(Blue Note, 2005)

by Jim McCoy

Highlights: Colors; Arms of a Woman; Love in the Lies; Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight; Seen It All Before

Though a relative newcomer on the singer/songwriter scene, Amos Lee has already logged time opening for the likes of Norah Jones and rock's Dali Lama, Robert Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan). After a few listens to his self-titled debut, one is able to understand how Lee was able to fall into their company. Far from a three-chord acoustic guitar strummer with little to say, Lee effortlessly manages to drop just enough blusey 7th chords and jazz voicings into his blues and gospel-tinged compositions to make the songs sound more sophisticated without being pretentious or straying too far from the song’s core. Since Lee tends to fingerpick rather than strum, the material breathes and the competent musicians in the backing band (including the aforementioned Norah Jones on several tracks) are able to weave in an out to compliment, rather than overpower, the song. Tasteful use of the backing instruments - some of which lend themselves to overindulgence in lesser hands - serves to create a modern sound despite the use of such retro instruments such as a Wurlitzer and a Hammond B3.

The best representation of the disc's sound is found on the third track, Arms of a Woman. Lee works his clear but edgy voice to great effect over his soft acoustic guitar arpeggiations, the band complimenting with a confident bass, soft Wurlitzer and brush-stroked drums over which Adam Levy lays down authentic, clean and lyrical electric blues guitar lines. Colors is a smoothly constructed (and delivered) ballad that certainly could have continued beyond its length of 2:40 without sounding tired or repetitive, with the other instruments again complimenting Lee’s voice and guitar perfectly.

There is much to like about Amos Lee's debut. The songs are well-crafted, the melodies accessible and the backing musicians are excellent. Lee is possessed of a capable voice with good range and his lyrics manage to steer clear of the usual clichés. If anything, one sometimes wishes that the songs were even longer upon listening.