With guests of the calibre of Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Calexico and Iron And Wine’s Sam Beam, you can assume the fourth album from this Philadelphia singer-songwriter is going to be pretty damn good. And with Calexico’s Joey Burns behind the producer’s console the chances are even higher.
A quick spin reveals Mission Bell – a skilful blend of soulful country, folk-rock and widescreen Americana – to be all of the above and then some. From the opening ballad, ‘El Camino’, a country-folk tune in a Kris Kristofferson mode, to the Springsteen-esque ‘Flower’ and the Gospel-soul of ‘Jesus’, it’s clear that Lee is steeped in the classic American songwriting tradition.
‘Stay With Me’ is an atmospheric slow-burner that smoulders with barely-restrained intensity. Lee changes tack on ‘Hello Again’, which sounds like Stevie Wonder-meets-Los Lobos in a Texas honky-tonk. Speaking of Texas, the incomparable Lucinda Williams lends her distinctive vocals to the stripped down ‘Clear Blue Eyes’, her lived-in harmonies and world-weary persona enhancing an already great song. Meanwhile, the gently rolling rhythms of ‘Cup of Sorrow‘ recalls JJ Cale’s trademark brand of country-blues, while ‘Out In The Cold’ finds Lee back in Springsteen mode, on a song that echoes the Boss’ Nebraska-era ‘Youngstown’ and his ‘90s back-to-basics song, ’Ghost of Tom Joad’. Other highlights include ‘Violin’ (featuring the aforementioned Sam Beam) and closer ‘Behind Me Now/El Camino Reprise’, featuring Willie Nelson.
Compelling stuff.