Americana soul country, singer-songwriter Sam Lewis is set to become this year’s hottest new act; after his self-titled debut Sam Lewis and before that an EP, Mr Lewis now has Waiting For You. Through having travelled a great deal on growing up, Lewis till he came to Nashville by way of Knoxville, Tn, Asheboro, NC was the nearest to anywhere to call home, for a singer-songwriter who has paid his dues playing small venues and when in Knoxville paid his bills through money earned working at the Vision Centre at WalMart.
Steeped in Muscle Shoals tendencies, hints of Sam Cook (and Bob Dylan too) and country Lewis just like with fellow act, John Fullbright he offers something not only different but organic, and passes the quality test with flying colours. He is that good, the swagger, conversational manner of his songs has an abundance of tick the box attributes. Lewis’ loose, drop into a groove style of music on occasions isn’t too dissimilar to that of Paul Burch; regards how he makes it seem so easy, akin to falling off a log. Not that I have seen too many people or know anyone who has seen this happen regularly.
Lewis swings effortlessly on the East Nashville recording through a number of styles, the aforementioned soul of Muscle Shoals, Dylan-esque music of the mid/ late 1970s; the influence of which festers throughout “Love Me Again”. The incredible harmony vocals supplied by the McCrary Sisters adds to the feel, and with the production note perfect Sam Lewis has come up with one of the most exciting sounds I have head in quite some time, the last act / group to make music like this was The Band Of Heathens on their opening two records.
It needs an average track for the listener to fully appreciate, and to comprehend just how masterful a sound the other tracks posses, and there is the beauty of the players too. Guest pickers include Mickey Raphael (harmonica) Will Kimbrough, Kenny Vaughan (electric guitar), Eric Fritsch (accordion), Martin Harley (resonator guitar), Darrell Scott (lap steel), Jano Rix (piano), Kristina Train (harmony vocals).
Pumping up the ante Lewis in the company of B3 Organ (Gabe Dixon), punchy electric guitar (Oliver Wood) he kicks most all other tracks into touch with “Things Will Never Be The Same”, before steadying things via gentle smouldering, slow burner “Talk To Me”. While with a jaunty, piano induced rhythm running through its veins “Reinventing Blues” is heaped in southern flavours as r& b and ragtime meet.
Lewis goes all melancholy on the heart-wrenching, lap steel, harmony vocals (Train) warmed “Never Again”, on staying in a country frame of mind you have the beautiful, tender love ballad “Texas” (the mood of the song aided by wondrous harmonica). “Little Time” is like he is sat enjoying life on the bank Mississippi in the company of John Hartford watching the steam boats roll pass by. Strongest by far country leaning song is the stunning “Virginia Avenue”, I love the resonator guitar, mellow, conversational vocals and general ambiance of the cut. “Coming Home” ensures the album goes out on a high. Its strength and general composure has Lewis pushed all the way by accordion, piano, guitar and rhythm section, and harmony vocals (Train, Wood Family) as all shackles are thrown off.
His album is sat Waiting For You; don’t linger, go and give this guy a listen and you will inevitably be enticed to buy this record if you haven’t already near worn it out!
Maurice Hope