Amos Lee:Mission Bell Review

Artist: Amos Lee
Album: Mission Bell
Label: Blue Note
Release Date: January 25, 2011

Mission Bell, Amos Lee’s fourth album on the Blue Note label was released Jan 25, 2011. His signature sound, being a fusion of jazz, soul, folk, and blues would put him in the same cd collection as John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Rufus Wainright, Otis Redding, and Percy Sledge. Backed by drummer Fred Berman and bassist Jason Olevsky, Amos’ guitar sets the scene for Mission Bell.

“Windows Rolled Down” is full of driving down a country road with the music blaring richness while the album’s namesake has a singer/songwriter feel to it that would calm the nerves on any wild beast. “Violin” comforts and has a feel-good quality to it.

While most Amos fans may appreciate all styles they succumb to while listening to this CD, they will be sure to have happy ears when they stumble upon “Flower”, a groovy soul-laden track sprinkled with hints of Stevie Wonder. You will be begging for a glass of iced tea while listening to the old-timey “Cup Of Sorrow” and hoping for a slow dance with Lucinda Williams while she duets with Amos on “Clear Blue Eyes”. The best part of the album is the guest appearance of Willie Nelson on the album’s reprise of “El Camino”. Overall, Amos’ emotional singing woven with rich textures allows for an expansive sound, hopefully expansive enough to bring the listener past the lack of originality in some of Amos’ lyrical content.

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Written by Holly Miller-Carufel

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