Search - Cari Lee, Saddle-Ites :: Road Less Traveled

I'm having a party all by myself just listening to it!

J. Moe | San Francisco, CA United States | 08/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cari Lee & The Saddle-ites have produced one hum-dinger of an album here! The songs here show a real growth from their previous record, with a more sophisticated and varied sound. Whether it be in the sweet and old-timey feel of "San Antonio Baby" or the sultry cover of the Etta James R&B tune "Nobody Loves You (Like Me)", Cari Lee belts them out like a pro and handles each style with aplomb. The surprise hit track on the album just might be her soulful and stirring rendition of Wynona Carr's "I'm a Pilgrim Traveler" which will stop you dead in your tracks and shake you down to your bones! Cari Lee has shown herself to be as great a singer as she is songwriter with seven original songs she penned herself that hold their ground among covers by such greats as Charline Arthur and Berry Gordy/Harvey Fuqua. With a backing band of talented musicians who keep each tune tight and toe-tappin', Cari Lee & The Saddle-ites are the band to watch."

Imagine if Peggy Lee had sung w/ Bob Wills Texas Playboys

Joe Jazz | FL | 08/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine a cross between jazz singers Peggy Lee & Billie Holiday, mixed with a bit of vaudeville style Sophie Tucker vocalizing. Add a cross between Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys and Billy May, doing the back up! You've got Cari Lee & Her Saddle-ites. However it's much more complex, becaue Lee is not merely imitating nay of these artists, she has her own unique style, however she honors Lee, Holiday and Tucker in her style of singing. The band also has it's own unique western swing combo sound, mixed with touches of rockabilly, though just barely. Aslo a lot of exotica, think Bali Hai, meets Take Me Back To Tulsa! Great songs great performances that are authenticly 1940's-50's-ish, and yet modern and commumicative to todays listeners. Exellent cd, great band and vocalist, who take influences from the past and add new wonderful things all thier own. A must have cd!!!"