Who I Am (David Ruffin album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Who I Am
Druffinwhoiam.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 1, 1975
RecordedMedia Sound Studios, New York City
GenreSoul, R&B
Length40:15
LabelMotown
ProducerVan McCoy
David Ruffin chronology
Me 'n Rock 'n Roll Are Here to Stay
(1974)
Who I Am
(1975)
Everything's Coming Up Love
(1976)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic3.5/5 stars[1]

Who I Am is a 1975 album from the former Temptations singer, David Ruffin. Recorded by Van McCoy who produced and arranged the album in Media Sound Studios, New York City. It provided Ruffin with the biggest hit of his solo career, "Walk Away From Love".

Track listing[]

  1. "Who I Am" (Charles H. Kipps, Jr.)
  2. "It Takes All Kinds Of People" (Joe Cobb, Van McCoy)
  3. "Walk Away from Love" (Charles H. Kipps, Jr.)
  4. "I've Got Nothing But Time" (Van McCoy)
  5. "The Finger Pointers" (Joe Cobb, Van McCoy)
  6. "Wild Honey" (Joe Cobb, Van McCoy)
  7. "Heavy Love" (Joe Cobb, Van McCoy)
  8. "Statue of a Fool" (the songwriter is credited as David Ruffin on his album, but other albums have credited Jan Crutchfield as songwriter)
  9. "Love Can Be Hazardous To Your Health" (Jesse Boyce)


According to Genna Sapia-Ruffin, common-law wife of David Ruffin, former member of The Temptations, on page 251 of her book A Memoir: David Ruffin -- My Temptation (1993-2003, 1st Books Library), Ruffin wrote and originally released the song, Statue of a Fool, on a 78 RPM in 1958, when he was recording under the name "Little Eddie Bush.' However, as he was only seventeen years old at that time, later covers of the song gave writing credits to Jan Crutchfield. (David himself, has stated that he wrote it, in several live appearances with fellow ex-Temptation Eddie Kendrick and/or Dennis Edwards, also there is a YouTube video in which he states this just before he goes into the song.

Personnel[]

  • David Ruffin - vocals
  • Eric Gale, Hugh McCracken, John Tropea - guitar
  • Gordon Edwards - bass
  • Paul Griffin, Richard Tee, Van McCoy - keyboards
  • Ken Bichel - synthesizer
  • Steve Gadd - drums
  • Arthur Jenkins, David Carey, George Devens - percussion
  • Albert Bailey, Brenda Hilliard, Diane Destry - background vocals
  • Bernie Glow, Marvin Stamm, Mel Davis, Mickey Gravine, Paul Faulise, Bob Alexander, Sonny Russo, Urban Green - horns
  • Al Brown, Cathy Keinke, Manny Vardi, Gene Orloff, Guy Lumia, Harry Lookofsky, Jesse Levy, Joe Malin, Julian Barber, Julie Schachter, Kermit Moore, Max Pollikoff, Richard Sortomme, Selwart Clarke - strings
  • Van McCoy - arrangements, conductor
  • Norman Seeff - photography

Chart history[]

Chart (1975) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 31[2]
U.S. Billboard R&B Albums 5[3]

Singles[]

Year Single Chart positions
US US
R&B
1975 "Walk Away From Love" 9 1
1976 "Heavy Love" 47 8
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

References[]



Retrieved from ""