Tag Archives: Valerie Simpson

The Three Sounds: Vibrations

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In January 1967, “Blue Note” label released “Vibrations”, the 25th Three Sounds (The) album. It was recorded in October 1966, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Personnel:

  • Gene Harris – piano, organ
  • Andrew Simpkins – bass
  • Kalil Madi – drums
  • Rudy Van Gelder – recording
  • Reid Miles – design, photography
  • Leonard Feather – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. The Frown – Gene Harris
  2. Fever – Eddie Cooley, Otis Blackwell
  3. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Joey Armstead, Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. Something You Got – Chris Kenner
  5. Yeh Yeh – Rogers Grant, Pat Patrick
  6. It Was a Very Good Year – Ervin Drake
  7. The Lamp Is Low – Peter de Rose, Bert Shefter
  8. Yours Is My Heart Alone – Ludwig Herzer, Franz Lehár, Fritz Löhner-Beda
  9. Django – John Lewis
  10. Charade – Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer
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Atlanta Rhythm Section: Underdog

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In June 1979, “Polydor” label released “Underdog”, the eight Atlanta Rhythm Section album. It was recorded in 1979, and was produced by Buddy Buie.

Personnel:

  • Buddy Buie – lead and backing vocals
  • Ronnie Hammond – vocals
  • Barry Bailey – acoustic and electric guitar
  • James B. Cobb – guitar, percussion, backing vocals
  • Dean Daughtry – keyboards
  • Paul Goddard – bass guitar, double bass
  • Roy Yeager – drums, percussion
  • Robert Nix – drums, backing vocals
  • Bob Ludwig, Rodney Mills – mastering

Track listing:

  1. Do It or Die – Buddy Buie, Ronnie Hammond
  2. Born Ready – Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix
  3. I Hate the Blues – Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix
  4. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  5. Indigo Passion – Buddy Buie, James B. Cobb
  6. While Time is Left – Barry Bailey, Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix
  7. It’s Only Music – Buddy Buie, James B. Cobb
  8. Spooky – Buddy Buie, James B. Cobb, Middlebrooks, Shapiro
  9. My Song – Buddy Buie, Ronnie Hammond

On June 13, 1966.

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On June 13, 1966, “Columbia” label released “Soul Sister”, the eighth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by Bob Johnston and Clyde Otis.

Track listing:

  1. Until You Were Gone – Joy Byers
  2. You Made Me Love You – James V. Monaco, Joseph McCarthy
  3. Follow Your Heart – Van McCoy, Belford Hendricks
  4. Ol’ Man River – Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern
  5. Sweet Bitter Love – Van McCoy
  6. A Mother’s Love – Cliff Owens
  7. Swanee – Irving Caesar, George Gershwin
  8. (No, No) I’m Losing You – Joy Byers
  9. Take a Look – Clyde Otis
  10. Can’t You Just See Me – Belford Hendricks
  11. Cry Like a Baby – Jo Armstead, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson

On June 1, 1999.

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On June 1, 1999, “Windham Hill” label released “Barefoot on the Beach”, the fourteenth Michael Franks studio album. It was recorded in 1999, and was produced by Chuck Loeb and Jimmy Haslip.

Personnel:

  • Michael Franks, Valerie Simpson – vocals
  • Carmen Cuesta, Lani Groves, Tawatha Agee – backing vocals
  • Jimmy Haslip, Will Lee – bass
  • John Patitucci – double bass
  • Brian Dunne, Shawn Pelton, Steve Gadd, Wolfgang Haffner – drums
  • James Hynes – flugelhorn
  • David Mann, Chris Hunter – flute
  • Chuck Loeb, Jay Azzolina, Jeff Mironov, Steve Khan – guitar
  • Charles Blenzig, Jimmy Haslip, Chris Palmaro, Mike Ricchiuti – keyboards
  • Bashiri Johnson, David Charles, Wolfgang Haffner – percussion
  • Bob James – piano
  • Chris Hunter, Andy Snitzer, Bob Mintzer, Michael Brecker – saxophone
  • Jim Beard – strings
  • Birch Johnson – trombone
  • Larry Lunetta, Randy Brecker – trumpet
  • Dave Samuels – vibraphone

Track listing:

All tracks by Michael Franks, except where noted.

