Search - Chris Lee :: Plays & Sings Torch'd Songs

Chris Lee has THE POWER

Nick Eff | St. Paul MN or Olympia WA seasonally. | 02/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chris Lee performed at my college last Sunday (2/24/02). I went with no prior knowledge of just who this guy was, although the posters indicated that it was going to be an acoustic show of some persuasion or another. After the opening act (an alumnus of our school) finished, Lee took the chair. After about 7 seconds of just his guitar, all rustling and moving in seats just CEASED. And then he started singing. Good lord. I'll just be brief - Chris Lee has THE POWER. That element posessed by (or posessing?) the greatest of the folk-acoustic acts, that makes it seem like the guitar and voice are as one, and can mold the emotions of an audience almost without effort. The arrangements on this record (which I bought from him at the end of the show) are more complex than what he showcased in his live show, featuring a horn section and more, but you can still feel every heartbreak, every melancholy moment, and every joy. Chris Lee is GOOD. If you like folk ballads with slight country overtones and have $(...) in your pocket, you should treat yourself to this album. (Although admittedly, the liner doesn't smell as nice as the other CD I bought this week [Great Big Sea's newest] did.)Oh, and incidentally, the cat on the cover of Lee's first album is Spanish."

The son of Dan Penn, Al Green & Jeff Buckley

Nick Eff | 10/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If the memphis-horn-driven ballad "Lonesome Eyes" doesn't hook you straight away, then there's something wrong with you. Lee continues to expand his musical range and band dynamic (Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley guest stars and co-produces) while never loosing sight of his pop/soul/rock goals. Throw in six more great original songs and a Neil Young cover, and you've got yourself a great album."