Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Harps & Horns , from Lee Palmer and it's quiet and relaxing. Opening with  Waitin' On A Train , an easy going shuffle featuring Palmer on vocal and guitar, Sean O'Grady on drums, Iain McNally on guitars, Alec Fraser on bass, Steve O'Connor on piano, Roly Platt on harp and Chris Ayries on backing vocal. Saucy blues number, My Baby Again, features fat sax by Turner King, silky vocals by Palmer and really clean piano soloing by O'Connor.  Bringing down the tempo on Shake Em Blues , a drone bass line by Fraser Jr. sets the stage and nicely blended vocals and warm organ work by O'Connor, topped by Platt makes this one of my release favorites. Electric riffs by McNally start boogie track, Rockin' Strawberry Jam , off right and with a romping rhythm, hot sax riffs and cool vocals this is another favorite. Wrapping the release is quiet, jazzy, Isn't That So, with a nice blend of sax, bass and...

Canadian Songwriter Lee Palmer Releases Bridge Palmer's fourth album in four years is out on February 24th "The music of Lee Palmer is perhaps best described as a mix of blues, country, jazz, folk and Americana. But above all it is very good music, Lee Palmer played his songs with conviction. This is an interpreter we believe every word and every sentence.” – Rudolph's Music Reviews Canadian guitarist and songwriter Lee Palmer’s fourth album in as many years is a mixture of Americana and blues featuring some of the best session players in Toronto, affectionately known as “The One Take Players” for Palmer’s recordings.  Recorded at famed Metalworks studio and produced by Palmer and Elmer Ferrer, the album tracks were written and intended for release in 2016 but Palmer’s plans were sidelined by quadruple bypass surgery. Not one to slow down, Palmer quickly recuperated and...

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 def...

I just received the newest release (May 12, 2015), Like Elway , from Lee Palmer and there's a lot of airplay coming. Opening with Rockin' This Chair , a bluesy, country kind of thing with a pinch of New Orleans, Palmer on vocal has enlisted Lance Anderson on accordion and Elmer Ferrer who screams a pretty good electric guitar solo to make this a fun opener. On pop country ballad, Life's A Mess , Anderson on keys and Al Cross on drums provide most of the music not produced by Palmer on acoustic guitar and vocal. Light, breezy jazz number, Those Winter Blues , has a smooth bass line by David Woodhead and crisp runs from Anderson on piano and Ferrer on guitar. Lonely At The Top is a simple 2 stepper with a catchy melody and vocal harmonies by Mary McKay. Country flair is added by Ferrer on guitar and Cross keeps the drums tight and simple. Title track, Like Elway , has a real cool feel with a Latin beat. Palmer spins a talking tale as McKay sings a catchy chorus and Ferrer ...

Lee Palmer to release third CD "Like Elway" on May 12         Talented singer-songwriter Lee Palmer is set to release his third album Like Elway on May 12, 2015. Although a musician and writer for most of his life, Palmer didn’t release his first album One Take: Live at Canterbury until 2013. He quickly followed with a second release, 60 Clicks in 2014. Both received positive reviews and airplay across North America & Europe.   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 beh...

Lee Palmer, Al Cross, Lance Anderson, David Woodhead, Elmer Ferrer       Toronto based singer-songwriter and guitarist Lee Palmer has released two full length CDs, both recorded live off-the-floor. His third recording is set for release in Spring 2015.   “Those Winter Blues” is a sneak peek from Lee Palmer’s third album,  Like Elway .  The seasonally correct single highlights well known Toronto musicians Al Cross, David Woodhead, Lance Anderson and Elmer Ferrer. Elmer Ferrer also mixed, co-produced and co-wrote the track “Wonderful Life”, from Like Elway , to be released in the Spring of 2015. Respected recording engineer, George Seara recorded the 10- track, live album at Noble Street Studios in Toronto. It all took place one cold winter day, this past December. “Those Winter Blues" is available on CD Baby, Radio Submit and Airplay Direct. Quotes:   "...Americana with a big arching A, incorporating blues, f...

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), 60 Clicks , from Lee Palmer and it's quite enjoyable and at times downright great! Opening with Do What I Does , an easy paced pop track featuring Palmer on vocal and acoustic guitar, Roly Platt on harp and Al Cross on percussion. Burke Carroll lays down a lite slide guitar solo staying in play with the feel of the track. Parent's Child takes a few steps in the country direction but still retaining a pop feel with an emphasis on vocal and percussion. Harmonizing by Neil Donnell is a particularly nice touch. Waiting On My Love To Come is a blues flavored pop track with warm vocal harmonizing and harp work. Solo's by Platt and Carroll both add nicely to the track. Sometimes is a nicely constructed ballad that should find an easy route to the airwaves. I particularly like the slide work by Carroll on this track. Things Are Too Good To Be Blue moves toward the country swing feel and Bob Wills arena. This is a cool track ...

I just received the debut release, One Take: Live at Canterbury by Lee Palmer and it has some very enjoyable music. Opening with Blues in EH , a jazzy shuffle track, I'm immediately drawn by Denis Keldie's piano work. David Woodhead is featured on a real nice bass run in this track complimenting smooth guitar pairings. Me and My 68 has a strong Texas swing style and features a fleet foot guitar solo on an upbeat toe tapper. Keldie runs the organ on this track adding interesting texture. Everyday Blues Jam is another hot swing shuffle and Keldie hauls out the Hammond for a good run but it's the hot guitar riffs on this track that are a real standout. Backing vocals from Jenn Kee add a nostalgic warmth. Woodhead again steps up and out with clean bass riffs and Al Cross lays down a hot drum solo. Title track, One Take , gets a strong funk beat going and and vocal harmonies with Palmer and Kee are really nice. A standout guitar solo on this track makes this one of the bet...