Amos Lee’s new moon rises over Bend

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 9, 2018

Philadelphia songwriter Amos Lee has always combined genres within what could collectively be called “roots music” — i.e. country, folk, soul, etc. — and added in his own vocal and lyrical flair. It’s a formula that has caught the attention of artists such as Norah Jones, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, and landed him his first — and to date, only — Billboard 200 No. 1 album with 2011’s “Mission Bell.” Since that breakout, Lee, born Ryan Anthony Massaro, has pushed himself to a different edge of his musical equation with each release, from the psych-country leanings of 2013’s “Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song,” to the heavy neo-soul of 2016’s “Spirit.” He’s currently touring in support of upcoming seventh studio album “My New Moon,” due out Aug. 31, and will return to Les Schwab Amphitheater on Thursday. And judging from the two singles released so far — “Hang On, Hang On,” a touching tribute to Lee’s grandmother, and the African-influenced groover “No More Darkness, No More Light,” written in response to the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida — Lee is as musically and lyrically restless as ever.

Amos Lee, with Bailen: 6:30 p.m. Thursday; $59 for reserved seating or $39 for general admission plus fees; Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Drive, Bend; bendconcerts.com or 541-312-8510.

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