We were as impressed as hell in December, and honestly, we were looking forward to seeing her more than we were Amos Lee. She didn’t disappoint. We were in the fourth row, dead center. And from there, the sound wasn’t great. We heard more of the lead guitar than her voice, which was all sound system because her voice is a force to be reckoned with. The sound did get better as the show went on.
There we were, dead front and center, and among the only two people standing up, dancing and singing along to every song. If you haven’t heard her music, take the time to listen. She is badass. No other word for it.
Her dad came out and played harmonica on one song. Sweet, and cool, and special. Clearly the two are exceedingly proud of one another—the way it should be.
In between her performance and Amos Lee taking the stage, Frank and I went down to the merch booth, and met her. We talked for a couple of minutes, took photos with her. I mentioned we were the two in the front . . . she told me she knew who we were. Which made us laugh and get a little embarrassed. Not that she probably meant it in a bad way.
We missed Amos Lee’s opening number, one of my favorite songs of his, but meeting her was more important at the time. While on stage, she told a story of meeting Amos Lee at his merch booth seven years prior. And now, there she was, opening for him at Red Rocks. Couldn’t help but think how cool it would be for Frank to one day say that about her. It isn’t exactly his dream, I mean, it’s probably a dream. He plays guitar, sings and writes songs all the time, he just hasn’t done anything to put a band together . . .
So back to Amos Lee, but the segue works . . . he was a school teacher. And a self-proclaimed nerd. He used to play guitar and sing, but never in front of anyone. He said he’d go sit on a rooftop in South Carolina and play. Only one guy ever came and listened, or he only let one guy—who was nerdier than he was, so it was okay. It took him several years to be confident enough to play in front of people. He went to an open mic night, and the reaction he got that night was enough to convince him he should quit his day job.
Listening to him last night I wondered how it was that so many years went by without anyone hearing that voice. He is incredibly, remarkably, extraordinarily talented. How did anyone miss that?
I have to be honest, I never thought much about Amos Lee. I like his music. Thought it was pretty good, certain songs I liked . . . but DAMN, last night changed all that. Often the way it is when fate puts you in the path of someone or something you hadn’t yet discovered only for you to be dumbfounded by how clueless you were to something so amazing for so long.
In the middle of his set, he thanked ZZ Ward. He said they stood and watched and listened to her, and then he said they were a little scared to follow her. I would’ve been too. I know this, without question, it won’t be long before she’s the headliner. All over the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment