Tag Archives: Tamla Motown

Stevie Wonder: Down To Earth

On November 16, 1966, “Tamla Motown” label released “Down to Earth”, the sixth Stevie Wonder studio album. It was recorded 1965 – 1966, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – vocals, harmonica, keyboards, drums, percussion
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • James Jamerson – bass guitar
  • Benny Benjamin – drums
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. A Place in the Sun – Ron Miller, Bryan Wells
  2. Bang Bang – Sonny Bono
  3. Down to Earth – Ron Miller, Avery Vanderberg
  4. Thank You Love – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  5. Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together) – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  6. Sylvia – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  7. My World Is Empty Without You – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. The Lonesome Road – Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret
  9. Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me) – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy
  10. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan
  11. Sixteen Tons – Merle Travis
  12. Hey Love – Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Away We A Go-Go

In November 1966, “Tamla Motown” label released “Away We a Go-Go”, album by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (second album by the name of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles). It was recorded in 1966, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson, Mickey Gentile, Frank Wilson, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Norman Whitfield and Ivy Jo Hunter.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers  – instrumentation
  • Various New York session musicians – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Whole Lot of Shakin’ in My Heart (Since I Met You) – Frank Wilson
  2. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me – Pino Donaggio, Simon Napier-Bell, Vicki Wickham, Vito Pallavicini
  3. Come ‘Round Here) I’m the One You Need – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  4. Save Me – Smokey Robinson, Robert Rogers, Warren Moore
  5. Oh Be My Love – Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore
  6. Can You Love a Poor Boy – Ivy Jo Hunter, Stevie Wonder
  7. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland, Jr.
  8. I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  9. Baby Baby – Helen Lewis, Kay Lewis
  10. Walk On By – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  11. Swept for You Baby – Smokey Robinson
  12. More, More, More of Your Love – Smokey Robinson

Stevie Wonder: With A Song In My Heart

On December 28, 1963, “Tamla Motown” label released “With a Song In My Heart”, the third Stevie Wonder studio album. It was recorded in 1963, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and in Los Angeles, and was produced by Clarence Paul and William “Mickey” Stevenson.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder- vocals, harmonica
  • Ernie Wilkins- arrangements, conductor
  • Los Angelessession musicians – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. With a Song in My Heart – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
  2. When You Wish Upon a Star – Ned Washington, Leigh Harline
  3. Smile – Charlie Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner
  4. Make Someone Happy – Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne
  5. Dream – Johnny Mercer
  6. Put on a Happy Face – Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
  7. On the Sunny Side of the Street – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
  8. Get Happy – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
  9. Give Your Heart a Chance – Ron Miller, Orlando Murden, Kenneth O’Neil
  10. Without a Song – Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans

Commodores: Same

Commodores

On March 30, 1977, “Motown” label released the self – titled, fifth Commodores album. It was recorded 1976-1977, and was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, Milan Williams, Ronald Lapread and William King.

Personnel:

  • Lionel Richie- vocals, saxophone, keyboards
  • Thomas McClary – vocals, guitar
  • Milan Williams- keyboards
  • Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
  • Walter Orange – vocals, drums, percussion
  • William King – trumpet

Track listing:

  1. Squeeze the Fruit – Walter Orange
  2. Funny Feelings – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
  3. Heaven Knows – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
  4. Zoom – Lionel Richie, Ronald LaPread
  5. Won’t You Come Dance with Me – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
  6. Brick House – Shirley Hanna-King, Lionel Richie, Milan Williams, Walter Orange, Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, William King
  7. Funky Situation – William King
  8. Patch It Up – Milan Williams
  9. Easy – Lionel Richie