Nancy Wilson - This Mother’s Daughter
Nancy Wilson (vocals)
Steve Gadd (drums) [click here to see more vinyl featuring Steve Gadd]
George Duke (Fender Rhodes piano and Moog) [click here to see more vinyl featuring George Duke]
Chuck Rainey (bass), Hugh McCracken, Jeff Miranoy, (guitars), Dave Gruisin, Oliver Brown (percussion), Blue Mitchell (flugel horn)
Backing Vocals : Afreeka Trees, Carla Bee, Carolyn Willis, Eugene McDaniels, Jackie Ward, Jim Gilstrap, Lisa Roberts, Morgan Ames
Arranged by Dave Gruisin, except B4 by Hugh McCracken and A5 by George Duke
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Pure Pleasure
Original Label : Columbia
Recorded at The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California by Phil Boogie Schier and Doug Rider
Produced by Eugene McDaniels
Remastered by Ron McMaster at Capitol Studios
Originally released in 1976
Tracks:
Side A :
2. Love Has Smiled On Us
3. I Don't Want A Sometimes Man
4. Tree of Life
5. China
Side B :
2. This Mother's Daughter
3. He Never Had It So Good
4. When We Were One
5. Stay Tuned
Reviews:
« “From You to Me to You” opens Side 1 with a swirling mix of strings and background vocals surrounding Ms. Wilson as she soars above the mix. Chuck Rainey’s electric bass is unmistakable as his round bottom end keeps the funk quotient high. “Love Has Smiled on Us” is a pretty ballad with the vocal taking center stage with a minimum of strings and background vocals. Piano is the primary instrument backing Nancy as she emotes sweetly. “I Don’t Want a Sometimes Man” has a Motown feel only belied by the strings that Berry Gordy would have left out if he had Diana Ross do this number.
“Tree of Life” is a step up in lyrics with a hopeful theme. Written by producer McDaniels, it was covered as well by Aretha Franklin. A gospel choir adds class and emotion. George Duke’s Moog synthesizer adds spacey effects to “Now” while Steve Gadd makes his presence felt on drums. The title track follows as Wilson preaches to the next generation of women including her daughter, born on July 4, 1975. The theme is helping to prepare our children for the future.
“He Never Had It So Good” brings us back to the eternal man/woman struggle. “When We Were One” has some funky guitar, and a feel that would have been appropriate for a movie theme, complete with some extravagant strings and horns arranged by Dave Grusin and Hugh McCracken. “Stay Tuned” ends our 1970s visit with Nancy Wilson, as its bluesy romp is aided by Blue Mitchell’s righteous Flugelhorn solo. It is perhaps the most straight-ahead jazz tune on the album.
For fans of Ms. Wilson who want to hear her in her prime, backed by a potent crew of musicians, with strings, background vocals, and occasional horns to sweeten the mix—all in audiophile splendor—then this album fits the bill well. » AllMusic Review by Jason Ankeny
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 , Discogs : 4.57 / 5