🎵 AotW AOTW: Gato Barbieri - Ruby, Ruby (SP-4655)

[Captain Bacardi]

Gato Barbieri
RUBY, RUBY
A&M SP-4655

Released 1977

Format: Vinyl/Cassette/8-Track/CD

Produced by Herb Alpert
Associate Producer: Michelle Barbieri

Songs:

• 1. Ruby (Heinz Roemheld/Mitchell Parish) - 6:29
  2. Nostalgia (Gato Barbieri) - 5:25
  3. Latin Reaction (Marvin Gaye) - 4:58
  4. Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing (Stevie Wonder) - 5:45
  5. Sunride (Gato Barbieri) - 5:55
  6. Adios (Gato Barbieri) - 4:42
  7. Blue Angel (Gato Barbieri) - 5:46
  8. Midnight Tango (Herb Alpert) - 4:27
  
  Arranged by Jay Chattaway, Gato Barbieri and Herb Alpert

Musicians:
Gato Barbieri - Tenor Sax
Lenny White - Drums
Gary King - Bass
Joe Caro - Guitar
David Spinozza - Guitar
Eddy Martinez - Keyboards
Cachete Maldonado - Percussion
Herb Alpert - Trumpet (2)
Bernard Purdie - Drums (1)
Paulinho da Costa - Percussion (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Lee Ritenour - Guitar (1, 2, 5)
Joe Clayton - Conga (3)
Don Grolnick - Organ (3) and Piano (1)
Steve Gadd - Drums (5)
Steve Jordan - Drums (6)
Eddie Guagua - Bass (6)
Chuck Domanico - Bass (7)
Ian Underwood - Synthesizer (2, 3, 4)
Portinho - Percussion (6)
Trumpet and Flugelhorn: Alan Rubin, Jon Faddis, Lou Soloff, Marvin Stamm
Trombone: Wayne Andre, David Taylor, Paul Faulise
French Horn: Peter Gordon, Tom Malone, John Gale
String Contractor: David Nadien

Orchestration: Jay Chattaway

Recorded at A&R Recording Studios, New York, Media Sound, New York and A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California
Engineered by Don Hahn
Assistant Engineers: Jim Boyer - A&R Recording Studios/John Beverly Jones - A&M Recording Studios
Remixed at the Record Plant, New York and A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California
Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Recording Studios

Art Direction: Roland Young
Album Design: Chuck Beeson
Photography: Francesco Scavullo



Capt. Bacardi

 

[Dave]

***-Three, possibly Three-and-a-Half Stars! ...Though despite the Mostly New York Session-Heavyweights, Barbieri just isn't my cup-o'-tea... Herb Alpert's production does lend a certain "Midas Touch" and "Nostalgia" has that 'Nostalogic' quality to it, making it a decent 'centerpiece', but at least one other song could stand him playing on it, as well...


Dave

 

[Mr Bill]

My favorite Gato album.

--Mr Bill

 

[Captain Bacardi]

I also love this album, although I don't think it's quite as strong as the Caliente! album. Gato has this way of playing his sax that reminds me of someone who keeps wringing their hands in agony, but he does it in a very seductive way. This is especially noticeable in "Ruby" and in a way, "Latin Reaction". I think my favorite cut on this album is "Adios", where Gato is a madman for the most part. The rhythm section on this album just plain cooks throughout, and the strings add just the right touch for the most part. The only thing I get tired of is Gato's moaning and his "Heeyaaa"s on many tracks. But I guess he's just an exciteable guy. 4 strong stars from me!

I don't have the Whitburn Jazz Charts book, but I'm pretty sure this album - along with Caliente! - was in the Top 10. Herb Alpert really started getting some well-deserved accolades as a producer after this LP was released.



Capt. Bacardi
NP: Gato Barbieri - Ruby, Ruby

 

[LPJim]

Don't know about the jazz charts but Gato's Top 200 Pop Albums record isn't too shabby. According to Whiburn's book (which is like a Bible to me) RUBY, RUBY entered the charts on 10/29/77, peaked at #66 and charted 20 weeks.

CALIENTE! got to #75 and charted 32 weeks. He had a total of 6 Top 200 albums:

LAST TANGO IN PARIS 5/5/73 -- peaked at #166, charted 7 weeks United Artists label
CHATER THREE (VIVA EMILIANO ZAPATA) 10/26/74 # 160, 3 weeks ABC-Impulse

TROPICO - # 96, 7 wks. - A&M 4710 7/29/78; and
EUPHORIA - # 116, 9 wks. - A&M 4774 8/11/79.

These six albums represent his charted albums between 1955-96.
JB