Tag Archives: Van McCoy

The American Breed: Band Me, Shape Me

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In February 1968, “Acta” label released “Bend Me, Shape Me”, the second American Breed (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1967, at “Universal Recording Corporation” in Chicago, Illinois, and was produced by Bill Traut.

Personnel:

  • Gary Loizzo – lead vocals, lead guitar
  • Al Ciner – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Charles Colbert – bass, backing vocals
  • Lee Graziano – drums, trumpet, backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Green Light – Annette Tucker, Nancy Mantz
  2. Don’t It Make You Cry – Al Ciner
  3. Mindrocker – Keith Colley, Linda Colley
  4. Bird – Al Ciner, Gary Loizzo
  5. Something You’ve Got – Chris Kenner
  6. Don’t Make Me Leave You – Martin Siegel, Scott English
  7. Bend Me, Shape Me – Larry Weiss, Scott English
  8. Before and After – Van McCoy
  9. Sometime in the Morning – Gerry Goffin, Carole King
  10. I’ve Been Tryin’ – Curtis Mayfield
  11. No Easy Way Down – Gerry Goffin, Carole King

Nina Simone: Wild is the Wind

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In September 1966, “Phillips” label released “Wild Is the Wind”, the sixth Nina Simone studio album. It was recorded 1964 – 1965, in New York City, and was produced by Hal Mooney. In 2020, it was ranked 212 on “Rolling Stone’s” list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Nina Simone – vocals, piano, arranger
  • Horace Ott – arranger
  • Sid Mark – liner notes
  1. I Love Your Lovin’ Ways – Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus
  2. Four Woman – Nina Simone
  3. What More Can I Say – Horace Ott, Wade Brown Jr.
  4. Lilac Wine – James Shelton
  5. That’s All I Ask – Horace Ott
  6. Break Down and Let It All Out – Van McCoy
  7. Why keep On Breaking My Heart – Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus
  8. Wild is the Wind – Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
  9. Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair – traditional
  10. If I Should Lose You – Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin
  11. Either Way I Lose – Van McCoy

Dee Dee Bridgewater: Memphis…Yes, I’m Ready

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On September 15, 2017, “Okeh” label released “Memphis… Yes, I’m Ready”, the 19th Dee Dee Bridgewater album. It was recorded in September 2016, at “Royal Studios” in  Memphis, TN, and was produced by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tulani Bridgewater Kowalski, Kirk Whalum and Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell.

Personnel:

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – vocals, linear notes
  • Kirk Whalum– tenor and baritone saxophone
  • Lannie McMillan, Kirk Smothers – tenor saxophone
  • Marc Franklin – trumpet
  • Kameron Whalum – trombone
  • John Stoddart– keyboards, vocal arrangements
  • Charles Hodges– Hammond organ
  • Garry Goin – guitar
  • Jackie Clark – bass
  • James Sexton – drums
  • Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell– cymbals, electric bongos, tambourine
  • Sharisse Norman, Candise Rayborn-Marshall, Kevin Whalum – backing vocals
  • Stax Music Academy– backing vocals
  • Ted Jensen– engineer
  • Tulani Bridgewater Kowalski – art direction, cover art, photography
  • Thomas Brodin – design
  • John Stoddart – associate producer

Track listing:

  1. Yes, I’m Ready – Barbara Mason
  2. Giving Up – Van McCoy
  3. I Can’t Get Next to You – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  4. Going Down Slow – Louis Jimmy Oden
  5. Why (Am I Treated So Bad) – Roebuck Staples
  6. B-A-B-Y – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
  7. The Thrill Is Gone – Rick Ravon Darnell, Roy Hawkins
  8. The Sweeter He Is – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
  9. I Can’t Stand the Rain – Donald Maurice Bryant, Bernard Miller, Ann Peebles
  10. Don’t Be Cruel – Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley
  11. Hound Dog – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
  12. Try a Little Tenderness – James Campbell, Reginald Connelly, Harry Woods
  13. Take My Hand, Precious Lord – Thomas A. Dorsey, Sobie Frank Frazier, Jeff Majors

Aretha Franklin: Who’s Zoomin’ Who?

