Lenny McDaniel Worth The Price CD

Lenny McDaniel got the New Orleans street beat in his blood at an early age, playing drums in a marching unit while still in elementary school. He gained his first vocal experience in an equally time-honored way-singing in church. By his early teens, he was playing guitar and bass, backing popular local R&B singers like Aaron Neville, Benny Spellman and Ernie K-Doe at high school dances.In the 1970s, Lenny established himself as an artist and songwriter in New Orleans and the surrounding region. He fronted bands, playing guitar and bass and singing. One of these groups, The Last Nikel, recorded an album for the Mainstream label. He also developed a solo repertoire, accompanying himself on guitar and piano.In the late 70s, Lenny moved to Los Angeles and established a career for himself as a studio musician. He played and recorded with artists including Dwight Yoakam, Dr. John, Jackson Browne and John Mayall. He did voice overs for movie soundtracks such as Chuck Norris's Bradock 3, T.V. commercials and jingles. In 1989 he toured with Stephen Stills, playing bass.Not neglecting his his own original material, he also recorded a series of tracks, playing most of the instruments himself except for drums. He brought the tapes back to New Orleans, and reached an agreement with producer Steve Valentino to release the collection of songs as "Bad For Me," Lenny's first solo CD. This CD won Off Beat's award for Best CD of the Year. Four songs were featured on the television series The Big Easy and Maria Muldaur covered one track, "Talk Real Slow" on her CD, 'Fanning the Flames".Lenny immediately began recording material for "Worth The Price," his second release, with local producer Carlo Ditta. He was asked by Ditta to play on blues singer Marva Wright's CD for Skyranch/Virgin, a European subsidiary of Virgin Records, and his work caught the attention of French record executive Phillip LeBras. The result was the release of "Worth The Price," on Skyranch/Virgin, and a hit video in France of the tune "Rosa," a lovely ballad featuring McDaniel's acoustic guitar work. This led to tours and festival appearances in France, and an appearance on the T.V. program "Taratata," France's exquivalent of "The Tonight Show."Lenny produced and recorded his third CD, "Tired Angels," entirely on his own. New Orleans' Offbeat magazine named the title song "Song of the Year,"in its 1997 annual reader's poll. The CD sold well and received commercial airplay locally and on AAA radio. Debbie Davies, another up-and-coming AAA star, covered the song, "Tired Angels."In 1999, Lenny produced and released his fourth CD, "The Blues Side," which received rave reviews and brought him recognition in the blues scene. Invitations to perform at various blues festivals resulted in a U.S. tour the highlight of which was opening for Ray Charles at The Three Rivers Festival in Columbia South Carolina."Unconditional Love," (an eclectic mix of rock, soul and rhythm & blues) released in 2001, met with critical acclaim and spawned the radio friendly song, "The Woman in You". 2004 brought the release of CD number 6, "Faith Is In the Heart" which defied catagorization recieving airplay on jazz, soul and Triple A radio.Lenny returned to his roots for his newest CD featuring ace session musicions Jerry Jumonville on horns, Doug Belot on drums and Marc Adams on organ. "Two Sides" is Quintessential Rhythm & Blues for the New Millennium.

Recording information: UltraSonic Studios.

Photographer: Barry Kaiser.

Personnel: Lenny McDaniel (vocals, acoustic & 12-string guitars, guitar, piano, bass, tambourine, shaker); Frederic Koella (classical guitar, guitar, mandolin, violin); Rick Hirsch (slide & electric guitars); Tommy Malone (slide guitar, guitar); Christine Schmid (accordion); David Torkanowski (piano); Sammy Berfect (Hammond organ, organ); Earl Stanley (Hammond organ, bass); Craig Wroten (Hammond organ); Jim Markway (fretless bass, bass); Lenny DiMartino (bass); John Vida