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Amos Lee

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Amos Lee
Lee performing at Poptech in 2008
Lee performing at Poptech in 2008
Background information
Birth nameRyan Anthony Massaro
Born (1977-06-20) June 20, 1977 (age 47)
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
GenresSoul, folk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active2004–present
LabelsBlue Note
Websiteamoslee.com

Amos Lee (born Ryan Anthony Massaro, June 22, 1977)[1][2] is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock and soul. He was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in English. After working as a schoolteacher and bartender he began to pursue a career in music. His manager submitted a demo recording to Blue Note Records which resulted in a recording contract and an association with singer Norah Jones.

Since that time Lee has recorded five albums on Blue Note Records and has toured as an opening act for Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Van Morrison, John Prine, Dave Matthews Band, Adele, the Zac Brown Band, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, and David Gray. His music has appeared on the soundtracks of numerous TV shows and movies. He has performed on several late night TV shows and at a voter registration rally for Barack Obama. In 2011, his album Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

Lee was born as Ryan Anthony Massaro in 1977 and was raised in Kensington, Philadelphia.[6][7] He moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey at age 11 and graduated from Cherry Hill High School East.[4][5][7] Lee attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a degree in English and a minor in education.[8] During his college years he developed an interest in music after being inspired by the John Prine album, Great Days.[5][8] During this period he began playing the guitar and bass as part of a band (Hot Lava Monster) and listening to the music of Donny Hathaway, Joni Mitchell, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers and Otis Redding.[8][9][10]

Career

After returning to Philadelphia, Lee worked as a second grade school teacher at the Mary McLeod Bethune School and as a bartender at local music venues. He performed at "open mic" events in the area and, through his contacts with promoters, was hired as an opening act for artists like Mose Allison and B.B. King.[7]

In 2003, Lee's manager sent a four-song demo CD to several record labels, and the representative at Blue Note Records was "immediately struck by his [Lee's] voice".[8] Afterwards, Norah Jones heard Lee's music while visiting the record company and invited Lee to be the opening act for her 2004 tour.[5]

The friendship between Lee's manager and the manager for Bob Dylan resulted in Lee touring with Dylan as his opening act in early 2005.[7][11][12][13] Later Lee began touring on his own and recorded his self-titled and "widely praised" debut album of "subtle, folky soul"[6][10][14][15] which included vocals and instrumentation by Norah Jones and members of her band.[8] After it was released, the album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and Lee was named one of Rolling Stone's "Top 10 Artists to Watch."[9][16] One song from the album, called "Colors", appeared on the TV show Grey's Anatomy and in the film Just Like Heaven.[17] Lee's music received additional media attention when he performed on late night TV shows such as the Late Show with David Letterman[18] and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[19]

In 2006, Lee recorded his second album, Supply and Demand which was produced by Barrie Maguire. An NPR Music reviewer described it as having "more complicated instrumentation and production" than his prior work.[15] The song "Shout Out Loud" was released as a single and peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard 200,[20] and another song, called "Sweet Pea", was used in an AT&T ad campaign.[17]

Lee's third studio album, Last Days at the Lodge was released in 2008 and re-emphasized "his grounding in folk and soul". The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart and Lee performed at the Change Rocks, voter registration rally for Barack Obama, in Philadelphia that summer.[4][21][22]

In 2011, Lee released his fourth album on Blue Note Records, entitled Mission Bell which was produced by Joey Burns of Calexico. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, number one on the Digital Albums chart, number two on the Internet chart and number one on the Amazon Top-Selling Albums and iTunes charts.[23] The album's single, "Windows are Rolled Down", became a top 10 hit on USA Today's adult-alternative chart.[17] However, the album also has the dubious distinction of being the lowest selling, number one Billboard album as of 2011 selling only 40,000 copies.[24] Guest artists on the album included Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown, James Gadson, and Sam Beam.[12][25] The album was described by critics as tunes placed in "a stark landscape, enveloped by rustling percussion and reverberant drones" with tones and lyrics that were more optimistic than prior albums.[26][27] Other critics called it "a restless album with a gentle soul" and "another fine showcase for his [Lee's] elegant, soothing songwriting".[28]

