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Difference between revisions of "Lori Ruso"

 
 
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{{Infobox musical artist
 
{{Infobox musical artist
 
| name                =  
 
| name                =  
| image              =  
+
| image              = File:Ruso-w-DickClark.jpg
 
| image_size          =  
 
| image_size          =  
 
| landscape          = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
 
| landscape          = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt                =  
+
| alt                = Lori Ruso with then Boss Dick Clark
 
| caption            =  
 
| caption            =  
 
| background          = solo_singer
 
| background          = solo_singer
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| death_date          = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) -->
 
| death_date          = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) -->
 
| death_place        =  
 
| death_place        =  
| genre              = [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Dance/Club]], [[Adult contemporary music|Adult contemporary]]
+
| genre              = [[Wikipedia:Hot Dance Club Songs|Dance/Club]], [[Wikipedia:Adult contemporary music|Adult contemporary]]
 
| occupation          = Singer/songwriter, special needs teacher
 
| occupation          = Singer/songwriter, special needs teacher
 
| instrument          = Piano
 
| instrument          = Piano
 
| years_active        = 1989–present
 
| years_active        = 1989–present
| label              = Cypress/A&M Records
+
| label              = [[Wikipedia:Cypress Records|Cypress]]/[[Wikipedia:A&M Records|A&M Records]]
| associated_acts    = [[Michael Damian]], Michael Parnell
+
| associated_acts    = [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian|Michael Damian]], Michael Parnell
| website            = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
+
| website            = {{URL|https://soundcloud.com/lori-ruso}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
+
<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/WebPage" itemprop="mainEntityOfPage" itemid="{{SERVER}}/wiki/{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}">
Draft: '''Lori Ruso''' (Lori M. Ruso), is a singer and songwriter from the greater Los Angeles, California area. Ruso is known for her 1990 album, ''Show Off'', with two songs landing in the Top 20 on [[Adult Contemporary]] charts, leading the warm up band for [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian|Michael Damian]]'s "Rock On" tour, and was the voice of the opening theme-song, "Never Gonna Be the Same Again" for the 1989, Halloween-classic film, ''[[Wikipedia:Teen Witch|Teen Witch]]''.
+
<span itemprop="description">'''Lori Ruso''' (Lori M. Ruso), is a singer and songwriter from the greater Los Angeles, California area. Ruso is known for her 1990 album, ''Show Off'', with two songs landing in the Top 20 on Adult Contemporary charts, leading the warm up band for [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian|Michael Damian]]'s "Rock On" tour, and was the voice of the opening theme-song, "Never Gonna Be the Same Again" for the 1989, Halloween-classic film, ''[[Wikipedia:Teen Witch|Teen Witch]]''.</span></div>
 
 
[http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ldshistorical&id=I360295 new source found]
 
  
 
== Early life ==
 
== Early life ==
Ruso was born in [[Santa Cruz, California]], and grew up in California and Arizona, {{highlight|attending High school in Culver City, California?}} Her interest in writing music began as a child, evaluating situations which arose in her life and responding in lyric, this interest evolved from singing for church functions to paid wedding performances.  Working her way through her Bachelor of Science in Social Cultural Anthropology, at [[WikipediaSanta Clara University:|Santa Clara University]] Ruso was finding work as a backup singer for contemporary artists and doing advertising jingles. Upon graduation, also worked as a teacher in Los Angeles and has completed post-graduate coursework in Elementary and Secondary Education, at [[Wikipedia:UCLA|UCLA]], and collegiate level voice coursework in Vienna, Austria. {{highlight|(school needed)}}
+
Ruso was born in Santa Cruz, California, and grew up in California and Arizona, attending High school in Culver City, California, her interest in writing music began as a child, evaluating situations which arose in her life and responding in lyric, this interest evolved from singing for church functions to paid wedding performances.  Working her way through her Bachelor of Science in Social Cultural Anthropology, at [[Wikipedia:Santa Clara University:|Santa Clara University]] Ruso was finding work as a backup singer for contemporary artists and doing advertising jingles. Upon graduation, also worked as a teacher in Los Angeles and has completed post-graduate coursework in Elementary and Secondary Education, at [[Wikipedia:UCLA|UCLA]], and collegiate level voice coursework in Vienna, Austria.[https://www.last.fm/music/Lori+Ruso/+wiki]
  
