Lee releases new album on eve of RI appearance

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By David Burke | Wednesday, June 25, 2008 4:06 PM CDT | () comments

Amos Lee (Contributed photo)

Neo-soul singer-songwriter Amos Lee’s third album, “Last Days at the Lodge,” was released Tuesday, the same day GO&DO caught up with him in Los Angeles as he was making the late-night talk show rounds to promote the CD.

Lee, who performs Friday night, June 27, at Huckleberry’s Pizza Parlor in downtown Rock Island in a sold-out solo, acoustic Daytrotter-sponsored show, first gained attention as the opening act for Norah Jones, with whom he has shared a style of music, and later as the warmup act for Bob Dylan.

Here are excerpts from the conversation with the Philadelphia native, who turns 30 this year:

Q: Do you feel like this is a big day for you?

A: You know, it’s funny. I don’t feel overwhelmed with it for a couple of reasons. It’s the third time I’ve done it, so I’ve come to expect it. These things are what they are. There’s not much you can do but say, “I did the best I could do making this record.” If it does well commercially, cool. If not, I still feel like I did something I’m happy about.

Q: The few reviews I’ve read have said you’re distancing yourself from the Norah sound. Is that accurate?

A: I don’t know. I’m just doing what’s in front of me and doing what I’ve always done — making music that I feel like making at that time. There’s no conscious effort to distinguish or not distinguish myself from anything.

Q: Do you feel like there’s a difference in the sound of this one and the first two?

A: (Long pause) I think there probably is. The first record and this record were made in one specific time period, and that really helped gain a solid concept of sound for the record. I was a little more prepared this time than the other two records.

Q: In your time touring with Bob Dylan, what did you pick up?

A: Just listening to the songs is a beautiful thing, like hearing “When a Deal Goes Down.” It’s an inspiration to see someone who’s been making music for 40 years really going out there and putting a band together and a set list together and doing shows. Obviously, the man is a gift to his country, but he just keeps at his craft, and that’s inspiring to me.

The songwriters I’ve admired the most are the ones who have kept up with songwriting for their entire career.

Q: Do you see yourself out there after 40 years?

A: (Laughs) If I’m still alive after 40 years, I definitely want to be making music.

For more on Amos Lee, visit AmosLee.com.

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.