Music
Press
Review by Mark Miazga:
"She plays quite often at my coffeehouse, and wows the audience every time. One thing about Lori's CD's that doesn't necessarily always come across is her very charismatic live performances. Such songs as her own compositions "Inside" (which rocks), "Shattered", and "Better Day" really take on new life live, and she's got hilarious stage banter. Her choice of covers is also remarkably good...everything from Melissa Ferrick's "Til You're Dead" to Patty Griffin's "Forgiveness" to Ani DiFranco's "Gravel" to Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" to the Indigo Girls' "Galileo" to, funnest of all, Duran Duran's "Rio". The crowd-pleaser for every show is her unique, goofy, and sexy cover of, believe it or not, "Rubber Ducky". Lori's a real charismatic performer. And that tremendous voice? It's all real." - Ectophiles Music Guide
Review of song "Start Again" from LP This Little Illusion (2005):
It speaks to that feeling of releasing umbrage, the acknowledgment that being righteous doesn't make you right, and that the litany of all the other person's supposed wrongs isn't enough to change the way you feel. The song starts out slowly and draws you in only to leave you praying that whomever it is she's singing to said yes when she pleaded, "...can we please just start again?"
- Mercury (Newport RI) - Sept 05 - By Lisa Utman Randall
"The beautiful voice of Lori Amey graced the stage with haunting tones and luscious music. If you've never heard her, she is worth finding. She has beautiful lyrics "Open my ears --That I may hear -- The voice of forgiveness -- And not of fear" A pixie face with an angelic and sultry voice and a captivating acoustic guitar that seems to sing with a soul of its own." - Live Performance Review by Marie Sultana Robinson
Revew of performance at Border’s Books and Music in Dearborn MI:
"It was amazing she was able to pull off a performance while standing, literally, in the the middle of the music store’s new release section, with only a P.A. system to spread her music throughout the store. Although many patrons were quietly shuffling through rows of merchandise as Amey began her set, the seats in front of her performance area slowly filled by those captivated by this humble yet vibrant young woman’s voice."
- Jack Lupo - THE MICHIGAN JOURNAL
Quote from review of Album, RESIGNATION: "Amey’s songs are both pleasing and thought-provoking. Rarely can you listen to something done by someone so young and hear such promise. The songs’ soul-searching qualities stand out among today’s music rotation. "
- Kristina Hughes - STATE NEWS
"....Lori Amey’s music rolls down like pouring rain, surging forward with the strength of a flash flood and playfully reflecting the streaming colors of traffic lights against a concrete canvas."
- Mark Ziemba
Quote by Jim Vickers, Summer 2005:
"If Norah Jones has a suede-smooth voice, Lori Amey smolders seductive silk. Although relocating from Michigan to Newport in 2001, and now residing in Bristol only a few years ago, Amey was the top vote-getter of any category. That means she garnered more votes than U2 and Green Day after being in the area for four years."
- MOTIF Magazine (Rhode Island)
Discography
Nothing to Say (LP) 1998 LEEMA Records
Resignation (LP) 1999 LEEMA Records
Always (EP) 2001 LEEMA Records
NEWLY RELEASED: This Little Illusion (LP) 2005 LEEMA Records
Photos
Bio
Lori Amey evokes common experiences and emotions, deeming her music approachable and a cavalcade of sincerity and sensibility. Her stage presence is effusive and sprite in the folkful way songs, stories and thoughts are conveyed but with a devious grin. Lori's song material speaks to an audience that has moments of helplessness and hurt, scoffs at modern day events, and yet looks forward with hope. Most impressive is the way in which she is able to weave a wide assortment of influences, ranging from Radiohead to Diana Krall, into a simple and mystical tapestry of sound, which she has appropriately deemed as “Limitless Acoustic Rock.”
More recently Lori has received vast amounts of praise from RI Press for her captivating performances and recent release of THIS LITTLE ILLUSION, her 4th CD release and 3rd LP. Lori's shows have primarily consisted of solely her voice and acoustic guitar; however, fans can now catch her playing along with a group of amazingly talented musicians - Lee Sylvestre (Electric Guitar), Dan Prindle (bass), Tony Parlapiano (Keys/Organ/Bass) and Bryan Kelly (drums). Lori continues to play for and dazzle listeners in prestigious venues throughout RI, CT, NY and MA, but fans from her home state of MI and regionally in the midwest will find that she returns each year - and anxiously await!
