Jerry Riopelle
Tongue n Groove
Little Eskimo – 2000
Released – 1999
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This artist has left the LA area and is living in Hawaii and this newest disc does have a distinct island tinge to the back porch, Detroit influenced, straight ahead rock n’ roll. He is one of those artists who have never made it big except in small pockets located throughout the world, places such as Arizona, Michigan, and The Netherlands. This is an extremely talented individual in many ways, and as a songwriter and singer he excels. He can sing with the soul of a Van Morrison, listen to the brooding intensity of Kill Me. He can rock with the likes of a Mitch Rider, lend an ear to Bad Boys Ride. His songs have been covered by the likes of Jim Messina, Stuart Margolin, and of course Kenny Loggins with his hit rendition of Easy Rider. His songs touch the heart and deal with the problems of relationships, love and life. This disc is an exploring of differing rhythms. It ventures from the Island rhythms of A Walk In The Jungle, to the flamenco groove of Flamenco Café, stopping off at many other spots to see what shakes out. It all works well together. The song I keep coming back to is the beautiful song about truth in relationships and how to make them work, Talk To Me. This is one of those gems, that you never heard of, and is a hard to find discs that will be well worth your search.
Produced by Jerry Riopelle and Gary "Doc" Bencar
Songs – all written by Jerry Riopelle - (times not given)
1 A Walk In The Jungle
2 Kill Me
3 Show Me You Know Me
4 The Air
5 Flamenco Café
6 Talk To Me (The Bridge)
7 Hawaiian Time
8 Bad Boys Ride
9 Life Is A Dance
10 The Good Life
Musicians
Jerry Riopelle – all lead vocals, rhythm guitars, pianos, organ, - perc – dx7 bass (#1 & 7) drums (#2)
Rick Bojanowski – electric guitar (all), pedal steel (#9,3, 6)
Doc Bencar – bass (#5), drums (#1, 4)
Garin Poliahu – drums (#3, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Jack Martin – flamenco guitars, electric violin (#9), guitar and nylon string guitar (#6)
Cary Winther – bass (#2, 3, 9, 10) upright bass (#6)
Frank Fox – drums (#5, 8)
Don Goddard – bass (#4, 8) 2nd bass on (#2)
Carl Villaverde – ukulele (#7)
Alan Gaylor – all harmonicas
Leslie Lueck – background vocals (#1,3, 2, 6, 8, 9)
Annette Rodrigues – background vocals (#7, 5)
Naomi Riopelle – background vocals (#1)
Jimmy Haulani – congas, flute and sax (#7)
Joey Respicio – congas (#3)
Paul Riopelle – acoustic lead guitar (#2)
Chris DeSimone – slide guitar (#4)
Harry Miedema – saxes (#3,4)
Dave Link – saxes (#9)