Tag Archives: Smokey Robinson

Al Kooper: A Possible Projection of the Future / Childhood’s End

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In April 1972, “Columbia” label released “A Possible Projection of the Future / Childhood’s End”, the fifth Al Kooper album. It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Al Kooper.

Personnel:

  • Al Kooper – vocals, acoustic and electric pianos, organ, guitars, ARP, VCS3 and Moog synthesizers, Mellotron, tambourine, sitar
  • Alan Parker – acoustic guitar
  • Harvey Brooks – electric bass
  • Herbie Flowers – electric bass
  • Bobby West – electric bass
  • Paul Humphrey – drums
  • Bobbye Hall Porter – percussion
  • Barry Morgan – drums
  • Claudia Lennear, Linda Lewis, Michael Gately, Robert John – backing vocals
  • Clydie King, Venetta Fields, Oma Drake, Edna Wright – backing vocals
  • John Punter- spoken introduction, engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by Al Kooper; except where noted

  1. A Possible Projection of the Future
  2. The Man in Me – Bob Dylan
  3. Fly On
  4. Please Tell Me Why – Guilly Bright, Jimmy Cliff
  5. The Monkey Time – Curtis Mayfield
  6. Let Your Love Shine
  7. Swept for You Baby – Smokey Robinson
  8. Bended Knees (Please Don’t Leave Me Now)
  9. Love Trap
  10. Childhood’s End

The Temptations: Meet The Temptations

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On March 20, 1964, “Gordy” label released “Meet the Temptations”, the debut Temptations album for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was recorded 1961-January 1964, and was produced by Berry Gordy, Andre Williams, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Smokey Robinson, and Norman Whitfield.

Personnel:

  • Eddie Kendricks – vocals
  • Paul Williams – vocals
  • Melvin Franklin – vocals
  • Otis Williams – vocals
  • Elbridge “Al” Bryant – vocals
  • Davis “David” Ruffin – vocals
  • Eddie Holland – backing vocals
  • Brian Holland – backing vocals
  • Berry Gordy – executive producer
  • Smokey Robinson – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. The Way You Do the Things You Do – Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers
  2. I Want a Love I Can See – Smokey Robinson
  3. (You’re My) Dream Come True – Berry Gordy, Jr.
  4. Paradise – Berry Gordy
  5. May I Have This Dance – Janie Bradford, Norman Whitfield
  6. Isn’t She Pretty – Berry Gordy, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams
  7. Just Let Me Know – Berry Gordy
  8. Your Wonderful Love – Berry Gordy
  9. The Further You Look, the Less You See – Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield
  10. Check Yourself – Elbridge Bryant, David English, Berry Gordy, Otis Williams
  11. Slow Down Heart – Smokey Robinson
  12. Farewell My Love – Berry Gordy

The Zombies: Begin Here

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begin_here

In March 1965, “Decca” label released “Begin Here”, the debut Zombies album. It was recorded June-November 1964, and was produced by Ken Jones.

Personnel:

  • Colin Blunstone- lead and backing vocals
  • Paul Atkinson- guitar
  • Rod Argent – lead and backing vocals, piano, organ, harmonica
  • Chris White- bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Hugh Grundy- drums
  • Ken Jones- piano, tambourine
  • Dezo Hoffmann – photography

Track listing:

  1. Road Runner – Bo Diddley
  2. Summertime – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward
  3. I Can’t Make Up My Mind – Chris White
  4. The Way I Feel Inside – Rod Argent
  5. Work’n’Play – Ken Jones
  6. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me/Bring It On Home to Me – Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke
  7. She’s Not There – Rod Argent
  8. Stick and Stones – Henry Glover, Titus Turner
  9. Can’t Nobody Love You – Phillip Mitchell
  10. Woman – Rod Argent
  11. I Don’t Want to Know – Chris White
  12. I Remember When I Loved Her – Rod Argent
  13. What More Can I Do – Chris White
  14. I Got My Mojo Working – Preston Foster, McKinley Morganfield

The Butterfield Blues Band: The Resurrection of Pigboy Grabshaw

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the_resurrection_of_pigboy_crabshaw

In December 1967, “Elektra” label released “The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw”, the third Butterfield Blues Band (The) album. It was recorded in 1967, and was produced by John Court.

