Smooth west coast singer ....
Michael Franks
Smooth west coast singer ....
An enormously popular performer in the late '70s and early '80s, though his jazz credentials are in dispute. Franks performed folk/rock songs while in high school, then became a literature student at UCLA and a part-time performer. He taught undergraduate music courses in the early '70s at both UCLA and Berkeley, then provided scores for the films Count Your Bullets and Zandy's Bride. He made his first album in 1973, then enjoyed success with a string of late '70s albums on Warner Brothers. He has worked with the likes of Flora Purim, Kenny Rankin, Ron Carter, the Crusaders, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Eric Gale, and others, and has had songs recorded by The Manhattan Transfer, Patti Labelle, Carmen McRae, and the Carpenters. - Ron Wynn All Music Guide, photo from the official Michael Franks website.
Michael Franks -
Michael Franks
"The rare debut album"
The Tracks are: Can't Seem To Shake This Rock 'n Roll, Just Like Key Largo, When Blackbirds Fly, Lovesick Lizzie, Life's Little Highway, King Of Oklahoma, Dobro Ladies, Three Today, Little Sparrow & Born With The Moon In Virgo.
Musicians on the Michael Franks album: Michael Franks, Tom Scott, Paul Humphrey, Wendy Waldman, Louie Shelton, Max Bennett, Bobby Bruce, Larry Bunker, Gene Cipriano, Ed Greene, Carol Kaye, Steve La Fever, Richard Markowitz, Jerry McGee, Ollie Mitchell, Larry Muhoberac, David Paich, Michael Price, Maurice Rodgers, Kenny Shroyer, Tommy Tedesco, Tony Terran, Lloyd Ulyate & Chauncey Welsch.
Available from Brut Records/Original release year: 1973
Michael Franks -
The Art Of Tea
"Franks like tea"
The Tracks are: Nightmoves, Eggplant, Monkey See - Monkey Do, St. Elmo's Fire, I Don't Know Why I'm So Happy I'm Sad, Jive, Popsicle Toes, Sometimes I Just Forget To Smile & Mr. Blue.
Musicians on the The Art Of Tea album: Michael Franks, Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Larry Bunker, Nick DeCaro, Wilton Felder, John Guerin & Jerry Steinholtz.
Available from Reprise Records/Original release year: 1976
Michael Franks -
Sleeping Gypsy
"The gypsy album"
The Tracks are: The Lady Wants To Know, I Really Hope It's You, In The Eye Of The Storm, B'wana - He No Home, Don't Be Blue, Antonio's Song (The Rainbow), Chain Reaction & Down in Brazil.
Musicians on the Sleeping Gypsy album: Michael Franks, Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Ray Armando, Israel Baker, Larry Bunker, Claus Ogermann, Helio Delmiro, João Donato, Wilton Felder, John Guerin & Joao Palma.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1977
Michael Franks -
Burchfield Nine
"4th album"
The Tracks are: When The Cookie Jar Is Empty, A Robinsong, Wrestle A Live Nude Girl, Burchfield Nines, Meet Me In The Deerpark, Dear Little Nightingale, In Search Of The Perfect Shampoo & Vivaldi's Song.
Musicians on the Burchfield Nine album: Michael Franks, John Tropea, Bud Shank, Ralph MacDonald, Oscar Brashear, Eumir Deodato, Steve Gadd, Will Lee, Leon Pendarvis & Ernie Watts.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1978
Michael Franks -
Tiger In The Rain
"Check the tiger out"
The Tracks are: Sanpaku, When It's Over, Living On The Inside, Hideaway, Jardin Botanico, Underneath The Apple Tree, Tiger In The Rain, Satisfaction Guaranteed & Lifeline.
Musicians on the Tiger In The Rain album: Michael Franks, Ron Carter, Tom "Bones" Malone, Bucky Pizzarelli, David Sanborn, Lew Soloff, George Young, Seldon Powell, Abdul Wadud, John Clark, John Simon, Ben Riley, Dom Cortese, Kenny Barron, Rubens Bassini, Crusher Bennett, Randy Brecker, Herb Bushler, Joe Caro, Harold Coletta, Louis del Gatto, Lewis Eley, Paul Griffin, Hilda Harris, Harry Lookofsky, Bob Leinbach, Howard Leshaw, Jesse Levy, Charles Libove, Dave Liebman, Guy Lumia, Mike Mainieri, Joseph Malin, Lou Marini, Rick Marotta, Richard Maximoff, Charles McCracken, Flora Purim, Claudio Roditi, Alan Shulman, Richard Sortomme, Maretha Stewart, Harry Urbont, Buddy Williams, Anthony Posk, Emanuel Vardi & Lew DelGatto.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1979
Michael Franks -
Michael Franks With Crossfire Live
"A rare live album only released in Europe, Japan and Australia"
The Tracks are: Don't Be Blue, When The Cookie Jar Is Empty, The Lady Wants To Know, B'Wana He No Home, Chain Reaction, Antonio's Song, Monkey See - Monkey Do & Popsicle Toes
Musicians on Michael Franks With Crossfire Live album: Michael Franks, Jim Kelly, Michael J. Kenny, Tony Buchanan, Phil Scorgie, Ian Bloxsom & Steve Hopes.
