On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: Wendy Waldman
Linda Ronstadt: Heart Like A Wheel
On November 19, 1974, “Capitol” label released “Heart like a Wheel”, the fifth Linda Ronstadt album. It was recorded June – September 1974, at “The Sound Factory” and “Clover Recorders” in Los Angeles, “Track Recorders” in Maryland, “Record Plant” and “The Hit Factory” in New York City, “Trident Studios” and “AIR Studios” in London, and was produced by Peter Asher. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Heart like a Wheel” on number 490 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified 2x Platinum by “RIAA”.
Personnel:
- Linda Ronstadt – lead and backing vocals
- Andrew Gold – acoustic and electric piano, electric rhythm guitar, tambourine, acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, drums , percussion, arrangements assistant
- Eddie Black – electric guitar
- Bob Warford – acoustic and electric guitar
- Sneaky Pete Kleinow – pedal steel guitar
- JD Souther – acoustic guitar, harmony vocals
- Herb Pedersen – banjo, backing vocals
- Paul Craft – acoustic guitar
- John Starling – acoustic guitar
- Danny Pendleton – pedal steel guitar
- John Boylan – acoustic guitar
- Glenn Frey – acoustic guitar
- Kenny Edwards – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Chris Ethridge – bass guitar
- Emory Gordy Jr. – bass guitar
- Tom Guidera – bass guitar
- Timothy B. Schmit – bass guitar
- Dennis St. John – drums
- Russ Kunkel – drums
- Lloyd Myers – drums
- Don Henley – drums
- Peter Asher – percussion, cowbell, backing vocals
- Jimmie Fadden – harmonica
- David Lindley – fiddle
- Gregory Rose – string arrangements, conductor
- David Campbell – string arrangements, viola
- Dennis Karmazyn – cello
- Richard Feves – double bass
- Clydie King – backing vocals
- Sherlie Matthews – backing vocals
- Wendy Waldman – backing vocals
- Cissy Houston – backing vocals
- Joyce Nesbitt – backing vocals
- Maria Muldaur – backing vocals
- Emmylou Harris – harmony vocals
- Val Garay – engineer, mixing
- David Hassinger – engineer, mixing
- Dennis Ferrante – engineer assistant
- John Haeny – engineer assistant
- Peter Kelsey – engineer assistant
- George Massenburg – engineer assistant
- Peter Swettenham – engineer assistant
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
- Rod Dyer – design
- Leandro Correa – photography
- Eve Babitz – photography
Track listing:
- You’re No Good – Clint Ballard Jr.
- It Doesn’t Matter Anymore – Paul Anka
- Faithless Love – JD Souther
- The Dark End of the Street – Chips Moman, Dan Peen
- Heart Like a Wheel – Anna McGarrigle
- When Will I Be Loved – Phil Everly
- Willin’ – Lowell George
- I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love With You) – Hank Williams
- Keep Me Blowing Away – Paul Craft
- You Can Close Your Eyes – James Taylor
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Hold On
On July 7, 1987, “Warner Bros” label released “Hold On”, the seventeenth Nitty Gritty Dirt Band studio album. It was recorded in 1987, and was produced by Josh Leo, Marshall Morgan and Paul Worley.
Personnel:
- Jeff Hanna – vocals, guitars
- Bob Carpenter – vocals, keyboards, accordion
- John McEuen – mandolin, acoustic guitar
- Jimmy Ibbotson – vocals, electric bass, guitars, mandolin
- Jimmie Fadden – drums, harmonica, jaw harp, backing vocals
Track listing:
- Fishin’ in the Dark – Wendy Waldman, Jim Photoglo
- Joe Knows How to Live – Max D. Barnes, Graham Lyle, Troy Seals
- Keepin’ the Road Hot – Jeff Hanna, Bob Carpenter
- Blue Ridge Mountain Girl – Wayland Holyfield, Richard Leigh
- Angelyne – Bruce Springsteen
- Baby’s Got a Hold on Me – Josh Leo, Jeff Hanna, Bob Carpenter
- Dancing to the Beat of a Broken Heart – Wayland Holyfield, Verlon Thompson
- Oh, What a Love – Jimmy Ibbotson
- Oleanna – Jimmie Fadden
- Tennessee – Karen Staley
Maria Muldaur: Same
In August 1973, “Reprise” label released the self-titled, debut Maria Muldaur album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Warner Bros Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Lenny Waronker and Joe Boyd.
Personnel:
- Maria Muldaur – vocals
- Ry Cooder – acoustic guitar
- Andrew Gold – acoustic guitar
- David Nichtern – acoustic and electric guitar
- Clarence White – acoustic guitar
- David Lindley – Hawaiian guitar
- Bill Keith – banjo, steel guitar
- David Grisman – mandolin
- Dr. John – keyboards, horn arrangements
- Jim Dickinson – piano
- Mark T. Jordan – piano
- Spooner Oldham – piano
- Greg Prestopino – vocal and background vocals, piano
- James Gordon – organ, clarinet
- Chris Ethridge – bass
- Klaus Voormann – bass
- Ray Brown – bass
- Dave Holland – bowed bass
- Jimmy Calhoun – bass
- Tommy McClure – bass
- Freebo – bass
- Amos Garrett – vocals, bass, guitar
- Jim Keltner – drums
- Ed Shaughnessy – drums
- John Boudreaux – drums
- Jim Gordon – drums
- Chris Parker – drums
- Nick DeCaro – accordion, string arrangements
- Jerry Jumonville – alto horn, horn arrangements
- Artie Butler – alto horn, horn arrangements
- Richard Greene – violin
- Beryl Marriott – violin
- Larry Packer – violin, viola
- Karen Alexander – backing vocals
- Gloria Jones – backing vocals
- Ellen Kearney – backing vocals
- Bettye LaVette – backing vocals
- Jessica Smith – backing vocals
Track listing:
- Any Old Time – Jimmie Rodgers
- Midnight at the Oasis – David Nichtern
- My Tennessee Mountain Home – Dolly Parton
- I Never Did Sing You a Love Song – David Nichtern
- The Work Song – Kate McGarrigle
- Don’t You Feel My Leg (Don’t You Get Me High) – Blue Lu Barker, Danny Barker, J. Mayo Williams
- Walkin’ One and Only – Dan Hicks
- Long Hard Climb – Ron Davies
- Three Dollar Bill – Mac Rebennack
- Vaudeville Man – Wendy Waldman
- Mad Mad Me – Wendy Waldman
Al Kooper: Act Like Nothing’s Wrong
On November 18, 1976, “United Artists” label released “Act Like Nothing’s Wrong”, the seventh Al Kooper studio album. It was recorded in 1976, at “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, “Record Plant” in Sausalito, CA, “TK Studios” in Hialeah, FL, “Quadraphonic Sound Studios” in Nashville, TN, “Sound Ideas Studios” in New York City, “Studio One” in Doraville, GA, and was produced by Al Kooper, and John Simon.
Personnel:
- Al Kooper – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, clavinet, arranger, horn arrangements, engineer
- Steve Gibson – guitar, rhythm guitar
- Willie “Little Beaver” Hale – guitar
- Joe Walsh – slide guitar
- Reggie Young – vocals, guitar
- Bobby Wood – organ, piano, electric piano
- Ron Bogdon – bass
- J. R. Cobb – bass
- George “Chocolate” Perry – bass
- Mike Leech – bass
- Robert Ferguson – vocals, drums
- Tubby Zeigler – drums
- Larrie Londin – drums
- Gary Coleman – percussion, bongos, conga
- Dominic Frontiere – horn arrangements
- Marvin Stamm – trumpet
- Tower of Power – horns
- Harry Lookofsky – violin
- Wendy Waldman – backing vocals
- Ron Hicklin Singers – backing vocals
- Hilda Harris – backing vocals
- John Simon – arranger
- Steve Alaimo – engineer
- Bob Edwards – engineer
- Gene Eichelberger – engineer
- John Henning – engineer
- Bruce Hensal – engineer
- Linda Hoxit – engineer
- Denis King – engineer
- Kelly Kotera – engineer
- Bobby Langford – engineer
- Tim Sadler – engineer
- Rick Sanchez – engineer
- Rick Smith – engineer
- Steve Smith – engineer
- Alan Robinson – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Al Kooper, except where noted.
- Is We on the Downbeat
- This Diamond Ring – Al Kooper, Bob Brass, Irwin Levine
- She Don’t Ever Lose Her Groove – Willie Hale
- I Forgot to Be Your Lover – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
- Missing You
- Out of Left Field – Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
- (Please Not) One More Time
- In My Own Sweet Way
- Turn My Head Towards Home – Al Kooper, John Simon
- A Visit to the Rainbow Bar and Grill
- Hollywood Vampire
Melissa Manchester: Singin’…
On September 6, 1977, “Arista” label released “Singin’…” the sixth Melissa Manchester album. It was recorded in 1977, at “A&R Studios”, “Sound Labs” in Hollywood, and was produced by Vini Poncia.
Personnel:
- Melissa Manchester – lead vocals
- Jeff Mironov – guitar
- David Spinozza– guitar
- Sid McGinnis– guitar
- Don Grolnick– keyboards
- James Newton Howard– Oberheim synthesizer, string arrangements
- Will Lee– bass guitar
- Tony Levin– bass guitar
- Steve Gadd– drums
- Lenny Castro– percussion
- Tom Saviano – woodwind arrangements, flute, horn arrangements, tenor saxophone
- Mike Carnahan – flute
- Leo Potts – flute
- Andy Macintosh – baritone saxophone
- Stanley Schwartz – tenor saxophone
- George Bohanon– trombone
- Richard Felts – trumpet, flugelhorn solo
- Sid Sharp – concertmaster
- Vini Poncia– backing vocals
- Claudia Cagan – backing vocals
- Wendy Haas – backing vocals
- Brie Howard – backing vocals
- Gail Kantor – backing vocals
- The Faragher Brothers– backing vocals
- Bob Schaper – engineer
- Tom Bush – second engineer
- Galen Senogles – mixing
- Ron Hitchcock – mastering
- Kay Steele – cover coordinator
- John Kosh – art direction, desiign
- David Alexander – photography
- Anne Streer – production coordinator
Track listing:
- Sad Eyes – David Spinozza
- I Wanna Be Where You Are – Arthur Ross, Leon Ware
- A Love Of Your Own – Ned Doheny
- No One’s Ever Seen This Side Of Me – Melissa Manchester
- You Make It Easy – James Taylor
- Stand – Melissa Manchester
- My Love Is All I Know – Wendy Waldman
- Time – Robert Marshall, John Miles
- Let Me Serenade You – John Finley
- The Warmth Of The Sun – Brian Wilson
Alison Krauss: New favorite
On August 14, 2001, “Rounder” by label released “New Favorite”, the ninth Alison Krauss & Union Station album. It was recorded in 2001, and was produced by Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Ron Block, Jerry Douglas, Barry Bales and Larry Atamanuik.
Personnel:
- Alison Krauss– lead vocals, fiddle, viola
- Dan Tyminski– acoustic guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
- Ron Block– acoustic guitar, banjo, backing vocals
- Jerry Douglas– dobro, lap steel guitar
- Barry Bales– upright bass, backing vocals
- Larry Atamanuik – drums, percussion
- Gary Paczosa – recording, mixing
- Eric Bickel – mixing
- Doug Sax – mastering
- Robert Hadley – mastering
- Pamela Springsteen – photography
Track listing:
- Let Me Touch You for Awhile – Robert Lee Castleman
- The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn – traditional
- The Lucky One – Robert Lee Castleman
- Choctaw Hayride – Jerry Douglas
- Crazy Faith – Mark Simos
- Momma Cried – Bob Lucas
- I’m Gone – Eric Kaz, Wendy Waldman
- Daylight – Bob Lucas
- Bright Sunny South – traditional
- Stars – Dan Fogelberg
- It All Comes Down to You – Ron Block
- Take Me for Longing – Mark Simos
- New Favorite – David Rawlings, Gillian Welch
The Hooters: Out of Body
On May 11, 1993, “MCA” label released “Out of Body”, the fifth Hooters (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1993, at “Ardent Studios” in Memphis, and was produced by Joe Hardy, Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman.
Personnel:
- Rob Hyman – lead vocals, piano, organ, synthesizer, Mellotron, accordion, percussion, hooter
- Eric Bazilian – lead vocals, guitars, mandolin, bass guitar, sitar, hooter, saxophone, recorder, synthesizer, percussion
- John Lilley – vocals, guitar
- Fran Smith Jr. – vocals, bass guitar, tambourine
- David Uosikkinen – drums, percussion
- Mindy Jostyn – vocals, violin, guitar, harmonica, string arrangements
- Cyndi Lauper: vocals
- The Memphis Horns: Andrew Love – tenor saxophone, Wayne Jackson trumpet, trombone
- Max Huls: violin
- Linda Minke: cello
Track listing:
- Twenty-Five Hours a Day – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, Jerry Lynn Williams
- Boys Will Be Boys – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, Cyndi Lauper
- Shadow of Jesus – Eric Bazilian, Glenn Goss
- Great Big American Car – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, Wendy Waldman
- Private Emotion – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian
- Driftin’ Away – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian
- Dancing on the Edge – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, John Bettis
- All Around the Place – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian
- One Too Many Nights – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian
- Nobody But You – Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian, Jerry Lynn Williams
Linda Ronstadt: Hasten Down The Wind
In August 1976, “Asylum” label released “Hasten Down the Wind”, the seventh Linda Ronstadt studio album. It was recorded May – July 1976, at “The Sound Factory” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Peter Asher. In 1977, the album won “Grammy Award” for “Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female”. The album was certified Platinum in US by the “RIIA”.
Personnel:
- Linda Ronstadt – lead and backing vocals, handclaps
- Andrew Gold – vocals, backing vocals, organ, keyboards, ARP String Ensemble, finger cymbals, sleigh bells, handclaps, clavinet, acoustic and electric piano, electric, rhythm and acoustic guitar, clavichord
- Dan Dugmore – electric and steel guitar
- Wendy Waldman – acoustic and electric guitar
- Peter Asher- guitar, wood block, shaker, handclaps, vocals, tambourine, percussion
- Clarence McDonald- piano, keyboards
- Kenny Edwards- bass guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
- Richard Feves – bass guitar, double bass
- Russ Kunkel, Michael Botts– drums
- Don Henley – drums, lead and harmony vocals
- Paul Polivnick – viola
- Bill Thedford – vocals, choir, chorus
- Ken Yerke – violin, viola
- David Campbell – viola, conductor, string arrangements
- Charles Veal – violin, concertmaster
- Dennis Karmazyn – cello
- Ron Hickland, Gerry Garrett – choir, chorus
- Clydie King- vocals, choir, chorus
- Gerald Garrett, Jim Gilstrap – vocals, choir, chorus
- Pat Henderson – vocals, choir, chorus, backing vocals
- Ron Hicklin – vocals
- Sherlie Matthews- backing vocals
- Herb Pedersen- backing vocals
- Wendy Waldman- backing vocals
- Becky Louis, Karla Bonoff- backing vocals
- John Kosh – design
- Ethan Russell, Jim Shea – photography
Track listing:
- Lose Again – Karla Bonoff
- The Tattler – Ry Cooder, Russ Titelman, Washington Phillips
- If He’s Ever Near – Karla Bonoff
- That’ll Be the Day – Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty
- Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty – Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Edwards, Gilbert Ronstadt
- Hasten Down the Wind – Warren Zevon
- Rivers of Babylon – Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton
- Give One Heart – John Hall, Johanna Hall
- Try Me Again – Linda Ronstadt, Andrew Gold
- Crazy – Willie Nelson
- Down So Low – Tracy Nelson
- Someone to Lay Down Beside Me – Karla Bonoff
Randy Newman: Trouble In Paradise
On January 17, 1983, “Warner Bros.”, released “Trouble in Paradise”, the seventh Randy Newman studio album. It was recorded in 1982, at the “Warner Brothers Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Russ Titelman and Lenny Waronker. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Trouble in Paradise” at number 67 on its list of “100 Greatest Albums of the 80”.
Personnel:
- Randy Newman- vocals, piano
- Steve Lukather- guitar
- Waddy Wachtel– guitar
- Ralph Grierson, Neil Larson – piano
- David Paich, Michael Boddicker- keyboards
- Nathan East- bass
- Jeff Porcaro- drums
- Lenny Castro- percussion
- Paulinho Da Costa- percussion
- Christine McVie, Wendy Waldman, Lindsey Buckingham, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon- vocals
- Jennifer Warnes- vocals
- Don Henley- vocals
- Larry Williams, Steve Madaio, Ernie Watts, Jerry Hey, Jim Horn, Jon Smith – horns
Track listing:
All tracks by Randy Newman.
- I Love L.A.
- Christmas in Capetown
- The Blues
- Same Girl
- Mikey’s
- My Life Is Good
- Miami
- Real Emotional Girl
- Take Me Back
- There’s a Party at My House
- I’m Different
- Song for the Dead
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