Album Notes

In the decade since he returned to his native New Orleans after a stint as a Los Angeles session musician and sideman, Lenny McDaniel has quietly released a succession of robust, Big Easy-tinged roots rock, blues and soul collections. McDaniel's reputation as a songwriter -- he is represented by Bug Music, a major-league publishing house -- is well established, and the dozen cuts on his new, fifth CD, "Unconditional Love," demonstrate why.

As usual, McDaniel functions as a one-man band, playing and singing most everything except drums. He supplies the Dr. John-style piano in the fonk-i-fied "Can't Find One To Be My Friend," the surging harmonica on the salacious blues romp "Hancock County" and the flamenco-like acoustic guitar intros to "Learn To Believe" and "The Woman In You." The foundation of the disc is McDaniel's hearty, versatile baritone and his knack for churning out well-constructed songs.
McDaniel's CDs have a dual purpose: To further establish him as a performer in his own right, and to advertise his compositions to other artists who might cover them. Several on "Unconditional Love," especially "The Woman In You," the title track and the ballad "Said It Before," are potential hits waiting to happen. But they also underscore that McDaniel is a formidable artist in his own right, one deserving far wider recognition.

© The Times-Picayune. Used with permission.

The Players

Lenny McDaniel Vocals, guitars, bass, piano, organ & harmonica
Harry Ravain Drums tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12
Paul Garaudy Drums tracks 4, 5, 9, 10
Dave Carboni Congas tracks 1, 8
Nancy Buchan Violin tracks 3, 5

Credits

All songs written by Lenny Mcdaniel
©2001 Cafe Au Lait Music
Recorded at Mea Cupla Studios by Paul Trahan
Mixed at Mea Cupla Studios by Paul Trahan & Lenny McDaniel
Piano/Violin overdubs by Tim Stambaugh, Word of Mouth Studios
Produced by Lenny Mcdaniel for Cafe' Au Lait Music
All Songs administered by Bug Music
Photography by Natural Impressions Photography
Illustration by Don Scott, NOLA (504) 899-8372
Kid picture by Harry Tucker
Cover Design by Kent Birkle www.elkrib.com