AMOS LEE - AS THE CROW FLIES

[Sleeper]

Dave wrote this:
http://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/amos-lee-as-the-crow-flies.html

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.