MUSIC REVIEW OF THE DAY: JERRY LEGER - TIME OUT FOR TOMORROW

Toronto singer-songwriter Jerry Leger is amassing an impressive body work while still at a young age, a full nine albums now, and just in his early 30's. And that doesn't count his side, for-fun projects, the Del-Fi's and the Bop-Fi's. A roots guy who leans more to the rock 'n' roll side than the folk world, he has the twang of Blue Rodeo and the smarts of Ron Sexsmith, the latter a long-time supporter. Of late he's been produced by Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), and they've developed a great rapport. This tight, 10-track collection features a sharp roots sound, lots of sizzling slide and electric guitar and Jerry's warm, quirky voice up front, somehow managing to sound both young and inspired and old and wordly-wise at the same time.

"Read Between The Lines" is an epic love battle song, with doo-wop roots and Leger in full voice, pleading as he wails "I love you, I need you." "Canvas Of Gold," riding high on lead slide lines from the Clapton/Harrison school, sees Leger throw his hat in with the "poets and the hobos." "I Would' features the singer wishing he was all the things his love interest wants; a rock that you'd keep instead of skip, a book so good you can't put it down. Every song rings true, every one has something you have to admire.

Leger is bringing his brand-new tunes to the East Coast in advance of the album release in November. His tour starts Thursday Oct. 17 at the Tipsy Muse in Fredericton, and features dates in all three Maritime provinces.

THURS Oct 17: Tipsy Muse, Fredericton NB
FRI Oct 18: The Cottage,  Kingston NB
SAT/SUN Oct 19-20: Trailside Inn, Mount Stewart PEI
MON Oct 21: St. Paul's Church, Antigonish NS
TUES Oct 22: Deep Hollow Print Shop, North Alton NS
WED Oct 23: Galerie MurMur, Moncton NB
THURS Oct 24: New Scotland Brewing Co., Dartmounth, NS