Sam Joyner - Come What May (I Always Love You) (2024)

Sam Joyner was born and raised in SE Chicago 25 miles from Gary Indiana. His father, the Reverend Joyner, made sure that Sam spent his summers down south. Joyner’s mostly original music is a combination of urban Chicago blues and Louisiana styled R n’ B. In 2016 Joyner was the winner of the solo/duo competition at the Vicksburg (Ms.) Blues Challenge. He went onto compete in the 2017 International Blues Challenge, held annually in Memphis, where he was a finalist. Over the years Joyner has played with Larry Garner, The Neal Family, and Benny Turner, among others. His last album “When u Need a Friend” was released in 2019.

The new album opens with “It’s That Mojo That Makes Me Stay”, the lyric explores a one-sided relationship as Joyner sings “you go your way and I’ll go mine…every time I try to go, it’s that mojo that makes me stay”. “Teddy’s Juke Joint” is a tribute to Louisiana’s last authentic Juke Joint “way back in the woods where it all goes down”. The lowdown title track “Come What May: I’ll Always Love You” addresses the drug crisis.

“If I Could Thank You For Leaving Me”, “I’d thank you all day long”. On another lowdown blues “Tennessee Whiskey” Joyner sings “I look for love in the same old places…your as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey…as sweet as strawberry wine”. The classic cover “Stormy Monday” is re-arranged as a shuffle. A second cover “Too Many Cooks” is a homage to Robert Cray”. One more classic cover is Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man” and it has Joyner experimenting with an electric drum set and fine piano solo. The album concludes with “Holmez Boogie”.

Joyner states “I hope these songs bring comfort, joy and connection”. This new CD from Sam Joyner does exactly that. It’s a strong emotional statement to be enjoyed over and over. ~Richard Ludmerer