Oh yeah, yet another classic from those epic years when it seemed like musicianship mattered, everything grooved and it all grooved hard. This time we rewind the “IMC Way Back Machine” and dial it up to 1982. Lee Ritenour’s “RIT” was issued in 1981 and for some this was the first time our ears became associated with the soulful lead vocals of Eric Tagg. “Mr. Briefcase, Just Tell Me Pretty Lies, No Sympathy and of course the epic Is It You?” I could not get enough of this record and I think Lee & Elektra Records felt the same thing as “RIT 2” would soon follow in 1982 and that gave us even more classic Rit/Tagg offerings like “Cross My Heart, Promises, Promises, Keep It Alive & Voices. In the middle of all of this who knew that Lee & Eric were working together on Eric’s 3rd solo album, an album that was strictly released to a Japan audience. So in 1982 “Pony Canyon International” released “Dreamwalkin.” The album featured 10 tracks, all produced by Ritenour, with the songs written by Eric, Bill Champlin, Lee, Kelly McNulty & Ivan Lins. Why it wasn’t released here in the states will always puzzle me because it was an instant classic. How does one go wrong with a line up like this? Lead Vocals: Eric Tagg Drums: John Robinson Bass: Abe Laboriel & Nathan East Keyboards: David Foster & Don Grusin Percussion: Alex Acuna Guitars: Lee Ritenour Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Gary Herbig, Tom Scott Again, you have that classic 70s-80s Foster Fender Rhodes feel,” added with Lee’s signature sound, a great mixture of rock riffs and funky r&b rhythm and then the coup de grace! Bill Champlin harmonizing with Eric Tagg! Are you kidding me? Am I in heaven? This track is now 32 years young and it still sounds as good today as it was back then. There are a lot of reunions I would love to see when it comes to musicians and bands I so love. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I would love to see another Ritenour-Tagg & Champlin reunion... Anyone up for “RIT 3? BP
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 15:30:01 +0000
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