Tag Archives: Verve

Nico: Chelsea Girl

Leave a comment

In October 1967, “Verve” label released “Chelsea Girl”, the debut Nico solo album. It was recorded April – May 1967, at “Mayfair Recording Studios” in Manhattan, and was produced by Tom Wilson. The album name is a reference to Andy Warhol’s 1966 movie “Chelsea Girls”, in which Nico starred.

Personnel:

  • Christa “Nico” Päffgen– vocals
  • Jackson Browne– electric guitar
  • Lou Reed– electric guitar
  • Sterling Morrison– electric guitar
  • John Cale– viola, organ, guitar
  • Val Valentin- director of engineering
  • Gary Kellgren- recording, remix
  • Larry Fallon– string and flute arrangements
  • Paul Morrissey- photography

Track listing:

  1. The Fairest of the Seasons – Jackson Browne, Gregory Copeland
  2. These Days – Jackson Browne
  3. Little Sister – John Cale, Lou Reed
  4. Winter Song – John Cale
  5. It Was a Pleasure Then – Lou Reed, John Cale, Christa Päffgen
  6. Chelsea Girls – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison
  7. I’ll Keep It With Mine – Bob Dylan
  8. Somewhere There’s a Feather – Jackson Browne
  9. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams – Lou Reed
  10. Eulogy to Lenny Bruce – Tim Hardin

Jimmy Smith: The Cat

Leave a comment

In September 1964, “Verve” label released “The Cat”, the sixth Jimmy Smith album for the label. It was recorded in April 1964, in Englewood, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Jimmy Smith– organ
  • Kenny Burrell– guitar
  • George Duvivier– bass
  • Grady Tate– drums
  • Phil Kraus – percussion
  • Snooky Young – trumpet
  • Thad Jones – trumpet
  • Ernie Royal – trumpet
  • Jimmy Maxwell – trumpet
  • Marky Markowitz – trumpet
  • Bernie Glow– trumpet
  • Jimmy Cleveland– trombone
  • Urbie Green – trombone
  • Tony Studd – bass trombone
  • Ray Alonge – French horn
  • Earl Chapin – French horn
  • Bill Correa – French horn
  • Jimmy Buffington – French horn
  • Don Butterfield– tuba
  • Lalo Schifrin– arrangements, conductor

Track listing:

  1. Theme from Joy House – Lalo Schifrin
  2. The Cat” (from Joy House) – Lalo Schifrin, Rick Ward
  3. Basin Street Blues – Spencer Williams
  4. Main Title from The Carpetbaggers – Elmer Bernstein, Ray Colcord
  5. Chicago Serenade – Eddie Harris
  6. Louis Blues – W.C. Handy
  7. Delon’s Blues – Jimmy Smith
  8. Blues in the Night – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

Ella Fitzgerald And Count Basie: Ella And Basie!

Leave a comment

In September 1963, “Verve” label released “Ella and Basie!”, studio album by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie and his orchestra. It was recorded in July 1963, at “A&R Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Norman Ganz.

Personnel:

  • Ella Fitzgerald– vocals
  • The Count Basie Orchestra:
  • Count Basie– piano
  • Sonny Cohn, Al Aarons, Joe Newman, Don Rader– trumpet
  • Eric Dixon– flute, tenor saxophone
  • Frank Foster, Frank Wess– flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Charlie Fowlkes– baritone saxophone
  • Freddie Green– guitar
  • Benny Powell, Urbie Green, Henry Coker, Grover Mitchell– trombone
  • Flip Ricard– trombone, trumpet
  • Marshal Royal– clarinet, alto saxophone
  • Buddy Catlett– double bass
  • Sonny Payne– drums
  • Quincy Jones– arranger
  • Val Valentin – recording
  • Jay Thompson – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Honeysuckle Rose – Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
  2. Deed I Do – Walter Hirsch, Fred Rose
  3. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall – Doris Fisher, Allan Roberts
  4. Them There Eyes – Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber, William Tracey
  5. Dream a Little Dream of Me – Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, Wilbur Schwandt
  6. Tea for Two – Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
  7. Satin Doll – Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn
  8. I’m Beginning to See the Light – Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, Harry James
  9. Shiny Stockings – Frank Foster, Ella Fitzgerald
  10. This Is My Last Affair – Haven Johnson
  11. Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Harry Brooks, Razaf, Waller
  12. On the Sunny Side of the Street – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Joe Felds

Leave a comment

On July 12, 2017, Joe Fields died aged 88. He has worked for “London Records”,  “MGM”, “Verve”, “Prestige”, “Sue Records”, and “Buddha Records” (started their jazz division, “Cobblestone Records”), before he started his own label “Muse Records” in 1973. The label featured artists such as Pat Martino, Houston Person, Cedar Walton, Charlie Earland, Larry Coryell and Woody Shaw. In the 80’s Fields acquired “Savoy” and “Landmark Records” labels. “Savoy” owned recordings by Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Dexter Gordon, among others. In 1997, Joe, and his son Barney, launched “HighNote” and “Savant Records”, labels that features artists such as Kenny Burrell, Houston Person, Wallace Roney, Eric Alexander, Freddy Cole, Tom Harrell and Russell Malone.