Lee appeared at Farm Aid 2013 [29] and on the compilation album, The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver.[30] He released his fifth studio album, Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song in October 2013.[31]

Reception

Lee's "folksy, bluesy sound" has been compared to that of John Prine and Norah Jones.[32] His music is said to utilize the "supple funk of his vocals and arid strum of his guitar" while recalling "the low-volume, early-'70s acoustic soul of stars like Bill Withers and Minnie Ripperton".[7] A New York Times music critic described Lee as having a "honeyed singing voice – light amber, mildly sweet, a touch of grain" which he features "squarely, without much fuss or undue strain" in his "1970s folk rock and rustic soul" musical song craft.[26] According to a music writer at ABC News, Lee "has that folksy, bluesy vibe, with a bit of country twang" and a voice that is "ever soulful".[27] Simultaneously Lee has been both lauded and dismissed as the "male Norah Jones" and[3] his lyrics are said to convey "the complexities of everyday emotions" without falling into flowery imagery.[8] Lee's songs have appeared on a number of TV shows including Parenthood.[17][33]

Personal life

Lee describes himself as being of "mixed" ethnicity[34] and maintains a residence in West Philadelphia.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[35] 		US Rock
[36] 		AUT
[37] 		FRA
[38] 		GER
[39] 		NL
[40] 		SWI
[41]
Amos Lee 113 — 72 112 75 13 —
Supply and Demand
  • Release date: October 3, 2006
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
 76 25 — — — 23 —
Last Days at the Lodge
  • Release date: June 24, 2008
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
 29 11 — — — — —
Mission Bell
  • Release date: January 25, 2011
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
 1 1 — — 98 39 61
Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song
  • Release date: October 8, 2013
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download, Vinyl
 16 7 — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Live albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[35] 		US Rock
[36] 		US Folk
[42]
Live at Red Rocks[43]
(Amos Lee with The Colorado Symphony) 		103 16 4

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart
positions
US
[35] 		US Rock
[36]
Amos Lee (EP)
  • Release date: 2004
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
 — —
Live from KCRW
  • Release date: 2005
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
 — —
As the Crow Flies
  • Release date: February 14, 2012
  • Label: Blue Note Records
  • Formats: CD, music download, 10" vinyl[44]
 67 16
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Single Album
2010 "Windows Are Rolled Down" Mission Bell
2011 "Flower"
2013 "The Man Who Wants You" Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song
"Chill In the Air"

Other charted songs

Year Single Peak positions Album
US
2012 "Day That I Die" (with Zac Brown Band)A 104 Uncaged

DVD's

  • Live From Austin, Texas - (2008) New West
  • "Amos Lee: Live from the Artists Den" - (2013)

