Tag Archives: Smokey Robinson

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

Japan: Gentlemen Take Polaroids

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Japan_-_Gentlemen_Take_Polaroids

On October 24, 1980, “Virgin” label released “Gentlemen Take Polaroids”, the fourth Japan studio album.  It was recorded in October 1980,  at “Air Studios” and “Townhouse Studios” in London and was produced by John Punter.

Personnel:

  • David Sylvian– vocals, synthesizers, piano, electric guitar
  • Mick Karn– fretless bass guitar, oboe, saxophone, recorder
  • Steve Jansen– drums, synthesizer, percussion
  • Richard Barbieri– synthesizers, sequencer, piano
  • Rob Dean– guitar, ebow
  • Ryuichi Sakamoto– synthesizers
  • Cyo – vocals
  • Barry Guy– double bass
  • Andrew Cauthery – oboe
  • Simon House– violin

Track listing:

All tracks by David Sylvian, except where noted.

  1. Gentlemen Take Polaroids
  2. Swing
  3. Burning Bridges
  4. My New Career
  5. Methods of Dance
  6. Ain’t That Peculiar – Smokey Robinson, Warren ’Pete’ Moore, Marvin Tarplin, Bobby Rogers
  7. Nightporter
  8. Taking island in Africa – Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Sylvian

Otis Redding: Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul

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Otis blue

On September 15, 1965, “Stax Records” released “Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul”, the third Otis Redding studio album . It was recorded from April – July 1965, at the “Stax Recording Studios” in Memphis, Tennessee and was produced by Jim Stewart, Isaac Hayes and David Porter. “Rolling Stone” magazine raked “Otis Blue” at number 74 on its list of the“500 Greatest Albums of All Time”,

Personnel:

  • Otis Redding– vocals
  • Booker T. Jones– keyboards, piano
  • Isaac Hayes– keyboards, piano
  • Steve Cropper– guitar
  • Donald Dunn– bass
  • Al Jackson, Jr.– drums
  • Wayne Jackson– trumpet
  • Gene Miller – trumpet
  • Andrew Love– tenor saxophone
  • Floyd Newman– baritone saxophone
  • William Bell – backing vocals
  • Earl Sims – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Ole Man Trouble – Otis Redding
  2. Respect – Otis Redding
  3. Change Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
  4. Down in the Valley – Bert Berns, Solomon Burke, Babe Chivian, Joe Martin
  5. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long – Otis Redding, Jerry Butler
  6. Shake – Sam Cooke
  7. My Girl – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  8. Wonderful World – Sam Cooke, Lou Adler, Herb Alpert
  9. Rock Me Baby – B.B. King
  10. Satisfaction – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  11. You Don’t Miss Your Water – William Bell