John Scofield: That’s What I Say: John Scofield Plays the Music of Ray Charles

Leave a comment

On June 7, 2005, “Verve” label released “That’s What I Say: John Scofield Plays the Music of Ray Charles”, the 35th John Scofield album. It was recorded in 2005, and was produced by Steve Jordan.

Personnel:

  • John Scofield – guitar, finger snapping
  • Warren Haynes – vocals, slide guitar
  • John Mayer – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar
  • Mavis Staples- vocals
  • Dr. John – vocals, piano
  • Aaron Neville- vocals
  • Larry Goldings- Hammond organ, vibes, Wurlitzer
  • Willie Weeks- bass
  • Manolo Badrena – Spanish vocals, percussion, tambourine, timbales
  • Steven “Steven J.” Jordan – drums, tambourine, backing vocals, hand clapping, finger snapping
  • David Newman – tenor saxophone
  • Alex Foster – tenor saxophone
  • Earl Gardner- trumpet
  • Keith O’Quinn – trombone
  • Howard Johnson- baritone saxophone
  • Vaneese Thomas- backing vocals, hand clapping
  • Lisa Fischer- backing vocals, hand clapping
  • Meegan Voss- backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Busted
  2. What’d I Say
  3. Sticks And Stones
  4. I Don’t Need No Doctor
  5. Cryin’ Time
  6. I Can’t Stop Loving You
  7. Hit The Road Jack
  8. Talkin’ ‘Bout You/I Got A Woman
  9. Unchain My Heart (Part 1)
  10. Let’s Go Get Stoned
  11. Night Time Is the Right Time
  12. You Don’t Know Me
  13. Georgia On My Mind

Astrud Gilberto: The Astrud Gilberto Album

Leave a comment

In May 1965, “Verve” label released “The Astrud Gilberto Album” , the second Astrud Gilberto album. It was recorded January 1965, at “RCA Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Astrud Gilberto- vocals
  • Antônio Carlos Jobim- vocals, guitar
  • João Gilberto- guitar
  • João Donato- piano
  • Joe Mondragon- bass
  • Bud Shank- alto sax, flute
  • Stu Williamson- trumpet
  • Milt Bernhart- trombone
  • Guildhall String Ensemble – ensemble

Track listing:

  1. Once I Loved – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Ray Gilbert
  2. Água de Beber – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Norman Gimbel
  3. Meditation – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Newton Mendonça, Norman Gimbel
  4. …and Roses and Roses – Dorival Caymmi, Ray Gilbert
  5. O Morro (Não tem Vez) – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes
  6. How Insensitive – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Norman Gimbel)
  7. Dindi – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Aloysio de Oliveira, Ray Gilbert
  8. Photograph – Antônio Carlos Jobim
  9. Dreamer – Antônio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees
  10. Só Tinha de Ser Com Você – Antônio Carlos Jobim
  11. All That’s Left Is to Say Goodbye – Astrud Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes

The Velvet Underground: VU

Leave a comment

vu

In February 1985, “Verve” label released “VU”, an  outtakes  compilation album  by The Velvet Underground. It was recorded 1968 – 1969 in New York City, and was produced by John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed and Maureen Tucker. The album is selection from the 1969 tracks and two previously unreleased John Cale-era songs—”Temptation Inside Your Heart” and “Stephanie Says”.

Personnel:

  • Lou Reed– vocals, guitar
  • John Cale– viola, celesta, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Sterling Morrison– guitar, backing vocals
  • Maureen Tucker– vocals, percussion
  • Doug Yule– lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, piano, lead guitar
  • Gary Kellgren– engineer
  • C. Convertino – engineer
  • Bill Levenson – executive producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Lou Reed except where noted.

  1. I Can’t Stand It
  2. Stephanie Says
  3. She’s My Best Friend
  4. Lisa Says
  5. Ocean
  6. Foggy Notion – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, Doug Yule, Maureen Tucker, Hy Weiss
  7. Temptation Inside Your Heart
  8. One of These Days
  9. Andy’s Chest
  10. I’m Sticking With You

Talk Talk: Laughing Stock

Leave a comment

laughing_stock

On September 16, 1991, “Verve” label released “Laughing Stock”, the fifth and final Talk Talk studio album. It was recorded 1990 – 1991, at “Wessex Sound Studios” in London, and was produced by Tim Friese-Greene.

