The Rock Quartet Live In Vienna
The Covers CD
Lionel Lodge & Rens Newland

Over the years I have picked up a number of cover songs that I like to play. When ever we played a few of these people would come up after the show and ask if any of these unusual versions of these cover songs were on a CD. After being asked this many times we decided that maybe it was time to put out a CD with some of these songs.

This CD was recorded live at the Weinbau und Heuriger Familie Eckert, Strebersdorfer St. 158 A-1210 Wien, last summer (2005) with the tuba band. It includes with Rens and I, Markus Weissenbach on tuba and Georg Beck on drums. Rens brought down his multi-track recording equipment and we recorded the whole evening's show. We picked 11 songs from the nights recording and presto, a live CD.

"Live in Vienna" by Lionel Lodge is a fun-filled acoustic rock collection of classic covers. Recorded as a live album, this album is spotlessly-polished, giving it the fresh appeal of a studio album. Lionel's voice on this album peers through as energy-filled and just-right for these covers. Moreover, the instrumentation in "Live in Vienna" is nothing short of exceptional. Perhaps "Knocking on Heaven's Door" best displays all the defining characteristics of this record: captivating vocals, superior musicianship, and quality production. Furthermore, Lodge throws in some originality to add new flavor, such as in "Save Tonight." This album is a smooth collection of tunes that lovers of timeless classics will absolutely enjoy.
-Xavier P. (for RadioIndy)

TWIRL RADIO FEATURED ARTIST: LIONEL LODGE
"I'm getting the biggest kick out of singer-songwriter Lionel Lodge's live album with Rens Newland and their Rock Quartet. It's all cover tunes, performed in one of the local vineyards/winebars in Vienna, Austria, where this Canadian expatriate calls home. It starts off with a rollicking version of the Beatles "With A Little Help From My Friends". As I listened, I noticed that along with the two guitars and drums, the "bass" sounded a little brassy, almost like the "bass" player somehow figured out a way to make little "toot" noises on his instrument. Then I realized (and had confirmed for me by the liner notes) that there was no bass player in this band, but rather, a tuba(!) player (Markus Weissenbach). A tuba! TUBA! These guys know how to have fun, and this is one of those rare live albums that made me feel like I wish I was at that concert. An incredibly successful collection of cover tunes. I'm not a big fan of cover tunes, unless they lend something new to the song. Well, the something new is Lionel's warm, soulful voice, Rens' stunning guitar work, the tuba, and the great intangible--the energy produced and shared when good musicians feed off of each other. Lionel and company also paid tribute to REM, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Hook, and many others. This album has it all!"

Mike Lidskin
Twirl Radio, the Voice of Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

"Great music. We love it. You do a terrific job on all the tracks and it is fun to listen to. Just as I imagine it would be to see you guys. Very professional and nice song selection. I think you do great covers in that you retain all the good elements of the original but also add your own flavour. And I gotta say, your vocals are melodic and personal and beautifully sung, and the meter of the songs is really good, and of course Rens is a hell of a guitarist. Plus, I've always been a tuba fan, and your guy really rocks. First rate.

Philip Ross
Music Producer, Canadian Folk Art Expert
Ontario Canada