Tag Archives: Valerie Simpson

Rufus: Rags To Rufus

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In May 1974, “ABC Records” label released “Rags To Rufus”, the second Rufus studio album. It was recorded 1973-1974, at “Quantum Studios” in Torrance, California, and was produced by Chaka Khan, Dennis Beifield, André Fischer, Kevin Murphy, Al Ciner, Ron Stockert and Bob Monaco. The album was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Chaka Khan– lead and backing vocals
  • Al Ciner – acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
  • Tony Maiden – vocals, guitar, talk box
  • Nate Morgan – keyboards
  • Kevin Murphy– organ, clavinet, backing vocals
  • Ron Stockert – lead and backing vocals, keyboards
  • Dennis Belfield – bass, backing vocals
  • André Fischer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner – string and horn arrangements
  • Clare Fischer– orchestration
  • Don Sciarrotta – chief recording, re-mix engineer
  • Tony Sciarrotta – engineer assistant
  • Vic Zaslow – mastering

Track listing:

  1. You Got the Love – Chaka Khan, Ray Parker, Jr.
  2. I Got the Right Street (But the Wrong Direction) – Ron Stockert
  3. Walkin’ in the Sun – Jeff Barry
  4. Rags to Rufus – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  5. Swing Down Chariot – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  6. Sideways – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  7. Ain’t Nothin’ But a Maybe – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Tell Me Something Good – Stevie Wonder
  9. Look Through My Eyes – Dennis Belfield
  10. “In Love We Grow – Dennis Belfield
  11. Smokin’ Room – Dennis Belfield

Booker T. & The Mg’s: Doin’ Our Thing

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In April 1968, “Stax” label released “Doin’ Our Thing”, the sixth studio Booker T. & the M.G.’s, studio album. It was recorded in 1968, and was produced by Booker Jones, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson, Jr. and Donald “Duck” Dunn.

Personnel:

  • Booker Jones– organ, keyboards, bass, guitar, clavichord
  • Steve Cropper– guitar
  • Donald “Duck” Dunn– bass
  • Al Jackson, Jr.– drums
  • Loring Eutemey – design
  • Peter Hujar – photography
  • Peter Jujar – photography
  • Bill Kington – photography

Track listing:

  1. I Can Dig It – Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker Jones, Al Jackson
  2. Expressway (to Your Heart) – Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
  3. Doin’ Our Thing – Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker Jones, Al Jackson
  4. You Don’t Love Me – Willie Cobbs
  5. Never My Love – Don Addrisi
  6. The ExodusSong – Ernest Gold
  7. The Beat Goes On – Sonny Bono
  8. Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry
  9. Blue on Green – Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker Jones, Al Jackson
  10. You Keep Me Hanging On – Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland
  11. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Josephine Armstead

New Riders of the Purple Sage: Powerglide

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In March 1972, “Columbia” label released “Powerglide”, the second New Riders of the Purple Sage album. It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Stephen Barncard. The cover artwork was by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse.

Personnel:

  • John Dawson – vocals, acoustic and electric rhythm guitars
  • David Nelson – vocals, lead guitar
  • Buddy Cage– pedal steel guitar, dobro
  • Dave Torbert– lead vocals, bass, vocals, acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, piano
  • Spencer Dryden– drums, percussion, broom, whistle, whoopee
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano
  • Jerry Garcia– banjo, piano
  • Billy Kreutzmann– percussion
  • Nelson, McDuke, Buddy, Judy, Steve – peoples chorus
  • Riderettes – our boys in drag
  • John Fiore – engineer
  • George Beauregard – second engineer
  • Bob McCloud – mastering
  • Lore Shoberg – inside artwork

Track listing:

  1. Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) – Joe Maphis, Max Fidler, Rose Lee Maphis
  2. Rainbow – John Dawson
  3. California Day – Dave Torbert
  4. Sweet Lovin’ One – John Dawson
  5. Lochinvar – John Dawson
  6. I Don’t Need No Doctor – Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Jo Armstead
  7. Contract – Dave Torbert
  8. Runnin’ Back to You – John Dawson
  9. Hello Mary Lou – Gene Pitney, Cayet Mangiaracina
  10. Duncan and Brady – trad., arranged John Koerner
  11. Willie and the Hand Jive – Johnny Otis

Ray Charles: Crying Time

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crying_time

In February 1966, “Tangerine” label released “Crying Time”, the twenty sixth Ray Charles album. It was recorded in 1965, at “R.P.M. International Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Joe Adams.

