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Artist Spotlight:
Singer-songwriter Lee Palmer |
Like Elway a strong
third release from veteran artist
Toronto based roots
singer-songwriter and guitarist Lee Palmer released his third album Like Elway on May 12 and since the release has received glowing reviews and repeat positions on the !earshot national campus and community charts. Like Elway was the #1 ranked album for the month of June on Stingray Music’s The Blues channel. Palmer’s take on roots, blues and country music have earned him deserved accolades from critics and fans alike.
“I am very
pleased with the response to Like Elway thus far. A lot of compliments on the production quality and song writing, which is greatly appreciated”, says Palmer. “I just demoed a tribute to JJ Cale called “That Tulsa Sound” which may just be the title of my next album. Cale integrated many musical genres into his recordings and is definitely someone I hold in high esteem. Album four should be out late in 2015 or early in 2016.”
Palmer has also made
some big changes to his website, leepalmer.ca. Have a visit and stay a while!
Here’s what some of
the reviewers had to say about Like Elway:
“With this new
album Palmer once again underlined the statement that he is not easy to categorize. With a quirky mix of elements from genres like country, folk, Americana, blues and jazz roots for he covers a lot of ground.” – CTRL. ALT. COUNTRY
“His sound mixes
blues, folk, and country styles with a gentle ease, and his mellow voice has an ingratiating warmth” – Kerry Doole, New Canadian Music
“The album has blues,
jazz, swing, and rock elements, making it a dynamic album with something for everyone… Palmer knows what he’s doing, so listen and you might learn a thing or two about country, blues, and every genre in-between” – Brendan Tracey, National Country Review
“…it is one of the
best discs I’ve heard in the last decade … the musicianship is superb- uncluttered and unrushed… this is a seriously outstanding album” – The Rock Doctor, Gonzo Online
“He has a laid-back
style, and a mellow, friendly, light-hearted streak. I actually hear a lot of Mose Allison in his style, the jazz singer and piano player who had lots of irony and commentary in his music. There’s a little Willie Nelson too, in his story-telling” – Bob Mersereau, CBC East Coast Music 
About Lee Palmer
With a unique mixture
of blues, country, jazz and Americana, Like Elway features nine tracks, with every song showcasing Palmer’s talents as a singer and songwriter. The writing for this album started with a 10-day trip to Nashville this past summer. Two tracks, “Like Elway” and “Lonely at the Top” were a direct result of that musical emersion in Tennessee. The balance were written in the fall of 2014.
The album was recorded
live at Noble Street studios with JUNO winner George Seara behind the mixing console. The players for the session included Al Cross, David Woodhead, Lance Anderson and Elmer Ferrer. Later additions to the recording included cameo appearances by: Roly Platt on harmonica, vocalist Mary McKay and Joaquin Nuñez on Cajon and percussion.
The album serves up a
mix of emotions from light and witty, (Axe to Grind, Rockin’ this Chair, This Feels Like One of Those Days and Lonely at the Top) to serious tunes like (Life’s a Mess, Maybe That’s Why and Those Winter Blues). Palmer also serves up some unique spins with the talking country-blues title track Like Elway and rockier Have a Wonderful Life, co-written with friend, guitarist and co-producer, Elmer Ferrer.
Palmer doesn’t slide
into any one genre easily. In past reviews, his musical sound has been compared to musically diverse talents like Willie Nelson and the early Downchild Blues Band. One thing is for sure, he continues to write and share his musical stories in an honest and straight from the heart fashion.
The debut of Like
Elway is sure to further showcase Palmer’s musical talent as a vocalist, and songwriter. “I continue to learn each time I go into the studio,” says Palmer, “I feel this is my best effort yet and I am extremely thankful to those who have helped me on my journey.”  |