Tag Archives: Valerie Simpson

Quincy Jones; You’ve Got It Bad Girl

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In October 1973, “A&M” label released “You’ve Got It Bad Girl”, the 22nd Quincy Jones. It was recorded in 1973, at “A&M Studios”, “Sun West Studios” and “The Record Plant” in Hollywood, “The Burbank Studios” in Burbank, California, “A&R Studios” in New York, and was produced by Quincy Jones.

Personnel:

  • Quincy Jones – vocals, trumpet, arranger, conductor, mixing
  • Quincy Duke – vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – vocals
  • Toots Thielemans – guitar, whistle, harmonica
  • George Duke – piano
  • Dave Grusin – electric piano
  • Bob James & Creations – keyboards
  • Tom Junior Morgan – harmonica
  • Ray Brown – bass, mixing
  • Carol Kaye – electric bass
  • Chuck Rainey – electric bass
  • Grady Tate – drums
  • Bobbye Porter – percussion
  • Phil Woods – alto saxophone
  • Ernie Watts – saxophone
  • Cat Anderson – trumpet
  • Eddie Louis – soloist
  • Phil Ramone – engineer
  • Phil (Boogie) Schier – mixing
  • Kevin Reeves – mastering

Track listing:

  1. Summer in the City – John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, Steve Boone
  2. Eyes of Love – Quincy Jones, Bob Russell
  3. Tribute to A.F.-Ro’: Daydreaming / First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Aretha Franklin / Ewan MacColl
  4. Love Theme from The Getaway – Quincy Jones
  5. You’ve Got It Bad Girl – Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright
  6. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
  7. Manteca – Gil Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo
  8. Sanford and Son Theme (The Streetbeater) – Quincy Jones
  9. Chump Change – Bill Cosby, Quincy Jones

Paul Simon: Still Crazy After All These Years

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On October 17, 1975, “Columbia” label released “Still Crazy After All These Years”, the fourth Paul Simon studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “A&R Recording” in New York City, and was produced by Phil Ramone and Paul Simon.

Personnel:

  • Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, string and horn arrangements
  • Pete Carr – electric guitar
  • Joe Beck – electric guitar
  • Jerry Friedman – electric guitar
  • Hugh McCracken – acoustic and electric guitar
  • John Tropea – electric guitar
  • Barry Beckett – Fender Rhodes, acoustic piano
  • Bob James – woodwind arrangements, string arrangements, Fender Rhodes
  • Kenneth Ascher – Fender Rhodes, organ
  • Sivuca – vocal solo, accordion
  • Richard Tee – acoustic piano
  • Leon Pendarvis – acoustic piano
  • Toots Thielemans – harmonica
  • David Hood – bass
  • Tony Levin – bass
  • Gordon Edwards – bass
  • Roger Hawkins – drums
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Grady Tate – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
  • Eddie Daniels – saxophone
  • David Sanborn – saxophone
  • Phil Woods – alto saxophone
  • David Mathews – horn arrangements
  • Phoebe Snow – vocals, backing vocals
  • Art Garfunkel – vocals
  • Patti Austin – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • The Jessy Dixon Singers – backing vocals
  • Chicago Community Choir – backing vocals
  • Phil Ramone – engineer
  • Jerry Masters – engineer
  • Glenn Berger – recording
  • Bert Szerlip – recording
  • John Berg – design
  • Anthony Maggiore – design
  • Edie Baskin – cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Paul Simon.

  1. Still Crazy After All These Years
  2. My Little Town
  3. I Do It for Your Love
  4. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
  5. Night Game
  6. Gone at Last
  7. Some Folks Lives Roll Easy
  8. Have a Good Time
  9. You’re Kind
  10. Silent Eyes

Martha Reeves And The Vandellas: Natural Resources

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On September 8, 1970, “Gordy” label released “Natural Resources”, the seventh Martha Reeves and the Vandellas album. It was recorded 1969 – 1970, and was produced by Henry Cosby and Clarence Paul.

Personnel:

  • Martha Reeves – lead and backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • Lois Reeves – backing vocals
  • Sandra Tilley – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • Nickolas Ashford – backing vocals
  • David Van De Pitte – arrangements
  • Henry Cosby – arrangements
  • Paul Riser – arrangements
  • Robert White – arrangements
  • Wade Marcus – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction, design
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision

Track listing:

  1. Something – George Jarrison
  2. Easily Persuaded – Dick Cooper, Clarence Paul, Ernie Shelby, Morris Broadnax
  3. Didn’t We – Jimmy Webb
  4. I’m in Love – Ernie Shelby
  5. Love, Guess Who – Clarence Paul, Ermie Shelby
  6. Everybody’s Talking – Fred Neil
  7. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Randy Myers
  8. The Hurt Is Over (Since I Found You) – Duke Browner
  9. Take a Look – Clyde Otis
  10. Won’t It Be So Wonderful – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  11. I Should Be Proud – Henry Cosby, Joe Hinton, Pam Sawyer
  12. People Got to Be Free – Felix Cavaliere, Ed Brigati

Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen

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In August 1970, “A&M” label released “Mad Dogs & Englishmen”, the third Joe Cocker album. It was recorded in March 1970, at “Filmore East” in New York City, and was produced by Denny Cordell and Leon Russell. In 2021, “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.