Released on Warner Brothers (WEA)/Original release year: 1980
Michael Franks -
One Bad Habit
"Great Franks album"
The Tracks are: Baseball, Inside You, All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go, Lotus Blossom, On My Way Home To You, One Bad Habit, Loving You More And More, Still Life & He Tells Himself He's Happy.
Musicians on the One Bad Habit album: Michael Franks, Eddie Gomez, Don Grolnick, Bill Reichenbach, Rick Zunigar, Ray Armando, Dennis Belfield, Lenny Castro, Clare Fischer, Andre Fischer, Eric Gale, Larry Hall, Jerry Hey, Yolanda Howard, Kim Hutchcroft, Neil Jason, Rick Marotta, Hugh McCracken, Petsye Powell, Sylvia Shemwell, George Sopuch, David Spinoza, Tennyson Stephens & Larry Williams.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1980
Michael Franks -
Objects Of Desire
"A object of desire"
The Tracks are: Jealousy, Ladies' Nite, No-Deposit Love, Laughing Gas. Wonderland, Tahitian Moon Flirtation, Love Duet & No One But You.
Musicians on the Objects Of Desire album: Michael Franks, Mark Egan, Bonnie Raitt, Luther Vandross, Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, Michael Colina, Victor Feldman, Steve Khan, Rob Mounsey, David Sanborn, Lew Soloff, Randy Van Warmer, Tawatha Agee, Phillip Ballou, Ray Bardani, Rubens Bassini, Randy Brecker, Joe Caro, Francisco Centeno, Kacey Cisyk, Rick Cutler, Renee Diggs, Lawrence Feldman, Jill Jaffe, Neil Jason, Yvonne Lewis, Ted Lo, Harvey Mason, Sr., Hugh McCracken, Yolanda McCullough, Leslie Miller, Nick Moroch, Andy Newmark & Buddy Williams.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1982
Michael Franks -
Passionfruit
"Do you like fruit?"
The Tracks are: Alone At Night, Never Satisfied, Amazon, Now That Your Joystick's Broke, Sunday Morning Here With You, Never Say Die, Rainy Night In Tokyo, Tell Me All About It, When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone) & How The Garden Grows.
Musicians on the Passionfruit album: Michael Franks, John Tropea, Nana Vasconcelos, Hiram Bullock, Jon Faddis, Astrud Gilberto, Rob Mounsey, Kenny Rankin, David Nadien, Sue Evans, Randy Brecker, Kacey Cisyk, Steve Gadd, Neil Jason, Will Lee, Hugh McCracken, Jeff Mironov, Chris Parker, Pat Rebillot, Hamish Stuart, Toots Thielemans, David Tofani & Eddie Daniels.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1983
Michael Franks -
Previous Unavailable
"Re-release of the first album"
The Tracks are: Can't Seem To Shake This Rock 'n Roll, Just Like Key Largo, When Blackbirds Fly, Lovesick Lizzie, Life's Little Highway, King Of Oklahoma, Dobro Ladies, Three Today, Little Sparrow & Born With The Moon In Virgo.
Musicians on the Previous Unavailable album: Michael Franks, Tom Scott, Paul Humphrey, Wendy Waldman, Louie Shelton, Max Bennett, Bobby Bruce, Larry Bunker, Gene Cipriano, Ed Greene, Carol Kaye, Steve La Fever, Richard Markowitz, Jerry McGee, Ollie Mitchell, Larry Muhoberac, David Paich, Michael Price, Maurice Rodgers, Kenny Shroyer, Tommy Tedesco, Tony Terran, Lloyd Ulyate & Chauncey Welsch.