Personnel:

  • Mark Hollis– vocal, guitar, piano, organ
  • Lee Harris– drums
  • Tim Friese Greene– organ, piano, harmonium
  • Mark Feltham– harmonica
  • Dave White – contrabass clarinet
  • Simon Edwards, Ernest Mothle – acoustic bass
  • Martin Ditcham – percussion
  • Henry Lowther– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Levine Andrade, Stephen Tees, George Robertson, Gavyn Wright, Jack Glickman, Garfield Jackson, Wilf Gibson – viola
  • Roger Smith, Paul Kegg – cello
  • Phill Brown– engineer
  • James Marsh – design

Track listing:

  1. Myrrhman – Mark Hollis
  2. Ascension Day – Mark Hollis
  3. After the Flood – Tim Friese, Mark Hollis
  4. Taphead – Mark Hollis
  5. New Grass – Mark Hollis
  6. Runeli – Mark Hollis

 

 

The Mothers Of Invention: Freak Out!

Leave a comment

Freak Out!

On June 27, 1966, “Verve” label released “Freak Out!” the debut Mothers of Invention album. It was recorded in March 1996, at “Sunset-Highland Studios of T.T.G. Inc” in Hollywood, and was produced by Tom Wilson. In 1999, “Freak Out” was honored with the “Grammy Hall of Fame Award”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” ranked it at number 246 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Frank Zappa– vocals, guitar, orchestration, arrangements, conductor, musical director
  • Elliot Ingber– alternate lead and rhythm guitar
  • Carol Kaye– 12-string guitar
  • Neil Le Vang– guitar
  • Ray Collins– vocals, harmonica, cymbals, sound effects, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin, weezers
  • Eugene Di Novi – piano
  • Mac Rebennack– piano
  • Les McCann– piano
  • Roy Estrada– bass, guitarron, boy soprano
  • Jimmy Carl Black– vocals, percussion, drums
  • Gene Estes – percussion
  • Arthur Maebe – French horn, tuba
  • John Rotella – clarinet, sax
  • Kim Fowley– hypophone
  • Kurt Reher – cello
  • Raymond Kelley– cello
  • Paul Bergstrom – cello
  • Emmet Sargeant – cello
  • Joseph Saxon – cello
  • Edwin V. Beach – cello
  • Motorhead Sherwood– noises
  • Paul Butterfield– vocals
  • Jeannie Vassoir– the voice of Cheese
  • Val Valentin – engineer
  • Ami, Tom – engineer
  • Eugene Dinovi, Neil Levang, Vito, Ken Watson – engineer assistant
  • Jack Anesh – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa, except where noted.

  1. Hungry Freaks, Daddy
  2. I Ain’t Got No Heart
  3. Who Are the Brain Police?
  4. Go Cry on Somebody Else’s Shoulder – Frank Zappa, Ray Collins
  5. Motherly Love
  6. How Could I Be Such a Fool
  7. Wowie Zowie
  8. You Didn’t Try to Call Me
  9. Anyway, the Wind Blows
  10. I’m Not Satisfied
  11. You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here
  12. Trouble Every Day
  13. Help, I’m a Rock (Suite in Three Movements)
  • Okay to Tap Dance
  • In Memoriam, Edgard Varèse
  • It Can’t Happen Here
  1. The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet in Two Tableaux)
  • Ritual Dance of the Child-Killer
  • Nullis Pretii (No Commercial Potential)

The Mothers Of Invention: Absolutely Free

Leave a comment

Frank Zappa-Absolutely Free

On May 26, 1967, “Verve” label released “Absolutely Free”, the second Mothers of Invention album. It was recorded November 15–18, 1966, at “Sunset-Highland Studios of TTG”, and was produced by Tom Wilson and Frank Zappa.

Personnel:

  • Frank Zappa– vocals, guitar, conductor
  • Jimmy Carl Black– drums, vocals
  • Ray Collins– vocals, tambourine
  • Roy Estrada– bass, vocals
  • Billy Mundi– drums, percussion
  • Don Preston– keyboards
  • Jim Fielder– guitar, piano
  • Bunk Gardner– woodwinds
  • Suzy Creamcheese (Lisa Cohen) – vocals
  • John Balkin – bass
  • Jim Getzoff – violin
  • Marshall Sosson – violin
  • Alvin Dinkin – viola
  • Armand Kaproff – cello
  • Don Ellis– trumpet
  • John Rotella– contrabass clarinet
  • Herb Cohen– cash register machine sounds
  • Terry Gilliam, girlfriend and others – voices

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa.

  1. Plastic People
  2. The Duke of Prunes
  3. Amnesia Vivace
  4. The Duke Regains His Chops
  5. Call Any Vegetable
  6. Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin
  7. Soft-Sell Conclusion
  8. America Drinks
  9. Status Back Baby
  10. Uncle Bernie’s Farm
  11. Son of Suzy Creamcheese
  12. Brown Shoes Don’t Make It
  13. America Drinks & Goes Home