Singer/songwriter Chris Joyner is Mavis, and it’s easy to draw instant comparisons to the likes of John Mayer and Jack Johnson. This is feel-good acoustic pop but Mavis’ vocal tone has a depth that rivals folks like Mayer and Lenny Kravitz. There’s also groove ala Dave Matthews and implicit beauty like Nick Drake here. Mavis’ debut on Pete Yorn’s label has some great material, but something tells me there’s a lot more to come.
Ordinarily known as a keyboard player, Joyner’s voice proves irresistible, falling somewhere between Isaac Hayes and Ben Harper. The strength of “Dreams” lies in its patience, deliberately slow and heartfelt; it also benefits from a playful arrangement.
Mavis (Chris Joyner) has a gift for placing clever, introspective lyrics over a background of enchanting harmonies in a way that has me begging for more than the four tracks on this pre-release CD. His relaxed, breathy vocal delivery keeps the songs light and free – this keyboardist-turned-vocalist lets his words ebb and flow with the instruments in a way that ties every note together to tell moving, yet understated stories. Finding music like this is the reason why I write reviews. When Mavis' debut album, hits shelves some time in the near future, I will be the guy pushing you out of the way to get my hands on a copy.
...and Chris Joyner added vital and tasteful elements to the recording process. On the soul-stirring “Skipping Stone,” Joyner plays a gorgeous, churchy Hammond B3, setting the stage for one of Lee’s strongest vocal performances.