Personnel:

  • Ray Charles– vocals, piano
  • The Raelettes – performer
  • Onzy Matthews- arrangements
  • William Alexander – album cover
  • George S. Whiteman – album cover
  • Joe Lebow – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Crying Time – Buck Owens
  2. No Use Crying – Roy Gaines, Freddie Lee Kober, J.B. Daniels
  3. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Valerie Simpson, Nikolas Ashford, Jo Armstead
  4. Going Down Slow – Jimmy Oden
  5. Peace of Mind – Ray Charles,  Holiday
  6. Tears – Norman Newell, Robert Maxwell
  7. Drifting Blues – Johnny Moore, Eddie Williams, Charles Brown
  8. We Don’t See Eye to Eye – Percy Mayfield
  9. You’re In For a Big Surprise – Percy Mayfield
  10. You’re Just About to Lose Your Clown – Johnny MacRae
  11. Don’t You Think I Ought To Know – William Johnson, Melvin Wettergreen
  12. You’ve Got a Problem – William D. Weeks, Freddy James

Donald Fagen: The Nightfly

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donald_fagen_-_the_nightfly

On October 29, 1982, “Warner Bros” label released “The Nightfly”, the  first Donald Fagen solo album. It was recorded 1981 – 1982, at “Soundworks Digital Audio/Video Recording Studios”, “Automated Sound” in N.Y; “Village Recorders” in L.A., and was produced by Gary Katz. The album was certified Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and in the US by “RIIA”.

  • Donald Fagen- lead and backing vocals, organ, synthesizer, synth blues harp, electric piano, horn arrangements, linear notes
  • Hugh McCracken- guitar, harmonica
  • Larry Carlton- lead guitar, guitar
  • Rick Derringer- guitar
  • Dean Parks- guitar
  • Steve Khan- acoustic guitar
  • Michael Omartian– piano, electric piano
  • Greg Phillinganes- synthesizer, piano, piano solo, electric piano ,  clavinet, synthesizer bass
  • Rob Mounsey- synthesizer, horn arrangements
  • Anthony Jackson- bass
  • Abraham Laboriel- bass
  • Marcus Miller- bass
  • Chuck Rainey- bass
  • Will Lee- bass
  • James Gadson- drums, additional drums
  • Ed Greene- drums
  • Jeff Porcaro- drums, additional drums
  • Roger Nichols- percussion, special effects
  • Starz Vanderlocket- percussion, backing vocals
  • David Tofani -alto saxophone
  • Michael Brecker- tenor saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber- baritone saxophone
  • Randy Brecker- trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Dave Bargeron- trombone, euphonium
  • Frank “Harmonica Frank” Floyd- backing vocals
  • Gordon Grody – backing vocals
  • Leslie Miller – backing vocals
  • Daniel Lazerus – backing vocals
  • Zachary Sanders – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson- backing vocals
  • Daniel Lazerus,Roger Nichols, Elliot Scheiner – engineer
  • Robin Lane,  Cheryl Smith – engineer assistant
  • Mike Morongell – engineer assistant, digital editing assistant
  • Wayne Yurgelun – engineer assistant, digital editing assistant
  • Elliot Scheiner – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Daniel Lazerus – overdub engineer
  • Elliot Scheiner – tracking
  • Roger Nichols – sequencing
  • Ginger Dettman, Steve Pokorny, Steve Woolard – project assistant
  • David Dieckmann, George Lydecker – authoring
  • George Delmerico – art director
  • Greg Allen – design
  •  Gale Sasson, Vern Yenor – design
  • James Hamilton – photography
  • Cory Frye – editorial supervision
  • Andrew Thomas – screen design

Track listing:

All tracks by Donald Fagen, except where noted

  1. G.Y.
  2. Green Flower Street
  3. Ruby Baby – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, arranged by Donald Fagen
  4. Maxine
  5. New Frontier
  6. The Nightfly
  7. The Goodbye Look
  8. Walk Between Raindrops

Jeff Beck Group: Same

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Jeff Beck Group

On May 1, 1972, “Epic” label released the self-titled, fourth Jeff Beck Group studio album. It was recorded in January 1972, and was produced by Steve Cropper.

