Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I stumbled across this album only very recently, though it was released in 2004. Veteran Lee Whitaker is one of the countless independent singer/songwriters plying his trade across the US and has even toured in Europe. In view of the fact that he comes from Camden, New Jersey and began his recording career doing session work for Leon Huff, the Philly soulman of Gamble & Huff fame, I was expecting a soul music-tinged album. In fact, 'Songs From The Hourglass' is largely a country project with strong songs, excellent guitar work and even some country fiddle from one Antoine Silverman. Lee's voice won't be to everyone's taste, being rather high and reedy, but he's a skilled songsmith and whether he's dealing with themes like the way life can throw us a curveball ("It's Funny The Way Life Snowballs") or a relationship with a dominating partner ("Doghouse"), the lyrics are imaginative and cliché-free. The absolute standout of this album is "Hourglass". With a telling lyric about recovering a dream and not letting the relentless passing of time snatch it away, it's one of those songs that the more you hear it, the more you want to.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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