In 2020 Sam Lee released ‘Old Wow’, which David Weir called “his quintessential act of resistance” and “his most direct, urgent and moving record to date.” As mentioned in that review, the album’s title came about while Sam was on a two-day vision quest on a Scottish mountainside. Caught in an existential bind, Sam describes what happened next:
“A buzzard came swooping down and screeched right over my head then circled above me for some while sounding down onto me. At that moment I felt the presence and reassurance of this magical power and suddenly at that moment the name appeared, Old Wow, and I’ve held onto it ever since.”
The album has lost none of its potency or urgency…if anything, those messages have taken on greater urgency. Sixteen months after release, ‘Old Wow’ is being revisited and reissued today (24th September 2021) as ‘Old Wow+‘. The album features six bonus tracks. They include two songs recorded in Stonehenge, two live tracks and two Singing With Nightingales recordings.
He has today shared the accompanying video for John Barleycorn recorded at Stonehenge. Don’t miss his October/November Album Tour Dates (details below):
Stream/order here Old Wow+: https://SLee.lnk.to/oldwowplus
Sam Lee – Old Wow+ / UK TOUR 2021
13 October Norwich Arts Centre NORWICH
14 October Firth Hall, University of Sheffield SHEFFIELD
17 October Trades Club HEBDEN BRIDGE
18 October Storyhouse CHESTER
20 October St Georges Hall BRISTOL
21 October Turner Sims SOUTHAMPTON
23 October RNCM Theatre (matinee 2pm) MANCHESTER
(part of Manchester Folk Festival)
24 October More Music MORECAMBE
25 October Colchester Arts Centre COLCHESTER
31 October Sub Rooms STROUD
02 November The Old Market BRIGHTON
04 November St Mary's Church TOTNES
05 November Pound Arts Centre CORSHAM
06 November St Paul's Church BIRMINGHAM
07 November Goldmark Gallery UPPINGHAM
11 November Union Chapel LONDON
25 November Gosforth Civic Theatre NEWCASTLE
26 November Tolbooth STIRLING
27 November GUU (Glasgow University Union) GLASGOW
More here: http://samleesong.co.uk/