Available from DRG Records/Original release year: 1983
Michael Franks -
Skin Dive
"Dive with Franks"
The Tracks are: Read My Lips, Let Me Count The Ways, Your Secret's Safe With Me, Don't Be Shy, When I Give My Love To You, Queen Of The Underground, Now I Know Why (They Call It Falling), Please Don't Say Goodnight & When She Is Mine.
Musicians on the Skin Dive album: Michael Franks, Mark Egan, Brenda Russell, Warren Bernhardt, Michael Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Ron Carter, Ronnie Cuber, Jon Faddis, Steve Khan, Rob Mounsey, David Sanborn, George Young, John Clark, Bill Evans, Sue Evans, Manolo Badrena, Dave Bargeron, Danny Gottlieb, Joe Caro, Cliff Carter, Vivian Cherry, Kacey Cisyk, Lawrence Feldman, Babi Floyd, Steve Gadd, Neil Jason, Will Lee, Hugh McCracken, Leslie Miller, Marcus Miller, Jeff Mironov, Andy Newmark, Chris Parker, Clifford Carter, Peter Gordon, Frank Floyd & Bobby Floyd.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1985
Michael Franks -
The Camera Never Lies
"Watch out for the camera"
The Tracks are: Face To Face, I Surrender, The Camera Never Lies, Lip Service, When I Think Of Us, Island Life, Now You're In My Dreams, Doctor Sax & Innuendo.
Musicians on the The Camera Never Lies album: Michael Franks, Mark Egan, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Michael Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Steve Khan, Earl Klugh, Rob Mounsey, Lew Soloff, Michal Urbaniak, Ralph MacDonald, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, Cliff Carter, Kacey Cisyk, Cornell Dupree, Neil Dignon, Lawrence Feldman, Lani Groves, Neil Jason, Will Lee, Marcus Miller, Jeff Mironov, Chris Parker, Roger Squitero, Richard Tee, George Wadenius, Dave Weckl, Robin Gould, Clifford Carter & Steve Jordan.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1987
Michael Franks -
Indispensable
"European release"
The Tracks are: Eggplant, Monkey See - Monkey Do, The Lady Wants To Know, Down in Brazil, Don't Be Blue, When The Cookie Jar Is Empty, A Robinsong, Jardin Botanico, When It's Over, Baseball, Jealousy, No Deposit Love, Rainy Night In Tokyo, Never Satisfied, Read My Lips, Face To Face & The Camera Never Lies.
Musicians on the Indispensable album: Michael Franks, John Tropea, Art Garfunkel, Michael Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Larry Carlton, Victor Feldman, Don Grolnick, Steve Khan, Rob Mounsey, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, Lew Soloff, Ralph MacDonald, Sue Evans, Ray Armando, Kenny Barron, Rubens Bassini, Crusher Bennett, Randy Brecker, Larry Bunker, Herb Bushler, Joe Caro, Francisco Centeno, Vivian Cherry, Kacey Cisyk, Helio Delmiro, João Donato, Wilton Felder, Lawrence Feldman, Steve Gadd, John Guerin, Jerry Hey, Neil Jason, Will Lee, Bob Leinbach, Yvonne Lewis, Dave Liebman, Ted Lo, George Marge, Rick Marotta, Marcus Miller, Jeff Mironov, Andy Newmark, Joao Palma, Chris Parkers, Leon Pendarvis, Flora Purim. Petsye Powell, Sylvia Shemwell, David Spinoza, Hamish Stuart, Toots Thielemans, Ernie Watts, Dave Weckl & Buddy Williams.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1988
Michael Franks -
Blue Pacific
"On the Blue Pacific"
The Tracks are: The Art of Love, Woman In The Waves, All I Need, Long Slow Distance, Vincent's Ear, Speak To Me, On The Inside, Chez Nous, Blue Pacific & Crayon Sun (Safe At Home).
Musicians on the Blue Pacific album: Michael Franks, Brenda Russell, Larry Carlton, Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Joe Sample, Jeff Lorber, John Beasley, Livingston Taylor, Michael Thompson, Bunny Hull, Alejandro "Alex" Acuña, Vinnie Colaiuta, Luis Conte, Buzzy Feiten, Michael Fisher, John Guerin, Paul Jackson Jr., Dean Parks, Marc Russo, Bob Shepard, Neil Stubenhaus, Kirk Whalum, Larry Williams, Freddie Washington & Sean Franks.
Available from Reprise Records/Original release year: 1990
Michael Franks -
Antonio´s Song
"Korean release"
The Tracks are: Antonio´s Song (The Rainbow), Don´t Be Blue, In The Eye Of The Storm, Chain Reaction, Down In Brazil, The Lady Wants To Know, I Really Hope It´s You & B´Wana-He No Home.
