The City of Humboldt saw an old act return as Steve Palmer came back to Humboldt on Oct. 5 for a show at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.
Palmer has played in Humboldt many times before, including several during Humboldt’s Canada Day festivities.
Palmer brought what he calls a mix of the Beatles and John Prine to St. Andrew’s for two 45 minute sets.
“John Prine would write these fun, simple three chord songs and the Beatles of course were experimental. So that’s where my song Jesus on Main Street is probably more Beatles influence, while that song I sang tonight Southern Angel is much more of a John Prine influence.”
The sets featured a mixture of some of his own music including Jesus on Main Street, Welcome Back, Come On In, and some covers including Lord of the Dance, and Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore.
Palmer says heading into the show he picked out songs that would fit well in the church, and says he usually starts with a list of 30 or 40 songs, and as he runs out of time to whittles the list down.
“I try to vary it up so it’s not two sad songs in a row. You try to get some little light and life into it and make it fun.”
The show was a more intimate setting, which Palmer says suits him just fine, noting larger shows typically come with bright lights, which make the audience difficult to see.
“I really like it because I can see the people and I can see if they’re smiling or not and if they’re involved or not,” he says, finding bigger shows much harder.
“I feel sometimes I get even a little bit of a nervous energy and I tend to charge through it. I’m not as comfortable with that. So this is about perfect. Up to about 100 people or so is ideal for this. And also I love house concerts for that.”
Overall, Palmer was very pleased to see so many people come out to enjoy his show, especially considering there was another concert happening at the same time.
Palmer will now head out to Alberta where he will play in Red Deer, before playing nine shows in B.C., and finishing the tour with four weeks in Edmonton.
Palmer will then make the trip back to his home in Gatineau, Que. where he will continue work on his next album.
The album is being produced by Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster and is due out next fall.
As for a return to Humboldt, Palmer says one will likely be in the cards one day, but says he want to wait a little while, and says he really enjoys his time in town.
“Humboldt is a pretty special town. Really it’s a city, it’s got a lot of the attributes of a city and a lot of the attributes and warmth of a small town.”