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On July 9, 1995, “Arista” label “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”, the thirtieth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded October 1984 – May 1995,at “The Automatt” in San Francisco, “The Plant Recording Studios” in Sausalito, “United Sound Systems” in Detroit, “Right Track Recording” and “The Power Station” in New York City, and was produced by Aretha Franklin, David A. Stewart and  Narada Michael Walden.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – lead vocals
  • Walter Afanasieff– keyboards
  • Preston Glass– backing vocals, keyboards, keyboard vibes
  • Peter Wolf– lead vocals
  • Nat Adderley Jr.– keyboards
  • Robbie Kondor – synthesizer
  • Annie Lennox– lead vocals, keyboards
  • David A. Stewart– keyboards, rhythm guitar
  • Benmont Tench– Hammond organ
  • Corrado Rustici– guitar, guitar synthesizer
  • Ray Gomez – guitar solo
  • Doc Powell– guitar
  • Steve Khan– guitar
  • Mike Campbell– lead guitar
  • Carlos Santana– guitar solo
  • Randy Jackson– synth bass, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Louis Johnson– bass guitar
  • Nathan East– bass guitar
  • Narada Michael Walden– drums, percussion, acoustic piano, keyboards
  • Yogi Horton– drums
  • Stan Lynch– drums
  • Shelly Yakus – drums
  • Steve Kroon – percussion
  • Gigi Gonaway– tambourine
  • The Santana Rhythm Section– percussion
  • Andy Narell – steel drums
  • Clarence Clemons– saxophone
  • Dizzy Gillespie– trumpet solo
  • Paul Riser– string arrangements
  • The Charles Williams Singers – choir
  • Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals
  • Carolyn Franklin– backing vocals
  • Jim Gilstrap– backing vocals
  • Vicki Randle– backing vocals
  • Sylvester– backing vocals
  • Jeanie Tracy – backing vocals
  • Martha Wash– backing vocals
  • Laundon Von Hendricks – backing vocals
  • Nikita Germaine – backing vocals
  • Craig Thomas – backing vocals
  • Karen Benington – backing vocals
  • Sandra Feva – backing vocals
  • Margaret Branch – backing vocals
  • Brenda Corbett – backing vocals
  • Don Smith – engineer, mixing
  • Josh Abbey – engineer
  • David Frazer – engineer
  • Adam Williams – engineer
  • Jay Willis – assistant engineer
  • Moira Marquis – second engineer
  • Ray Pyle – second engineer
  • Paul Hamingson – second engineer
  • Gordon Logan – second engineer
  • Dana Chappelle – second engineer
  • Tim Crich – second engineer
  • Maureen Droney – second engineer
  • Dominick Celani – engineer assistant
  • David A. Stewart – mixing
  • Michael Brauer – additional mixing
  • Greg Calbi – mastering
  • Stephen Marcussen– original mastering
  • Donn Davenport – art direction
  • Artis Lane – painting
  • John Pinderhughes – photography
  • Sephra Herman – production coordination
  • Clive Davis– executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Freeway of Love – Jeffrey E. Cohen, Narada Michael Walden
  2. Another Night – Beppe Cantarelli, Roy Freeland
  3. Sweet Bitter Love – Van McCoy
  4. Who’s Zoomin’ Who – Aretha Franklin, Preston Glass, Narada Michael Walden
  5. Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves – Annie Lennox, David A. Stewart
  6. Until You Say You Love Me – Preston Glass, Narada Michael Walden
  7. Ain’t Nobody Ever Loved You – Jeffrey E. Cohen, Narada Michael Walden
  8. Push – Jeffrey E. Cohen, Narada Michael Walden
  9. Integrity – Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin: Soul Sister

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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.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – vocals
  • Belford C. Hendricks – arrangements, conductor
  • Robert Mersey – arrangements, conductor
  • Henry Parker – photography
  • Peter J. Levinson – liner notes

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

Eric Gale

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On May 25, 1984, Eric J. Gale died aged 55. He was musician (guitar) and composer,  as session guitarist has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names of the music scene, including Clark Terry, Oliver Nelson, Jimmy McGriff, Benny Golson, Van Morrison, Bernard Purdie, Herbie Mann, Yusuf Lateef, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Stitt, Quincy Jones, Al Kooper, Lena Horn, Gabor Szabo, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Esther Philips, Chuck Rainey, Johnny Hammond, Stanley Turrentine,  David Newman, Hank Crawford, Grover Washington, Jr., Roberta Flack, Stanley Turrentine, Hubert Laws, Bob James, Joe Higgs, Van McCoy, Ron Carter, George Benson, Phil Upchurch, Tom Scott, Idris Muhammad, Ashford & Simpson, Cedar Walton, Stanley Turrentine, Blood, Sweat & Tears,  Paul Butterfield, Joe Cocker and David Ruffin. As leader he released twelve albums.