Lori has shared bills with National acts such as:
- Sarah McLachlan (Lilith Fair)
-Indigo Girls (Lilith Fair)
-Bonnie Raitt (Lilith Fair)
-Sinead O'Connor (Lilith Fair)
-Natalie Merchant (Lilith Fair)
-Duncan Sheik (Michigan State University show)
-Melissa Ferrick (Common Ground, Michigan State University)
-Pamela Means (Common Ground, Michigan State University)
-Jonatha Brooke (7th House, Pontiac MI)
-Joe Henry (7th House, Pontiac MI)
-Patty Griffin (The Ark, Ann Arbor MI)
-Richard Buckner (The Ark, Ann Arbor MI)
-Alice Peacock (The Ark, Ann Arbor MI)
-Jeffrey Gaines (The Ark, Ann Arbor MI)
-Over The Rhine (Magic Bag, Ferndale MI)
AWARDS/RECOGNITION:
-Won Local Artist Acoustic showcase for 1998 Lilith Fair Tour in Clarkston MI
-Rhode Island's Best Female Vocalist via MOTIF Magazine's 2005 readers' poll
-Nominated for RI's Best Female Vocalist and Singer/Songwriter via MOTIF Magazine's 2006 readers' poll
-Nominated for RI's Best Female Vocalist via PROVIDENCE PHOENIX'S 2006 readers' poll
-Selected as First Alternate Performer for the 2006 NEMO Festival in Boston
-Chosen as 1 of 30 Regional artists (among thousands of submissions) to perform in the NEMO Boston Songwriting Competition
-Chosen as one of 2 regional Northeast finalists (1 of 10 finalists nationally!) in the "Soul City Cafe" talent search to be the opening act for Jewel's 2003 tour
COLLEGES PLAYED
-Michigan State University (E. Lansing MI)
-Olivet College (Olivet MI)
-Columbia College (Chicago IL)
-Salve Regina University (Newport RI)
NORTHEAST VENUES
-Pete's Candy Store (Brooklyn, NY)
-Pianos (New York, NY)
-C-Note (New York, NY)
-Sutra Lounge (New York, NY)
-The Baggot Inn (New York, NY)
-Columbus Theater (Providence, RI)
-Empire Tea & Coffee (Newport, RI)
-The AREA Venue (Newport, RI)
-AS220 (Providence, RI)
-Cafe Tazza (Providence, RI)
-West Side Arts Center (Providence, RI)
-Coffee Depot (Warren, RI)
-Madhouse Cafe (Pawtucket RI)
-Brewed Awakenings (N. Kingston, RI)
-Courthouse Center for the Arts (N Kingston, RI)
-True Brew Cafe (Wakefield RI)
-Perks & Corks (Westerly RI)
-Wickford Gourmet (Wickford RI)
-Pulse (Providence, RI)
-The Space (Hamden CT)
-Rathskellar's Lounge (Southbury, CT)
-Main Pub (Manchester, CT)
-Jimmy's Seaside (Stamford, CT)
-Victoria Station Cafe (Putnam, CT)
-Paradise Lounge (Boston MA)
-Harpers Ferry (Allston, MA)
-Lizard Lounge (Cambridge MA)
-Skybar (Somerville, MA)
-Abbey Lounge (Somerville, MA)
-All Asia (Cambridge, MA)
-Narrow Center for the Arts (Fall River, MA)
-Water Street Cafe (Fall River, MA)
POPULAR MIDWEST VENUES:
-The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)
-Pine Knob (aka DTE Energy Center, Clarkston MI)
-7th House (Pontiac, MI)
-Magic Bag (Ferndale, MI)
-Common Ground (Michigan State University)
-Uncommon Ground (Chicago, IL)
-Heartland Cafe (Chicago, IL)
-Soma Cofee House (Bloomington, IN)
FESTIVALS:
-Arts, Beats, and Eats (Pontiac, MI)
-Detroit International Music Festival (Detroit, MI)
-East Lansing Folk Festival (East Lansing, MI)
-Apple and Eve Festival (Rochester, MI)
-RI Sustainable Living Festival (Coventry, RI)
Links
