Album Reviews

CD Review: Tasteful and Bittersweet guitar playing make even Steven Palmer's Morning Road Glow
by Brooke Curtis, Acoustic Reviews

The title is apt because, if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, Steven Palmer’s Morning Road is what you want playing in your car. There are miles in Palmer’s voice; you can almost see the scenery that his mind has captured through the decades of his life. I love how the title track recalls Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” at one point. Is it intentional? Perhaps or maybe unconsciously. Nevertheless, it fits the mood and meaning of the song.

Palmer is no hotshot acoustic gunslinger; this is a man that, if he had started recording albums such as this early in his life, we might be looking at him differently, such as an icon in his autumn years. Palmer’s songwriting and guitar playing are tasteful and bittersweet; each cut is crafted with feeling and poetic flair. The tropical “A Simple Man Needs a Simple Plan” invigorates with a summer glow while Palmer’s cover of Charles Johnson’s “The Dill Pickled Rag” has some stunningly beautiful crystalline riffs. Lovely Published in:

June 20, 2008

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CD Review: Steve Palmer soothes the ears with folk, blues, and even jazz on Morning Road
by Kit Burns

You feel at home listening to the music of Steven Palmer. It has a cozy, soothing quality, like the soundtrack of childhood memories, voices from the past given a ghostly spell from the years gone by. On the opening title cut, Palmer sounds like three of the most popular singer/songwriters of all time - John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, and James Taylor - in one song. His voice shifts emotions throughout the track, but the consistency of his heart never wavers. Erynn Marshall’s fiddle soars on “Going Home” as Palmer’s warm vocals are pushed to the front of the mix. I’m reminded of another acoustic icon, Gordon Lightfoot. Palmer has exquisite taste in influences if my ears are accurately pinpointing them.

Palmer is a terrific guitar player, most often aiming for cinematic prettiness as on “Educated Touch,” wherein you can savor every affectionate moment of his 12-string. Although Palmer’s foundation is in acoustic folk, he never limits himself to it, flirting with jazzy sensibilities on “I’m in Love” and the blues on “Walk On.” He covers the multiple genres so well that you can easily imagine him recording a separate album for each one.

‘Tasteful and bitter sweet guitar playing make Morning Road glow’. Brooke Curtis ‘Twang Town’ June 2008 The title is apt because, if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, Steven Palmer’s Morning Road is what you want playing in your car. There are miles in Palmer’s voice; you can almost see the scenery that his mind has captured through the decades of his life. I love how the title track recalls Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” at one point. Is it intentional? Perhaps or maybe unconsciously. Nevertheless, it fits the mood and meaning of the song.

Palmer is no hotshot acoustic gunslinger; this is a man that, if he had started recording albums such as this early in his life, we might be looking at him differently, such as an icon in his autumn years. Palmer’s songwriting and guitar playing are tasteful and bittersweet; each cut is crafted with feeling and poetic flair. The tropical “A Simple Man Needs a Simple Plan” invigorates with a summer glow while Palmer’s cover of Charles Johnson’s “The Dill Pickled Rag” has some stunningly beautiful crystalline riffs. Lovely.

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CD Review: Roots and Strings
by Del Vezeau, Penguin Eggs Magazine

“Roots and Strings has an interesting moniker on the front cover. It reads “Traditional and Original Music”. The artwork is simple, yet elegant; the back cover displays much the same way; his picture reveals a middle-aged guy who looks like he could sell oatmeal on television. The music is as pleasant as the packaging. The performances are laid back and seamless; the material breathes. The vocals shine and the instrumentation is all-pro. Steve’s guitar playing is rock-solid and warm.
Positive mention should also go to Rain Coast Studio in Nanaimo, B.C. for their top-notch work. This fifteen song album is a real jewel and would make a fine gift for anyone with a pulse. Grab a copy for yourself while you’re at it.”

"ALBUM A TREAT FOR ROOTS FANS" 
CD Review CATHERINE LITT, Nanaimo News Bulletin arts and entertainment editor

"Songwriter Steve Palmer celebrates the release of his new CD Roots and Strings, this weekend.
It's been 14 months in the making but as his fans will discover it was worth every minute of the wait.
Palmer delivers the goods on ‘Roots and Strings’, giving listeners an aural treat in roots, folk, gospel, and blues music, seamlessly moving from genre to genre with each track. From Palmer’s moody Leonard Cohen-esque ‘Jesus On Mainstreet’ to his arrangement of traditional folk favourite ‘Shady Grove’ or the upbeat ‘Freight Train Boogie', his deep and soothing voice switches pace effortlessly.

Palmer's CD has has plenty of added bonuses for fans of Roots music. Singer/songwriter Andrea Smith sings harmony on two tracks, musician Nathan Tinkham adds his dobro skills to a couple of tracks and Kathy Stacey accompanies Palmer on cello for the haunting ballad Hear Me Callin'. Bluegrass legend John Reischman is outstanding on three cuts- Jesus On mainstreet, Haul Away, and the beautiful instrumental The Water Is Wide.

In fact the list of West Coast music celebrities is a long one. Jerry Paquette lends his talents as recording engineer while Rick Scott mixed and mastered the CD. Jazzman Pat Coleman produced the recording and handled all background vocal arrangements. " 

 

 

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