AUGUST 2008 ONLINE EDITORIALS
Jerry Palmer - Deep Blue Sky
By Erik Myers
Jerry Palmer knows emotion.
It comes through in full force in the Fort Collins guitarist’s fifth album, a collection of mostly sleepy instrumentals that feel like a testament to the rising dawn, starry skies and the quintessential love theme. Regardless of his position on a track (Palmer plays guitar, bass, lap steel guitar, keyboard and flute throughout the album), the man has seemingly mastered the delicate art of multi-instrumentalism all on his own.
It shows on tracks like “Orion”, an uplifting piece stocked with melody and an unflinching caravan of unexpected chord progressions. In “Rockabilly Wannabe” Palmer’s stringing is a fast-paced fun jaunt for the listener. Percussionist Peter Knudson hops in and serves a dense backdrop of various percussions that gives this opening track character.
Besides Knudson, a variety of local musicians step in to help with Palmer’s sonatas. Andrea French acts a partner to Palmer’s pickings, comprising several finely tuned tracks such as “Eva” and “Deep Blue Sky” while Lloyd Drust provides ambling distortion sounds for “Poor Boy”.
Despite the cameos, this remains Palmer’s carefully orchestrated album. While his lulling instrumental skills will enchant and delight, Palmer proves himself to be an adept vocalist on the standout track “I’ll Remember.” Palmer coos with an eerie energy in the opening verses as he recalls a lost love. It’s a track of melancholic intentions, but Palmer manages to create balance in his usual uplifting charm as he purrs the wordless choruses.
It’s a wonder Palmer doesn’t open his mouth more often on this album.