Personnel:

  • Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge, Donna Weiss, Donna Washburn, Claudia Lennear, Denny Cordell, Daniel Moore, Pamela Polland, Matthew Moore, Nicole Barclay, Bobby Jones – vocals
  • Leon Russell – vocals, lead guitar, piano, backing vocals, arrangements
  • Don Preston – vocals, guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Stainton – organ, piano
  • Carl Radle – bass guitar
  • Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Chuck Blackwell – drums
  • Chuck Blackwell, Sandy Konikoff, Bobby Torres – percussion
  • Jim Horn, Bobby Keys – saxophone
  • Jim Price – trumpet
  • Chris Stainton – arrangements
  • Edwin Kramer – engineer
  • Craig Braun – design concept
  • Ron Wolin – illustration
  • Tom Wilkes – design
  • Jim McCrary – cover photography
  • Cosmina Andee Cohen, Linda Wolf – tour photographer

Track listing:

  1. Introduction
  2. Honky Tonk Women – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  3. Introduction
  4. Sticks and Stones – Titus Turner, Henry Glover
  5. Cry Me a River – Arthur Hamilton
  6. Bird on the Wire – Leonard Cohen
  7. Feelin’ Alright – Dave Mason
  8. Superstar – Leon Russell, Delaney Bramlett
  9. Introduction
  10. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Josephine Armstead
  11. Blue Medley
  12. Till Drown in My Own Tears – Henry Glover
  13. When Something Is Wrong with My Baby – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
  14. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long – Otis Redding, Jerry Butler
  15. Introduction
  16. Girl from the North Country – Bob Dylan
  17. Give Peace a Chance – Leon Russell, Bonnie Bramlett
  18. Introduction
  19. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
  20. Space Captain – Matthew Moore
  21. The Letter – Wayne Carson Thompson
  22. Delta Lady – Leon Russel

Marvin Gaye: In the Groove

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On August 26, 1968, “Tamla” label released “In the Groove”, the eighth Marvin Gaye studio album. It was recorded 1967 – 1968, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Ivy Jo Hunter and Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • Gladys Knight & The Pips – backing vocals
  • Telma Hopkins – backing vocals
  • Joyce Vincent Wilson – backing vocals
  • Pamela Vincent – backing vocals 
  • Herbart – design

Track listing:

  1. You – Jeffrey Bowen, Jack Coga, Ivy Jo Hunter
  2. Tear Ot on Down – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  3. Chained -Frank Wilson
  4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  5. At Last (I Found a Love) – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover
  6. Some Kind of Wonderful – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
  7. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever – Ivy Jo Hunter, Stevie Wonder
  8. Change What You Can – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover
  9. It’s Love I Need – Stephen Bowden, Ivy Jo Hunter
  10. Every Now and Then – Eddie Holland, Frank Wilson
  11. You’re What’s Happening (In the World Today) – George Gordy, Robert Gordy, Allen Story
  12. There Goes My Baby – Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson, George Treadwell

The Undis Puted Truth: Same

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In July 1971, “Gordy” label released the self-titled, debut Undisputed Truth (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Norman Whitfield.

Personnel:

  • Joe “Pep” Harris – lead vocal
  • Billie Rae Calvin – lead and backing vocals
  • Brenda Joyce Evans – lead and backing vocals
  • Paul Riser – arrangements
  • Dave Van DePitte – arrangements, conductor
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Norman Whitfield – design concept 
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Jay Butler – liner notes
  • Scottie Regen – liner notes

Track listing;

  1. You Got The Love I Need – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  2. Save My Love for A Rainy Day – Norman Whitfield, Roger Penzabene
  3. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. Aquarius – Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
  5. Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today) – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  6. Smiling Faces Sometimes – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  7. We’ve Got a Way Out Love – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. Since I’ve Lost You – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  9. Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve Been Gone – Cornelius Grant, Norman Whitfield, Sylvia Moy
  10. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  11. Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan 

