On July 16, 2012, Robert Kreinar aka Bob Babbitt died aged 74. He was musician (bass), member of the “Motown Records” studio band The Funk Brothers, MFSB for “Philadelphia International Records”, and founding member of Scorpion. As a session musician Babbitt recorded for Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Robert Palmer, Alice Cooper, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Spinners, Stevie Wonder, Edwin Starr, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Freda Payne, The Temptations, and The Main Ingredient. “Bass Player” magazine ranked Babbitt at number 59 on its list of the “100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time”.
Tag Archives: The Funk Brothers
Uriel Jones
On March 24, 2009, Uriel Jones died aged 74. He was musician (drums), session drummer for Motown’s in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s. He has recorded with many famous artists including Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Carl Dixon BandTraxs and Spider Webb.
Marvin Gaye: That’s the Way Love Is
On January 8, 1970, “Tamla” label released “That’s the Way Love Is”, the tenth Marvin Gaye studio album. It was recorded in 1969, at “Hitsville U.S.A.” in Detroit, and was produced by Norman Whitfield.
Personnel:
- Marvin Gaye- lead vocals
- The Funk Brothers- instrumentation
- The Andantes, The Originals- backing vocals
Track listing:
- Gonna Give Her All The Love I’ve Got – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- Yesterday – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Groovin’ – Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
- I Wish It Would Rain – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- That’s The Way Love Is – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- How Can I Forget? – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- Abraham, Martin & John – Dick Holler
- Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- No Time for Tears – Eddie Holland, Norman Whitfield
- Cloud Nine – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- Don’t You Miss Me A Little Bit, Baby? – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- So Long – Eddie Holland, Dean Taylor, Norman Whitfield
Meat Loaf: Stoney And Meatloaf
In October 1971, “Rare Earth” label released “Stoney and Meatloaf”, the debut Meat Loaf album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Ralph Terrana, Russ Terrana, Mike Valvano, Nick Zesses and Dino Fekaris.
Personnel:
- Meat Loaf – lead vocals
- Stoney Murphy – lead vocals
- The Funk Brothers, Bob Babbitt, Mike Campbell, Ray Monette, Andrew Smith, Ralph Terrana, Charlie Irwin, Richard Ponte, Jim Simmons, Scott Strong – instrumentation
- Mike Campbell, Telma Hopkins, Joyce Vincent – backing vocals
- Tom Baird, David Van De Pitte – arrangements
- Glen Jordan – remix
- Jack Andrews – mastering
Track listing:
- (I’d Love to Be) As Heavy as Jesus – Patti Jerome, Ralph Terrana, Mike Valvano
- She Waits by the Window – Mike Campbell, Ray Monette
- It Takes All Kinds of People – Patti Jerome, Mike Valvano
- Game of Love – Ike Turner
- Kiss Me Again – Mike Campbell, Ray Monette
- What You See Is What You Get – Patti Jerome, Mike Valvano
- Sunshine (Where’s Heaven?) – Ralph Terrana, Mike Valvano
- Jimmy Bell – traditional
- Lady Be Mine – Mike Campbell, Ray Monette
- Jessica White – Mike Campbell, Ray Monette
Four Tops: Reach Out
In July 1967, “Motown” label released “Reach Out”, the sixth Four Tops album. It was recorded 1966 – 1967 at “Hitsville Studio A”, and was produced by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Smokey Robinson and Clarence Paul.
Personnel:
- Levi Stubbs – lead vocals
- Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Lawrence Payton, The Andantes – backing vocals
- The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
Track listing:
- Reach Out I’ll Be There – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
- Walk Away Renée – Bob Calilli, Michael Brown, Tony Sansone
- 7-Rooms of Gloom – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
- If I Were a Carpenter – Tim Hardin
- Last Train to Clarksville – Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart
- I’ll Turn to Stone – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Dean Taylor
- I’m a Believer – Neil Diamond
- Standing in the Shadows of Love – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
- Bernadette – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
- Cherish – Terry Kirkman
- Wonderful Baby – Smokey Robinson
- What Else Is There to Do (But Think About You) – Stevie Wonder, Clarence Paul, Morris Broadnax
Supremes: Floy Joy
In May 1972, “Motown” label released “Floy Joy”, the twenty-fifth Supremes album. It was recorded 1971-1972, and was produced by Smokey Robinson.
