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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 Holland’s Hootenanny on New Year's
Eve 2006, on the back of debut solo release Dog House Blues’ in November
that year, he become a cult icon. At the age of, (well, he won’t reveal),
he’s become an unlikely ‘pop star’, a status which must make him uneasy.
Nevertheless, this relocated American (he now lives on a Norfolk farm) has made
Blues cool again – and that takes some doing. Real name Steve Wold, he’d
been knocking around doin’ the Blues and Boogie since forever, with albums on
Dead Skunk Records (2004) then Bronzerat Records, though now he’s hit the big
time signing to Warners, which is a great ‘talent’ investment for them, in
the process winning a MOJO award for Best Breakthrough Act. Oh, and there was
that recent RAH gig in front of 5,000 fans too.
Coming from Oakland California doesn’t exactly give him the so-called credentials
as an indigenous bluesman, (that’s usually in the Deep South) but his geographical
birthplace hasn’t stopped his success. I Started Out.. is a significant
progressive, and dare I say it, commercial step up.
Like world bluesman Eric Bibb, Wold’s music is more accessible here and there;
such as Happy Man, though at no time does he sacrifice his roots
sensibilities, thankfully. Much Like Bibb, he’s now brought on board either
admirers or ’friends’ such as Scottish star KT Tunstall, legendary soul songstress
Ruby Turner, Nick Cave, two backups Kim Fleming and Gale Mayes, along with
drummer/percussionist Dan Magnusson.
Inevitably, there’s 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 he’s pouring out his auto and biographical experiences via songs
like St.Louis Slim, Thunderbird (a song about wine, mainly) and another song
about a nasty bug called Chiggers.
Not only does he look the real deal with his long grey beard, dungarees, check
shirts and baseball cap, he also the sounds the real deal, with more festival
gigs than any other act this year. His famous three stringed guitar (with wrongly
placed strings) seems like his favourite, though he uses other electric ones
too, are a thing of beauty when, in particular, he introduces ‘bottle neck’
slides found on Just Like A King.
What makes this and previous offerings, is his humble approach, typified by this
album’s title, though financially, he must be on a bit of a long overdue, and
worthy, roll. Dog House Blues was totally raw and rustic, this one’s,
a little, more polished in places but when he narrates his earthly experiences
on 12-minute long My Youth, you realise he’s not on the exactly on the
verge of ‘selling out’, because it’s from the marrow.
After years of wanderlust in America, then briefly in Norway, he’s finally
taken root in the UK.
Let’s hope he doesn’t get Landsick in Norfolk, and up-sticks again.
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
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.