The Supremes And Four Tops: The Return Of The Magnificient Seven

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On July 13, 1971, “Motown” label released “The Return of the Magnificent Seven”, the second Supremes (The) and Four Tops collaborative album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • Jean Terrell – vocals
  • Mary Wilson – vocals
  • Cindy Birdsong – vocals
  • Levi Stubbs – vocals
  • Abdul “Duke” Fakir – vocals
  • Lawrence Payton – vocals
  • Renaldo “Obie” Benson – vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • David Van DePitte, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Tom Baird – arrangements
  • Frank Wilson – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  2. I Wonder Where We’re Going – Tom Baird
  3. Call Me – Tony Hatch
  4. One More Bridge to Cross – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  5. If You Could See Me Now – Janie Bradford, Joe Hinton, Henry Cosby
  6. I’ll Try Not to Cry – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  7. I’m Glad About It – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Let’s Make Love Now – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  9. I Can’t Believe You Love Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  10. Where Would I Be Without You Baby – Clarence McMurray, Martin Coleman
  11. What Do You Have to Do (To Stay on the Right Side of Love) – Pam Sawyer, Leon Ware

Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell: United

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On August 29, 1967, “Tamla” label released “United”, album by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (the first of three collaborative albums). It was recorded in 1967, and was produced by Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Hal Davis and Berry Gordy, Jr.,

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead and backing vocals
  • Tammi Terrell – lead and backing vocals
  • Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, The Originals, The Andantes, The Spinners – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. You Got What It Takes – Berry Gordy, Jr., Gwen Gordy, Tyran Carlo
  3. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  4. Somethin’ Stupid – C. Carson Parks
  5. Your Precious Love – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. Hold Me Oh My Darling – Harvey Fuqua
  7. Two Can Have a Party – Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Thomas Kemp
  8. Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl – Harvey Fuqua, Etta James, Brook Benton
  9. If This World Were Mine – Marvin Gaye
  10. Sad Wedding – Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers
  11. Give a Little Love – Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Clyde Wilson
  12. Oh How I’d Miss You – Hal Davis, Frank Wilson, Vance Wilson

Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell: You’re All I Need

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In August 1968, “Tamla” label released “You’re All I Need”, the second Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell studio album. It was recorded 1966 – 1967, and was produced by Robert Gordy, Harvey Fugua, Johnny Bristol and Ashford & Simpson.

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead and backing vocals
  • Tammi Terrell – lead and backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Nicholas Ashford – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Spinners – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. Keep on Lovin’ Me Honey – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  3. You’re All I Need to Get By – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. Baby Don’t Cha Worry – Johnny Bristol, Jackie Beavers
  5. You Ain’t Livin’ Till You’re Lovin’ – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson)
  6. Give In, You Just Can’t Win – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  7. When Love Comes Knocking at My Heart – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Gladys Knight, Vernon Bullock
  8. Come on and See Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  9. I Can’t Help but Love You – Robert Gordy, Thomas Kemp, Marvin Gaye
  10. That’s How It Is (Since You’ve Been Gone) – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  11. I’ll Never Stop Loving You Baby – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Beatrice Verdi
  12. Memory Chest – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol

Teddy Pendergrass: This One’s for You

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On July 23, 1982, “Philadelphia International” label released “This One’s for You”, the sixth Teddy Pendergrass album. It was recorded in 1982, and was produced by Gene Mc Fadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen, John R. Faith, Thom Bell, Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff, Charles B. Simmons, Joseph B. Jefferson, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

Personnel:

  • Teddy Pendergrass – vocal
  • Robert LeGrand – guitar
  • Dennis Harris – guitar
  • Anthony Bell – guitar
  • Cecil Womack – guitar
  • Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • Valerie Simpson – piano, backing vocals
  • Alfred Pollitt – piano
  • Leon A. Huff – acoustic and electric piano
  • Ray Chew – electric piano
  • Barry Eastmond – keyboards, synthesizers, arrangements
  • Cecil DuValle – keyboards, synthesizer
  • Thom bell – keyboards
  • Lenny Pakula – organ
  • James L. William – bass
  • Norman Smith – bass
  • Bob Babbitt – bass
  • Michael “Sugarbear” Foreman – bass
  • Francisco Centeno – bass
  • Daryl Burgee – drums
  • James Carter – drums
  • Charles Collins – drums
  • Quinton Joseph – drums
  • Keith Benson – drums
  • Chris Parker – drums
  • David Cruse – percussion
  • Ralph McDonald – percussion
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings, horns
  • Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Charles B. Simmons, Constance Harvey, Harriet L. Tharpe, Sherry Butler, Richard Roebuck, Nicholas Ashford, Ullanda McCullough – backing vocals
  • Anthony Bell – arrangements
  • Robert Martin – arrangements
  • Dexter Wansel – arrangements
  • John R. Faith – arrangements
  • John Davis – arrangements

Track listing:

  1. I Can’t Win for Losing – Gene Mc Fadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen
  2. This One’s for You – Barry Manilow, Marty Panzer
  3. Loving You Was Good – Le Roy Bell, Casey James
  4. This Gift of Life – Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
  5. Now Tell Me That You Love Me – Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
  6. It’s Up to You (What You Do with Your Life) – Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
  7. Don’t Leave Me out Along the Road – Richard Roebuck
  8. Only to You – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson