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David Lasley / Missin Twenty Grand
Michigan born David Lasley started his music career in his teens, forming a singing group The Utopia, with his younger sister in the Detroit area. In 1970 he joined the cast of the hit musical Hair, which led to a move to New York City, and appeared in the Broadway musical Dude. Subsequently, Lasley started his career as a background vocalist for Luther Vandross, Sister Sledge, Chic and many others. He also formed his own group "Rosie", releasing the album "Better Late Than Never" in 1976 and another album "Last Dance" in 1977. In 1977, Lasley began touring and recording with James Taylor. When you listen to David Lasley's falsetto vocals and his songwritings heavily influenced by black music, you might not think he is a blue-eyed soul singer songwriter. David moved to Los Angeles and wrote many Westcoast hit tunes such as "Jojo" performed by Boz Scaggs and this gave him a chance to get a deal as a solo artist. In 1982, David finally released his own first solo album "Missin' Twenty Grand" along with the hit song "If I Had My Wish Tonight" written by Randy Goodrum and David Loggins ranked number 36 on Billboard's Hot 100. Release: 1982 Label: EMI America, USA (ST-17066) Tracks: 1. Got To Find Love 2. If I Had My Wish Tonight 3. Looking For Love On Broadway 4. On Third Street 5. Take A Look 6. Treat Willie Good 7. Never Say 8. Roommate 9.Where Is Charlie And Joanne 10. Take The Money And Run 11. On Third Street - reprise Bonus Track(s) added to the reissued CD version(s): 1999 Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-578 released on 15 September, 1999) 12. Next Time * 13. Saved By Love * 14. Where Does That Boy Hang Out. * 15. Oh * * taken from his second solo album "Rain Dance" (1984 EMI America, ST-17118) Producers: Willie Wilcox, Joe Wissert, David Lasley Associate Producers: Bill Schnee, Dave Iveland David Lasley: Vocals, Handclaps - Musicians - Keyboards and Piano: David Benoit Guitars: Marty Walsh, Chuck Cochran, Osamu Kitajima, Pete Townshend Bass: Wade Short, Bobby Watson, Dave Williams Drums: Willie Wilcox Percussion: Judy Linscott, Victor Feldman Trumpet: Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley Sax: Joel Peskin, Bryan Cumming, Earnie Watts Trombone: Bill Reichenbach Harp: Gayle Levant Background Vocals: Arnold McCuller, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Cochran, Luther Vandross, Charlotte Crossley, Joann Harris, Susan M. Collins Strings Arrangement: Nick De Caro Producer for Bonus Tracks: Don Was Musicians on Bonus Tracks: Bass: Wade Short, Tinker Barefield, Jason Scheff, Bobby Watson Guitars: Pat Kelly, Chuck Cochran, David Williams Lynn Drum: Don Was Drums: Michell Roberts, Yogi Horton Percussion: Larry Fratangelo Keyboards: Aaron Zigman, Craig Siegal, David Benoit, Don Was, Aaron Zigman Over Heim: Luis Resto Sax: Joel Peskin, David McMurray Background Vocals: Jason Scheff, Carmen Grillo, Arnold McCuller, Joann Harris, Ulan Hedwig Strings Arrangement: Nick De Caro #DavidLasley
4 AOR EMI America, USA Vivid Sound Corporation, JapanTakeito
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Michael Johnson / Lifetime Guarantee
This is 8th solo album of Michael Johnson, which was the last one of the five albums released under EMI America. And the album was the first album since “Home Free” in 1981, that meant Johnson spent four years to release this. Johnson worked with a number of different producers, and recorded in New York and Los Angeles, and the studio in Los Angeles where LA recording materials were mixed was the Garden Lake Studio. Yes, it is Jay Graydon’s studio. The result was a bit different from the rest of Johnson’s EMI albums. “Lifetime Guarantee” has more pop with soul-feel and mid 1980’s electric sounds rather than simple folky sound. Randy Goodrum wrote a slightly funky tune “Q.T.” It was impressive to find David Sanborn’s contribution. The album title song “Lifetime Guarantee” was written by Chris Montan. The rest four EMI America albums; "Michael Johnson Album"(1978), "Dialogue"(1979), "You Can Call Me Blue"(1980) and "Home Free"(1981) were reissued by Vivid Sound Japan, so this eighth one was the missing one but bit later by Magic Records, France in 1999. Honestly speaking, it was very regrettable for us that Michael had changed his music style more country after leaving EMI America. Release: 1984 Label: EMI America, USA (ST-17104) First Reissued CD Release: June 1999 (Magic Records, France, distributed by EMI Music France, 5213742) Tracks: 1. There's A Love 2. If You Can't Feel Love 3. Lifetime Guarantee 4. We Can Live On Love (Baby You're Just Like Me) 5. I'm Gone 6. Q.T. 7. Temptation 8. Who's That Look In Your Eye 9. City Of The Angels 10. I Still Love You Producers: Michael Colina, Ray Bardini, Jeremy Lubbock Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Drums: Andy Newmark, Harvey Mason, Yogi Horton Bass: Wayne Pedzwater, Roscoe Beck, Marcus Miller, Neil Jason Piano: Steve Foreman, Jai Winding Keyboards, Synthesizer: Rob Mounsey, Randy Waldman, Jeremy Lubbock, Chris Montan, Michael Colina, Randy Goodrum, Richard Tee Guitars: Nick Moroch Sax: Dave Boruff, Dave Sanborn Percussion: Ray Bardani, Ted Moore Background Vocals: Gordon Grody, Kurt Yaghjian, Nick Uhrig, Marc Piscitelli, Chris Montan, Sherilyn Huffman, Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver, Kacey Cisyk, Vivian Cherry, Lani Groves, Ullanda McCullough #MichaelJohnson
AOR EMI America, USA Magic Records, France CDTakeito
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Michael Johnson / You Can Call Me Blue + Home Free
Teaming up with Brent Maher and Steve Gibson was the key for Michael Johnson’s success in late 1970’s. "Bluer Than Blue" from the first EMI-America album “The Michael Johnson Album” (1978), his signature song was produced by them. The second EMI-America 1979 album “Dialogue” recorded in Nashville was another success, featuring a stunning top 20 single hit “This Night Won’t Last Forever”. A third EMI-America album produced byBrent Maher and Steve Gibson, “You Can Call Me Blue” was released in late 1980. The title song became Johnson’s last commercial pop hit, reaching a lowly 86 on the charts. However, from the AOR lovers viewpoint, the album was remarkable having great songwriters such as Robert Byrne, Micheal McDonald, Bill LaBounty, Roy Freeland, Eric Kaz, Tom Snow, Andy Goldmark and Randy Goodrum. Another album, “Home Free” produced by Steve Buckingham who was know for his production with Mellisa Manchester and Dionne Warwick then, followed in 1981, but failed to make an commercial impact. “You Can Call Me Blue” Release: 1980 Label:EMI America, USA (SW-17035) Tracks: 1. You Can Call Me Blue 2. After You 3. Savin' It Up 4. You, You, You 5. Blame It On The Rain 6. Right Through The Heart 7. Don't Ask Why 8. Staying With It 9. You Sure Fooled Me 10. Empty Hearts Producers: Brent Maher and Steve Gibson Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Keyboards: Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin Wurlitzer: Bill LaBounty Piano: Tom Snow Bass: Bob Wray, Jack Williams Drums: Roger Clark, Kenny Malone Percussion: Farrell Morris, Terry McMillan Guitars: Jon Goin, Steve Gibson Sax: Blue Jay Patton Background Vocals: Marie Clark, Greg Gordon, Mark Phillips, Todd Cerney Background Vocals: Sheri Kramer, Diane Tidwell, Greg Gordon, Bergen White, Randy Goodrum ============================ "Home Free" Release: 1981 Label: EMI America, USA Tracks: 1. You're Not Easy To Forget 2. The Love She Found In Me 3. Rosalee 4. The Power (This Love Has Over Me) 5. I Can't Get To You From Here 6. Home Free 7. Just One Look 8. Love Me Like The Last Time 9. Leave It Alone 10. Let Me Go Back Home Producer: Steve Buckingham Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Drums: James Stroud Bass: Tom Robb Keyboards: Randy McCormick Guitar: Larry Byrom Percussion: Mickey Buckins Sax: Jay Scott Steel Guitar: Jay Dee Maness Harmonica: Terry McMillan English Horn: Earl Dumler Strings Arrangement: Steve Dorff Concert Master: Jimmy Getzoff Background Vocals: Maxine Waters, Julia Waters, Oren Waters, Luther Waters, Marty McCall, Sheri Huffman, Richard Mainegra, Dennis Williman Wilson, Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver - 2 on 1 Reissued CD - Release: 15 May, 1999 Label: Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-577) - ”You Can Call Me Blue” Reissued CD - Release: 9 December, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan (UICY-79325) - “Home Free” Reissued CD - Release: 9 December, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan (UICY-79326) #MichaelJohnson
AOR EMI America, USA EMI America, USA CDTakeito
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Michael Johnson / The Michael Johnson Album + Dialogue
Michael Johnson was recognised widely when he started to sing with John Denver and David Boise as Denver, Boise & Johnson in 1968. Shortly after the group disbanded in 1969, Johnson started his successful solo career. In 1971, Johnson signed with Atco Records to release his first album “There Is A Breeze”, which was released in 1973, then Johnson released two albums for Sanskrit Records; theself-produced second album For All You Mad Musicians” in 1975, followed by “Ain't Dis Da Life” in 1977. In terms of commercial sales, these first three albums were not successful. Time had come in 1978. Johnson’s fourth solo effort "The Michael Johnson Album" released in 1978 under EMI America changed his status in the U.S. music scene. The first single "Bluer Than Blue" written by Randy Goodrum ranked number 12 on U.S. Pop Chart. Other contributed songwriters were such as Bill Labounty, Tom Snow and Eric Kaz, who made the album full of romantic ballads. In 1979, Johnson returned with another set of romantic mellow fifth solo album "Dialogue" featuring “This Night Won't Last Forever" also known for Bill LaBounty's version. This song ranked number 19 on the U.S. pop chart. Other songs on the album was written again by great songwriters including Tom Snow, Randy Goodrum, Eric Kaz, and Parker McGee. Michael passed away at his home in Minneapolis, MN on 25 July, 2017 following a long battle with chronic heart and lung disease. "The Michael Johnson Album" Release:15 June 1978 Label: EMI America, USA (SW-17002) Tracks: 1. Sailing Without A Sail 2. Foolish 3. Dancin' Tonight 4. Two In Love 5. Ridin' In The Sky 6. Bluer Than Blue 7. Almost Like Being In Love 8. 25 Words Or Less 9. Gypsy Woman 10. When You Come Home Producers: Steve Gibson, Brent Maher Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Keyboards: Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin Piano: Bill LaBounty Bass: Jack Williams, Mike Leech, Norbert Putnam Drums: Kenny Malone Percussion: Farrell Morris Guitars: Jon Goin, Steve Gibson Violin: Shelly Kurland Horns: Buddy Skipper, Don Scheffeild, Roger Bissell, Roger Williams Background Vocals: Sheri Kramer, Diane Tidwell, Daine Tidwell ============================ “Dialogue" Release: 1979 Label: EMI America, USA (SW-17010) Tracks: 1. This Night Won't Last Forever 2. Let This Be A Lesson To You 3. The Very First Time 4. Drops Of Water 5. I'll Always Love You 6. Doors 7. Blackmail 8. She Put The Sad In All His Songs 9. I Just Can't Say No To You 10. Dialogue Producers: Steve Gibson Michael Johnson: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Piano: Shane Keister, Bobby Ogdin, Randy Goodrum, Tom Snow Wurlizer: Randy Goodrum Rhodes: Bobby Keister, Shane Keister, Randy Goodrum Bass: Jack Williams, Mike Leech Drums: Kenny Malone Percussion: Farrell Morris Guitars: Steve Gibson, Jon Goin Sax: Billy Puett, Norm Ray, Buddy Skipper, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker Trombone: Dennis Good, Tom Malone Trumpet: Don Sheffield, John Gatchell, Danny Cahn Oboe: Bob Taylor Background Vocals: Sheri Kramer, Diane Tidwell, Greg Gordon, Bergen White, Randy Goodrum - 2 on 1 Reissued CD - Release: 15 May, 1999 Label: Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-576) - “The Michael Johnson Album” Reissued CD - Release: 9 December, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan (UICY-79323) - “Dialogue” Reissued CD - Release: 9 December, 2020 Label: Universal Music Japan (UICY-79324) #MichaelJohnson
AOR EMI America, USA Universal Music Japan Vivid Sound Corporation, JapanTakeito