Amos Lee performed “Windows Are Rolled Down” on The Tonight Show last night. Check out the video below. Amos will be on World Cafe tomorrow with David Dye—and, in case you missed the concert he performed at WXPN’s Free At Noon in December, you can listen to it here.
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Amos Lee on The Tonight Show
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Amos Lee on World Cafe and The Ellen Degeneres Show
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Amos Lee: Always No. 1 in our hearts, but now officially No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, too
Enjoying the view from the top of the world
Finally, the rest of the world has acknowledged what fans of the Philly-based singer-songwriter have been posting in online forums and comments sections since well before his latest album dropped on January 25th: “AMOS LEE IS 1000% AWESOME!,” “HE WRITES AMAZING, INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC!,” and “OMG I <3 AMOS, LOLZ!!!” Or something to that effect.
Here it is, folks: sweet, sweet vindication, straight from Blue Note Records‘ press release:
Mission Bell, the fourth album from Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart this week, earning the Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter the highest chart position and best sales week of his career.
Amos Lee’s Mission Bell first-week total sales of 40,478 represent a personal high for Lee, whose previous high through three albums was 16k.
Mission Bell also debuted at No. 1 on the Digital Albums and No. 2 on the Internet chart after topping both the iTunes and Amazon Top-Selling Albums charts at various points during the past week.
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Amos Lee’s No. 1 Billboard Top 200 album is…the worst-selling No. 1 Billboard album in history
Oof. That’ll take a little bit of the wind out of your sails.
Just yesterday, we were congratulating Philly’s own Amos Lee—whose latest LP, Mission Bell, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. (As his label, Blue Note Records, mentioned in a press release, Mission Bell “earn[ed] the Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter the highest chart position and best sales week of his career.”) Coincidentally, it was only a couple of weeks ago that we chortled a bit while posting a link to an article with the headline “Cake’s chart-topping album represents new bottom for the record industry.” (“Haha, look at Cake, with his paltry 44,000 copies of Showroom Of Compassion sold,” we thought at the time.)
Well, not to burst anyone’s bubble, but—as The New York Times has pointed out—Amos officially broke Cake’s record, having sold only 40,478 copies of Mission Bell in its first week (according to Nielsen Soundscan). The good news? Amos Lee is STILL NUMBER ONE! The bad news is that he’s number one on the list of worst-selling Billboard Top 200 albums since the industry started keeping track of that kind of thing 20 years ago.
You know what? We’re just going to chalk this one up to the ever-declining state of the record industry. And we sincerely doubt Amos is going lose any sleep over selling more than 40,000 copies (and counting) of his new album. As the folks over at The Swollen Fox noted, “Mission Bell is his first #1 album and shows a tremendous jump from the 16,000 copies and #29 ranking from his previous effort, Last Days At The Lodge. I also doubt that the record will be held by Lee for too long, as record sales continue to plummet week-by-week.”
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Phily’s Amos Lee, Man Man, and Chiddy Bang to perform at that big festival thing you aren’t going to in June
Oh yeah, Bonnaroo! That four-day camping-and-music festival that you’d, like, totally go to—if only it wasn’t in Tennessee, it didn’t cost $224 (plus fees) for a full pass, you couldn’t see most of the bands at your own leisurely pace whenever they come through town, and you weren’t too busy talking about why you weren’t going to Coachella and All Tomorrow’s Parties. Well, now you can add Philadelphia’s own Amos Lee, Man Man, and Chiddy Bang to the list of performing acts you’d check out if you had any inclination whatsoever to go to Bonnaroo—which you don’t.
As you’re probably already aware, “The 2011 event marks the 10th year for the legendary festival, which began in 2002 as a remarkable idea to serve a passionate yet underappreciated and overlooked fanbase, and ended up becoming the premier multi-day concert destination of the summer whose dynamic and eclectic programming paved the way for the age of the great American music festival.” At least, that’s what the press release says. But when you’ve got the words “legendary,” “remarkable,” “premier,” “dynamic,” and “eclectic” all in the same sentence, you know it has to be something truly special.
Even better, “This years lineup is yet another fine example of the incomparable eclecticism for which Bonnaroo has become famous.” (Wait a minute, didn’t they already kind of use the word “eclectic”? Oh well.) The eclectic mix of incomparable acts includes Arcade Fire, Mumford And Sons, The Black Keys, The Strokes, Best Coast, Gogol Bordello, Scissor Sisters, Robyn, Ratatat, Sleigh Bells, !!!, Cold War Kids, Freelance Whales, Twin Shadow, Neon Kids, and more. Comparatively speaking, you simply can’t compare that list of bands to anything—unless you’re comparing it to Coachella’s lineup, in which case all of those bands are playing both festivals.
Photo by ellsbells
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Listen to Amos Lee on World Cafe with David Dye
Even more listening material featuring Philly-based musicians on NPR Music: This time, it’s Amos Lee, who performed live and spoke with WXPN’s own David Dye in a recent episode of World Cafe.
