Biography
A multi-faceted artist whose career has cut through jazz and R&B, Randy Hall became known through Miles Davis' 1981 album The Man with the Horn, on which he showcased his dexterity as a guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, and composer. This set him on a path that has included a solo stint with MCA, highlighted by the 1984 Top 20 R&B hit "I've Been Watching You (Jamie's Girl)," extensive session work, and a return to recording his own material, including a slew of singles across 2019 and 2020.

Randy Hall started playing piano as a youngster, and at the age of 13 picked up guitar, his primary instrument. The native Chicagoan established himself in a series of bands and picked up local session work. After he returned home from studying at Berklee College of Music, he was in AL7. Drummer Vince Wilburn, Jr. sent some AL7 recordings to his uncle, Miles Davis, which led to the band -- including keyboardist Robert Irving III, bassist Felton Crews, and saxophonist Glenn Burris -- contributing to the trumpeter's 1981 album The Man with the Horn. Hall, Irving, and Burris wrote "Shout" and the title song, the latter of which also featured a lead vocal from Hall. That year, Hall and most of his partners also appeared on Ramsey Lewis' Three Piece Suite.

Hall's career continued to blossom. He joined Pleasure to provide co-lead vocals on the veteran funk band's 1982 album Give It Up, which featured a pair of singles that dented Billboard's R&B chart ("Sending My Love," "Give It Up"). Signed to major-label MCA, Hall then made his solo debut with I Belong to You, joined by all of his AL7 bandmates and extensively assisted by producer Ray Parker, Jr. (who also enlisted the majority of his old band, Raydio). Pushed by the number 18 R&B single "I've Been Watching You (Jamie's Girl)," I Belong to You entered the R&B chart in September 1984 and reached number 30. Hall and Wilburn and company recorded again with Miles Davis, but the 1985-1986 recordings remained shelved until they were dusted off and freshened up (released in 2019 under the title Rubberband). Love You Like a Stranger, Hall's second MCA album, was made with many of his familiar associates, including Parker. Issued in 1988, it was highlighted by the number 36 R&B single "Slow Starter."

Having also done side work in the '80s with Diana Ross and Troop, Hall continued to add to his session credits the following decade with the likes of Jasmine Guy, Norma Jean Wright and Raymond Jones' State of Art project, and Nina Storey. He was also credited as an engineer on Davis' Doo-Bop and performed as part of the group ESP. Although Hall continued to perform, it wasn't until the tail end of the 2010s that he released more solo material. Singles such as "How Do You Want Your Love," "DJs Need Love Too," "Calling for Love," and "A New Way of Love" arrived during 2019 and 2020 on the U.K.-based Six Nine label. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi




 
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Randy Hall - All Night Long (Can't Buy Me Love) (1987)
RANDY HALL - I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU (Jamie's girl)
Randy Hall - As Long As I Can Last (Can't Buy Me Love) (1987)
Randy Hall - Empty
Randy Hall on Soul Train ("Jamie's Girl" "I've Been Watching You") 1984
Randy Hall- I Want To Touch You (1984)
Randy Hall
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