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Orleans - a band of original members for 33+ years - delivers with its first studio album of new material in almost 10 years, "Dancin' in the Moonlight ". Based in Woodstock, NY for 25 of those years ( 1972-1997) the band started out playing a healthy dose of Meters, Toussaint and other New Orleans tunes (which is how they picked their name) and is, in turn, now giving 10% of all CD income (from all their titles) to humanitarian relief there. This group has never strayed far from what it does best - writing and recording good songs built on strong melodies and insightful lyrics. Their vocal arrangements, as always, are as good as any in music and better than most. Most people know Orleans from the radio staples "Still the One", "Dance with Me" and "Love Takes Time". But their hits give only a glimpse of what their albums further reveal: a broad range of musicality, mutiple lead singers and serious playing ability. If you've ever seen them live over the decades, you already know about all that. These guys do music the old-fashioned way: they play and sing their own stuff. The title song of this CD was a big hit by their good friends King Harvest back in 1973. Well before that, Orleans co-founder (and lead singer on their hits) Larry Hoppen cut the original studio version with the tune's writer, Sherman Kelly, who happens to be the brother of Orleans' original drummer, the late Wells Kelly. The rest of this album is songs written and co-written by the band's members. (One of the co-writers is country music veteran Steve Wariner). Instrumental guest spots on 3 songs feature either Charlie Dechant (sax with Hall & Oates for 30 years) or teen mandolin wizard Josh Pinkham. The drummer (and engineer) throughout is ex-Elton John Band member Charlie Morgan, who joins original Orleans members Larry and Lance Hoppen, co-founder John Hall and the youngest Hoppen brother, Lane. Check out the mesmerizing opening track Mission of Mercy but then, don't be fooled. There's some grit there, too! Get A Life, Break From My Vacation, The Walking Wounded and Issues can all get to your feet. And of course, Dancin' in the Moonlight is no slouch of a song, either. If you ask 10 people which cut on the new CD is their favorite, you'll get 6 or 8 different choices. That's a strong album! Check out the artist's website: http://www.orleansonline.com Track List: 1. Mission of Mercy 2. Dancin' in the Moonlight 3. Heaven 4. Yestertime 5. In My Dream 6. The Walking Wounded 7. Get a Life 8. (i Need A) Break From My Vacation 9. What Was I Thinkin' 10. (love's Not Just For) Other People 11. Issues Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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