Donny Hathaway: Same

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Donny Hathaway same

On April 2, 1971, “Atco” label released the self-titled, second Donny Hathaway album. It was recorded 1970 – 1971, and was produced by Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin and Donny Hathaway.

Personnel:

  • Donny Hathaway – lead vocals, keyboards
  • John Littlejohn – vocals, guitar
  • Cornell Dupree- guitar
  • Steve Novosel – bass guitar
  • Chuck Rainey- bass guitar
  • Phil Upchurch- bass guitar
  • Al Jackson, Jr.- drums
  • Morris Jennings – drums
  • Jack Jennings – percussion
  • King Curtis- tenor saxophone
  • Joe Newman – trumpet solo
  • Myrna Summers- backing vocals
  • Sammy Turner – backing vocals
  • R. Bailey – backing vocals
  • Cissy Houston- backing vocals
  • Judy Clay – backing vocals
  • Interdenominational Singers – backing vocals
  • Sylvia Shemwell – backing vocals
  • Myrna Smith- backing vocals
  • Ivory Stone – backing vocals
  • Deirdre Tuck Corley – backing vocals
  • Lillian Tynes – backing vocals
  • Ronald Bright – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Giving Up – Van McCoy
  2. A Song for You – Leon Russell
  3. Little Girl – Billy Preston
  4. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – Bob Russell and Bobby Scott
  5. Magnificent Sanctuary Band – Dorsey Burnette
  6. She Is My Lady – George S. Clinton
  7. I Believe in Music – Mac Davis
  8. Take a Love Song – Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor
  9. Put Your Hand in the Hand – Gene MacLellan

Cass Elliot: Same

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Cass_Elliot_(album)

On January 24, 1972, “RCA” released the self titled, fourth Cass Elliot studio album. It was recorded in 1971 at “RCA’s Music Center of the World” in Hollywood, and was produced by Lewis Merenstein and Benny Golson.

Personnel:

  • Cass Elliot – vocals
  • Dennis Budimir – guitar
  • Larry Carlton– guitar
  • Ed Carter – guitar
  • Al Casey– guitar
  • Louie Shelton– guitar
  • Don Randi– piano
  • Michael Lang – piano
  • Carl Fortina – keyboards, musette
  • Bruce Johnston– vocals, keyboards, Fender Rhodes
  • Carol Kaye– bass
  • Joe Osborn– bass
  • Ed Greene– drums
  • John Guerin– drums
  • Reggie Colson – percussion
  • William Cat Anderson – trumpet
  • Gino Bozzacco – trumpet
  • Grover Mitchell – trombone
  • Maurice – trombone
  • Eddie Kusby – trombone
  • Maurice Spears – bass trombone
  • Jerome Richardson – tenor saxophone
  • Moacir Santos – tenor saxophone
  • Jack Nimitz – baritone saxophone
  • Benny Golson– arrangements, conductor, backing vocals, string section
  • Carl Wilson– vocals
  • Clark Burroughs – vocals
  • Benny Colson – vocals
  • Venetta Fields– vocals, backing vocals
  • Jan Gassman – vocals, backing vocals
  • Jules “Stix” Greenberg – backing Vocals
  • Clydie King– vocals, backing vocals
  • Sherlie Matthews– vocals, backing vocals
  • Marilyn Messina – vocals, backing vocals
  • Gary Burden– art direction, design
  • George Hurrell – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. I’ll Be Home – Randy Newman
  2. Baby I’m Yours – Van McCoy
  3. Jesus Was a Cross Maker – Judee Sill
  4. That Song – Bill Dean
  5.  When It Doesn’t Work Out – Leah Kunkel
  6. I’ll Be There – Bobby Darin
  7. Disney Girls – Bruce Johnston
  8. I Think It’s Going to Rain Today – Randy Newman
  9. Cherries Jubilee – Marilyn Messina
  10. All in the Game – Carl Sigman, Charles Dawes