Marc Corey Lee:

Jetset Deluxe

Album Review

by George Peden

The overdue but welcomed message said it all: "George, it’s been a few years…" The writer catching up with me recently was Marc Corey Lee. Back in harness with his new album, Jetset Deluxe (Mountain Records), the California-based singer and songwriter wanted to share the news.

Regular readers here will remember Lee from his 2001 debut, Stardust Cowboy. That album, which drew wide radio interest, ended snagging a Top 10 CD Of The Year award with In Review, a Nashville music magazine, and then the single, "Memphis Rain," made the in-flight playlist for several major American airline carriers. Lee also had the envy of claiming a Best New Artist award at the Los Angeles Music Awards. Then it stalled.

For a kid who picked up his first guitar at 14 and has made a life-long commitment to his own original music, all with the rooted ambition of getting it to as many people as possible, well, the silence was obvious. So, what happened?

"Since then [the first album], we toured for a while with Dwight Yoakam and a slew of others," says Lee. "I licensed several songs for films and commercial projects, and I took a couple of years off to be with my just-starting family."

Now Marc Corey Lee is back. And the good news is the break and the time-out for the new family has paid rewarding dividends. The absence has allowed Lee the chance to focus on his driving passion – songwriting. Armed with 10 original tunes, tunes which don’t bend or pander to Nashville dictates, but, rather, follow the charmed influences of Orbison, the Byrds, Johnny Cash, all with shades of Bakersfield, the wait has been worth it.

In addition to a top flight cast of album musos, including Skip Edwards and Greg Liesz, comes Lee’s cool voice. And this guy can sing. Confident, in charge, grab the microphone and stand straight delivery one minute, to a mellow, softer, almost Chris Isaac sounding tone the next; it all shows up across an album of pleasing diversity.

The twang-lead opening, "In Vain," has Lee moping over a tortured romance, but while he may be losin’ and leavin’, he’s anything but a cowboy, salon corralled and dribbling in his beer. That’s a notable from Lee – his musical core is not of defeat in life’s stakes, but rather with his strong tenor, he paints his tunes from a vantage point of hope and confidence.

Listen for "Please," the hoped for reunion on "South of San Antone," or the crafted, "Just One Moment," telling of a singer’s temptation on the road and the steadying influence of a wedding ring, they’re tagged with an optimistic acceptance. Rather than being hurtin’ songs made for wimpish defeat, Lee’s pen finds strength in place of weakness. It’s a sure bet: If he wore a hat, it’d be white.

The made-for-honky-tonkin’ "Mister Heartache" is a Swing-tinged pedal steel standout, drawing into play several elements from the album’s arsenal of fiddle, Dobro, piano, organ, strings, bass and drums. The searching "Ghosts In Paradise" and "Cowboys And Angels," a tune possibly influenced by Lee’s time at North Hollywood’s important Palomino Club, all compliment and reveal a tunesmith in definite progress.

Making it on his terms, Marc Corey Lee is not stuck in the neon dreams of hats and wide buckles; rather, he’s delivering with music that’s real and revealing. This is a first-class effort, and, yes, it’s been a few years, but the wait is over. Grab your ticket. We’re now traveling Jetset Deluxe.