On December 22, 2022, Thomas Randolph Bell died aged79. He was producer, arranger and songwriter, regarded as one of the creators of the Philadelphia soul in the 70’. As songwriter, arranger and producer he worked with Hattie Winston, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, The Spinners, New York City, Elton John, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Denice Williams, Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & the Drells, Jerry Bell, Dionne Warwick, The O’Jays, Dusty Springfield. and James Ingram. In 2016, Bell was inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, and into the ”Musicians Hall of Fame”.
Tag Archives: The Stylistics
The Stylistics: Round 2
In October 1972, “Avco” label released “Round 2” is the second Stylistics (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, and was produced by Thom Bell.
Personnel:
- Russell Thompkins, Jr. – lead vocals
- Airrion Love, James Smith, Herb Murrell, James Dunn – backing vocals
- Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram – additional backing vocals
- Norman Harris, Roland Chambers, Tony Bell, Eli Tartarsky – guitar
- Thom Bell – piano, harpsichord
- Joe DeAngelis, Stephanie Fauber, Robert Martin – French horn
- Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
- Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
- George Shaw – flute
- Vincent Forchetti, Bob Moore, Richard Genevese – trombone
- Don Renaldo, Tony Sinagoga, Albert Berone, Rudy Malizia, Angelo Pretrella, Romeo Di Stefano, Charles Apollonia, Davis Barnett, Richard Jones, Herschel Wise – strings
- Mary Gale – harp
- Fredric Cohen – oboe
- Ronnie Baker – bass
- Earl Young – drums
- Larry Washington – congas
- Vince Montana – percussion
Track listing:
All tracks by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, except where noted.
- I’m Stone in Love with You – Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Anthony Bell
- If You Don’t Watch Out
- You and Me
- It’s Too Late – Carole King, Toni Stern
- Children of the Night
- You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
- Break Up to Make Up – Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Kenneth Gamble
- Peek-a-Boo – Gregory Guess, Norman Knox
- You’re asd Right as Rain
- Pieces
The Stylistics: Same
On November 6, 1971, “Avco” label released the self titled, debut Stylistics (The) album. It was recorded 1970-1971, at “Sigma Sound Studios” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an d was produced by Thom Bell.
Personnel:
- Russell Thompkins, Jr.– lead vocals
- Airrion Love, James Smith, Herb Murrell, James Dunn – backing vocals
- Linda Creed, Barbara Ingram– additional backing vocals
- Norman Harris, Roland Chambers – guitar
- Lenny Pakula – piano, organ
- Ronnie Baker– bass
- Earl Young– drums
- Larry Washington – congas
- Vince Montana– percussion
- Jack Faith – alto saxophone, flute
- Rocco Bene, Bobby Hartzell – trumpet
- Fredric Cohen – oboe
- Joe DeAngelis, Stephanie Fauber, Robert Martin – French horn
- George Shaw – flute
- Vincent Forchetti, Bob Moore, Richard Genevese – trombone
- Don Renaldo, Tony Sinagoga, Albert Berone, Rudy Malizia, Angelo Pretrella, Romeo Di Stefano, Charles Apollonia, Davis Barnett, Richard Jones, Herschel Wise – strings
- Mary Gale – harp
Track listing:
All tracks by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, except where noted.
- Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)
- Point of No Return
- Betcha by Golly, Wow
- Country Living
- You’re a Big Girl Now – Marty Bryant, Robert Douglas
- You Are Everything
- People Make the World Go Round
- Ebony Eyes
- If I Love You
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