An elementary school teacher turned musician, Philadelphia’s Amos Lee takes his inspiration from the soul and folk artists of the ’70s, including John Prine, Neil Young, James Taylor and Bill Withers.
Last Days at the Lodge came out in 2008, and reception for its alt-folk sound was enthusiastic. Lee took the feedback and brought together a standout list of people and music for his newest album, Mission Bell, released this week. The album features Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown and Calexico as guests.
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Josh Ritter to perform at benefit concert for WXPN’s Musicians On Call program this Sunday
Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter will perform a a solo acoustic set this Sunday during a WXPN Musicians On Call benefit concert. The 7th annual benefit, hosted by WXPN’s mid-day host Helen Leicht, will feature an in-the-round performance with local openers Lizanne Knott, Suzie Brown, Scot Sax and Kuf Knotz.
WXPN Musicians On Call is a non-profit initiative that brings musicians to local hospitals to perform at patients’ bedsides. Since 2004, the program has touched the lives of more than 30,000 patients and their families in healthcare facilities throughout the Philadelphia region. The program includes 135 volunteer musicians and 38 volunteer guides who have regularly participated in the program by providing weekly performances for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania, Our Lady Of Lourdes Medical Center, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. In addition to live music, the program also provides local hospitals with CD Pharmacies featuring a CD listening library and CD players for patients’ use. This past January, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children was added to the participating hospitals, bringing the total to six.
In addition to bedside visits, another element of the Musicians On Call program is an initiative called Project Playback. Local musician Scot Sax—who will perform on Sunday night—has been working with a group of long-term residents at the Philadelphia Veterans Medical Center to write and produce a song that will be recorded for a CD. WXPN’s Helen Leicht, who has attended some of these sessions says “What Scot is doing is very moving and emotional to watch. He’s working with folks who have dedicated their lives to our country and are missing limbs, vision, and in many cases their ability to communicate and mentally function. But when Scot starts a song, you see these patients start to react and move to the music. You can really see and feel the emotional connection and impact of how music can touch people through Project Playback.”
The 7th Annual Musicians On Call Benefit Concert featuring Josh Ritter, Lizanne Knott, Suzie Brown, Scot Sax, and Kuf Knotz begins at 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live; tickets to the all-ages show are $25. Proceeds benefit WXPN Musicians On Call.
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Tonight’s Concert Pick: Amos Lee and The Secret Sisters at Merriam Theater
The good news? Amos Lee is taking a little time away from his busy out-of-town performance schedule to play a show right here in his hometown—and, this time, he’s got The Secret Sisters (whose last area performance was postponed) opening for him. The bad news? The show is sold out. There’s a real surprise! WXPN Welcomes Amos Lee and The Secret Sisters at 8 p.m. at Merriam Theater; tickets to the show are SOLD OUT.
Also playing: Morning Teleportation + Nico’s Gun, Faux Slang at Johnny Brenda’s (9 p.m., 21+, $10)
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Dave Matthews Band Caravan daily lineup announced; single-day tickets go on sale this Friday, May 13th
This Friday, May 13, at 10 a.m., single-day tickets go on sale for the Dave Matthews Band Caravan at Atlantic City’s Bader Field on June 24-26. Tickets can be purchased here or by phone at 1-800-594-TIXX. The daily lineup is as follows:
Friday, June 24
Dave Matthews Band, Ray LaMontagne, The Flaming Lips, G. Love And Special Sauce, Lotus, Rebelution, The Head And The Heart, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Delta Spirit, Mariachi El Bronx, TR3, Jeff Coffin Mu’tet, David Ryan Harris
Saturday, June 25
Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., Damian Marley, Thievery Corporation, Warren Haynes Band, Guster, Lisa Hannigan, Punch Brothers, From Good Homes, The Budos Band, Vusi Mahlasela, Bobby Long, Tangiers Blues Band, plus a special performance by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
Sunday, June 26
Dave Matthews Band, David Gray, Bassnectar, Amos Lee, Dr. Dog, Michael Franti And Spearhead, Grace Potter And The Nocturnals, Fitz And The Tantrums, Big Gigantic, Dawes, Alberta Cross, Sarah White, Ilo Ferreira, plus a special performance by Carter Beauford
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“Mothers On Musicians” Part 1: Helen Leicht interviews Kuf Knotz’s mom, Sylvia Thornton
Left: Kuf Knotz and his cousins (courtesy of the family). Right: Kuf with his mother, Sylvia Thornton (photo by Helen Leicht)
In honor of Mother’s Day, XPN Middays host Helen Leicht has launched a five-part series called “M.O.M.s: Mothers On Musicians.” Helen spoke with the mothers of local musicians, including Amos Lee, Kuf Knotz, Mutlu, Brian Kenneth Anderson (of Fooling April) and Matt Duke. The first interview is with Sylvia Thornton, Kuf Knotz’s mom; you can listen to it here (and watch the video below). New interviews will be posted on The Key each Wednesday (after they have aired on XPN Local With Helen Leicht on Tuesday night).
