New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Critically acclaimed American roots artist The Reverend Shawn Amos has released his new album The Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down. Amos says that the album is meant to "remind of us our commonality and our brotherhood. I've been listening to a lot of music from the Staples Singers, Freedom Singers, and other '60s blues, folk and gospel acts.
Music meant to stir our conscience. We're living in similar times; we need songs to help us stand up." The album has already generated wide acclaim from outlets including Elmore Magazine, KPCC, WNYC Soundcheck, American Blues Scene, The Alternate Root, and more.
On
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Amos shared the track "(We've Got To) Come Together" via Popmatters. A celebration of the resonant message of Dr. King, the song serves as both a rallying cry for unity during tumultuous times as well as a mission statement for the album. "We recorded it in Memphis, TN in the shadow of Dr. King. It's a call to listen to our better angels," write Amos. "Such a simple statement yet so seemingly difficult to put into action. Like Dr. King says, 'I'm sticking with love because hate's too big a burden to bear.' Amen!"
The Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks It Down is built around a series of what Amos calls "21st century freedom songs," inspired by the gospel-born protest songs of the 1960s American civil rights movement. The album was recorded in Memphis' Royal Studios with surviving members of Al Green's lauded 1970s rhythm section, and also features vocals from Memphis-based vocal group, The Masqueraders.
Amos also recently released an animated lyric video for the poignant and timely song "2017" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icGbmx-LQO8
Watch the music video for "Ain't Gonna Name Names" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icGbmx-LQO8
Shawn Amos has been featured on NPR's Weekend Edition and SCPR's "
Take Two" radio programs, and has received accolades from Relix, Purevolume, Elmore, Top40-Charts, and others. He has performed as a live musical guest on Good Day New York, ABC News, and SiriusXM's Bluesville. He also turned in a must-see studio performance for Classicalite.
His previous record The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You reached #2 on
Roots Music Report's Contemporary Blues Album Chart, and was produced by 2x Grammy nominee, Mindi Abair.
