Tag Archives: Swing Down Chariot

Billy Preston: I Wrote a Simple Song

On November 8, 1971, “A&M” label released “I Wrote a Simple Song”, the sixth Billy Preston studio album. It was recorded February, August and September 1971, at “A&M Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Billy Preston.

Personnel:

  • Billy Preston – vocals, piano, Hammond organ, keyboards
  • David T. Walker – electric guitar
  • George Harrison – guitar, dobro
  • Manuel Kellough – drums
  • King Errisson – congas, percussion
  • Rocky Peoples – tenor saxophone
  • Carlos Garnette – trumpet
  • Quincy Jones – string and horn arrangements
  • Clydie King, Douglas Gibbs, Duane Rogers, Eugene Bryant, Jesse Kirkland, Merry Clayton, Myrna Matthews, Patrice Holloway, Sherrell Atwood, Venetta Fields – backing vocals,
  • Tommy Vicari – engineer
  • Roland Young – art direction
  • Jim McCrary – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Billy Preston and Joe Green, except where noted.

  1. Should Have Known Better
  2. I Wrote a Simple Song
  3. John Henry – Billy Preston, Robert Sam
  4. Without a Song – William Rose, Edward Eliscu, Vincent Youmans
  5. The Bus
  6. Outa-Space
  7. The Looner Tune – Billy Preston, Joe Greene, Jesse Kirkland
  8. You Done Got Older – Billy Preston, Bruce Fisher
  9. Swing Down Chariot – traditional; arranged by Billy Preston, Joe Greene
  10. God Is Great
  11. My Country, ‘Tis of Thee – traditional

Rufus: Rags To Rufus

In May 1974, “ABC Records” label released “Rags To Rufus”, the second Rufus studio album. It was recorded 1973-1974, at “Quantum Studios” in Torrance, California, and was produced by Chaka Khan, Dennis Beifield, André Fischer, Kevin Murphy, Al Ciner, Ron Stockert and Bob Monaco. The album was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Chaka Khan– lead and backing vocals
  • Al Ciner – acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
  • Tony Maiden – vocals, guitar, talk box
  • Nate Morgan – keyboards
  • Kevin Murphy– organ, clavinet, backing vocals
  • Ron Stockert – lead and backing vocals, keyboards
  • Dennis Belfield – bass, backing vocals
  • André Fischer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner – string and horn arrangements
  • Clare Fischer– orchestration
  • Don Sciarrotta – chief recording, re-mix engineer
  • Tony Sciarrotta – engineer assistant
  • Vic Zaslow – mastering

Track listing:

  1. You Got the Love – Chaka Khan, Ray Parker, Jr.
  2. I Got the Right Street (But the Wrong Direction) – Ron Stockert
  3. Walkin’ in the Sun – Jeff Barry
  4. Rags to Rufus – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  5. Swing Down Chariot – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  6. Sideways – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  7. Ain’t Nothin’ But a Maybe – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Tell Me Something Good – Stevie Wonder
  9. Look Through My Eyes – Dennis Belfield
  10. “In Love We Grow – Dennis Belfield
  11. Smokin’ Room – Dennis Belfield