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Lonie Walker - Change is Good - U1CD-3018
"Change is Good", the latest album by Chicago artist Lonie
Walker, combines the soaring spirit and amazing musical range that Walker
fans have come to adore. Produced by Fran Allen of Chicago’s Ljet Productions,
engineered by veteran Danny Leake of Urban Guerrilla Engineers, mixed
at Hinge Studio and released on Walker’s own Underground Wonder Music
label, the new album shines with the efforts of true industry pros.
Her first album to be comprised of all original tunes,"Change is
Good" showcases Walker’s acid voice, searing honesty and eclectic
style in a way that has never been more powerful.
To capture Walker’s warmth the album was recorded via the
Amek Rembrandt console onto analog tabe (Emtec/BASF 900) and mixed on
the Euphonix CS2000. A. Neumann KMS 105 microphone was used to capture
the dynamic of Walker’s vocal performance. Lonie Walker has alwayes been
a "musician’s musician" and her true love of the art is reflected
in the professionals with whom she has surrounded herself. A much "in-demand"
session guitarist during the 60’s and 70’s, engineer Danny Leake also
lent his strumming chops on the CD’s finale Earthquake and Sugar. Producer
Fran Allen is a noted vocalist in her owen right and background vocal
arrangements along with Byron Woods and Robin Kay.
Internet: www.loniewalker.com
The recording studio is also top-notch. Located on West Ohio St. in Chicago.
Hinge has recorded such artist as Brian Colbertson, janet Jackson, Kurt
Elling, Styx, Candlebox, Richard Marx and Yolanda Adams. The disk was
manufactured by Disk makers.
Each tune on the album has ist own life and speaks ist own truth, says
Fran Allen. In classic Lonie Walker from, the tunes tell their stories
in breathtaking variety of styles. Even Lonie’s trademark rock/soul/funk/jazz/blues
isn’t broad enough to cover all the elements on the album. Although it
defies characterization, the album maintains a distinctive unifying feel.
It is quite simply pure Lonie.
For example, False Security was written as a country ballad with classic
rock overtones. Nationally recognized session guitarrist Bill Ruppert
swings between both genres with ease. On Song for Raphael, veteran sax
plaxer Hank Ford and trumpeter Kenny Anderson provide the brass licks
that bring to mind Brazilian Carnival. Allen can’t contain hersef about
Ford and Anderson’s contribution. These Guys are seriously amazing! she
exclaims.
The track I’ll Drop My Pride, was a last minute addition. I heard Lonie
perform it solo one evening and just fell in love with ist classic doo-wop
flavor, says Allen. On the CD, local singing group Vocal Point serves
up background vocals drive home the old-school R&B theme.
With yet another unique style, Summer Solstice employs a haunting string
feel to underscore dramatic lyrics, with Heather Horton’s subtle violin
stylings and veteran bassist John Whitfield bowing on acoustic bass.
One particulary notable song is Your Smile which features Lonie’s Elliot
Taggart on flute.
My music is me and I am my music, says Walker. My kids are a huge part
of both my life and my music. The song Dreamin is one wrote for my kids
and Living-The Honeybee Song is one I wrote with them. Reflecting the
truly personal nature of Walker’s music, even the production was a family
affair. Producer Fran Allen and husband, engineer Danny Leake of Urban
Guerilla Engineers, combined forces to turn out the Change is Good CD.
The album was produced using the best people every step of the way,
says Walker.
Change is Good features The Big Bad Ass Company Band with Lonie Walker
on Steinway piano and lead vocals; Joe Thomas, electric bass; John Lawler,
harmonica; Herb Walker, guitar; Corey Radford, drums; and Kevin Patrick,
percussion and congas.
Guest musicians include William Ruppert, guitar; Mark Beringer, bass;
John Whitfield, acoustic bass; Leon Joyce, drums & percussion; Hank
Ford, saxophone; Kenny Anderson, trumpet; Heather Horton, violin; Danny
Leake, guitar; and Elliot Taggart, flute. Backup vocals were performed
by Brown Woods, Mae Koen, Dianne Madison, Robin Kay and Lorna Boston.
All songs were composed and arranged by Lonie Walker except Your Smile,
which was created by Sami Scot. On I’ll Drop My Pride, Baby Blue Blues
and False Security, Walker collaborated with Joe. E. Bett.
Catch artist Lonie Walker with The Big Bad Ass Company Band on Wed., Fri.
and Sat. from 11 p.m. till the wee hours of the morning at her popular
night spot, The Underground Wonder Bar, located at 10 E. Walton in Chicago’s
Gold Coast neighborhood.
Producer: Fran Allen is the founder of Ljet Productions and an
award-winning entertainment production/promotions specialist. As a former
Vice President/A&R of Moonlight Records, she is a seasoned veteran
with over 22 years in the business. Her divers roster of artists and companies
have spanned many musical genres and types including jazz artists, Ramsey
Lewis and Urban Knights 3rd, the Grammy-winning Thompson Community Singers,
Brazilian artist Katja Moraes, the archidiocese of Chicago and the national
Touring Productions of Dreamgirls and Tap Dance Kid.
Engineer: Danny Leake of Urban Guerilla Engineers is a Chicago-based
engineer who has recorded artists of every musical genre including Ramsey
Lewis (Urban Knights iV Hi-Heel Sneakers), Janet Jackson (Gold Records/Black
Cat), Stevie Wonder, The Police, Dennis DeYoung, Tom Waits, Hank Williams,
Jr., Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys and The Boys Choir of Harlem.
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