  1. Barefoot on the Beach – Charles Blenzig, Michael Franks
  2. Heart Like an Open Book
  3. Now Love Has No End
  4. The Fountain of Youth
  5. When You Smiled at Me
  6. Double Talk
  7. Every Time She Whispers
  8. Why Spring Ain’t Here
  9. A Walk in the Rain
  10. Smooth
  11. Like Moon Behind a Cloud

In November 1967.

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In November 1967, “Mainstream” label released the debut, self-titled Amboy Dukes album. It was recorded in 1967, and was produced by Bob Shad.

Personnel:

  • Ted Nugent– guitar
  • John (J.B.) Drake – vocals
  • Steve Farmer– guitar
  • Rick Lober– piano, organ
  • Dave Palmer – drums
  • Bill White – bass

Track listing:

  1. Baby, Please Don’t Go – Big Joe Williams
  2. I Feel Free – Jack Bruce, Pete Brown
  3. Psalms of Aftermath – Ted Nugent, Steve Farmer
  4. Colors – Ted Nugent, Steve Farmer, Rick Lober, Bill White
  5. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Valerie Simpson, Nick Ashford, Jo Armstead
  6. Down on Philips Escalator – Ted Nugent, Steve Farmer
  7. The Lovely Lady – Steve Farmer
  8. Night Time – Ted Nugent, Steve Farmer
  9. It’s Not True – Pete Townshend
  10. Gimme Love – Ted Nugent, Steve Farmer

In November 1966.

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In November 1966, “Smash” label released “Handful of Soul”, the eighteenth James Brown studio album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by James Brown.

Track listing:

  1. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Jo Armstead, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. Hold On, I’m Comin – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
  3. Our Day Will Come – Bob Hilliard, Mort Garson
  4. A Message to Michael – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  5. The King – James Brown, Nat Jones
  6. 634-5789 – Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
  7. When a Man Loves a Woman – Andrew Wright, Calvin Lewis
  8. Hot Mix – McKinley Johnson, Ted Wright
  9. Oh! Henry – James Brown, Nat Jones
  10. Get Loose – James Brown, Nat Jones

In September 1967.

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In September 1967, “Soul Imprint” label released “Everybody Needs Love”, the debut Gladys Knight & the Pips album. It was recorded 1966 – 1967, at “Hitsville U.S.A.” in Detroit, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol and Smokey Robinson.

Personnel:

  • Gladys Knight – lead vocals
  • Merald “Bubba” Knight, William Guest, Edward Patten – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers: instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Everybody Needs Love – Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland, Jr.
  2. I’ll Be Standing By – Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford
  3. Since I’ve Lost You – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
  4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
  5. You Don’t Love Me No More – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, Roger Penzabene
  6. Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve Been Gone – Norman Whitfield, Sylvia Moy, Cornelius Grant
  7. Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me – Barrett Strong, Roger Penzabene, Cornelius Grant
  8. He’s My Kind of Fella – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  9. Yes, I’m Ready – Barbara Mason
  10. My Bed of Thorns – William “Smokey” Robinson
  11. Do You Love Me Just a Little, Honey – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock, Gladys Knight
  12. Just Walk in My Shoes – Helen Lewis Mastor, Kay Lewis Miller

In August 1973.

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In August 1973, “Columbia” label released “No Sweat”, the sixth Blood, Sweat & Tears studio album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Electric Lady Studios” in New York City and “Trident Studios”in London, and was produced by Steve Tyrell.

  • Personnel:
    Jerry Fisher – vocals
  • Dave Bargeron- trombone, tuba, bass trombone, baritone horn, background vocals
  • Bobby Colomby- drums, percussion, background vocals
  • Jim Fielder- bass, background vocals
  • Lou Marini- woodwinds
  • Lew Soloff- trumpet
  • Tom Malone– trumpet, ARP, 12-String fiddle
  • Georg Wadenius– guitar, background vocals
  • Larry Willis– keyboards
  • Paul Buckmaster– synthesizer, ARP, horn arrangements, string arrangements, string conductor
  • David Hentschel– synthesizer, ARP
  • Steve Katz– guitar
  • Chuck Winfield – trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn
  • Jimmy Maelen, Frank Ricotti– percussion
  • Joshie Armstead, Valerie Simpson, Maretha Stewart – background vocals

