Jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Amy Lee has been on the national/international music scene since 1990. Her newly released solo CD titled USE ME (PPM 2004) marks her 2nd solo album and contains 7 original compositio... more »ns and 3 covers including Bill Withers' "Use Me" as well as Stevie Wonder's "Too Shy To Say". USE ME is filled with feel-good songs and soulful soloing that is unique to today's "Smooth Jazz" monotony. That's because Amy's years playing with Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers and Jimmy Buffett have brought to her palette a distinctive blend of jazz, funk and storytelling which is undeniably weaved into her music and playing. Producer/engineer Steve Schwartzberg also brings his pop/R&B skills to the project having worked with such artists as Toni Braxton, TLC, and Boyz II Men. The accomplished musicians backing Amy on USE ME have recorded with hundreds of artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, David ! Sanborn, Kenny G, the Temptations, Quincy Jones, George Benson, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. The resulting instrumental jazz-pop-soul mix on USE ME is incredibly fresh and fun.« less
Jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Amy Lee has been on the national/international music scene since 1990. Her newly released solo CD titled USE ME (PPM 2004) marks her 2nd solo album and contains 7 original compositions and 3 covers including Bill Withers' "Use Me" as well as Stevie Wonder's "Too Shy To Say". USE ME is filled with feel-good songs and soulful soloing that is unique to today's "Smooth Jazz" monotony. That's because Amy's years playing with Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers and Jimmy Buffett have brought to her palette a distinctive blend of jazz, funk and storytelling which is undeniably weaved into her music and playing. Producer/engineer Steve Schwartzberg also brings his pop/R&B skills to the project having worked with such artists as Toni Braxton, TLC, and Boyz II Men. The accomplished musicians backing Amy on USE ME have recorded with hundreds of artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, David ! Sanborn, Kenny G, the Temptations, Quincy Jones, George Benson, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. The resulting instrumental jazz-pop-soul mix on USE ME is incredibly fresh and fun.
CD Reviews
A note for evanescence fans
essa nox | 07/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i was really confused until i found a review on her other cd; this amy lee isn't from evanescence - just to spare you a purchase you may not want. sorry fans of this solo artist - please know i'm not insulting this amy lee; i just want to clear up some confusement. thanx.
ps-i rated it 5 star because i haven't heard it and don't want to assume about music i haven't heard - please know my rating isn't valid."
Not Evanescence but Still good!
M. Miller | Salt Lake City, UT USA | 08/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Artist I stumbled upon while searching for Info on Evanescence. Even though it's not, I still find this cd to have many great qualities in sound and I like her style!"
Amy Lee does it again!
Lotte2014 | 01/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The sax queen has done it again! Amy Lee's Use Me is the freshest jazz album in years!! I bought Inside the Outside when it was new and wore it out.Now Im doing the same with Use Me. Brite Eyes is AMAZING.Amy plays sax and trombone on this track. Kudos,Amy for a wonderful CD!!!!"
A Sax Star is Born!
Jazz Fan | 08/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amy Lee goes above and beyond the label of "Smooth Jazz" with this CD - From the opening drum groove of "Use Me", I was hooked! With Sonny Emory on drums, how could she go wrong? Amy lays down the funk HARD on this tune before switching it up to the smooth "Across the Water", and the feel-good pop of "Coming Home". Then she blows me away with some mysterious reggae on "In the Sun". This is followed by the sexy Brazilian feel of "Traz Da Lua" with the sweet vocals of Alice Genereaux and some stunning flute work by Amy.
This CD goes on and on with high-quality grooves and surprises. If you only know Amy from her work with jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, then you owe it to yourself to check out what she can really do! In my opinion, she is on the same level as Gerald Albright, Dave Koz, Kenny G, and all those other sax dudes. I thought her first CD was quite good, but this one is absolutely stunning!!"
Thank you Amy Lee fans!! Amazon needs to know!!
Gurn B. | 02/24/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Thank you, to all you fans for clearing up the fact the this isn't the Amy Lee from Ev!
I was ready to buy it because I love her voice. However, someone needs
explain this to Amazon, too!! This cd keeps coming up in similar searches for Evanscence.
It's sad that this Amy Lee has to hear so much about the other, but I wish her luck, too."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1