The Blues Side by Lenny McDaniel

The title cut, "The Blues Side," begins with a guitar figure that would delight funk revival enthusiasts. Playing multi-tracked guitar, bass, piano and organ, McDaniel creates the illusion of a spontaneous jam among separate musicians more convincingly than anyone since Stevie Winwood did it on some of the classic Traffic recordings. On "Southern Rain," he proves he can play with the emotional intensity and taste of a great blues guitarist, despite his rock and and fusion influences.

"Permanently Halloween," is a great favorite at McDaniel's live shows. The lyrics satirize the current craze for tattoos and body piercing-"If you want to look like that, you know it's quite alright, but I'm gonna check you later, it's getting close to midnight." The tune's slinky funk groove is reminicent of "Talk Real Slow," one of McDaniel's most popular and widely covered early songs. On the whole, the lyrical themes of this collection of songs celebrate home, friendship, wisdom gained through experience, and new beginings. Though "The Blues Side," does deal with conspiracies of powerful people, "living large," and "pulling strings," (a recurrent McDaniel theme) that is the exception for this CD. "Brand New Mambo," is a celebration of New Orleans music and culture. In an ode to friendship and roots, "Good People," McDaniel rejoices that people he's "known since I was five years old," are still close. "It's Just Not Right," finds McDaniel in his gospel piano mode, and this song of love slipping away is one of the most beautiful and poignant ballads he has written yet. The one-time West Coast studio hotshot and New Orleans kid who backed hometown R&B greats has matured into Lenny McDaniel, artist. With an ever growing confidence, he returns to the music and people who first inspired him, and the joy of singing and playing straight from the heart.

The Players

Lenny McDaniel Lead & background vocals, guitars, bass, piano and Hammond B-3

Mike Barras Drums track 6, 8-10

Harry Ravain Drums tracks 1-5

Ralph Bowers Bass 6,8-10

Mike Lemmler Piano track 6

Allan Rigg Piano track 8

Kateri Yager Background vocals track 7,8

Theresa Andersson Background vocals track 7,8

Elizabeth Carter Background vocals track 7,8

Credits

All Songs Written by Lenny McDaniel

©1999 Cafe' Au Lait Music [BMI]

Recorded by: Robinson Mills @

State St. Sound & Word Of Mouth

Mixed by:Paul Trahan & Lenny McDaniel @

Mea Cupla Recording Studio

Art Design & production: Scott Saltzman

Photography ©1998 Scott Saltzman

Produced by:Lenny McDaniel

for Cafe Au Lait Music

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