A concert bill that includes both Lucinda Williams and Amos Lee is a musical treat. The event is even more exciting onsidering that Williams just released the widely-acclaimed, “Blessed” and Lee has released his own powerhouse album, “Mission Bells.”
“I learned a great deal,” said the Philadelphia-based Lee of working with Williams, Willie Nelson, Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam and the other guests on his latest release. “I don’t necessarily feel intimidated musically, I just try to go in with a respectful mindset feeling that I can hold my own.”
| Onstage |
| Lucinda Williams and Amos Lee |
| When: 8 p.m. Tuesday |
| Where: Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Art, Filene Center, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna |
| Info: $25 to $75; 1-877-WOLFTRAP;wolftrap.org |
Clearly that’s true. Lee’s latest album has also won him critical kudos and boosted his fan base as evidenced by soldout solo shows earlier this year.
Of course Williams, who has been a revered singer-songwriter for decades and wrote many beloved songs, is a musical giant who has become even more revered since her latest release. Major name critics have called her new album possibly the best she’s ever released.
“It has just grown exponentially,” said Williams of the title song that has spawned what will likely become a full-length documentary. “It’s a very exciting time for me.”
But also, a very relaxed time. Williams recently married Tom Overby, the man who is her business partner, best friend, soulmate, and the person with whom she developed a personal relationship for which she’s “waited my entire adult life.”
That serenity has allowed Williams to let her creativity flow as never before.
That’s saying something considering the multiple Grammy Award winning Williams’ incredible reach in the music world. Not only have her songs won her Grammys and other awards but they’ve influenced a generation of songwriters including Lee.
Whatever this tour holds, though, Lee is convinced that collaborations not only strengthen his musical arsenal but also spur a whirlwind of musical ideas. For that reason, he hopes to work with more musicians as he moves ahead.
“When I’m recording, I generally am not listening to too much [music by other artists],” he said noting he did when recording “Mission Bells.” “This time I listened to a lot of Lucinda, Al Green and Arthur Russell….I hope to do more collaborative work with other bands and other artists. When I take their unique visions and meld them with my own, it’s incredible.”
