Lee Everton's second album builds on the strengths of its predecessor,
Inner Exile. It rides the roots reggae train less heavily, relying more on a folk/country-pop vibe. Said differently, the Jamaican influence remains a strong subcurrent throughout the album, but
Everton introduces in his repertoire some
Tom Waits ("Anywhere I Lay My Head") and
Bob Dylan ("If Not for You"), and some songs have a definitive
Van Morrison feel to them.
Sing a Song for Me is therefore either a lightweight, reggae-inspired record or a particularly sunny singer/songwriter record -- and if both descriptions make you think of
Cat Stevens, then so be it. This time again, the recordings are warm and analog-sounding. Acoustic and non-distorted electric guitars account for most of the arrangements over the bouncy and supple rhythm section, although the one hallmark of
Sing a Song for Me is the organ (it sounds like a Hammond) that paints almost every track with delicate strokes of sunshine -- it is also responsible for giving "I Want to Hold On" such a deep shade of
Procol Harum. Highlights include "Don't Make It Too Hard," "You've Still Got a Hold on Me," and "I Want to Hold On," all lovely, uncomplicated songs. It could be argued that
Everton isn't reinventing anything, that what he sings about is nothing new (love, friendship, hope), but he does it with sincerity, talent, and a sense of balance that feels just right. ~ François Couture