Mr. Sam & the People People - People People People People! (2022)

Among the American musical microcosm of New Orleans resides a songwriter with a mission to love better, love freer, and celebrate the simple moments of joy so easy to overlook in our unforgiving world. With the help of his band comprised of New Orleans friends and musical aces (including Sam Doores of The Deslondes, Chris Acker, Gina Leslie, and The Lostines), Mr. Sam & the People People delight with songs of friendship and things worth holding onto on their new record People People People People!. Mr. Sam’s kindly baritone croon welcomes the listener like a warm hug on a cold night, floating atop a mellow analog stew of New Orleans rhythm & blues, indie rock, folk singer-songwriter, and jangle pop sounds. From the breezy, psych-tinged nostalgia of “Pictures Of Us” to the rollicking piano jaunt “Get Up Early” to the playful, infectious groove of the album’s title track, it’s clear that Mr. Sam (aka Sam Gelband) is not hindered by limitations of genre. He simply writes to remind us of the happiness to be found in everyday moments and time with cherished loved ones: a bike ride with a pal, a joke with a neighbor, a sunny drive with the windows down. Equally sentimental as it is uplifting and whimsical, People People People People! will make you laugh, cry, smile, and rejoice all at once, and then pick up the phone to call an old friend.