Though Amos Lee's music is frequently described as a fusion of folk and soul, such an equation fails to reflect the singular artistry of this impressive debut. Like label mate Norah Jones (who guests on two cuts), the Philadelphia singer-songwriter recognizes the power of simplicity, distilling an emotional essence that cuts across categories. The opening of his "Seen It All Before" echoes Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"; the stunning "Arms of a Woman" channels Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams to Remember"; "Give It Up" cuts a classic Bill Withers groove; "Black River" has the sound of an age-old spiritual; and the closing "All My Friends" follows Van Morrison into the mystic. Throughout the song cycle, the bare-bones arrangements behind Lee's vocal flutter reinforce an organic unity that transcends genre. For all of the debts he owes to the music of the 1960s and '70s, the results sound timeless rather than retro. In his cautionary "Soul Suckers," Lee sings that "nothing is more powerful than beauty in a wicked world"--and proceeds to prove it. --Don McLeese
CONDITION: (SEE AVAILABLE OPTIONS AND PRICING)
LABEL: BLUE NOTE/EMI RECORDS
CATALOG: 7243 5 97350 2 3V
MATRIX: 7318 724359735023 D41011-03 A IFPI L388
YEAR: 2004
FORMAT: CD
TRACK LIST:
- KEEP IT LOOSE, KEEP IT TIGHT
- SEEN IT ALL BEFORE
- ARMS OF A WOMAN
- GIVE IT UP
- DREAMIN'
- SOUL SUCKERS
- COLORS (FEAT. NORAH JONES)
- BOTTOM OF THE BARREL
- BLACK RIVER
- LIES OF A LONELY FRIEND
- ALL MY FRIENDS
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