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

His whisky-soaked vocals and finesse on the keys pair perfectly together for a twelve-track listening experience to feed one’s soul. Backing Joyner are Lil Ray Neal, Jellybean Alexander, The Saint Anthony, Guitar Slim Jr., Kevin Haynes, Mayuni Shara, Marc Stone, Seizo Shibayama, Brian Wingard, and Joe Eagle.

The album opens with the big, smokin’ blues of “It’s That Mojo That Makes Me Stay” as Joyner sings about love, mojo bags and cheating women. An infectious funky rhythm takes the listener to “Teddy’s Juke Joint”, a club just north of Baton Rouge where Joyner frequently performs. It’s a fun track and puts the listener smack dab in the middle of a good time. Joyner beautifully covers David Allen Coe’s “Tennessee Whiskey”. This horn-laced, slow-dance R&B version of the 1981 Billboard US Hot Country Songs is absolutely incredible. His take on Robert Cray’s “Too Many Cooks” features a searing guitar intro and amazing keyboard runs. I love how Joyner can take a song like this and put his own unique thumbprint on it. One of my favorite Muddy Waters songs is “Hoochie Coochie Man”, and Joyner’s barrel-house cover sweeps me off my feet.

Sam Joyner’s Come What May (I’ll Always Love You) is a blues record which is a splendid listen from start to finish.