Won't Let Me Go

Last week my main squeeze took me to see one of my favorite artists, Amos Lee. I became an Amos follower back in '05 after I randomly stumbled onto his website and listened to a few tracks. It took about three seconds to hook me. Amos is soul. His voice grabs me and doesn't let go. Seriously. It creeps into my ears, sinks into my brain, heart, bones, gut, spirit and causes my body to react. Now, that's good music, y'all.

I'd never seen him live, but have wanted to since I discovered him. When I told Brad Amos had a tour date here, he surprised me with tickets. I was beyond thrilled. Even Grace was excited for me. She knows about me and Amos, and enjoys him herself. A good indication of how often I listen to someone is if Grace recognizes the music. Grace knows almost every Amos song word for word. Yeah, because I'm raising her right, that's why.

Amos Lee's songwriting is just as captivating as his voice. His folk-soul style is what I dig the most, and his lyrics are relevant and irresistibly poetic. An amazing musician himself; he put together a three-man band that intensifies his styles and communicates the mood and feel of his songs perfectly. I appreciate something new every time I listen to him, and I was jumping out of my skin anticipating seeing him do it all right before my eyes.

He blew my mind. Living, breathing art.

He must have played near twenty songs. Brad is a sound engineer, and works for the company that was mixing Amos that night. We arrived early enough to a) go back and talk to Brad's friend who was mixing where I got a peek at his extensive set list, and b) get close enough to the front so that I could see every expression on his face and every note he played on his guitar. We were about 18-20 feet from the stage. Brad wouldn't let us get any closer because, "If you get too close you will lose the sound quality and something about high-ends and not the right mix and no front of house speakers and blah blah blah..." Okay. I guess that's not a direct quote. But, regardless, we ended up in the perfect spot.

Quick side note: The guy who opened up for him is named Mutlu. Funny name. Serious musician. He was fantastic, too. Check him out.

Amos hit the stage and opened with Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight, and my heart was pounding almost as loud as the bass drum. He seems to be a shy guy, and would probably have lurked in the shadows if the lights hadn't been so bright, but he still has a strong enough stage presence that I couldn't take my eyes off him. He didn't talk much at all; instead easily moving from song to song and keeping the show about the music, not about him. He used to be an elementary school teacher, and though I'm sorry our education system lost one, I'm glad he chose a different path. He sang and played straight from his heart with conviction and true artistry. The entire 90 minutes, I was completely engaged.

I've been to a lot of incredible shows: Pink Floyd, Rush, and recently Maroon 5 and Counting Crows. My top two favorite shows of all time were Ben Harper at the Austin City Limits Festival and Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God Tour. Amos has topped them all. I was captivated, moved, and left wanting more. Rarely am I disappointed at a show's end, because by the time it's over I've had my fill and am ready to get home and give my ears a rest. Not this time. It was a long show and I could have watched him do it all again right then and there. I wish I could convey how incredible his voice is live. And, his organist. Oh my goodness. That man infused songs with a gospel tone that literally made me laugh out loud at times. He was just that good. I wonder if I could get him to play at my wedding...

If you ever get the chance, go see him. If not, at least buy an album (or three.) Especially if you're into folk-soul-sprinkled-with-bluesy-gospelish-jazzy-acoustic-southerny-rockin-funk-stuff. (That should totally be an iTunes genre.)

To my sweet Brad, thank you. This was a wonderful gift and I wouldn't have wanted to be there with anyone but you.

Now, I gotta run and wash my Amos Lee concert souvenir t-shirt again so that I can wear it for the fifth time this week.