 
== Career ==
 
== Career ==
 
+
Grammy Award winning mixer, [[Wikipedia:Studio City Sound| Tom Weir]] and producer [[Wikipedia:Larry Weir|Larry Weir]] encountered Ruso singing at a church performance. Ruso's musical influences are, Karen Carpenter, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. Streisand's influence has prevalence in Ruso's work, but there is also a note-hitting precision found in Ruso's a cappella offerings that suggests she also studies Celine Dion. The Weir brothers approached Ruso and included her in their production of the film ''Teen Witch'' (1989) where Ruso opens the film with "Never Gonna Be the Same Again".
Grammy Award winning mixer, [[Wikipedia:Studio City Sound| Tom Weir]] and producer [[Wikipedia:Larry Weir]] encountered Ruso's singing at a church performance. Ruso's musical influences are, Karen Carpenter, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. Streisand's influence has prevalence in Ruso's work, but there is also a note-hitting precision found in Ruso's a cappella offerings that suggests she also studies Celine Dion. The Weir brothers approached Ruso and included her in their production of the film ''Teen Witch'' (1989) where Ruso opens the film with "Never Gonna Be the Same Again".
 
  
 
* Rock On tour with [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian]]
 
* Rock On tour with [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian]]
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* Single, "Rolling Ocean" from the album, ''Power of One - The Songs of Johnny Clegg'' (May 18, 2008)
 
* Single, "Rolling Ocean" from the album, ''Power of One - The Songs of Johnny Clegg'' (May 18, 2008)
 
* Single, "Deep" from the album ????? produced by Charbel Khayo (2012)
 
* Single, "Deep" from the album ????? produced by Charbel Khayo (2012)
 
  
 
===''Show Off''===
 
===''Show Off''===
 
 
Ruso's debut album ''Show Off'' (1990), <ref name="Discogs Show Off LP"/> was first released in Spain as ''Something About You'' (1989) under the Vemsa records on vinyl.<ref name="Discog alt title Show Off"/>  A 12" EP single, ''Show Off'' was also released in 1990.<ref name="Discogs Show Off EP"/>
 
Ruso's debut album ''Show Off'' (1990), <ref name="Discogs Show Off LP"/> was first released in Spain as ''Something About You'' (1989) under the Vemsa records on vinyl.<ref name="Discog alt title Show Off"/>  A 12" EP single, ''Show Off'' was also released in 1990.<ref name="Discogs Show Off EP"/>
  
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| Released      =  March 27, 1990
 
| Released      =  March 27, 1990
 
| Format        =  "LP/Cassete/CD"
 
| Format        =  "LP/Cassete/CD"
| Label        =  [[Cypress Records|Cypress]]/[[A&M Records]]
+
| Label        =  [[Wikipedia:Cypress Records|Cypress]]/[[Wikipedia:A&M Records|A&M Records]]
 
| Writer        =  <!-- "Songwriter name" or "[[Songwriter name]]" -->
 
| Writer        =  <!-- "Songwriter name" or "[[Songwriter name]]" -->
| Producer      =  [[Larry Weir]], [[Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]]
+
| Producer      =  [[Wikipedia:Larry Weir|Larry Weir]], [[Wikipedia:Studio City Sound| Tom Weir]]
 
| Director      =  <!-- "Director name" or "[[Director name]]" for music videos -->
 
| Director      =  <!-- "Director name" or "[[Director name]]" for music videos -->
 
| Chart position=  <!-- "No. 1 U.S." or "No. 12 UK" or such -->
 
| Chart position=  <!-- "No. 1 U.S." or "No. 12 UK" or such -->
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| Tracks        =  <!-- " "One", "Two", "Three" ", etc. -->
 
| Tracks        =  <!-- " "One", "Two", "Three" ", etc. -->
 
| Bonus tracks  =  <!-- "Four" (Japan edition) -->
 
| Bonus tracks  =  <!-- "Four" (Japan edition) -->
| Singles      =  "Show Off" {{highlight|(A/C Top 20s -- "I'm Gonna Be", "Never Look Back")}}
+
| Singles      =  "Show Off" (A/C Top 20s -- "I'm Gonna Be", "Never Look Back")
 
}}
 
}}
<!--
+
 
{{tracklist
+
{{Track listing
 
| collapsed      = noyes
 
| collapsed      = noyes
 
| headline        = ''Show Off'' (LP Album)
 
| headline        = ''Show Off'' (LP Album)
Line 94: Line 89:
 
| length4        = 3:02
 
| length4        = 3:02
 
| title5          = Can't Take My Heart
 
| title5          = Can't Take My Heart
| writer5        = L. Ruso/[[Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]]
+
| writer5        = L. Ruso/[[Wikipedia:Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]]
 
| length5        = 4:13
 
| length5        = 4:13
| title6          = [[Never Gonna Be the Same Again]]
+
| title6          = Never Gonna Be the Same Again
| note6          = theme song for the film ''[[Teen Witch]]''
+
| note6          = theme song for the film ''[[Wikipedia:Teen Witch|Teen Witch]]''
| writer6        = [[Cindy Valentine|C. Valentine]], [[Larry Weir|L. Weir]]
+
| writer6        = [[Wikipedia:Cindy Valentine|C. Valentine]], [[Wikipedia:Larry Weir|L. Weir]]
 
| length6        = 3:56
 
| length6        = 3:56
 
| title7          = Never Look Back
 
| title7          = Never Look Back
| note7          = duet w [[Michael Damian]]
+
| note7          = duet w [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian|Michael Damian]]]
 
| writer7        =  
 
| writer7        =  
 
| length7        = 4:15
 
| length7        = 4:15
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{{tracklist
+
{{track listing
 
| collapsed      = noyes
 
| collapsed      = noyes
 
| headline        = ''Show Off'' (EP Single)
 
| headline        = ''Show Off'' (EP Single)
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==== Personnel ====
 
==== Personnel ====
 
;Performance<ref name="AllMusic Show Off Credits"/>
 
;Performance<ref name="AllMusic Show Off Credits"/>
{{Col-begin}}
+
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
{{Col-3}}
 
 
* Dennis Belfield - bass
 
* Dennis Belfield - bass
* [[John Campbell]] - keyboards
+
* [[Wikipedia:John Campbell]] - keyboards
* [[Michael Damian]] - vocals
+
* [[Wikipedia:Michael Damian]] - vocals
* [[Richard Elliot]] - saxophone
+
* [[Wikipedia:Richard Elliot]] - saxophone
* [[Tim Landers]] - bass
+
* [[Wikipedia:Tim Landers]] - bass
{{Col-3}}
 
 
* Michael Parnell - keyboards
 
* Michael Parnell - keyboards
* [[Tim Pierce]] - guitar
+
* [[Wikipedia:Tim Pierce]] - guitar
 
* Lori Ruso - primary artist, vocals (background)
 
* Lori Ruso - primary artist, vocals (background)
 
* Johnnie Walker - vocals (background)
 
* Johnnie Walker - vocals (background)
* [[Larry Weir]] - keyboards, producer
+
* [[Wikipedia:Larry Weir]] - keyboards, producer
{{Col-3}}
+
* [[Wikipedia:Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]] - drums, vocals (Background)
* [[Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]] - drums, vocals (Background)
 
 
* Kevin Wyatt - keyboards
 
* Kevin Wyatt - keyboards
* [[Michael Wycoff]] - vocals (background)
+
* [[Wikipedia:Michael Wycoff]] - vocals (background)
{{Col-end}}
+
{{div col end}}
;Production <ref name="AllMusic Show Off Credits"/>
+
 
{{Col-begin}}
 
{{Col-2}}
 
* Michael Parnell - composer
 
* Lori Ruso - composer
 
* [[Cindy Valentine]] - composer
 
{{Col-2}}
 
* [[Larry Weir]] - producer, composer
 
* [[Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]] - engineer, mixing, composer, producer
 
{{Col-end}}
 
-->
 
 
====Reception====
 
====Reception====
  
:''[[Billboard Magazine]]'' selected "I'm Gonna Be", which was written by Michael Parnell ([[Meredith Brooks]], [[Brian Setzer]]) and Lori Ruso, as a Critic's Choice, "Ruso's sparkling delivery on this mid-tempo, inspirational number is beautifully enhanced by an exquisite saxophone arrangement."
+
:''[[Billboard Magazine]]'' selected "I'm Gonna Be", which was written by Michael Parnell and Lori Ruso, as a Critic's Choice, "Ruso's sparkling delivery on this mid-tempo, inspirational number is beautifully enhanced by an exquisite saxophone arrangement."
  