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Watch Amos Lee’s new video for “Flower”
Via Amos’ Facebook page:
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“Mothers On Musicians” Part 5: Helen Leicht talks with Amos Lee’s mom Loretta Pollock
Last month, in honor of Mother’s Day, XPN Midday and Philly Local host Helen Leicht launched a series called “M.O.M.s: Mothers On Musicians.” You can listen to the interviews Helen did with the mothers of Kuf Knotz, Mutlu, Brian Kenneth (of Fooling April), and Matt Duke here. Today is the last installment of the series, and features Helen’s interview with Amos Lee’s mom, Loretta Pollock. Click here to listen.
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Listen to Amos Lee’s performance at Mountain Stage
Via NPR Music:
Neo-soul singer-songwriter Amos Lee makes his third visit to Mountain Stage to play songs from his new album Mission Bell before an enthusiastic sold-out audience in Charleston, W. Va. Influenced by 70′s soul of Bill Withers and folk singers like James Taylor, Lee eventually left his job an elementary school teacher to peruse songwriting full-time. After a series of high-profile opening performances for Norah Jones, Lee released his self-titled debut album on Blue Note in 2005, which was produced by Jones’ bassist Lee Alexander. For Mission Bell, which features cameos by Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson, Amos Lee enlisted the help of Calexico’s Joey Burns to produce.
With a seven-piece band that includes longtime drummer Fred Berman, keyboard player Jaron Olevsky, electric guitarist Zach Djanikian, pedail steel, banjo and electric guitar by Andy Keenan, bassist Vicente Archer and backing vocals by Mutlu Onaral and Alecia Chakour, Lee showcases his unmistakable voice and penchant for a groove.
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Listen to Amos Lee from the Newport Folk Festival
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Pre-sale tickets to Amos Lee’s Nov. 5th performance at the Academy Of Music are already sold out
Just the other day, WXPN favorite Amos Lee announced that a November 5th show at Philadelphia’s Academy Of Music had been added to his upcoming U.S. tour. As The Swollen Fox mentioned, a fan pre-sale went up at 10 a.m. yesterday morning via AmosLee.com; however, all of those tickets are already sold out, according to the site. Tickets will become available to the general public through the Kimmel Center’s website this Friday at noon.
In the meantime, you can check out this video of Lee’s great cover of Neil Young’s “Are You Ready For The Country,” which he performed at this year’s Jazz Fest New Orleans.
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This weekend: live broadcasts of the World Cafe 20th anniversary tribute concerts featuring Feist, Amos Lee, Dawes, Indigo Girls and more
Photo of Amos Lee by Harper Smith
This weekend WXPN is broadcasting all three World Cafe 20th anniversary shows. Friday night’s live broadcast starts at 7 p.m. with The Little Willies (featuring Lee Alexander, Jim Campilongo, Norah Jones, Richard Julian and Dan Rieser), Indigo Girls and John Hiatt. Saturday evening’s broadcast starts at 7 p.m. with Dawes, a very special guest and Feist. Sunday’s Campaign for the Music Party broadcast with Amos Lee, Rhett Miller, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks begins broadcasting at 1:30 p.m. All the shows are being broadcast live from World Cafe Live. For tickets and more information click here.
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This Weekend: World Cafe 20th Anniversary performances featuring John Hiatt, Indigo Girls, Dawes, Feist, Lucinda Williams, Amos Lee, and more
Indigo Girls
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28th
John Hiatt + Indigo Girls, The Little Willies at World Cafe Live (6 p.m., $95–$190)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29th
It has been four years since Feist won our hearts with her Apple-approved, quirky tunes on her breakthrough album, The Reminder. Though her recently released follow up, Metals, still features the Canadian singer’s watery vocals and emphasis on guitar strumming, her latest album offers a more serious tone than the poppy cheer of songs like “1 2 3 4” and “I Feel It All.” Instead, Metals delves into more musical explosions that turn on the listener amidst the artist’s expected soft guitar picking. Tracks like “Comfort Me” introduce sudden chorus chanting after two minutes of quiet singing, while the aptly titled “A Commotion” features a fast-paced battle between strings and piano with the sudden shout of the song’s title by an angry-sounding group of men. Though much of Feist’s new material has a heavier flavor—both in lyrical content and through instrumental diversity—you can still bet she’d be able to sell a whole other batch iPod Nanos with her radio-friendly charm. Feist performs with Dawes, Lucinda Williams, and a surprise guest at World Cafe Live; tickets to the all-ages show are $100-$200. —Marielle Mondon
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30th
Campaign For The Music Party with Amos Lee + Rhett Miller, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks at World Cafe Live ($500 or larger donation to WXPN’s Campaign For The Music)
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Photo Recap: World Cafe‘s 20th Anniversary concerts (feat. Dawes, Mumford And Sons, Feist, Rhett Miller, and more)
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Listen to Amos Lee’s performance at the World Cafe 20th Anniversary concert at World Cafe Live
Photo by Doug Seymour
You can listen to the entire performance here via WXPN’s media player.
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Listen to Amos Lee’s performance at the World Cafe 20th Anniversary Celebration
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- Photo by Doug Seymour
You can listen to Amos Lee’s performance in its entirety here.
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