LEE PALMER/Bridge: Americana from Canada, that probably explains why there’s such a Band vibe running through these proceedings. Like the Band, this is a back porch set that covers a lot of bases, and all of them quite well. Solid stuff!
MidWest Record
Lake Zurich, IL

Drawing from all across the roots music spectrum, Lee Palmer crafts lyrically potent, emotionally moving songs, each one as distinctive as the last.  Aided by well-suited arrangements and top-notch studio play, the Toronto-based singer/songwriter/guitarist serves up a set stocked with fare as ready for further covering as well as airplay of their own.  A tribute to Glen Campbell, “That’s No Way To Go” is both heartwarming and bone chilling.  A solid, blues-rock nod to J.J. Cale, “Tulsa Sound”, makes for an ideal follow-up.  The steamy, jazz-tinged “Did It Feel Like This”, the classic-styled country “story song”- “My Old Man”- and the uptown blues “Back To Lonely” are well worth the time also.

Roots Music Report
Written by Duane Verh

On Bridge, Palmer covers the many genres and sounds that make up his music. “Back to Lonely” is a nice stroller and blues ballad “Did It feel Like this“ is another such gem. There is also some good pure blues music to be found on this album.Take for instance “Chock Full of Trouble “. This one is a plus 4 minute blues gem that will for sure end up on our radio shows.

Mr Blue Boogie
BillyBOP Belgium

“His 4^th album in as many years and I have them all- this is a guy that likes to keep busy!  In 2015, his Like Elway album made #2 on my best of the year list, beaten only by Keith Richards’ Crosseyed Heart.  As with his other stuff, Lee took the best session players in Toronto into the studio with him, affectionately known as “The One Take Players”.  The band this time out includes Palmer on vocals, Al Cross on drums, Alec Fraser on acoustic and electric bass, Mark Lalama on Hammond organ, piano and accordion, and the amazing Kevin Breit on guitar mandolin and dobro. Together they make a deep, joyful noise, and here in 2017 I can see Bridge being a contender for top spot at year’s end. Bridge is a collection of songs about life that I think everyone needs to hear.”
John The Rock Doctor
Gonzo Online, British Columbia

Bridge ‘is an excellent album..The opening track, That’s No Way To Go is a beautifull song with fine backing vocals about Glen Campbell’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. With Tulsa Sound, Palmer pays tribute to the sound of JJ Cale. An exciting song, with references to well-known songs of JJ Cale (After midnight, Cocaine, Crazy Mama, Call me the breeze). In the ballad Did It Feel Like This Palmer is vocally excellent and assisted by Mary McKay. Bluesy Americana of a great class. It would not surprise me if this album scores highly in our year-end lists.
Gerrit Schinkel
Blues Magazine, Belgium

Lee Palmer comes back at us with another great album, Bridge. The opening track, ‘That’s No Way to Go’ touches my heart, as I am sympathetic to Alzheimer’s and the families that it has touched, and hurt. This song features great lyrics, and songwriting that will pull you in, and keep you listening. “My Old Man” is another song on the album that I was drawn to and I really enjoyed the track, “My Town”. The album brings forth a string of talented individuals and is produced by Lee Palmer and Elmer Ferrer.
Travis Rump
Canadian Beats

Four albums in, Toronto songwriter Palmer kicks off his latest with a couple of classy tributes, from different corners of the roots world. “That’s No Way To Go” includes a heartfelt lyric about Glen Campbell’s time with Alzheimer’s, which includes a lush middle section in homage to his great late 60’s recordings. Next up is “Tulsa Sound” which is just what it’s advertised as, named after the late master, J.J. Cale. Across its ten cuts, you hear Palmer move from strength to strength, from the easy-going blues “Our Love Bears Repeating” to the rural homage to his hometown, lovely Hartland, N.B., home of the world’s longest covered bridge. Throwing a very welcome monkey wrench in the works is guitar whiz Kevin Breit, who always provides a left-field solo to spice things up. Palmer sounds great throughout.
Bob Mersereau’s Top 100 Canadian Blog

The Canadian singer / songwriter and guitarist LEE PALMER has been very much in the hearts of Canadian fans and now we have become aware of this genre-bridging artist. The title of his latest recording Bridge fits to a tee. The mixture of Blues, Roots, Easy Listening and Folk produced by Palmer and Elmer Ferrer makes for a great Americana album. Unmistakable charm and wonderfully relaxed, the Canadian with his self-written songs stimulates thought and brings those thoughts to a point that we can all appreciate.
Country Jukebox
Munchen Germany

 

“A fresh, pleasant, first-rate singer-songwriter. Worthy to be heard, this Lee Palmer. Where have you been all this time, Lee?”
– Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe

 

Lee Palmer’s ‘Bridge’ is truly a great album made up of impressive bluesy Americana.
This is an interpreter where we believe every word and every sentence.”

– Rodolph’s Music Reviews, Soundguardian, Croatia

 

“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

“A fresh, pleasant, first-rate singer-songwriter. Worthy to be heard, this Lee Palmer. Where have you been all this time, Lee?”

– Fred Schmale, Real Roots Cafe

“Americana with a big arching A …You get the feeling that in those years before he started making his own records, that Palmer was a bit of a collector of stories and was probably more than a bit player in a lot of them, there is a tone, a quality to the material that suggests a real sense of ownership.”

– Neil King, Fatea

“One Take… was recorded quickly with a top-notch crew, but it doesn’t sound like it.  In two days the group laid down 10 tracks off the studio floor, including eight originals, but they sound fully rehearsed and confident.  Palmer’s vocals are a highlight, more like a veteran roots songwriter than a typical blues moaner. More like the early Downchild sound, that kind of charm and warmth”

-Bob Mersereau, The Top 100 Canadian Singles

“Toronto based roots and blues musician Lee Palmer has released a quirky and catchy new debut CD.  Throughout he has an immediately appealing voice.  There is a lot of great grooves going on…”

-Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

“For a somewhat multi-genre album that leans a little more towards the Blues, you truly won’t find too many as pleasing as this one”

-John Vermilyea, Blues Underground Network

“Lee Palmer’s debut release One Take:  Live at Canterbury is a great smooth blues album, peppered with bayou spice and slow-cooked to perfection.   One Take:  Live at Canterbury has a comfortable feel and a sense of cool that is authentic, natural and well worth checking out!”

-Rustzine.com

“As a singer Lee Palmer’s phrasing reminds me somewhat of Ron Sexsmith.  The songs range from upbeat and playful to laid back and reflective and everything in between.  As a result, One Take will charm the pants off of anyone that cares to bend an ear with seemingly little or no effort.  Yeah – I could definitely handle more of this!”

-John The Rock Doctor, Gonzoonline