I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (August 11, 2017), Midnight Believer, by Lee Roy Parnell and it's smooth. Opening with Hours In Between, a rich, pop driven track, Lee Roy Parnell shows why he's known for his soulful voice and solid songwriting. With bluesy guitar riffs, a thumping bass line courtesy of Steve Mackey, Kevin McKendree on keys and Lynn Williams on drums, this is a great opener. Title track, Midnight Believer, really has that Muscle Shoals, Pete Carr/Boz Scaggs sound. Parnell clearly has a super feel and for this Blue Eyed Soul. A definite radio track, Ponchatrain, is as solid a ballad as you're likely to find with a warm melody, nicely blended vocals and subdued instrumentation. Too Far Gone is another terrific soul track with warm vocals and cool keyboard work by McKendree. Sunny Days, a quiet acoustic based ballad features Parnell way out front singing lead vocal with only minimal backing, and nice slide guitar and backed by the Fairfield Four, an American Institution known for Gospel vocals. Very nice. Want Watcha' Have kicks it up a few notches with a high stepping rocker and giving Parnell a chance to present not only a funkier side but to lay in some real rocking guitar riffs. His guitar voice is warm and clean. Funky, New Orleans flavored Going Uptown has a super marching drum rhythm and cool female backing vocals but my favorite part of this track is the fluid slide work of Parnell. Very nice! A little dab of country on Tied Up And Tangled gives it a bit of a Bonnie Raitt/Little Feat feel. Soaring guitar in the style of David Lindley and a cool vocal duet with Etta Britt give this track real air. Wrapping the release is soft country rock ballad, Some Time Ago, a track that among 10 other solid tracks could easily be a big seller. I love Parnell's guitar tone on the slide solo of this track adding real heat to his soulful composition. This is a super closer to a special release.
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This track isn't on the release but thought it deserved a listen:
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