Jeff Palmer - Shades of the Pine (1994)

Jeff Palmer is a talented organist whose style (as with virtually all organists) is influenced by Jimmy Smith. For this CD he performs nine similar blues, all of which are given strong solos by the leader, tenor saxophonist Billy Pierce, and guitarist John Abercrombie; drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith is consistently swinging in support. Despite the sameness of the repertoire (all but Thelonious Monk's "Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-are" are by Palmer), the cooking music holds one's interest and is quite enjoyable.

Review by Scott Yanow