Story of the CD
It all started in March 1998. Sammy Dee was hosting a weekly Blues Jam at the Dark Horse Saloon in Boulder, Colorado, and one night Erin Lee wandered in and belted out a couple songs. Surprising Sammy with her considerable vocal skill, he hurried to meet her after the set, and the two became fast friends, convinced from the start of their need to work together. Drawing on a pool of the finest local talent, Sammy assembled the players, and together they arranged the music. The band consists of these two, and a stable of professional musicians backing them up, including: David Foret on bass, who has played with Tab Benoit, Mitch Ryder, The Zukes of Zydeco, and Doug Kershaw; The "Ragin' Cajun" Doug Kershaw himself blazing fiddle on two tracks; Joey Conway of the infamous CO band The Legendary 4-Nikators; and sharing drum duties, Billy Hoke, Fritz Von Valtier and Sandy Ficca of FireFall - co-owners of the prestigious Tribes Drums in Boulder. Their powerful debut CD "Mile Marker" and energetic live show generated a buzz in the Colorado Blues community.
Erin Lee Bio
Thirty two year-old Cleveland, Ohio native Erin Ayn Lee grew up singing soprano in every school chorus she could get into. She then attended the University of Virginia, where she received 2 semesters of classical voice training, and sang for four years with the Virginia Sil'hooettes, a 14-member female a capella group. During this period her voice matured and her lower range blossomed. She recorded two albums with the Sil’hooette’s, developed a following, and toured all over the Eastern U.S. Everywhere she went people urged her to "do something with that voice!" After graduating in 1995 and experimenting with Rock and Roll bands, she realized that her deep, soulful voice was made to sing the Blues. Finding no luck with bands in Cleveland, she moved to Boulder in July 1997. After a 3-year performing and CD-producing stint with Sammy Dee, she broke from music and spent 3 years in graduate school for a Master's in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology at Naropa University, and is currently rehearsing with a new professional musical line-up, conjuring up some more Blues sure to please!
Reviews
"Congratulations on this debut CD to Erin and Sammy! This pairing of a new, sensational Blues singer with the straight ahead, authentic sounds of a truly great Blues band makes for some dynamic listening. Erin's voice easily flows from rich and powerful to silky and smooth. Her melodic style, hinting of 40's tones, reaches around and grabs you with her subtle inflections. She has a voice like no one else. Sammy and the boys are clean and tight, doing all the right things in all the right spots. This one will stand the test of time and we're proud to have Erin and Sammy broadcasting the Blues from Colorado!"
-Peter Maves, Board Member Colorado Blues Society
If you've seen Erin and Sammy at their Tuesday night jam sessions, you know how well they work together. If you've wondered how they would sound in a fully rehearsed session, the answer is: smokin'. There's some powerful stuff here. Erin has a very strong voice but what impresses me is how she sings with the feel of a much more experienced performer. Sammy's Strat cooks from start to finish; he stings every note and chord. Eleven of the thirteen tracks on this disk are originals (by Erin, Sammy, Carolyn Lee, Barb Zucker and Bradley Kopp), of which my favorites are "Movin' On" (with guest soloist Doug Kershaw), "Low Down Dirty Dog," and "Beggin' You Baby." Covers include "Same Old Blues" (my favorite song by the great Freddy King) and "I Can't Stand the Rain" (an Ann Peebles lament). In addition to Kershaw, the supporting cast includes bassist David Foret; keyboardist Joey Conway; drummers Billy Hoke, Fritz VonValtier and Sandy Ficca; rhythm guitarist/ producer/engineer Bradley Kopp; and harpist Al Chesis (of the Homewreckers). The arrangements are solid and all these fine musicians really get a chance to contribute. From the rocking "Movin' On" and "He Never Gives Me the Blues" to the anguished "Beggin' You Baby" and "Brought Back My Blues" to the ironic "TwoBoyfriends" and "Movin' to Boulder" (which may never get played on the radio) to the self-affirming title track, Mile Marker keeps on rolling. You might as well come along for the ride.
-Jim Primock, The Colorado Blues Society Holler
Mile Marker is the debut release from Boulder-based Blues act Erin Lee and Sammy Dee. With 13 tracks on the disc, the total playtime is only a tad over 47 minutes, meaning they spent some time making sure most of the songs fit the radio-ready three and a half minute format. Performing on the disc are: Erin Lee '" vocals; Sammy Dee - guitar and dobro; David Foret '" bass; Joey Conway '" Keys; Sandy Ficca, Billy Hoke and Fritz VonValtier sharing duties on the drums; Al Chesis '" harmonica; and The Ragin' Cajun Doug Kershaw on fiddle. Bradley Kopp produced the disc, which was recorded at Coupe Studios in Boulder and released in July 1999. Most of the songwriting credits Erin Lee and/or Sammy Dee, except the two covers, "Same Old Blues" (J.J. Cale and Freddy King) and "I Can't Stand The Rain" (Bryant, Peebles, and Miller). It's not common one finds a decent CD full of original Blues songs, so this one is a treasure. Every track features Erin Lee on vocals, which is a good thing. Her smooth sultry voice is perfect for the Blues. Sammy Dee's skillful guitar playing adds just the right amount of flavor without going overboard and ruining a song the way many guitar wizards tend to. Most of the tracks are standard, straight-ahead mid-tempo Blues, although they cover the full spectrum, from the fast Blues-rock of "Beggin' You Baby" to the slow shuffle of "Low Down Dirty Dog". Kershaw plays on "Movin' On" and "Movin' to Boulder" where he really lets loose, rescuing a song that otherwise doesn't fit well on this album. Chesis demonstrates his skill with the Blues harp on "Beggin' You Baby" and "Ain't Gonna Have the Blues For You," where he really shines. Conway plays keys on a number of songs, but the intro to "He Never Give Me the Blues" impresses the most. Overall, this disc is an impressive debut release from some highly talented musicians. If you like the Blues (and who doesn't?) you'll love this disc.
-From LMNOP Colorado, 10/99
www.lmnopco.com
When I first heard Erin Lee and Sammy Dee at a blues jam night in a small club in Boulder, I thought this could be the start of something big. Erin only knew three or four songs back then, but it was worth the wait to hear her sing them. I would ask myself, 'What would a young girl like her know about singing the blues?' Well, she must know enough to write her own blues songs. Erin's full-bodied vocals come flowing out of her mouth like an over-filled champagne glass. Sammy's sassy guitar work blends in nicely in all the right places. This band is why we all go to hear live bands, to hear great music played by people who really enjoy what they're doing.
-Chuck 'Bigleg' Deese: Biggest Fan
Erin's brilliant vocal-ese leads you to understand the relationship between a woman and a man in our modern culture so well, that by the time you get to the hook-line in the chorus, if you haven't gotten a better understanding of the Venus/Mars aspect of being human, and if you haven't been captivated by the masterful beat of the drumming, and you are not at least tapping your foot, you better check for a pulse and get out the pillows and blankies, because Baby... you need a nap! This is a must purchase for any serious student of the Blues.
- Nicholas Rakovic, Fan
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