platinum by the “RIAA” for sales in US. In 2004,  “Q”  magazine  ranked Club Classics Vol. One at number 28 in its list of the “50 Greatest British Albums Ever”. In 2012, “Slant Magazine”, ranked the album at number 100 on its list of “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Jazzie B – vocals, arrangements, mixing
  • Simon Law – vocal harmonies, piano, keyboards
  • Marco (Carlos Eduardo Rodríguez Montoya) – keyboards
  • Andrew Levy – bass
  • Graham Silbiger – bass
  • Crispin – percussion
  • Zak Ovre – percussion
  • Shikisha – Zulu vocals
  • Caron Wheeker – vocals
  • Rose Windross – vocals
  • Do’Reen – vocals
  • Massive Attack – backing vocals
  • Aitch B – backing vocals
  • Caron Wheeler – backing vocals
  • Kushite – flute
  • Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra – strings
  • Nellee Hooper – programming, mixing
  • Mel Wesson – programming
  • Gota Yashiki – additional programming
  • Dolby – turntables
  • Mykaell S. Riley – string arrangements
  • Dubfire Smith – engineer
  • Arabella Rodriguez – engineer
  • Howie Bernstein – engineer
  • David James – design
  • Jamie Morgan – photography

Track listing:

  1. Keep on Movin’ – Trevor Baresford Romes
  2. Fairplay – Trevor Baresford Romeo, Nellee Hooper, Rose Windrows
  3. Holdin’ On – Trevor Baresford Romes, Simon Law
  4. Feeling Free (Live Rap) – Trevor Baresford Romes
  5. African Dance – Trevor Baresford Romes, Simon Law
  6. Dance – Trevor Baresford Romes, Simon Law
  7. Feel Free – Trevor Baresford Romes, Nellee Hooper
  8. Happiness (Dub) – Trevor Baresford Romes, Nellee Hooper
  9. Back to Life (Accapella) – Trevor Baresford Romes
  10. Jazzie’s Groove – Trevor Baresford Romes, Nellee Hooper

Offspring: Smash

Leave a comment

The Offspring Smash

On April 8, 1994, “Epitaph Records” label released “Smash”, the third Offspring studio album. It was recorded October – December 1993, at “Track Record” in Hollywood, and was produced by Thom Wilson. “Smash” has sold in fifteen million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling independent label album of all time. The album has been certified 6x Platinum by the “Recording Industry Association of America” (RIAA).

Personnel:

  • Dexter Holland– lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Noodles– lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Greg K.– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Ron Welty– drums, backing vocals
  • Jason “Blackball” McLean – additional vocals
  • Ken Paulakovich – engineer
  • Thom Wilson– engineer
  • Mike Ainsworth – engineer assistant
  • Ulysses Noriega – engineer assistant
  • Christopher C. Murphy – engineer assistant
  • Eddy Schreyer – mastering
  • Fred Hidalgo– art direction
  • Lisa Johnson – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Dexter Holland, except where noted

  1. Time to Relax
  2. Nitro (Your Energy)
  3. Bad Habit
  4. Gotta Get Away
  5. Genocide
  6. Something to Believe In
  7. Come Out and Play
  8. Self Esteem
  9. It’ll Be a Long Time
  10. Killboy Powerhead
  11. What Happened to You
  12. So Alone
  13. Not the One
  14. Smash

Heaven 17: The Luxury Gap

Leave a comment

The luxury gap

On April 8, 1983, “Virgin” label released “The Luxury Gap”, the second Heaven 17 album. It was recorded at “Townhouse Studios”, “AIR Studios” in London, and was produced by British Electric Foundation and Greg Walsh. In 1984, the album was certified Platinum by “BPI”.

Personnel:

  • Glenn Gregory– vocals
  • Ian Craig Marsh– synthesizer programming
  • Martyn Ware – vocals, Linn LM-1, synthesizer programming
  • Simon Phillips- drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware.

  1. Crushed by the Wheels of Industry
  2. Who’ll Stop the Rain
  3. Let Me Go
  4. Key to the World
  5. Temptation
  6. Come Live With Me
  7. Lady Ice and Mr Hex
  8. We Live So Fast
  9. The Best Kept Secret

 

 

Toto: Toto IV

Leave a comment

Toto_IV

On April 8, 1983, “Columbia” label released “Toto IV”, the fourth Toto studio album. It was recorded 1981—82 at “Sunset Sound” and “Ocean Way Studios” in Los Angeles,  “Hogg Manorin” in  Sherman Oaks, California , “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Paich. Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate and Steve Porcaro. In 1983, the album won six “Grammy Awards including “Album of the Year”, “Producer of the Year” for the band, and “Record of the Year” for “Rosanna”.