Musicians on the Antonio´s Song album: Michael Franks and others.
Available from Munhwa Records/Original release year: 1991
Michael Franks -
Dragonfly Summer
"Great album from Franks"
The Tracks are: Coming To Life, Soul Mate, Dragonfly Summer, Monk's New Tune, Learning What Love Means, I Love Lucy, Practice Makes Perfect, String Of Pearls, Keeping My Eye On You, The Dream, You Were Meant For Me & How I Remember You.
Musicians on the Dragonfly Summer album: Michael Franks, Gil Goldstein, Toninho Horta, Steve Khan, Dave Koz, Bob Mintzer, Marvin Stamm, Jeff Lorber, John Hall, Amanuel Vardi, Jimmy Haslip, Lamar Alsop, Ronald Carbone, Mino Cinelu, Harold Coletta, Paulinho Da Costa, Harvey Estrin , Lawrence Feldman, Russell Ferrante, Lance Hoppen, Paul Jackson Jr., Eric Benet Jordan, William Kennedy, Olivia Koppell, Karen Krefus, Jesse Levy, Richard Locker, Charles McCracken, Alec Milstein, John "J.R." Robinson, Steve Rodby & Nathan Stutch.
Available from Reprise Records/Original release year: 1993
Michael Franks -
Abandoned Garden
"A smoothy Franks"
The Tracks are: This Must Be Paradise, Like Water Like Wind, A Fool's Errand, Hourglass, Cinema, Eighteen Aprils, Somehow Our Love Survives, Without Your Love, In The Yellow House, Bird Of Paradise & Abandoned Garden.
Musicians on the Abandoned Garden album: Michael Franks, Mark Egan, Charles Blenzig, Carla Bley, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Art Farmer, Gil Goldstein, Bob James, Marc Johnson, Bob Mintzer, David Sanborn, Steve Swallow, Don Alias, Jimmy Haslip, Lewis Nash, Joshua Redman, Manolo Badrena, Diane Barere, Bashiri Johnson, Randy Brecker, Eliane Elias, Lawrence Feldman, Russell Ferrante, John Leventhal, Chuck Loeb, Christian McBride, Jeff Mironov, Brian Mitchell, Keith O'Quinn, Chris Parker, Mark Orrin Shuman, Frederick Slotkin & Andy Snitzer.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1995
Michael Franks -
A Backward Glance - The Best Of Michael Franks
"Best of Michael Franks"
The Tracks are: Popsicle Toes, Eggplant, The Lady Wants To Know, Antonio's Song, When the Cookie Jar Is Empty, Tiger In The Rain, Baseball, Love Duet, When Sly Calls, Your Secret's Safe With Me, When I Give My Love To You, Island Life, The Art Of Love, Soul Mate & Hourglass.
Musicians on the A Backward Glance - The Best Of Michael Franks album: Michael Franks, Don Alias, Ray Armando, Kenny Barron, Rubens Bassini, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Larry Bunker, Larry Carlton, Ron Carter, Francisco Centeno, Michael Colina, Luis Conte, Paulinho Da Costa, Renee Diggs, Peter Erskine, Wilton Felder, Victor Feldman, Steve Gadd, Gil Goldstein, Don Grolnick, John Guerin, Paul Jackson, Jr., Neil Jason, Marc Johnson, Bashiri Johnson, Will Lee, Jeff Lorber, Ralph MacDonald, Mike Mainieri, Rick Marotta, Harvey Mason, Hugh McCracken, Jeff Mironov, Rob Mounsey, Chris Parker, Leon Pendarvis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Seldon Powell, Ben Riley, John Robinson, Brenda Russell, Marc Russo, Joe Sample, David Sanborn & John Tropea.
Available from Warner Bros/Original release year: 1998
Michael Franks -
Barefoot On The Beach
"Michael Franks are barefoot on the beach"
The Tracks are: Barefoot On The Beach, Heart Like An Open Book, Now Love Has No End, The Fountain Of Youth, When You Smiled At Me, Double Talk, Every Time She Whispers, Why Spring Ain't Here, A Walk In The Rain, Mr. Smooth & Like Moon Behind A Cloud.