 
:"A thoroughly entertaining set mixing energetic dance-pop numbers with ponderous adult contemporary ballads, Show Off stands out for two reasons: one, Lori Ruso's simultaneously rockin' and gorgeous vocals; two, solid arrangements that don't strictly adhere to normal protocol of late-'80s/early-'90s Top 40 material. True, the melodies have "1989" written all through them -- in fact, many seem like they would fit perfectly into silver screen flicks of the time. But Ruso has a classically tinted belting style that gives each tune a distinctive stamp, and she is consistently in tandem with the equally vibrant backing musicians."  
 
:"A thoroughly entertaining set mixing energetic dance-pop numbers with ponderous adult contemporary ballads, Show Off stands out for two reasons: one, Lori Ruso's simultaneously rockin' and gorgeous vocals; two, solid arrangements that don't strictly adhere to normal protocol of late-'80s/early-'90s Top 40 material. True, the melodies have "1989" written all through them -- in fact, many seem like they would fit perfectly into silver screen flicks of the time. But Ruso has a classically tinted belting style that gives each tune a distinctive stamp, and she is consistently in tandem with the equally vibrant backing musicians."  
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| Other info    =  <!-- added between parentheses after Name (album or EP) -->
 
| Other info    =  <!-- added between parentheses after Name (album or EP) -->
 
| from Album    =  <!-- ONLY FOR EP/SINGLE: added after Name -->  
 
| from Album    =  <!-- ONLY FOR EP/SINGLE: added after Name -->  
| Released      =  1993 Discogs or April 16, 1995 Allmusic
+
| Released      =  April 16, 1995  
 
| Format        =  "Cassete/CD"
 
| Format        =  "Cassete/CD"
 
| Label        =  Major Records(MJR-39372)  Major Musik (1995)
 
| Label        =  Major Records(MJR-39372)  Major Musik (1995)
 
| Writer        =  <!-- "Songwriter name" or "[[Songwriter name]]" -->
 
| Writer        =  <!-- "Songwriter name" or "[[Songwriter name]]" -->
| Producer      =  [[Larry Weir]], [[Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]]
+
| Producer      =  [[Wikipedia:Larry Weir|Larry Weir]], [[Wikipedia:Studio City Sound| Tom Weir]]
 
| Director      =  <!-- "Director name" or "[[Director name]]" for music videos -->
 
| Director      =  <!-- "Director name" or "[[Director name]]" for music videos -->
 
| Chart position=  <!-- "No. 1 U.S." or "No. 12 UK" or such -->
 
| Chart position=  <!-- "No. 1 U.S." or "No. 12 UK" or such -->
Line 189: Line 171:
 
| Tracks        =  <!-- " "One", "Two", "Three" ", etc. -->
 
| Tracks        =  <!-- " "One", "Two", "Three" ", etc. -->
 
| Bonus tracks  =  <!-- "Four" (Japan edition) -->
 
| Bonus tracks  =  <!-- "Four" (Japan edition) -->
| Singles      =  {{highlight|"Rolling Ocean"}}
+
| Singles      =  "Rolling Ocean"
 
}}
 
}}
<!--
+
 
{{tracklist
+
{{track listing
 
| collapsed      = noyes
 
| collapsed      = noyes
 
| headline        =  
 
| headline        =  
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;Performance<ref name="AllMusic I Believe in Love Again"/>
 
;Performance<ref name="AllMusic I Believe in Love Again"/>
{{Col-begin}}
+
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
{{Col-3}}
 
 
* Dennis Belfield - bass  
 
* Dennis Belfield - bass  
 
* John Campbell - keyboards
 
* John Campbell - keyboards
 
* Luis Conti - percussion
 
* Luis Conti - percussion
* [[Richard Elliot]] - saxophone
+
* [[Wikipedia:Richard Elliot]] - saxophone
 
