The album is a collection of reworked folksongs, arranged and sung by Amidon, accompanying himself on guitar and banjo, with a band consisting of Bill Frisell, Shahzad Ismaily and Chris Vatalaro.

Starting in 2011, Frisell and Amidon collaborated in an array of contexts, starting with Amidon's appearing as a guest with Frisell's Beautiful Dreamers Trio in Ludwigsburg, Germany;[11] a brief duo tour of the Northeastern US by the two musicians;[12] and a concert by Frisell featuring Amidon, jazz pianist Jason Moran, and singer Alicia Hall Moran at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

[14] All Music Guide stated that Lily-O may be the finest hour of Amidon's well-refined approach to the seemingly endless well of public domain folk songs, offering some of his most beautiful and daring arrangements yet.

"[16] The Wondering Sound review said that "Amidon is doing to folk what Arthur Russell did to disco and dance music: the components are taken context-free and mixed around.

"[17] Amidon toured the album extensively including a 10-day US tour with Frisell and Ismaily, with shows at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall and Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg, and an appearance on the NPR Tiny Desk Concert.