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- Released: September 2008
- Rating: 10/10
- Vote and comment on this album:
Seasick Steve must be a happy man, because Brits have warmed to his unpretentious music and image. He debuted in w/c Monday 6th October at No.9.
Following his stunning British TV debut on Jools Hollands Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve 2006, on the back of debut solo release Dog House Blues in Novemberthat year, he become a cult icon. At the age of, (well, he wont reveal),hes become an unlikely pop star, a status which must make him uneasy.
Nevertheless, this relocated American (he now lives on a Norfolk farm) has madeBlues cool again and that takes some doing. Real name Steve Wold, hedbeen knocking around doin the Blues and Boogie since forever, with albums onDead Skunk Records (2004) then Bronzerat Records, though now hes hit the bigtime signing to Warners, which is a great talent investment for them, inthe process winning a MOJO award for Best Breakthrough Act. Oh, and there wasthat recent RAH gig in front of 5,000 fans too.
Coming from Oakland California doesnt exactly give him the so-called credentialsas an indigenous bluesman, (thats usually in the Deep South) but his geographicalbirthplace hasnt stopped his success. I Started Out.. is a significantprogressive, and dare I say it, commercial step up.
Like world bluesman Eric Bibb, Wolds music is more accessible here and there;such as Happy Man, though at no time does he sacrifice his rootssensibilities, thankfully. Much Like Bibb, hes now brought on board eitheradmirers or friends such as Scottish star KT Tunstall, legendary soul songstressRuby Turner, Nick Cave, two backups Kim Fleming and Gale Mayes, along withdrummer/percussionist Dan Magnusson.
Inevitably, theres a much fuller sound compared to previous recent releases,(though he did once use a band called The Level Devils which included Magnusson),and it works to perfection. This ex-hobo, cowboy and busker has much to relive,and offer, so hes pouring out his auto and biographical experiences via songslike St.Louis Slim, Thunderbird (a song about wine, mainly) and another songabout a nasty bug called Chiggers.
Not only does he look the real deal with his long grey beard, dungarees, checkshirts and baseball cap, he also the sounds the real deal, with more festivalgigs than any other act this year. His famous three stringed guitar (with wronglyplaced strings) seems like his favourite, though he uses other electric onestoo, are a thing of beauty when, in particular, he introduces bottle neckslides found on Just Like A King.
What makes this and previous offerings, is his humble approach, typified by thisalbums title, though financially, he must be on a bit of a long overdue, andworthy, roll. Dog House Blues was totally raw and rustic, this ones,a little, more polished in places but when he narrates his earthly experienceson 12-minute long My Youth, you realise hes not on the exactly on theverge of selling out, because its from the marrow.
After years of wanderlust in America, then briefly in Norway, hes finallytaken root in the UK.
Lets hope he doesnt get Landsick in Norfolk, and up-sticks again.
File under: Sensational!
Weblink:seasicksteve.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. I Started Out With Nothin
2. Walkin Man
3. St.Louis Slim
4. Happy Man
5. Prospect Lane
6. Thunderbird
7. Fly By Night
8. Just Like A King
9. One True
10. Chiggers
11. My Youth
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.