Track listing:

  1. Roller Coaster – Mark James
  2. Save Our Ship – Georg Wadenius, Cynthia Weil
  3. Django (An Excerpt) – John Lewis
  4. Rosemary – Randy Newman
  5. Song for John – Lou Marini
  6. Almost Sorry – Jeff Kent, Doug Lubahn
  7. Back Up Against the Wall – Buddy Buie, James Cobb
  8. Hip Pickles – Lou Marini
  9. My Old Lady – Georg Wadenius, Cynthia Weil
  10. Empty Pages – Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood
  11. Mary Miles – Michael Rabon
  12. Inner Crisis – Larry Willis

 

In August 1968.

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In August 1968, “Soul City” label released “Stoned Soul Picnic”, the third  5th Dimension album. It was recorded March – June 1968, at “United/Western Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bones Howe.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr.
  • Florence LaRue
  • Marilyn McCoo
  • Lamonte McLemore
  • Ron Townson
  • Mike Deasy- acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco- acoustic guitar, electric guitar
  • Joe Osborn- bass
  • Ray Pohlman- guitar, “super-twang” bass
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • Larry Bunker- marimba, bells, vibraphone, temple blocks, percussion
  • Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles- piano, organ, keyboard
  • The Sid Sharp Strings – String Section
  • The Bill Holman Brass – Horn Section
  • Engineers: Captain Nemo (Michael Shields), Bones Howe, Alex Kazanegras, Phil Ramone, Joe Sidore, Sol Weiss, Winston Wong, Mary Wood
  • Mastering: Elliot Federman
  • Project coordination: Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Marc Gordon, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Steve Strauss
  • Product manager: Mandana Eidgah
  • Production assistant: Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky
  • Orchestra manager: Hal Blaine
  • Musical director: René DeKnight
  • Vocal coach: Ray Pohlman
  • Realization: Johnny Rivers
  • Horns & Strings arranged by: Bill Holman
  • Vocal arrangements: Bob Alcivar
  • Musical arrangements: Bones Howe
  • Musical arrangements: Ray Pohlman
  • Art direction: Woody Woodward
  • Graphic design: Wayne Kimbell
  • Photography: Rob Santos
  • Liner notes: Mike Ragogna

Track listing:

  1. Sweet Blindness – Laura Nyro
  2. It’ll Never Be the Same Again – Jeff Comanor
  3. The Sailboat Song – Jeff Comanor
  4. It’s a Great Life – Denny McReynolds, Karen O’Hara
  5. Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro
  6. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  7. Lovin’ Stew – Jules Alexander, Jeff Comanor
  8. Broken Wing Bird – Bob Alcivar, Kellie McKinney
  9. Good News – Dick Addrisi, Don Addrisi
  10. Bobbie’s Blues (Who Do You Think of?) – Jeff Comanor
  11. The Eleventh Song (What a Groovy Day!) – Jimmy Webb

In July 1981.

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In July 1981, “MCA” label released “Freetime”, the fifth Spyro Gyra album. It was recorded in 1981, and was produced by Jay Beckenstein and Richard Calandra.

Personnel:

  • Jay Beckenstein– saxophones, clay flute, percussion
  • Tom Schuman– keyboards
  • Jeremy Wall– keyboards
  • Chet Catallo– guitar
  • John Tropea– guitar
  • Dave Samuels– vibraphone, marimba
  • Eli Konikoff – drums
  • Gerardo Velez– percussion
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet
  • Rob Mounsey– synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Richard Tee– keyboards
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Will Lee– bass, backing vocals
  • David Darling– cello
  • Errol “Crusher” Bennett – percussion
  • Valerie Simpson, Casey Cysick– backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Freetime – Tom Schuman, Eli Konikoff
  2. Telluride – Jay Beckenstein
  3. Summer Strut – Jeremy Wall
  4. Elegy for Trane – Jeremy Wall
  5. Pacific Sunrise – Tom Schuman
  6. Amber Dream – Jay Beckenstein
  7. String Soup – Jim Kurzdorfer