Smokey & Friends

Smokey & Friends
Studio album by
Smokey Robinson
ReleasedAugust 19, 2014 (2014-08-19)
GenreR&B, pop
Length42:34
LabelVerve
ProducerRandy Jackson
Smokey Robinson chronology
Now and Then
(2010) 		Smokey & Friends
(2014) 		Christmas Everyday
(2017)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic55/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Mojo[3]

Smokey & Friends is a studio album by musician Smokey Robinson. It was released in August 2014 under Verve Records. Reaching #12 on Billboard's album chart, it stands as Smokey's second most successful solo album.[citation needed]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Tracks of My Tears" (featuring Elton John)Warren Moore, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Tarplin3:27
2."You Really Got a Hold on Me" (featuring Steven Tyler)Smokey Robinson3:25
3."My Girl" (featuring Aloe Blacc, JC Chasez, Miguel)Smokey Robinson, Ronald White4:31
4."Cruisin'" (featuring Jessie J)Smokey Robinson, Marvin Tarplin4:53
5."A Quiet Storm" (featuring John Legend)Rose Ella Jones, Smokey Robinson4:55
6."The Way You Do (The Things You Do)" (featuring Cee Lo Green)Smokey Robinson, Robert Rogers3:34
7."Being with You" (featuring Mary J. Blige)Smokey Robinson4:15
8."Ain't That Peculiar" (featuring James Taylor)Warren Moore, Smokey Robinson, Robert Rogers, Marvin Tarplin3:47
9."The Tears of a Clown" (featuring Sheryl Crow)Henry Crosby, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder3:23
10."Ooh Baby Baby" (featuring Ledisi)Warren Moore, Smokey Robinson3:00
11."Get Ready" (featuring Gary Barlow)Smokey Robinson3:21

Personnel

Lead Vocalists

Musicians and Backing Vocalists

  • Wayne Linsey – keyboards (1, 5, 9)
  • Chris Walden – synth strings (1), string arrangements (1)
  • James "Big Jim" Wright – keyboards (2-4, 6, 7, 9)
  • Jim Cox – Hammond B3 organ (2, 6, 11), acoustic piano (6), synth strings (6, 11)
  • Theron Feemster – programming (3-7, 11), keyboards (6), synth horns (6), drums (10)
  • Raymond Angry – keyboards (4)
  • Loris Holland – keyboards (4)
  • John Legend – acoustic piano (5)
  • Jeff Babko – keyboards (5, 9), synth flutes (5), synth strings (5), string arrangements (5)
  • Sason Sotoodehfar – programming (7, 11)
  • Larry Goldings – Wurlitzer electric piano (8), organ (8)
  • Raul Ferrando – synth strings (9)
  • Tim Pierce – guitars (1-3, 5-7, 9-11)
  • Doc Powell – guitars (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)
  • Phil X – guitars (2)
  • John Mayer – guitar solo (3)
  • Randy Bowland – guitars (4, 10)
  • John Shanks – guitar solo (4)
  • James Taylor – acoustic guitar (8)
  • Michael Landau – electric guitar (8)
  • Cornelius Mims – bass (1, 5, 9)
  • Randy Jackson – bass (2, 3, 6, 10, 11)
  • Mark Kelley – bass (4)
  • Jimmy Johnson – bass (8)
  • James Gamble – drums (1, 2, 5, 9)
  • Jim Keltner – drums (8), percussion (8)
  • Questlove – drums (10)
  • Roger Squitero – tambourine (8)
  • Beate Walden – violin (1)
  • Songa Lee – violin (5)
  • Terron Brooks – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10)
  • Nicole Scherzinger – backing vocals (2)
  • Mischke Butler – backing vocals (3, 5-7, 9-11)
  • Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals (4-7)
  • Sarah West – backing vocals (5)
  • Sheree Brown – backing vocals (11)

Charts

References

  1. ^ "Metacritic Review". Metacritic.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  2. ^ Kellman, Andy. "AllMusic Reviews". Allmusic.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  3. ^ Brown, Geoff (November 2014). "Smokey Robinson Smokey & Friends". Mojo. p. 100.
  4. ^ "Smokey Robinson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  5. ^ "Smokey Robinson Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved July 21, 2020.