Jorge Palomarez

JORGE PALOMAREZ

Posted by Maroon Weekly on Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Saturday (10/23), 8pm at the La Salle Lounge

Jorge Palomarez could be classified as one of those coffeehouse singer-songwriters that plays through the background cacophony of milk frothers, bean grinders and study group chatter. But unlike most performers that just add melody to the wash of noise, Palomarez is that rare talent that pierces through the discordance and steals your attention–just when you were about to open that book you’ve been meaning to finish for the past month. You won’t open it. Once he’s got you, he’s got you. His warm and graceful acoustic guitar progressions have been compared to Nick Drake and Bob Dylan.

He sings like a man that’s blown out all the air in his lungs and then flexes his guts to voice one last gasp–one that’s tonal and has phrasing to boot! No stranger to SXSW and the Crossroads Music Festival in Memphis; Palomarez is a real treat for those who appreciate pared down, intricate guitarwork and personal songwriting.

The Maroon Weekly

Posted by the Galveston Daily News 

The Watchtower - by Zach Tate 

May 2011 Issue of After Hours Magazine

 

Palomarez writes songs with engineer’s exactitude

Jorge Palomarez has been called the “Mexican Bob Dylan” and the “Hispanic Leonard Cohen.” One fan even described Palomarez as “John Prine in Bob Dylan’s shoes.”

To be compared, in any capacity, with songwriting giants like Dylan, Cohen and Prine is certainly a compliment. If it weren’t for the fact that Palomarez’s heritage (a first-generation American, with parents from Mexico) is such a distinct part of his music, with songs in Spanish and English, the words Mexican or Hispanic would need not apply. Palomarez is simply a songwriter who deserves to be in the company of the aforementioned masters.

Born in Edinburg, Texas (very close to the U.S./Mexico border) in the early 1950s, Palomarez moved to Houston in 1973. During their teens, Jorge and his brother, Rey, gravitated to the early 1960s rock ’n’ roll of Buffalo Springfield, Spirit, The Rolling Stones and The Dave Clark Five. His oldest brother, Candido, introduced Jorge to folk music when he returned from military service in Germany in the mid ’60s with a few Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Phil Ochs records. Jorge and Rey appreciated deeper, more meaningful lyrics and did their best to write music of the same ilk. They formed a band called Southwestern Mood (with Rey on drums and Jorge handling vocals) and played mostly school functions from 1967 to 1969.

“I was kind of a wild singer.

I didn’t really start playing the guitar until I was out of the band. I consider myself more of a lyricist or poet; I play the guitar just to accompany myself. I’d like for the songs to stand by themselves (as lyrics) so you can read and enjoy them.”

Palomarez’ lyrics are poetic, haunting, romantic and calculated, backed by a single, sparse guitar and occasional Dylan-esque harmonica. Interesting changes in melody, within most of the songs on his two CDs (Visions, 2003, and 2nd Cup, 2010) dance between near spoken word (in a sometimes gravelly midnight-hour voice) and soulful serenading.

A chemist by trade, it’s no surprise that Palomarez’ music and lyric writing come across precisely and affirmatively.

“ I stepped off stage once and a woman asked me if I was an engineer or in a technical field. She said she could tell. I write reports and procedures. … I have to make sure I say exactly what I want to say.”

With this kind of exactitude it’s no wonder Palomarez averages about one song every year and a half. He claims to have many songs in various stages of completion and is somewhat suspicious, with a hint of good-natured envy, of more prolific songwriters.

“I don’t know how you could write so many songs and really mean everything you say.”

With his songs easily stretching into 5 and 6 minutes, and frequently straying from traditional pop arrangements, Palomarez, knows his music is not mainstream radio friendly. He confesses to the occasional need for editing but remains steadfast in putting the song’s message first.

Although most of Jorge’s songs are in English, he takes his Spanish-language lyric writing equally, if not more, serious, avoiding cliché phrases and meticulously assembling his words. The importance of his heritage and the fact that both his mother and aunt were educators in Texas and Mexico is evident in Jorge’s respect for his craft.