* Dennis Farias - trumpet
 
* Dennis Farias - trumpet
 
* Denny Fongheiser - drums
 
* Denny Fongheiser - drums
 
* Keith Jones - bass
 
* Keith Jones - bass
{{Col-3}}
 
 
* Nick Lane - trombone
 
* Nick Lane - trombone
 
* Steve Madaio - trumpet
 
* Steve Madaio - trumpet
 
* Chris Mostert - saxophone
 
* Chris Mostert - saxophone
* [[Novi Novog]] - viola
+
* [[Wikipedia:Novi Novog]] - viola
 
* Michael Parnell - bass, keyboards
 
* Michael Parnell - bass, keyboards
* [[Tim Pierce]] - guitar
+
* [[Wikipedia:Tim Pierce]] - guitar
 
* Ken Rarick - keyboards
 
* Ken Rarick - keyboards
{{Col-3}}
 
 
* Jim Roberts - saxophone
 
* Jim Roberts - saxophone
 
* Lori Ruso - primary artist, vocals (background)
 
* Lori Ruso - primary artist, vocals (background)
 
* Jane Bovingdon Semel - photography, stylist
 
* Jane Bovingdon Semel - photography, stylist
* [[Art Wood]] - drums
+
* [[Wikipedia:Art Wood]] - drums
* [[Michael Wycoff]] - vocals (background)
+
* [[Wikipedia:Michael Wycoff]] - vocals (background)
{{Col-end}}
+
{{div col end}}
  
 
;Production<ref name="AllMusic I Believe in Love Again"/>
 
;Production<ref name="AllMusic I Believe in Love Again"/>
{{Col-begin}}
+
 
{{Col-3}}
 
* Jon Abeyta - photography, stylist
 
* [[Johnny Clegg]] - composer
 
* Nick Lane - horn arrangements
 
{{Col-3}}
 
* Steve Marcusson - mastering
 
* Michael Parnell - composer
 
* An Rafferty - art direction, design
 
{{Col-3}}
 
* Lori Ruso - composer
 
* Jussi Tegelman - engineer
 
* [[Studio City Sound|Tom Weir]] - engineer, mixing, producer
 
{{Col-end}}
 
-->
 
 
==Advocacy==
 
==Advocacy==
* [[Revlon Run Walk|Revlon Race for Breast and Ovarian Cancer]]
+
* [[Wikipedia:Revlon Run Walk|Revlon Race for Breast and Ovarian Cancer]]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically -->
+
 
 
{{Reflist |refs =
 
{{Reflist |refs =
  
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<ref name="Discogs Show Off LP">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-Show-Off/master/562389|work=Show Off|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1989|quote=Show Off LP}}</ref>  
 
<ref name="Discogs Show Off LP">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-Show-Off/master/562389|work=Show Off|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1989|quote=Show Off LP}}</ref>  
  
<ref name="Discogs Show Off EP">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-Show-Off/master/290363|work=Show Off (EP)|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1990|quote=Single EP Show Off (12") Cypress Records, V-74501 US, CTI 1201 Canada 1990}}</ref>  
+
<ref name="Discogs Show Off EP">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-Show-Off/master/290363|work=Show Off (EP)|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1990|quote=Single EP Show Off (12") Cypress Records, V-74501 US, CTI 1201 Canada 1990}}</ref>  
  
<ref name="Discog alt title Show Off">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|work=Something About You|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1989|quote=Alternate title for ''Show Off" in Spain -- Label: Vemsa ‎– E-30.1974 VLP-353}}</ref>  
+
<ref name="Discog alt title Show Off">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|work=Something About You|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1989|quote=Alternate title for ''Show Off" in Spain -- Label: Vemsa ‎– E-30.1974 VLP-353|url=https://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-Something-About-You/release/4797096}}</ref>  
  
 
<ref name="AllMusic Show Off Credits">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso: Show Off|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/show-off-mw0000308135/credits|work=Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=16 November 2013}}</ref>  
 
<ref name="AllMusic Show Off Credits">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso: Show Off|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/show-off-mw0000308135/credits|work=Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=16 November 2013}}</ref>  
  