Personnel:

  • Jeff Beck: guitar
  • Bobby Tench: vocals
  • Max Middleton: keyboards
  • Clive Chaman: bass
  • Cozy Powell: drums

Track listing:

  1. Ice Cream Cakes – Jeff Beck
  2. Glad All Over – Aaron Schroeder, Sid Tepper, Roy Bennett
  3. Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You – Bob Dylan
  4. Sugar Cane – Jeff Beck,Steve Cropper
  5. I Can’t Give Back the Love I Feel For You – Valerie Simpson,Nickolas Ashford, Brian Holland
  6. Going Down – Don Nix
  7. I Got to Have a Song – Stevie Wonder, Don Hunter,Lula Mae Hardaway, Paul Riser
  8. Highways – Jeff Beck
  9. Definitely Maybe – Jeff Beck

 

The Temptations: Wish It Would Rain

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wish-it-would-rain

On April 29, 1968, “Gordy” label released “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain”, the seventh Temptations (The) studio album. It was recorded 1967-1968, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Smokey Robinson and Henry Cosby. It was the band’s final release with the original line-up: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain” is also band’s last album to feature Smokey Robinson as producer.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin: vocals
  • Eddie Kendricks: vocals
  • Paul Williams: vocals
  • Melvin Franklin: vocals
  • Otis Williams: vocals

Track listing:

  1. I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  2. Cindy – Smokey Robinson
  3. I Wish it Would Rain – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  4. Please Return Your Love to Me – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  5. Fan the Flame – Al Cleveland, Terry Johnson, Smokey Robinson
  6. He Who Picks a Rose – Edward Holland Jr., Emillio “Father” Smiley, Norman Whitfield
  7. Why Did You leave Me Darling – James Dean, Deke Richards
  8. I Truly, Truly Believe – George Gordy, Margaret Gordy, Allen Story
  9. This is My Beloved – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  10. Gonna Give Her All the Love I’ve Got – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  11. I’ve Passed This Way Before – James Dean, William Weatherspoon
  12. No Man Can Love Her Like I Do – Edward Holland, Norman Whitfield, Eddie Kendricks

 

Aretha Franklin: Let Me In Your Life

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Let_Me_In_Your_Life

On February 25, 1974, “Atlantic” label released “Let Me in Your Life”, the twenty-first Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded April – September 1973, at the “Whitney Studios” in Glendale, and was produced by Jerry Wexler and Aretha Franklin.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – lead vocals, acoustic and electric piano
  • Donny Hathaway- acoustic and electric piano
  • Bob James- organ, keyboards
  • David Spinozza- guitar
  • Cornell Dupree- guitar
  • Hugh McCracken– guitar
  • Deodato- arranger, electric piano
  • Kenneth Bichel- synthesizer
  • Richard Tee- keyboards
  • Stanley Clarke– bass
  • Chuck Rainey- bass
  • Willie Weeks- bass
  • Rick Marotta- drums
  • Bernard “Pretty” Purdie- drums
  • Pancho Morales – percussion
  • Ralph MacDonald- percussion
  • Arif Mardin- string arranger
  • Gene Orloff- concert master
  • Joe Farrell- tenor saxophone, flute
  • Ernie Royal- trumpet
  • Gwen Guthrie- backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Cissy Houston- backing vocals
  • Ann S. Clark – backing vocals
  • Sylvia Shemwell – backing vocals
  • Myrna Smith- backing vocals
  • Judy Clay- backing vocals
  • Deirdre Tuck Corley – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Let Me in Your Life – Bill Withers
  2. Every Natural Thing – Eddie Hinton
  3. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. I’m in Love – Bobby Womack
  5. Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) – Clarence Paul,Stevie Wonder, Morris Broadnax
  6. The Masquerade is Over – Herbert Magidson, Allie Wrubel
  7. With Pen in Hand – Bobby Goldsboro
  8. Oh Baby – Aretha Franklin
  9. Eight Days On the Road – Michael Gayle, Jerry Ragovoy
  10. If You Don’t Think – Aretha Franklin
  11. A Song for You – Leon Russell