References

  1. ^ "Alumni News". Department of English Language and Literature. University of South Carolina. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  2. ^ Hahne, Jeff (July 30, 2008). "Who is Amos Lee?" (Interview). Creative Loafing. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Wheeler, Brad (November 3, 2006). "Taking a back seat to the songs". Globe and Mail. Canada. p. 25.
  4. ^ a b c "Amos Lee At Studio 4A 'Lodge'". NPR Music. July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d Winter, Miller (October 4, 2006). "A Ready-Made Idol? Nope, Just a Folkie Happy to Play His Music". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Hiltbrand, David (March 21, 2011) Amos Lee: Philadelphia's anonymous hit-maker Inquirer/Philly News
  7. ^ a b c d e Farber, Jim (March 1, 2005). "He Follows a Different Strummer". Daily News. New York. p. 38.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Graham, Renee (February 27, 2005) "Former Teacher Gets a Lesson in the Big Time", The Boston Globe page N5
  9. ^ a b Gitlin, Lauren (March 10, 2005). "10 Artists to Watch: Amos Lee". Rolling Stone.
  10. ^ a b Lindquist, David (October 21, 2005) No bells or whistles; Amos Lee, on his first tour as a headliner, aims to serve the song above all, The Indianapolis Star page=34
  11. ^ (June 26, 2005) Watch this Face: Amos Lee, Independent on Sunday (London) page 15
  12. ^ a b PBS New Hour, Mission Bell Amos Lee enriches his songwriting with star power, April 28, 2011. Saskia De Melker, Retrieved July 2011
  13. ^ "Philadelphian Amos Lee's Country-Fried Soul". NPR Music. March 18, 2005. Retrieved July 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ (March 4, 2005) The Ticket; CD Reviews, The Irish Times, page 13
  15. ^ a b Blaustein, Claire (October 18, 2006). "A Moment of Peace on the Long Road". NPR Music. Retrieved July 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ (June 10, 2006) Top Heatseekers, Billboard (magazine)
  17. ^ a b c d Mansfield, Brian (February 25, 2011). "On the verge: Amos Lee goes from chalkboard to 'Billboard'". USA Today. Retrieved July 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ Green, Andy (February 17, 2011) Unlikely Billboard Champion Amos Lee Performs New Song, Violin, On 'Letterman Rolling Stone Retrieved December 3, 2011
  19. ^ Yahr, Emily (August 5, 2013). "TV highlights: Shark Week, and 'The Bachelorette' finale". The Washington Post.
  20. ^ "Supply and Demand, Amos Lee". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  21. ^ "Amos Lee: Last Days At The Lodge". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  22. ^ "Philly Native Singer-Songwriter Amos Lee Performs at the Merriam Theater". Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. December 21, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  23. ^ Burger, David (February 2, 2011) Amos Lee's new album debuts at No. 1, The Salt Lake Tribune , Retrieved July 2011
  24. ^ Richards, Chris (July 4, 2013). "Wale hits No. 1 with 'The Gifted' (Posted 2013-07-04 01:21:36) ; D.C. rapper debuts in the top spot on the Billboard albums chart". Washington Post.
  25. ^ "Amos Lee gets cozy with indie rockers, folk heros, and country legends". The Key. 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ a b Ben Ratliff; Chinen, Nate; Pareles, Jon. "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  27. ^ a b Moody, Nekesa (February 1, 2001). "Review: Amos Lee Spirit Breaks, but Songs Fly". ABC News. Retrieved July 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  28. ^ Vaziri, Aidin (January 20, 2011). "CD Reviews: Amos Lee". The San Francisco Chronicle. California. p. 33.
  29. ^ Staff writer (July 18, 2013). "Farm Aid 2013 Is Sold Out". Agriculture Week.
  30. ^ Staff writer (March 22, 2013). "Win: John Denver tribute album". Milton Keynes Citizen.
  31. ^ Poulsen, Drew (June 5, 2013) amos-lee-sets-date-for-mountains-of-sorrow-rivers-of-song-album Billboard, accessed Aug 6, 2013
  32. ^ Darvas, Lori (August 8, 2008). "Spanning decades; Amos Lee's music draws two generation". The Indianapolis Star. Indiana. p. 21.
  33. ^ "Parenthood Soundtrack". Parenthoodtvsoundtrack.com. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  34. ^ "Amos Lee's Background: Touchy Subject". Hampton Roads. October 17, 2006. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  35. ^ a b c "Amos Lee Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ a b c "Amos Lee Album & Song Chart History – Rock Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "austriancharts.at – Austria Top 40" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  38. ^ "lescharts.com – French charts portal" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  39. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts – German Albums" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  40. ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Dutch charts portal" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  41. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  42. ^ "Amos Lee Album & Song Chart History – Rock Albums". Billboard.
  43. ^ "Amos Lee Live At Red Rocks With The Colorado Symphony". Amazon.
  44. ^ "Amos Lee Reveals EP of Unreleased Tracks". The Jazz Line. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  45. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Week of July 28, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
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