<ref name="AllMusic I Believe in Love Again">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|work=I Believe in Love Again|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=16 November 2013|date=16 April 1995}}</ref>
+
<ref name="AllMusic I Believe in Love Again">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|work=I Believe in Love Again|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=16 November 2013|date=16 April 1995|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-believe-in-love-again-mw0001002815}}</ref>
  
<ref name="Discogs I believe">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-I-Believe-In-Love-Again/master/562390|work=I Believe In Love Again|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1993}}</ref>  
+
<ref name="Discogs I believe">{{cite web|title=Lori Ruso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Lori-Ruso-I-Believe-In-Love-Again/master/562390|work=I Believe In Love Again|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=16 November 2013|year=1993}}</ref>  
  
 
<ref name="Kantor Review">{{cite web|last=Justin|first=Kantor|title=Lor Ruso: Show Off|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/show-off-mw0000308135|work=Review by Justin Kantor|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=16 November 2013}}</ref>
 
<ref name="Kantor Review">{{cite web|last=Justin|first=Kantor|title=Lor Ruso: Show Off|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/show-off-mw0000308135|work=Review by Justin Kantor|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=16 November 2013}}</ref>
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}}
 
}}
 
== External links ==
 
* [http://www.example.com/ example.com]
 
 
<!--- Categories --->
 

Latest revision as of 01:35, 5 September 2020

Lori Ruso
Lori Ruso with then Boss Dick Clark
Background information
Birth nameLori Ruso
BornSanta Cruz, California
OriginArizona
GenresDance/Club, Adult contemporary
Occupation(s)Singer/songwriter, special needs teacher
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1989–present
LabelsCypress/A&M Records
Associated actsMichael Damian, Michael Parnell
Websitesoundcloud.com/lori-ruso
Lori Ruso (Lori M. Ruso), is a singer and songwriter from the greater Los Angeles, California area. Ruso is known for her 1990 album, Show Off, with two songs landing in the Top 20 on Adult Contemporary charts, leading the warm up band for Michael Damian's "Rock On" tour, and was the voice of the opening theme-song, "Never Gonna Be the Same Again" for the 1989, Halloween-classic film, Teen Witch.

Early life

Ruso was born in Santa Cruz, California, and grew up in California and Arizona, attending High school in Culver City, California, her interest in writing music began as a child, evaluating situations which arose in her life and responding in lyric, this interest evolved from singing for church functions to paid wedding performances. Working her way through her Bachelor of Science in Social Cultural Anthropology, at Santa Clara University Ruso was finding work as a backup singer for contemporary artists and doing advertising jingles. Upon graduation, also worked as a teacher in Los Angeles and has completed post-graduate coursework in Elementary and Secondary Education, at UCLA, and collegiate level voice coursework in Vienna, Austria.[1]

Career

Grammy Award winning mixer, Tom Weir and producer Larry Weir encountered Ruso singing at a church performance. Ruso's musical influences are, Karen Carpenter, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. Streisand's influence has prevalence in Ruso's work, but there is also a note-hitting precision found in Ruso's a cappella offerings that suggests she also studies Celine Dion. The Weir brothers approached Ruso and included her in their production of the film Teen Witch (1989) where Ruso opens the film with "Never Gonna Be the Same Again".

  • Rock On tour with Wikipedia:Michael Damian
  • "Teen Witch"
  • "Dream a Little Dream"
  • "The Young and the Restless"
  • Stories from My Childhood (also known as Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood), 1997

Discography

  • Something About You (1989) (Spain)
  • Show Off Cypress/A&M Records (1990)
  • Single "Show Off" from the album Show Off
  • I Believe in Love Again Cypress/A&M Records (1993)
  • Single, "Rolling Ocean" from the album, Power of One - The Songs of Johnny Clegg (May 18, 2008)
  • Single, "Deep" from the album ????? produced by Charbel Khayo (2012)

Show Off

Ruso's debut album Show Off (1990), [1] was first released in Spain as Something About You (1989) under the Vemsa records on vinyl.[2] A 12" EP single, Show Off was also released in 1990.[3]

