Mission Bell

Amos Lee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B0044V0B1O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,345 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Miscellaneous

Editorial Reviews

2011 release from the singer/songwriter, his fourth album for Blue Note Records, and his richest and most fully-formed album to date. Mission Bell, which was produced by Joey Burns of the acclaimed band Calexico, displays both range and cohesion, an array of emotions unified by Lee's eclectic taste and distinctive vocals. With a remarkable set of guests (including Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Iron & Wine's Sam Beam, Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown, and James Gadson) and the musical backing of Calexico, the album marks the arrival of Amos Lee as a mature artist who continues to explore his musical and thematic interests.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this Guy February 24, 2011

By Focker

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

So back a few years ago, I'm watching this chick flick with Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon. I don't recall the name of it, but it was the one where she was a ghost or something and he bought her old apartment. Who knows. Anyway, about 2/3 of the way through the movie, this song is playing that I find myself really enjoying. After disregarding the remainder of the film, I paid attention to the credits until I saw the listing for a song that seemed to resemble the lyrics I'd heard. There it was - "Colors", performed by Amos Lee. Amos Lee? Never heard of the guy. The next day, I headed out to a nearby Borders and found his self-titled first album. I figured what would happen would be the same thing that always happens...I love one, maybe two tracks off a CD and don't really care for the rest. Well, as I drove home I found myself really connecting with song after song. Before I knew it, I had reached the end. As much as I loved colors, I found myself moved even more by a few of the other tracks - particularly "Arms of a Woman".

Well, it's now several years later and Amos Lee has become my favorite musician ever...I've seen him play locally to a packed Variety Playhouse here in Atlanta, and I've certainly purchased each of his four albums. My favorite is still Supply and Demand, but Mission Bell is another wonderful effort. It's been a while since this happened, but I had a very emotional reaction when I first heard "Violin". This is truly a beautiful song. I wanted to know a little more about the inspiration behind it, and I found an NPR clipping where Amos talks about it. He said that he wrote it a year ago during a very cold January. He was feeling somewhat isolated at the time, had been a while since he'd been in a relationship, etc.

I hope my boy Amos is making beautiful music for many years to come.

50 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Intimate And Expansive Sounding Album". January 25, 2011

By M. Mariba TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

This is a very intimate, yet expansive sounding CD release by the talented native of Philadelphia (PA) singer-songwriter Amos Lee, titled 'Mission Bell". This excellent CD release is the fourth album by the talented musician inspired by soul great artists including Stevie Wonder & Bill Withers. Amos Lee describes this album as an expression of Love, Loss (he recently lost his grandfather, inspiring him to write the great track "Jesus") & Hope. He expresses these in a great soulful voice. Wonderful tracks include "Flower", "Clear Blue Eyes" (a great folk-soul track featuring the great Lucinda Williams), "El Camino", "Violin" & "Learned A Lot". In the track "Jesus", he sings about the loss of his grandfather (song written the day he died), pleading "Oh, Jesus, can you help me now, 'cause I've never felt so alone). The great folk-soul/blues rock expansive sound of this great album is credited to Joey Burns (the producer). There is no weak track on this album to really talk of. On overall, this is a fantastic CD release by the talented singer-songwriter, Amos Lee, a highly recommended CD listening.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Talent! May 25, 2011

By BookAddict VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have a *mild* obsession with music and own a vast, eclectic collection of albums and CDs. No doubt there are a lot of great artists. But now and then a singer manages to crawl under my skin and raise goosebumps from the soul. Amos Lee is one of those artists. He offers listeners naked emotion with each word he sings. He has great vocal range and the ability to capture me equally with his power and his whispers.

Amos Lee is also one of those rare singers who is even better live than on a recording. If you ever get the chance to see him perform, don't hesitate.