Seasick Steve

Yes I rate Seasick Steve. I’ve seen him live a couple of times. First time was quite an intimate gig where he really had time to talk to the crowd about his life stories. He was a revelation, I had not heard his albums at that stage and was really special. Went to see him about a year later and he was playing a larger venue with a drummer. Again I loved the gig. although missed a little of the intimacy of the first gig. His new album is out next week and I look forward to buying it, and seeing Steve again next month.

Musically here’s sounds of a hundred late bluesmen in his tunes, most notably John Lee Hooker and Junior Kimbrough. He didn’t get alot of music tuition but apparently was taught by a little known bluesman called KC Douglas who had a minor hit with Mercury Blues.

There’s a few misconceptions about Steve though, he is not a cowboy or a hill billy and he does not play country music. The venue I was at the last time insisted on playing this horrible country and western music before he came on which was lightyears aways from Seasick Steve’s music.

Some blues purists do not like him either, as he is not a modern blues guitarist in the Stevie Ray Vaughan style mode. However I think Steve’s attitude, feel, level of performance and bond with the crowd are far more authentic to the original blues masters like Muddy and Hooker than many of the so called better guitarists. What’s more he’s broken through into the mainstream which is unusual for someone of his genre and age. That does indeed make him a genius. Long Live Seasick Steve!