I am just going to say this once and leave it alone for the duration, Sammy Brue is 14 years old. This is true, but he writes with the prowess and heart of a songwriter who has been at it for twice the time he has been alive. Sammy may be young, but the kid’s heart and soul are old and wise well beyond the time he has been on this earth.

The title track presents a high and lonesome Brue’s voice calling out, yearning and begging to someone he needs to stay. With a slight twang that cuts deep in his voice he sings “don’t leave me alone, in the rain”. The song has some interesting textural builds, with doubled up vocals before eventually being lifted to the top of the coaster ride at the bridge with a chop on the guitar and a tambourine pulsating, which quickly resolves itself back to the main chord pattern. One of my favorites of the bunch. A really excellent song.

“Jealous” and “The Funeral” drop the travis pickin’ style I have come to know Brue for and instead having a steady and driving strum that pushes the songs along at an exciting pace. The latter, with a crying harmonica and infectious beat ala the drum-tambo combo (that I have seen Sammy executes perfectly live-and solo).

“I’m Not Your Man” has a pop sentiment with a roots feel and flow. A catchy hook in the chorus, floated by the heavy strum of the acoustic guitar. Brue takes a teenage love story and gives it some serious depth and intensity in his delivery.

The closing track “Meet My Maker” heads back into the lonesome and dire vibe. A gent that is down on his luck, going through hell…’going down to meet my maker’. Again, Brue’s vocal conveyance truly delivers what he wants to say in a powerful and compelling way. I believe the heartache.

The overall feel of the collection is an uptempo and propulsive sound with emotional and personal stories as the backbone. “I Don’t Want You To Leave” shows a songwriter who has truly found his voice and where he best fits. The focus here is on the song’s, creating more expanded arrangements, and singing with purpose. There is much more to come from this songwriter and I can’t wait to be first in line to buy the next record.

http://sammybrue.com/

(photos courtesy of artist website)