On July 3, 2023, Michael Ralph “Mo” Foster died aged 79. He was multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, author, and public speaker. In his career spanning over half a century, Foster recorded and performed with dozens of artists, including Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Phil Collins, Ringo Starr, Joan Armatrading, Gerry Rafferty, Brian May, Scott Walker, Frida (of ABBA), Cliff Richard, Van Morrison, Dr John, Hank Marvin, Heaven 17, the London Symphony Orchestra, Peter Green, Micheal Schenker, Gary Moore, Sting, Cher, Olivia Newton John, Elkie Brroks, Neil Innes, Judie Tzuke, Sheena Easton, Meat Loaf, Trevor Rabin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Luka Bloom, Tim Rice, Nigel Kennedy, Affinity, Mike d’Abo, Roger Glover, Jimmy Helms. Fancy, Veronique Sanson, Mike Smith, Cerrone, Ray Russell, Andy Bown, The Walker Brothers, Chris Rainbow, Dollar, Dennis Waterman, Eric Clapton, RMS, Bob Geldof, Joe Walsh, Tony Banks, Leo Sayer, Russ Ballard, Claudio Baglioni, Kenny Rogers, Howard Jones, Tanita Tikaram, Georger Martin, Nancy Griffith and Maggie Bell. As leader, Foster released several albums, and authored a humorous book on the history of British rock guitar. In 2014, he was awarded with the “BASCA Gold Badge Award”.
Tag Archives: The London Symphony Orchestra
Kansas: Always Never the Same
On May 19, 1998, “River North” label released “Always Never the Same”, the thirteenth Kansas studio album. This album consists of new songs and covers of the band’s previous work, re-recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. It was recorded September 1997 – February 1998, at “Southern Tracks”, “Electric Landlady” and “Tree Sound Studios” in Atlanta, Georgia, “Abbey Road Studios” in London, and was produced by Phil Ehart, Rich Williams and Trammell Starks.
Personnel:
- Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
- Robby Steinhardt – lead and backing vocals, violin
- Rich Williams – guitars
- Billy Greer – vocals, bass
- Phil Ehart – drums
- The London Symphony Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Larry Baird
- Russ Fowler, James Majors, Jim “Z” Zumpano – engineer
- Peter Cobbin – orchestra recordings engineer
- Jeff Glixman – mixing
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Brian Jobson, James Majors – digital editing
- Trammell Starks – digital editing
- Michael Allen – copyist
- Pennie Moore, Conni Treantafeles – art direction, design
- Marti Griffin – photography
Track listing:
- Eleanor Rigby – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Dust in the Cover- Kerry Livgren
- Preamble (orchestral) – Larry Baird
- Song for America – Kerry Livgren
- In Your Eyes – Steve Walsh
- Miracles Out of Nowhere – Kerry Livgren
- Hol On – Kerry Livgren
- The Sky Is Falling – Steve Walsh
- Cheyenne Anthem – Kerry Livgren
- Prelude & Introduction (medley) – Phil Ehart, Billy Greer, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh, Rich Williams, Larry Baird
- The Wall – Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh
- Need to Know – Steve Walsh
Pierre Boulez: The Perfect Stranger
On August 23, 1984, “Angel” label released “The Perfect Stranger”, an album featuring the music of Frank Zappa, conducted in part by Pierre Boulez. It was recorded January – April 1984, at “IRCAM” in Paris, and “UMRK” in Hollywood Hills, and was produced by Frank Zappa.
Personnel:
- Frank Zappa– synclavier, liner notes
- Pierre Boulez– conductor, direction
- Péter Eötvös– musical director
- Pierre-Laurent Aimard– piano
- The London Symphony Orchestra
- Ensemble InterContemporain– orchestra
- Guy Arnaud – bass clarinet
- Paul Meyer– clarinet
- Jérôme Naulais– trombone
- Antoine Curé– trumpet
- Lawrence Beauregard – flute
- Jacques Ghestem – violin
- Marie-Claire Jamet– harp
- Daniel Ciampolini – percussion
- David Ocker – programming
- John Matousek – mastering
- Don Hunstein– photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Frank Zappa.
- The Perfect Stranger
- Naval Aviation in Art?
- The Girl in the Magnesium Dress
- Outside Now Again
- Love Story
- Dupree’s Paradise
- Jonestown
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