Palomarez himself could be called a romantic and has written songs for and, inspired by, his wife of 38 years, Nancy. Although he admits to an inability to define love, he recognizes its elements and writes about its many dimensions. From the darker side, in the beautifully haunting, “You Said” to the sweet enchantment of “Nancy Loves The Rain.”

In constant process and observation, Palomarez is a songwriter’s songwriter and worthy of a close listen.

For information, show times, CDs and more, visit www.JorgePalomarez.com.

To see the video interview and live performance by Jorge Palomarez, visit www.ZachTate.com.

Zach Tate/Special to After Hours

 

Zach Tate - The Watchtower

Review of "Visions"

That Texas Magazine (Sept. – Oct. 2008)

Didn’t someone once say, “You can’t judge a book by its cover”?  This modest CD has the classic trappings of a DIY production, which only lends to its charm.  If you hadn’t heard, or heard of, Jorge Palomarez, the cover would scarcely tempt you.  The EP-length CD, with six original songs that clock at 31 minutes, is a remarkable mix of lyrical wordsmithing, spare but full guitar arrangements, unique vocal phrasing and style, and nicely engineered session in the recording studio. 

You will hear only a man and a guitar singing songs of his own composition, and each of six songs casts a longing light with long shadows on a poignant scene from the past.  Your past, and mine, the joys and sorrows we all share. Visions is a perfect title. 

Palomarez frequents the weekly open mic at Main Street Crossing, held on Tuesday evenings.  I remember only half-listening to him singing (as coffee house audiences are wont to do) when he delivered one of his lyrical gems and instantly grabbed my attention.  It could have been the line “The color of her eyes was almost sacred,” from “Nancy Loves the Rain,” or “Two scorpions in your glass jar, going round and round, the parasites won’t cheer for you when you’re laying on the ground” from “Parasites”. 

What I do remember clearly is thinking, in that instant, that Jorge Palomarez is the real thing.  Repeated listens validate that first impression, and I recommend that you experience this for yourself.  To obtain Visions contact Jorge at 281-459-4116 or 832-618-8788 or e-mail PalomarJL@aol.com. 

That Texas Magazine

Comments from Danny Everitt in his weekly e-mails promoting the Open Mic at the Main Street Crossing in Tomball, Texas which he hosts

… First timer, Jorge Palomarez  …  I  had no idea what this songwriter would bring when he came in.  Think Leonard Cohen meets Los Lobos and you get a tiny idea of the magnitude.  Pick up one of his CDs and see for yourself.  It's not on his album but "Lena" * haunted me all evening … Danny Everitt 8/25/08

…Always at the top of his game, Jorge Palomarez, gives us his special blend of flaminco-style guitar and poignant lyric. Even the poker players stop to listen when this guy sings; totally original and beautiful … Danny Everitt 11/24/08

… Jorge Palomarez never gets us down even with the sad songs he crafts.  We are haunted by his style of playing and singing.  The booking agent hit the jackpot … Danny Everitt 12/1/08

… When listening to Jorge Palomarez perform I am reminded that, on a weekly basis, we get to hear consistent quality performances for FREE out here every Tuesday night!  This guy writes, sings and plays totally from the heart.  Even when he covers a Dylan standard it sounds like it is his own …   Danny Everitt 12/22/08

… And speaking of being transported, Jorge Palomarez includes Jose Feliciano meets Leonard Cohen with just the right touch of Dylan for good measure.  We'll be seeing Jorge in big shows down the road I'm certain; our reward for his 'perfection'.  I don't know if it's Jorge's presence or the night's mystery that sets in but something seems to happen at what I call 'After Hours", or AHhhh time … Danny Everitt 2/3/09

* Note: “Lena ” is actually the song called Marcela’s Breakdown by Jorge Palomarez included in the promotional CD "2nd Cup"

Danny Everitt's Grace Notes