Personnel:
- Jean Terrell- lead and backing vocals
- Mary Wilson- lead and backing vocals
- Cindy Birdsong- lead and backing vocals
- The Andantes(Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow) – additional backing vocals
- Instrumentation byThe Funk Brothers:
- Dennis Coffey- guitar
- Robert White- guitar
- Eddie Willis- guitar
- Marvin Tarplin- guitar
- Earl Van Dyke- piano, keyboards
- Johnny Griffith- piano, keyboards
- James Jamerson- bass
- Zachary Slater – drums
- Andrew Smith – drums
- Jack Ashford- percussion
- Jack Brokensha- percussion
- Eddie “Bongo” Brown- percussion
- Paul Riser- arranger
- Jim Britt – photography
- Berry Gordy- executive producer
Track listing:
- Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love – Smokey Robinson
- Floy Joy – SmokeyRobinson
- A Heart Like Mine – Smokey Robinson,Ronald White
- Over and Over – Smokey Robinson
- Precious Little Things – Smokey Robinson,Marvin Tarplin, Pam Moffett
- Now the Bitter, Now the Sweet – Smokey Robinson, Cecil Franklin
- Automatically Sunshine – Smokey Robinson
- The Wisdom of Time – Smokey Robinson, Pam Moffett, Clifford Burston
- Oh Be My Love – Smokey Robinson,Warren Moore
Mary Wells: Mary Wells Sings My Guy
In May 1964, “Motown” label released “Mary Wells Sings My Guy”, the fourth studio Mary Wells album. It was recorded 1963-1964, and was produced by Smokey Robinson.
Personnel:
- Mary Wells- lead vocals
- The Andantes- backing vocals
- The Love-Tones – backing vocals
- Eddie Holland- backing vocals
- The Funk Brothers- instrumentation
- Dezo Hoffmann- front cover photography
- Lee Ivory – sleeve notes.
Track listing:
- He’s The One I Love – Smokey Robinson
- Whisper You Love Me Boy – Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier
- My Guy – Smokey Robinson
- Does He Love Me – William “Mickey” Stevenson
- How? (When My Heart Belongs To You) – Smokey Robinson
- He Holds His Own – Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier
- My Baby Just Cares for Me – Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
- I Only Have Eyes for You – Al Dubin, Harry Warren
- You Do Something to Me – Cole Porter
- It Had to Be You – Gus Kahn, Isham Jones
- If You Love Me (Really Love Me) – Geoffrey Parsons, Marguerite Monnot
- At Last – Harry Warren, Mack Gordon
The Temptations: Puzzle People
On September 23, 1969, “Gordy” label released “Puzzle People”,the eleventh Temptations (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Norman Whitfield.
Personnel:
- Dennis Edwards – vocals
- Eddie Kendricks – vocals
- Paul Williams – vocals
- Melvin Franklin – vocals
- Otis Williams – vocals
- Barrett Strong – yricist
- The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
Track listing:
- I Can’t Get Next to You – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
- Hey Jude – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Don’t Let The Joneses Get You Down – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
- Message From A Black Man – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
- It’s Your Thing – Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley
- Little Green Apples – Bobby Russell
- You Don’t Love Me No More – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, Roger Penzabene
- Since I’ve Lost You – Norman Whitfield
- Running Away (Ain’t Gonna Help You) – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
- That’s the Way Love Is – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
- Slave – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
The Temptations: All Directions
On July 1972, “Gordy” label released “All Directions”, the 15th Temptations (The) album. It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Norman Whitfield. In 1973, for the song “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” The Temptations won “Grammy Awards” for “Best R&B Performance by a Group”; “Best R&B Instrumental Performance” and “Best R&B Song”
Personnel:
- Dennis Edwards – vocals
- Damon Harris – vocals
- Richard Street – vocals
- Melvin Franklin – vocals
- Otis Williams – vocals
- The Andantes – backing vocals
- The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
Track listing:
- Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- Run Charlie Run – Maurice King, Jan Forman
- Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- Love Woke Me Up This Morning – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
- I Ain’t Got Nothin’ – Maurice King, Evans King
- The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face – Ewan MacColl
- Mother Nature – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
- Do Your Thing – Isaac Hayes
Temptations: Gettin’ 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:
- Little Miss Sweetness – Smokey Robinson
- Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Edward Holland, Jr., Norman Whitfield
- Get Ready – Smokey Robinson
- Lonely, Lonely Man Am I – Edward Holland, Eddie Kendricks, Norman Whitfield
- Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Janie Bradford, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
- I’ve Been Good to You – Smokey Robinson
- It’s a Lonely World Without Your Love – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
- Fading Away – Warren ‘Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers
- Who You Gonna Run To – Smokey Robinson
- You’re Not an Ordinary Girl – Warren ‘Pete’ Moore, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Ronnie White
- Not Now (I’ll Tell You Later) – Smokey Robinson, Otis Williams
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