Personnel:

  • Paul Butterfield– vocals, harmonica
  • Elvin Bishop– guitar
  • Mark Naftalin– keyboards
  • Bugsy Maugh – bass, vocalon
  • Phil Wilson– drums
  • David Sanborn– alto saxophone
  • Gene Dinwiddie– tenor saxophone
  • Keith Johnson – trumpet

Track listing:

  1. One More Heartache – Smokey Robinson, The Miracles
  2. Driftin’ and Driftin’ – Charles Brown, Johnny Moore, Eddie Williams
  3. I Pity the Fool – Deadric Malone
  4. Born Under a Bad Sign – William Bell, Booker T. Jones
  5. Run Out of Time – Paul Butterfield, Gene Dinwiddie
  6. Double Trouble – Otis Rush
  7. Drivin’ Wheel – Roosevelt Sykes
  8. Droppin’ Out – Paul Butterfield, Tucker Zimmerman
  9. Tollin’ Bells – traditional, arranged by The Butterfield Blues Band

The Beatles: With The Beatles

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with-the-beatles

On November 22, 1963, “Parlaphone” label released “With the Beatles”, the second Beatles (The) studio album. It was recorded July – October 1963, at “EMI Studios” in London, and was produced by George Martin. “With the Beatles” was the first Beatles album released in North America. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 420 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • George Harrison– lead, harmony and backing vocals; lead and acoustic guitars; handclaps
  • John Lennon– lead, harmony and backing vocals; rhythm and acoustic guitars; harmonica and handclaps; nylon-string acoustic guitar; Hammond organ, tambourine
  • Paul McCartney– lead, harmony and backing vocals; bass guitar and handclaps; piano, claves
  • Ringo Starr– lead vocals, drums, tambourine, maracas, handclaps, bongo
  • Robert Freeman– cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, except where noted.

  1. It Won’t Be Long
  2. All I’ve Got to Do
  3. All My Loving
  4. Don’t Bother Me – George Harrison
  5. Little Child
  6. Till There Was You – Meredith Willson
  7. Please Mister Postman – Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, Robert Bateman
  8. Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry
  9. Hold Me Tight
  10. You Really Got a Hold on Me – Smokey Robinson
  11. I Wanna Be Your Man
  12. Devil in Her Heart- Richard Drapkin
  13. Not a Second Time
  14. Money (That’s What I Want) – Janie Bradford, Berry Gordy

Temptations: Gettin’ Ready

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Get Ready

On June 15, 1966, “Gordy” label released “Gettin’ Ready”, the fourth Temptations studio album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by Smokey Robinson,  Norman Whitfield, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter, Robert Staunton
and Robert Walker. This is band’s first album with Norman Whitfield as main producer, replacing Smokey Robinson on this position.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin – vocals
  • Eddie Kendricks – vocals
  • Paul Williams – vocals
  • Melvin Franklin – vocals
  • Otis Williams – vocals
  • Elbridge “Al” Bryant – vocals
  • The Supremes – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers –  instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra: instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Little Miss Sweetness – Smokey Robinson
  2. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Edward Holland, Jr., Norman Whitfield
  3. Get Ready – Smokey Robinson
  4. Lonely, Lonely Man Am I – Edward Holland, Eddie Kendricks, Norman Whitfield
  5. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Janie Bradford, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  6. I’ve Been Good to You – Smokey Robinson
  7. It’s a Lonely World Without Your Love – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  8. Fading Away – Warren ‘Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers
  9. Who You Gonna Run To – Smokey Robinson
  10. You’re Not an Ordinary Girl – Warren ‘Pete’ Moore, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Ronnie White
  11. Not Now (I’ll Tell You Later) – Smokey Robinson, Otis Williams

 

The Supremes: Let The Sunshine In

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LetTheSunshineIn

On May 26, 1969, “Motown” label released “Let the Sunshine In”, the sixteen Diana Ross & the Supremes album. It was recorded 1966 – 1969, and was produced by Berry Gordy, Frank Wilson, R. Dean Taylor, Deke Richards, Henry Cosby, Smokey Robinson ,Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, Pete Moore, George Gordy, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, William Weatherspoon, Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.

Personnel:

  • Diana Ross – lead vocals
  • Mary Wilson – backing vocals
  • Cindy Birdsong – backing vocals
  • Florence Ballard – backing vocals
  • The Andantes– backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers- instrumentation
  • Los Angeles session musicians – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. The Composer
  2. Everyday People
  3. No Matter What Sign You Are
  4. Hey, Western Union Man
  5. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
  6. I’m Livin’ in Shame
  7. Medley: “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)
  8. Let the Music Play
  9. With a Child’s Heart
  10. Discover Me (And You’ll Discover Love)
  11. Will This Be the Day
  12. I’m So Glad I Got Somebody (Like You Around)

