Mellow bluesman on his way

[KiwiCoromandel]

Mellow bluesman on his way

Amos Lee

22.03.05

by Graham Reid

Philadelphian singer-songwriter Amos Lee is backstage in Seattle preparing to open for Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard, a tour he’s on until late April.

The previous night, after doing his set he headed across town to a small club to play a show under his own name. That’s the kind of venue he made his name in before Eli Wolf of Blue Note Records heard a demo of his songs early last year and caught some of Lee’s shows. Wolf liked Lee’s soulful bluesy sound which has been likened to that of Bill Withers, Joan Armatrading, John Prine and James Taylor. Lee signed to Blue Note, better known as a jazz label but also home to Norah Jones, who plays Auckland’s Aotea Centre on Saturday.

With Jones’ bassist/partner Lee Alexander producing, Lee recorded his own self-titled debut. Released only at the beginning of this month, it is already pulling five-star reviews in the United States. Its mellow acoustic sound - with accompaniment from Jones and members of her band - sits as well alongside Jack Johnson and Donavon Frankenreiter as it does beside Jones’ two albums.

The quietly spoken, 27-year old former school teacher is on his way.

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