Sam Lewis – Waiting On You

Sam Lewis is a hard act to follow. On his sophomore effort, Waiting On You, he’s outdone himself. For his eponymous 2012 debut, Lewis’s country roots were packed with Al Green-style soul. His latest is still soaked with soul, but more in a wistful, Van Morrison mode. The opener “3/4 Time,” shimmers with laidback optimism, bolstering Lewis’ glide-along philosophy, taking on his days in ¾ time.

“She’s A Friend” is silky, soothing soul with a country accent, a perfect candidate for entry in the swamp pop sweepstakes as well. Like any true soul man, Lewis’s soul seems to ooze out of his pores, never sounding forced or contrived.

He shifts gears for “Things Will Never Be the Same,” galloping along a country path, sounding like Van Morrison channeling Jerry Lee. He revisits Van again on “Talk to Me,” capturing Morrison’s understated power and glory with churchy soul in the style of “Saint Dominic’s Preview.”

Marty Stuart’s Fabulous Superlative guitarist Kenny Vaughn was the bandleader and primary guitarist on Lewis’s debut release and is back here again, only providing some laid-back licks as the guest guitarist on “She’s a Friend.” Oliver Wood (Wood Brothers) is onboard as producer on this one, picking up the slack on electric guitar.

This is really impressive stuff. “Talk To Me” drips with Van Morrison-style soul, with Gabe Dixon’s burbling B-3 in the background, surrounding the McCrary Sisters’ gospel chorus.

Lewis also has folkie roots entangled with his soul persona, as he exhibits on the John Prine-flavored “I’m Coming Home.” But, as with everything Lewis takes on, not just one style prevails. Jano Rix’s piano adds a country gospel flavor to the mix.

If you’re not already a fan, one listen should get you onboard. He’s just waiting on you.

-Grant Britt