The Temptations: Wish It Would Rain

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wish-it-would-rain

On April 29, 1968, “Gordy” label released “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain”, the seventh Temptations (The) studio album. It was recorded 1967-1968, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Smokey Robinson and Henry Cosby. It was the band’s final release with the original line-up: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain” is also band’s last album to feature Smokey Robinson as producer.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin: vocals
  • Eddie Kendricks: vocals
  • Paul Williams: vocals
  • Melvin Franklin: vocals
  • Otis Williams: vocals

Track listing:

  1. I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  2. Cindy – Smokey Robinson
  3. I Wish it Would Rain – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  4. Please Return Your Love to Me – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  5. Fan the Flame – Al Cleveland, Terry Johnson, Smokey Robinson
  6. He Who Picks a Rose – Edward Holland Jr., Emillio “Father” Smiley, Norman Whitfield
  7. Why Did You leave Me Darling – James Dean, Deke Richards
  8. I Truly, Truly Believe – George Gordy, Margaret Gordy, Allen Story
  9. This is My Beloved – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  10. Gonna Give Her All the Love I’ve Got – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  11. I’ve Passed This Way Before – James Dean, William Weatherspoon
  12. No Man Can Love Her Like I Do – Edward Holland, Norman Whitfield, Eddie Kendricks

 

Mike + the Mechanics: Beggar On A Beach Of Gold

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Beggar_On_A_Beach_Of_Gold

On March 6, 1995, “Atlantic” label released “Beggar on a Beach of Gold”, the fourth Mike + the Mechanics album. It was recorded  1993 -1995, and was produced by Mike Rutherford and Christopher Neil.

Personnel:

  • Mike Rutherford– guitar, bass, keyboards
  • Paul Carrack– vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Young– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Peter Van Hooke– drums
  • Adrian Lee– keyboards
  • Clem Clempson– guitar
  • A. Robertson– keyboards
  • Paul “Wix” Wickens– keyboards
  • Andy Newmark– drums
  • Gary Wallis– drums
  • Katie Kissoon– backing vocals
  • Tessa Niles– backing vocals
  • Dale Newman – programming
  • David Frangioni – drum programming
  • Rich Mendelson – drum programming

Track listing:

  1. A Beggar on a Beach of Gold – Mike Rutherford, A. Robertson
  2. Another Cup of Coffee – Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil
  3. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me – Smokey Robinson
  4. Mea Culpa – Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil
  5. Over My Shoulder – Mike Rutherford, Paul Carrack
  6. Someone Always Hates Someone – Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil
  7. The Ghost of Sex and You – Mike Rutherford, B.A.Robertson
  8. Web of Lies – Mike Rutherford, Paul Carrack
  9. Plain and Simple – Mike Rutherford, B.A.Robertson
  10. Something to Believe In – Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil
  11. A House of Many Rooms – Mike Rutherford, B.A. Robertson
  12. I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) – Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright
  13. Going, Going… Home – Mike Rutherford, Christopher Neil

Todd Rundgren: A Wizard, A True Star

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Wizard

On March 2, 1973, “Bearsville” label released “A Wizard, a True Star”, the fourth Todd Rundgren album. It was recorded in 1972 – 1973, at “Secret Sound Studio” in New York, and was produced by Todd Rundgren.

Personnel:

  • Todd Rundgren– vocals, guitars, keyboards
  • Rick Derringer– guitar
  • Mark “Moogy” Klingman– keyboards
  • Ralph Schuckett– keyboards
  • Jean-Yves “M. Frog” Labat –synthesizer
  • John Siegler –bass guitar, cello
  • John Siomos– drums
  • Michael Brecker– saxophone
  • Randy Brecker– horn
  • Barry Rogers– trombone
  • David Sanborn– saxophone
  • Arthur Wood – cover painting

Track listing:

All tracks by Todd Rundgren except where noted.

  1. International Feel
  2. Never Never Land – Betty Comden,Adolph Green , Jule Styne
  3. Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off
  4. You Need Your Head
  5. Rock and Roll Pussy
  6. Dogfight Giggle
  7. You Don’t Have to Camp Around
  8. Flamingo
  9. Zen Archer
  10. Just Another Onionhead / Da da Dali
  11. When the Shit Hits the Fan/Sunset Blvd.
  12. Le Feel Internacionale
  13. Sometimes I Don’t Know What to Feel
  14. Does Anybody Love You?
  15. Medley
    • I’m So Proud – Curtis Mayfield
    • Ooh Baby Baby – Smokey Robinson, Warren “Pete” Moore
    • La La Means I Love You – William Hart, Thom Bell
    • Cool Jerk – Donald Storball
  16. Hungry for Love
  17. I Don’t Want to Tie You Down
  18. Is It My Name?
  19. Just One Victory