Sam Lewis – Everything’s Fine
This LP title is a dismissive phrase. “How do you feel? How did everything go? Are you pleased with the outcome?” Accentuated with the generic “Everything’s Fine.” A white lie? Or an attempt at not passing concerns to another person, especially if everything is not fine.
Some would say these words so they wouldn’t have to explain something. And Sam Lewis is “obsessed with” this duality. Sam has turned this into a creative endeavor with his new 11-track Everything’s Fine (Drops March 6/Loversity Records/37:28) — his 7th studio album.
Produced in Nashville by fellow musician Joe McMahan. The set is allegedly a more intimate, minimalist showcase adhering to the simple “easy groove” vocals of Sam, his acoustic guitar & using some restraint. A challenge. Not everything musically viable needs to have bombastic arrangements, fiery solos, & aggression. There’s plenty of room for subtle performances, with strings & intimate skill. Sometimes…that’s harder to achieve than to stab away in the dark, hoping to hit the “impress me” target.
With a touch of Guy Clark & Townes van Zandt, Sam’s instinct to showcase a pensive set of well-written songs takes a page from Bruce Springsteen. The spare presentation of “Nebraska” is mindful. However, Sam’s music, which follows an occasionally gentle melancholy musical path (“Chase the Moon”) doesn’t venture into the darker realms of “Nebraska.”
Sam’s lyrics are poetic (“I Know” & “I’ll Never Be Enough For You”). They’re mellow, tethered to the outskirts of Nick Drake’s ghost town. Driven not by the drama of a voice but by the acoustic guitar notes that are the compass. Sam’s voice isn’t as textured as the late English balladeer David McWilliams (the classic “Days of Pearly Spencer,” with “Marlena,” “There’s No Lock Upon My Door”). Sam does have similar intonations in his stories (“Everything’s Fine”) with strings & “effects” on “My Life Living Me.”
Sam (vocals/acoustic guitar) proceeds; he also shows competency as a singer with Tom Rush, David Ackles & David Blue tendencies. “Nothing Could Tear us Apart” is closer to easy listening but has a sincere John Prine tradition. Some tunes cruise into country music. Just passing through. Few are as nourishing as his earlier songs. But Sam never loses his assertiveness. Sam’s back on track with “The Light,” a fine duet with the contrasting voice of Judy Blank. Wonderful.
How good is this album? Well, everything’s fine. You have to listen to it to appreciate it.
Highlights – “Chase the Moon,” “I Know,” “Everything’s Fine,” “Nothing Could Break Us Apart,” “Lischey’s Retreat,” “The Light,” “I’ll Never Be Enough For You,” & “My Life Living Me.”
Musicians – JT Cure (electric bass), Joe McMahan (electric, Resonator & pedal steel guitars/bass/synth/piano/organ/keys/optigan/bgv/bass/synth/percussion/piano/organ/keys/ shaker/bgv/Omnichord/tambourine), Chris Carmichael (strings arrangement/performance), Derek Mixon (drums/tambourine), & Josh Hunt (suede bongos).
Color image courtesy of Sam’s Facebook. CD @ Apple & https://www.samlewistunes.com/