Jovin Webb — “Drifter” — Blind Pig Records
Jovin Webb is finally getting a chance to tell the story of his musical life.
The Baton Rouge-based bluesman had just about given up on his dreams when he got a rousing welcome on American Idol in 2020, and then his newfound fame led to this powerful bayou-drenched debut album.
It’s also the emotional story of a young man searching for — everything. “It’s me trying to figure out religion, women, my career, and everything I’ve gone through,” Webb says.
“At a young age, the longing and pain expressed by Southern Black Baptist church music spoke to me, but as I experienced my own trials and tribulations, I felt the pull of the blues,” Webb says. “I soon realized that gospel and blues are related. Someone with the blues is in a low place, and when you seek salvation you’re also usually in a low place.”
All of Webb’s searching comes together in this splendid 12-song set that features classic down-home blues, soulful ballads and a few hard-rocking tracks, fueled by his eloquent harp work. The mostly original songs here, mainly from Webb and producer Tom Hambridge, speak to Webb’s personal and very emotional quest for meaning. Hambridge also plays drums, with Kenny Greenberg on guitar, Mike Rojas on piano and keyboards, and Rob Cureton on bass.
“Drifter” roars to life with “Bottom of a Bottle,” a wicked harp riff intro to a down and dirty blues that unlocks the rawness of Webb’s vocal grit and personal pain: “Take a shot for my troubles, take a shot for pain, at the bottom of a bottle, I’ll wash your sins down the drain.” “Save Me” is a gentler take: “I was raised not to judge another of a man by the color of their skin.”
“I’m A Drifter” is the title theme, with a percussive feel that pays tribute to The Temptations “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and Muddy Water’s “Rolling Stone.” “Drunk On Your Love” is a love song that turns Webb’s vocal style into a soulful gem. “Wig on Wrong” is good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll with Rojas on barrelhouse piano, and Little Richard’s spirit lurking in the background. “Livin’ Reckless” is another sensuous slow blues that Webb’s voice, aged beyond its years, was born to sing: “So many mistakes I’ve made… I’ve been fearless, foolish, but still here somehow, Lord, help me find my way.” “Blues for a Reason” is an uplifting ode that explains why he sings: “I got my own story to tell, I sing the blues for a reason.”
Webb pours his soul into the heartfelt “Mine Someday” — “I have been trying so hard to get your attention / I would do anything to make you my girl.” “Hand on the Bible” is laced with R&B rhythms and a vow to gain her love. But the her “Bad Deeds” “is messing with my mind / I bring home the bacon, you feed me crumbs,” filled the spirit of classic blues turned out with a funky harp flurry. “It’s The Hawk” rocks in on a fierce cold Chicago wind that greets him on his arrival from Louisiana.
Everything gets wrapped up nicely with a tough cover of the Albert King classic, Booker T’s “Born Under a Bad Sign” with Max Abrams adding sax and Julio Diaz on trumpet. You get the feeling that this is also Webb bringing some of his own personal pain into the mix.
But the pain of the blues is also tempered by its pleasures, and that’s what the talented Jovin Webb has graced us with on his superb “Drifter.” Let’s hope it’s just the beginning.
“Drunk On Your Love” from “Drifter”
Blues Roadhouse 