Vocalist Tonya Vieger, a.k.a. Viki "G", hails from the City of Angels by way of Kansas City and has been an aspiring singer since an early age, often making up songs to sing for her family and friends.
Vieger spent her formative years honing her voice and eventually was discovered by Russ Reagan, then president of Uni Revue Records, who had been given a tip about the young singer. The meeting led to the recording "High On the Mountains, Oops," which was followed by her biggest hit "Lovin' Feelings," co-written by Vieger and Lenny West.
Released in 1997, the eight track "Handy Andy the Plumber" finds Vieger teaming up with guitarist/singer/songwriter and Chicago native W.G. Montgomery for this soulful and R&B infested CD that reveals fine guitar phrasing and tone from Montgomery ("Your Husband Is Cheating," "The Match").
Possessing a rounded low alto voice, Vieger whoops it up on the title track, Milton Campbell's (Little Milton) "The Blues Is Alright," as well as the surprise take of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night."
Rounding out the lineup on this Culver City, Calif. Pacifica Studios recording is guitarist Calvin Brown, bassist Lawrence Baulden and drummers Albert Trepagnier and Bob Kenecivich. Also providing material for "Handy Andy the Plumber" is keyboard and midi players Roosevelt Caldwell, Ron Alan Brown and Michael Dorsey and horn section members Joe Campbell on trumpet, Carle Vickers on tenor saxophone and Bobby Brown, Charles Owens and Justin C. Contrell provide alto saxophone.
tvieger@earthlink.net
wggraphic@aol.com
www.cdbaby.com/vikig or (323) 778-9619
This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
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