Musicians on the Barefoot On The Beach album: Michael Franks, Jay Azzolina, Michael Brecker, Steve Khan, David Mann, Bob Mintzer, Chris Hunter, David Charles, Jimmy Haslip, Tawatha Agee, Bashiri Johnson, Randy Brecker, Carmen Cuesta, Steve Gadd, Lani Groves, Birch Johnson, Will Lee, Chuck Loeb, Larry Lunetta, Jeff Mironov, Chris Palmaro, Shawn Pelton, Dave Samuels, Valerie Simpson, Andy Snitzer, Jim Hynes, Wolfgang Haffner, Mike Ricchiuti & Brian Dunne.
Available from BMG, Windham Hill/Original release year: 1999
Michael Franks -
Michael Franks With Crossfire Live
"A rare live album only released in Europe, Japan and Australia"
The Tracks are: Don't Be Blue, When The Cookie Jar Is Empty, The Lady Wants To Know, B'Wana He No Home, Chain Reaction, Antonio's Song, Monkey See - Monkey Do & Popsicle Toes
Musicians on Michael Franks With Crossfire Live album: Michael Franks, Jim Kelly, Michael J. Kenny, Tony Buchanan, Phil Scorgie, Ian Bloxsom & Steve Hopes.
Released on Warner Brothers (WEA), Australia/Original release year: 2001
Michael Franks -
The Michael Franks Anthology
"The works of Michael Franks"
The Tracks are: Disc 1: Eggplant, Popsicle Toes, The Lady Wants To Know, B'Wana He No Home, Antonio's Song (The Rainbow), When The Cookie Jar Is Empty, Meet Me In The Deerpark, Living On The Inside, Sanpaku, Tiger In The Rain, When It's Over, On My Way Home To You, Inside You, Lotus Blossom, Don't Be Blue (with Crossfire, live, 1980) & Monkey See-Monkey Do (with Crossfire, live, 1980). Disc 2: Tahitian Moon, Flirtation, When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone), Rainy Night In Tokyo, Sunday Morning Here With You, Your Secret's Safe With Me, When I Give My Love To You, (with Brenda Russell), Read My Lips, Innuendo, Leading Me Back To You (with Joe Sample), The Art Of Love, The Dream (with Yellowjackets, live, 1991), Monk's New Tune, Somehow Our Love Survives & Mr. Smooth
Musicians on The Michael Franks Anthology album: Michael Franks and others.
Released on Warner Bros/Original release year: 2003
Michael Franks -
Watching The Snow
"A christmas album from Michael Franks"
The Tracks are: The Way We Celebrate New Year's, Watching the Snow, Christmas in Kyoto, My Present, I Bought You a Plastic Star (for Your Aluminum Tree), Said the Snowflake, The Kiss, When the Snowman Sings, Island Christmas & My Present (reprise)
Musicians on Watching The Snow album: Michael Franks, Jay Anderson, Jay Azzolina, Charles Blenzig, Café, John Clark, Chris Hunter, Billy Kilson, Romero Lumbambo, Veronic Nunn & Alex Sipiagin.
Released on Sleeping Gypsy Music/Original release year: 2003
Michael Franks -
Lovesongs
"Best of Michael Franks, remastered"
The Tracks are: Lady Want´s To Know, When I Give My Love To You, Tell Me All About It, Sunday Morning Here With You, Tahitian Moon, Now I Know Why (They Call It Falling), On My Way Home To You, Popsicle Toes, Meet Me In The Deerpark, Living In The Inside, Rainy Night In Tokyo, Vivaldi´s Song, Mr. Blue, When The Cookie Jar Is Empty & Somehow Our Love Survives
Musicians on Lovesongs album: Michael Franks and others.
Released on Warner Bros/Original release year: 2004
Michael Franks -
Rendezvous In Rio
"A trip to Rio"
The Tracks are: Under The Sun, Rendezvous In Rion, The Cool School, Samba Do Soho, The Critics Are Never Kind, Scatsville, The Chemistry Of Love, Hearing "Take Five", The Question Is Why, Song Birds & Antonio´s Song (Acoustic)
Musicians on Rendezvous In Rio album: Michael Franks, Wolfgang Haffner, Chuck Loeb, Carmen Cuesta, Charlez Blenzig, Romero Lubambo, Sergio Brandau, Café, Chris Hunter, Veronica Nunn, Robbie Dupree, Leslie Ritter, Beth Reineke, Brian Dunne, Pamela Driggs, David Sancious, Marc Shulman, Scott Petito, Jerry Marotta, Jeff Lorber, Dwight Sills, Alex Al, Michael White, Gary Meek, Roger Burnm Eric Marienthal, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jimmy Haslip, Andy Suzuki, Mike De Micco, Travis Shook, Jay Azzolina.
Released on Sleeping Gypsy Music/Original release year: 2006
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