Sam Gelband makes music for the people. It’s in the name of his ensemble, Mr. Sam & The People People, and it’s even more clear in the title of his new album, People People People People! A homely collection of tracks (“These are songs for enjoyment and medium dancing,” he comments with a light smile in the press release), it casts a wide net to tell of the joy of all folk while also occasionally pulling up chairs to give a musical hug to a few individuals who have a special place in the New Orleans-based musician’s heart. Truly this is music of the people, for the people, by the people (people).
If this sounds a little too communal and like a Hallmark Christmas movie, then you’d be easily forgiven for thinking so. But Gelband’s strength lies in his wholeheartedness. His aim for the album is small and realistic: “If you walk away from the 30 minutes of this record remembering to pick up the phone and call somebody you love, I say mission accomplished.” With a tone that is never anything less than accommodating, he sounds ready to offer a stranger his bed for the night while he contently sleeps on the kitchen floor. “People come and people go / But if there’s something better, then I wouldn’t know,” he gleefully offers on the opening title track; a warm mix of Americana and rhythm & blues, Sam Doores’ piano adds a springing lilt of joy to the plodding, marching drums. Call it the theme music, a call to arms for all good-natured people, or just a mission statement, but irregardless, its upbeat disposition is hard not to get caught up in.
This tone carries the album for its fairly short 32 minute runtime, and in the first few tracks it’s at its best. “Get Up Early” imagines a party for all the people Gelband wants by his side, but even accepts that not everyone will be there. “And even when I cannot be here and near you, I can feel you / That’s enough,” he adds with a warmth in his voice as his brustling guitar jangles to help him on his way. The lyrics on “Pictures of Us” might read a little elementary (“And here you’re bringing in a bright new year / grinning ear to ear / I can see it clear”), but it mostly doesn’t matter as the song’s message of living in the moment and not holding onto the past shines atop any doubts. When a small choir of backing vocalists come to help him on “That’s Alright! It’s Ok!” and “Get Along”, there’s an early Danielson-like vibe, and you know for sure if you caught a live performance of this album you would happily join in the festivities of the singalong parts.
As rousing as Gelband’s communal songs are, he fares that little better at tugging on heartstrings when he narrows his focus. “Mars Is Alright” is a charming ode of an uncle who seems to have had an influential role is Gelband’s younger years. “I’m too big to bounce upon your knee / But I’m still scared of climbing up a tree,” he laments gently. “Thank You, Conan O’Brien” is a sweet song about the titular talk show host and comedian; it’s tongue is in its cheek (“A little wiggle and a raised eyebrow / is enough to need a new change of pants”) and it’s only amusing for a couple of listens, but it’s a charming homage nonetheless to an influential figure in Gelband’s life. Best of all is final track “Sal”, which speaks of a friend now lost to the world. It’s as brief and light as the summer breeze it describes, and as genuine as such a track could be with Gelband humming softly to himself with his guitar come the end of the track.
And indeed it’s a reminder that people is made up of persons. There’s no doubt from listening to People People People People! that Gelband would love to meet all of them, shake their hands, and sit and hear their stories. The album’s benevolence might grow somewhat weary in the album’s centre and lack enough sonic variety to keep you hooked on the idea of coming back, but if there was ever an album you needed to help pick you up and make you feel good about the world, then People People People People! is it. It is, after all, music by the people and most crucially, for the people. Take what you need, when you need it. Mr. Sam has you covered.
