Sam Doores
New West, 2020
8/10
Formerly of The Deslondes and Hurray For The Riff Raff, this first solo outing from Sam Doores pulls a wealth of genres into his strong and timeless song craft.
“Tempelhofer Dawn” starts the listen with keys and strings in a classically influenced setting, and “Let It Roll” follows with a soulful approach to Americana where gospel ideas are in attendance.
A record with a seemingly endless supply of influences , “Wish You Well” moves with an old time feel amid the playful percussion and plenty of brass, while “Windmills” recruits harmonicas on a bare, country spirited moment of genuine songwriting. In the middle, “Had A Dream” offers a fuller atmosphere where muffled horns and ebbs of intimacy are on hand, making this one of the album’s best.
Back half highlights include the hushed folk sensibilities of “Red Leaf Rag”, as well as the jangly piano and trumpet fun of the love song “Must Be Somethin’”. “Chicago To Illinois” ends the listen with a brief display of spacey exploration, which is an ideal way to end an effort this eclectic.
Doores is in great company here, as the jazz outfit Skinny Tuba are on hand, as is Mat Davidson of Twain, and his old bandmate Alynda Lee Segarra, and together they take unmistakable nods to his New Orleans home while not shying away from experimental stabs amid his country, folk, psychedelic and R&B spirited endeavor.
Travels well with: The Deslondes- Hurry Home; Pokey LaFarge- Pokey LaFarge