Penguin Eggs- Summer 2006
CD Review by Del Vezeau: Roots and Strings- Steven Palmer, Independent
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.
REVIEWS: "Steve is true to the roots of music nurtured by and bathed in blues, folk, and gospel. He engages the audience easily and takes them with him on his musical
journey. An inspiring talent and a terrific picker too, Steve mines the musical veins that are the principal of roots music and reinvests his own heart and soul. The
results are beautiful."-L.W.Kossey, The Dancing Bean
"When I read the liner notes of Steve Palmer's CD, Roots and Strings, I could tell from the guest artists that this CD would be good. I wasn't prepared for just how good! And it's not just due to the guest artists. Steve Palmer is an amazing performer. He's a vocal chameleon - he's himself, he's also Hoyt Axton, Jim Croce and Leon Redbone - and he's not even trying. It's just that his lyrics and at times his
vocals conjure up these artists. Steve is also a superb guitar player - the cut "The Water is Wide" with John Reischman on mandolin is one of the most beautiful
instrumental arrangements I have ever heard - and has me in tears each time I listen to it." Anne Lawrie, Sound Advice
ALBUM A TREAT FOR ROOTS FANS
CD REVIEW by Catherine Litt- The News Bulletin
Nanaimo 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 worthevery minute of the wait.
Palmer delivers the goods on 'Roots and Strings', giving listeners an auraltreat in roots, folk, gospel, and blues music, seamlessly moving from genre togenre 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, a prairie boy who now calls the West Coast home says he's "finding Nanaimo to be a great creative environment." Whatever he's finding here is definitely working for him. 'Roots and Strings' is proof of that.
Palmer's CD has plenty of added bonuses for fans of Island musicians. Singer/songwriter Andrea Smith sings harmony on two tracks, musician Nathan Tinkham adds his dobro to a couple of tracks, and Kathy Stacey accompanies Palmer on cello for the haunting ballad 'Hear Me Callin'.
In fact the list of local 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.
STEVE PALMER SINGER/SONGWRITER
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Steve began his career playing electric guitar in prairie Folk-Rock and 60's Psychedelic bands "Graeme and the Waifers", "Time Machine", and "Warp Factor" .
The band names might sound strange today, but they were professional enough to open up for, and hang out with, Rock music's touring elite- Cream, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner, Spenser Davis Group, The Youngbloods....
In 2003, after 30 some years as a sideman and band leader, Steve released his first original CD: 'From Here to Nashville', a well received exploration of country roots complete with rhythm section and weeping steel guitar. Now, in 2005, he continues this exploration with an all-acoustic release: "Roots and Strings", using acoustic guitars, mandolins, and dobros to present his own original compositions and some selected folk favourites.
Recently relocated to Canada's West Coast (Nanaimo, BC), Steve is busier than ever- touring, writing, and performing. "I'm like the Charlton Heston of Folk. They'll have to pry my guitar from my dying fingers, still smoking I hope!"!"
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