Regular Columnists

Artist: Ronley Teper
Album: Ronley Teper's Lipliners
Website: http://www.ronleyteper.com
Genre: Jazz-Pop, Folk Rock and Pop
Technical Grade: 8/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Vinaigrette, Lovers On Tuesday
CD Review:

Ronley Teper’s Lipliners is the latest release from Canadian artist, Ronley Teper. An eclectic collection of charmingly quirky songs divided into two acts, Lipliners is a tasty delight. Produced by Ronley Teper and Glen Salley, each song is a unique gem. Teper plays acoustic guitar and sings but she’s joined by a fairly large contingent that features Christine Bougie on electric and classical guitar, lap steel, and xylo. Ben Bowen adds trumpet, trombone, and mellophone while Elena Kapelaris plays baritone and tenor sax. Amy Lang brings cello, Scott Maynard plays bass, piano, and synth, and Reade Oliver plays drums. Tom Howell and Sarah Shugarman play violin on various tracks.

Ronley’s versatile vocal ranges from a throaty growl to a Betty Boop baby doll. Her songs are diverse in style, subject matter, even length. Travel Bag is a jazzy 42 second listing of the contents of her travel bag. Pointy Petals (Rose) is a sweet acoustic piece featuring tight harmonies. Vinaigrette is a moody instrumental. Lovers On Tuesday features an achingly sincere vocal from Teper singing a direct honest lyric.

After a short interlude, the second part of Ronley Teper’s Lipliners begins with Faith, a 5:27 minute meditation that builds in intensity to a choral hymn before peacefully fading away. Suddenly is a jazzy breezy song featuring tight brass and a smooth electric lead. White Girl In Chinatown is a quirky tune that includes street sounds from Chinatown as part of the background.

Ronley Teper’s Lipliners is an amusing, interesting CD. Part cabaret, part jazz, part folky acoustic, part performance art, it doesn’t fit cleanly into genres or anyone’s preconceived notions. This is music for a discerning audience. It surprises, puzzles, and delights the listener intermittently. I like Ronley Teper’s Lipliners. Give it a try.