Show Off

Show Off (LP Album)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Something About You"L. Ruso4:10
2."Show Off" 3:29
3."I'm Gonna Be"L. Ruso/Michael Parnell3:56
4."Good Lovin'" 3:02
5."Can't Take My Heart"L. Ruso/Tom Weir4:13
6."Never Gonna Be the Same Again" (theme song for the film Teen Witch)C. Valentine, L. Weir3:56
7."Never Look Back" (duet w Michael Damian]) 4:15
8."I Wanna Dance"L. Ruso4:10
9."Hold on to Me"L. Ruso4:17
10."Rebel"L. Ruso3:49
Total length:39:17


Show Off (EP Single)
No.TitleLength
1."Show Off" ((Dance Mix))5:04
2."Show Off" ((Single Version))3:29
3."Show Off" ((Power Mix))4:12
Total length:12:45

Personnel

Performance[4]

Reception

Billboard Magazine selected "I'm Gonna Be", which was written by Michael Parnell and Lori Ruso, as a Critic's Choice, "Ruso's sparkling delivery on this mid-tempo, inspirational number is beautifully enhanced by an exquisite saxophone arrangement."
"A thoroughly entertaining set mixing energetic dance-pop numbers with ponderous adult contemporary ballads, Show Off stands out for two reasons: one, Lori Ruso's simultaneously rockin' and gorgeous vocals; two, solid arrangements that don't strictly adhere to normal protocol of late-'80s/early-'90s Top 40 material. True, the melodies have "1989" written all through them -- in fact, many seem like they would fit perfectly into silver screen flicks of the time. But Ruso has a classically tinted belting style that gives each tune a distinctive stamp, and she is consistently in tandem with the equally vibrant backing musicians."
—Justin Kantor, AllMusic[5]

I Believe in Love Again

Ruso's sophmore album in 1993 [6][7]

I Believe in Love Again

  • Released: April 16, 1995
  • Format: "Cassete/CD"
  • Label: Major Records(MJR-39372) Major Musik (1995)
  • Producer: Larry Weir, Tom Weir
  • Singles: "Rolling Ocean"
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Great Heart"Johnny Clegg4:44
2."I Believe in Love Again"L. Ruso4:14
3."Rolling Ocean"Johnny Clegg4:01
4."I'm Gonna Be"Michael Parnell / Lori Ruso3:57
5."I'll Always Stay"Lori Ruso4:31
6."Dela"Johnny Clegg4:29
7."At Last"Lori Ruso4:13
8."Fight for Love"Lori Ruso4:01
9."Dreaming"Lori Ruso4:14
10."Only Through a Storm"Lori Ruso4:04
11."He Loves Me"Lori Ruso4:46
12."Christmas in My Heart"Lori Ruso4:16
Total length:51:30

Personnel

Performance[7]
  • Dennis Belfield - bass
  • John Campbell - keyboards
  • Luis Conti - percussion
  • Wikipedia:Richard Elliot - saxophone
  • Dennis Farias - trumpet
  • Denny Fongheiser - drums
  • Keith Jones - bass
  • Nick Lane - trombone
  • Steve Madaio - trumpet
  • Chris Mostert - saxophone
  • Wikipedia:Novi Novog - viola
  • Michael Parnell - bass, keyboards
  • Wikipedia:Tim Pierce - guitar
  • Ken Rarick - keyboards
  • Jim Roberts - saxophone
  • Lori Ruso - primary artist, vocals (background)
  • Jane Bovingdon Semel - photography, stylist
  • Wikipedia:Art Wood - drums
  • Wikipedia:Michael Wycoff - vocals (background)
Production[7]

Advocacy

References

  1. "Lori Ruso". Show Off. Discogs. 1989. Retrieved 16 November 2013. Show Off LP
  2. "Lori Ruso". Something About You. Discogs. 1989. Retrieved 16 November 2013. Alternate title for Show Off" in Spain -- Label: Vemsa ‎– E-30.1974 VLP-353
  3. "Lori Ruso". Show Off (EP). Discogs. 1990. Retrieved 16 November 2013. Single EP Show Off (12") Cypress Records, V-74501 US, CTI 1201 Canada 1990
  4. "Lori Ruso: Show Off". Credits. AllMusic. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  5. Justin, Kantor. "Lor Ruso: Show Off". Review by Justin Kantor. AllMusic. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  6. "Lori Ruso". I Believe In Love Again. Discogs. 1993. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Lori Ruso". I Believe in Love Again. AllMusic. 16 April 1995. Retrieved 16 November 2013.