Neo-soul singer/songwriter Amos Lee records for Blue Note, one of the most venerable jazz labels in music history. He's shared a stage with Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello. Don Was, who has produced such titans as the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Wilson and Willie Nelson, helmed Lee's third record, Last Days at the Lodge, which came out in June and has reached a respectable No. 29 on the Billboard 200.
Despite the impressive resume, though, Lee divides critics in much the same manner as his label mate and benefactor Norah Jones.
During a recent phone interview, I decide to ask Lee about his lyrics, which have a tendency to read like greeting cards. It's early in the conversation, and I choose my words carefully.
Me: There's a positive vibe that courses through your music. Is that a conscious choice? Do you ever write darker material but decide not to release it?
Lee: Well, I really don't monitor that kind of stuff. I just record the songs I write. I don't shy away from certain topics or make a conscious effort to write positive.
For my next question, I attempt to bring some much-needed levity to the conversation, which is dangling in the air like Beijing smog.
Me: There are also quite a few romantic numbers on the new album ["Won't Let Me Go," "Baby, I Want You"]. Would you describe yourself as a ladies man?
Lee: Oh, I couldn't answer that.
Me: Well, would your bandmates describe you as a ladies man?
Lee: You'll have to call my bandmates for that one.
By this point, the phone line has icicles hanging from it. In hopes of defrosting the situation, I figure I'll tell him I grew up in Hershey, Pa., a place he's probably visited since it has the region's largest amusement park, and he was raised a couple hours away. I ease into the topic with a softball question that should lead into a chat about the joys of being from Pennsylvania, visiting Hershey Park, etc.
Me: You were born in Philly and raised in Cherry Hill [N.J.]. Were you playing music in high school?
Lee: No, playing hoops, that's my first love and what I'm into more than anything.
Me: That's cool. You played for your high school team?
Lee: Um, yeah, I was on the team.
Me: What position?
Lee: I played whatever they let me. I was a utility player.
The singer/songwriter doesn't sound too happy about having to admit that he warmed the bench back in the day. But you can't tell a scribe that hoops is your "first love" and not expect a follow-up question. I 86 offering any information about myself. We are clearly not clicking. It occasionally happens.
But I still have one more topic to address that could ease the tension before asking him the toughies. Lee has toured with Dylan and Merle Haggard, two of my all-time favorite artists. Last November, at a show in Chicago, Dylan invited Lee on stage to sing "I Shall be Released" with him and Elvis Costello.
Me: How'd that awesome, once-in-a-lifetime invitation come about?
Lee [sounding utterly unexcited]: It was the final show of the tour, and they just asked.
Me: Did Dylan ask you personally or send one of his minions?
Lee: I'm not really sure. I think I was just standing around the stage.
Me: Did you know the words to the song?
Lee [annoyed]: Yeah.
Considering the easy questions are going over like pictures of dead kittens, I figure I might as well ask the difficult ones. The book on Lee is that his superstar label mate discovered him and is responsible for his record deal.
Me: How integral was Norah Jones in getting you signed to Blue Note?
Lee: Unless you know something I don't [pause], she helped me get a national tour of the U.S. [opening for her], but I don't know the ins and outs of the record deal.
Me: Jones' longtime boyfriend/bassist Lee Alexander produced your 2005 self-titled debut album. You guys ever hang?
Lee: No. I don't hang out. I'm on the road all the time.
OK, then.
Me: You and Norah Jones have both been accused of making sleep-inducing music. What's your response to that criticism?
Lee: I'm not really sure. … Our music … It's beautiful, heartfelt.
I feel a little bad about putting him on the spot, so I follow up with an innocuous query about what he brings with him on the tour bus ("as little as possible"). And then I ask him one final question.
Me: What's the typical Amos Lee fan? Are there more women at your shows than men? That must be nice.
Lee: I don't think there is a typical fan. Lots of different people come to my shows. That's what I like.
Me: Anything else you want to add for this piece?
Lee: No.
Me: OK, have a good one.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2008.