Amos Lee issued a companion to his critically acclaimed album, Mission Bell. It’s been a year since his most successful album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200. As the Crow Flies, out this week on Blue Note, is being released as a B Side EP to Mission Bell for all six songs were recorded at the same time.
For being songs that couldn’t make the varsity team, I have to say I’ve enjoyed listening to them. I also keep wondering how a guy born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey developed such a deeply broad American sound. Lee’s musical palate spreads across many states and musical genres. He’s an interesting mix of soul and country, blues and folk. Also don’t forget gospel. He definitely is an artist who uses the underlying fibers of these musical genres to establish his own voice. Tinged with regret and infused with longing, Lee weaves his songs with a realistic understanding of their circumstancee. I would be a situation most would see as fatalistic and dire and yet, there is a pleasant ease in Lee’s voice that makes everything feel if not feel alright, then at least soothing.
I really like this mini album, maybe more than the older brother. Only time will tell. One thing that is nice about these six songs: it’s Lee and that’s it. No guest singers. No push to be radio friendly. These would be the songs he would play if he crashed a party with only a guitar in hand.