Personnel:

  • David Paich – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, orchestral arrangements, horn arrangements
  • Steve Lukather- lead and backing vocals, guitar, piano
  • Bobby Kimball- lead and backing vocals
  • Steve Porcaro- lead vocal, keyboards
  • David Hungate– bass guitar
  • Jeff Porcaro- drums, percussion, xylophone, tympani
  • James Newton Howard- strings, arranger, conductor, orchestral arrangements
  • Lenny Castro- percussion, conga
  • Joe Porcaro– percussion
  • Ralph Dyck – synthesizer, synthesizer programming
  • Roger Linn- synthesizer programming
  • Jim Horn- saxophone, recorders
  • Jon Smith – saxophone
  • Tom Scott– saxophone
  • Gary Grant – trumpet
  • Jerry Hey- trumpet and horn arrangements
  • James Pankow– trombone
  • Martyn Ford – strings
  • Mike Porcaro– cello
  • Marty Paich- orchestral arrangements
  • Timothy B. Schmit- backing vocals
  • Tom Kelly- backing vocals
  • Greg Ladanyi– engineer
  • Doug Sax- mastering

Track listing:

  1. Rosanna – David Paich
  2. Make Believe – David Paich
  3. I Won’t Hold You Back – Steve Lukather
  4. Good for You – Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather
  5. It’s a Feeling – Steve Porcaro
  6. Afraid of Love – Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro
  7. Lovers in the Night – David Paich
  8. We Made It – David Paich, Jeff Porcaro
  9. Waiting for Your Love – Bobby Kimball, David Paich
  10. Africa – David Paich, Jeff Porcaro

Rick James: Street Songs

Leave a comment

Rick_James_-_Street_Songs

On April 7, 1981, “Gordy Records” label released “Street Songs”, the fifth Rick James album. It was recorded December 1980 – January 1981, at  the “Record Plant” in Sausalito, California and “Motown / Hitsville U.S.A. Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Rick James. In July 1981, the album was certified Platinum in US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Rick James – lead vocals, guitar, bass, drums, timbales, percussion, string and horn arrangements, design concept
  • Tom McDermott – guitar, percussion
  • Erskine Williams – keyboards, clavinet, organ
  • Levi Ruffin Jr – synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Oscar Alston – bass, percussion
  • Lanise Hughes – drums
  • Steve Price – drums
  • Armando Peraza, Bugsy Wilcox, Nate Hughes, Raul Rekow – percussion
  • Donny Keider – vibraphone
  • Daniel LeMelle – alto and tenor saxophone, horns, flute
  • Fernando Harkless, Roy Roper – trumpet
  • John Ervin – horns, trombone, flute
  • Cliff Ervin – horns, trumpet, piccolo flute, flugelhorn
  • The Mary Jane Band (JoAnne McDuffy, Lisa Sarna) – singers
  • Jane’t DuBois, Jackie Ruffin, Julia Waters Tillman, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Levi Ruffin, Jr., Marci Thomas, Maxine Waters Willard, Pattie Brooks, The Mary Jane Band – singers
  • Aaron Dublin, California St. Clair, Daniel LeMelle, Levi Ruffin, Jr., Lisa Sarna, Oscar Alston, Teena Marie, Victor Reed – handclaps
  • Stone City Band – backing band
  • Charles Veal Jr – concertmaster
  • Daniel LeMelle – string and horn arrangements
  • Reggie Andrews – string arrangements
  • Bobby Brooks, Tom Flye – recording, mixing
  • Rick Sanches – recording
  • Michael Johnson, Tony Autore – engineer assistant
  • Johnny Lee – art direction
  • Ginny Livingston – design
  • Norman Moore – logo design
  • Ron Slenzak – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Rick James, except where noted.

  1. Give It to Me Baby
  2. Ghetto Life
  3. Make Love to Me
  4. Policeman
  5. Super Freak – Rick James, Alonzo Miller
  6. Fire and Desire
  7. Call Me Up
  8. Below the Funk

Modest Mouse: Good News for People Who Love Bad News

Leave a comment

GoodNews

On April 6, 2004, “Epic” label released “Good News for People Who Love Bad News”, the fourth Modest Mouse album. It was recorded September–October 2003, at “Sweet Tea Studio” in Oxford, Mississippi and “Easley Recording” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Dennis Herring. In 2004, the album was certified Platinum in US by the “RIAA” .

Personnel:

  • Isaac Brock –vocals, guitar, banjo, baritone guitar, ukulele, piano, Rhodes, Hendx 3000, whistle, freak beak
  • Eric Judy –bass, acoustic guitar, backup vocals, pump organ, mellotron, tin whistle, percussion
  • Dann Gallucci – guitar,keyboards, piano, backup vocals, mellotron, drum loops, pump organ, timpani, percussion, glockenspiel
  • Benjamin Weikel –drums
  • The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band –drums
  • Tom Peloso –standup bass, fiddle
  • Dennis Herring – Harmonica
  • The Dirty Dozen Brass Band – horns
  • Milo Chaska Judy – vocals
  • The Flaming Lips– additional instrumentation
  • Houston – artwork, design

Track lsiting:

All tracks by Isaac Brock, Dann Gallucci, Eric Judy, and Benjamin Weikel.

  1. Horn Intro
  2. The World at Large
  3. Float On
  4. Ocean Breathes Salty
  5. Dig Your Grave
  6. Bury Me With It
  7. Dance Hall
  8. Bukowski
  9. This Devil’s Workday
  10. The Views
  11. Satin in a Coffin
  12. Interlude (Milo)
  13. Blame It on the Tetons
  14. Black Cadillacs
  15. One Chance
  16. The Good Times Are Killing Me