Seasick Steve - how big in the US?

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 03:19 PM

Seems to me that he'll appeal to the same crowd that enjoys
ZZ Top. Which includes meself, in limited doses.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST, 21st Century Bluesman
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 03:11 PM

Well, we're just gonna have to agree to disagree. In response to Mikefule - Gary Moore, and ilk, are, to my mind, one of the reasons why the blues became a musical pariah. All that'Going down to Louisiana, crap' when he's from Belfast. For me, he's a bull in a china shop with dreadful tone, and it surprises me especially that you can call Steve "busy" and then adduce Moore as a good quality modern bluesman... dear old Gazza scratches around nineteen to the dozen. I could write more, especially about some of the idiotic statements made concerning 'authenticity' here, but I'll let it lie. Go to bluesinlondon.com and read their interview with Steve before his current fame, and that might help explain some things.

Max is technically good and pleasant to listen to, but the oomph just isn't quite there for me - it's all a bit reverential - and his voice (or whoever's singing) is just not in the same league as Steve's. Would like to hear Poppagator if anyone's got a link.

By Poppagator's yardstick Steve has made a 'strong positive impression' on literally tens of thousands of people in the last year or so. Make of that what you will: - people are gullible or Steve's 'got something', or a mixture of the two.

For me Steve's got something in spades...

Happy New Year.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 02:50 PM

Ah! Thanks, Geoff, my head must've been off somewhere else!

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 02:31 PM

And here :-
http://other99.com/

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 02:21 PM

Mudcat's founder, Max, can be heard in a couple of combinations at the following links:-

WoodPussy & WhistlePig
The Kazoo and Tambourine Repair Company

Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 02:10 PM

Trust me, Poppagator, I've listened to him and YES, you can do better, lots better, as can Max - the Wonderkid, dwditty and several other Mudcatters.

I am sorry I cannot link to any files of Max at the moment. He founded Mudcat and keeps it running. He used to do a weekly Mudcat radio show with video and many of us loved hearing him sing and play the blues. It wouldn't hurt to let him know you'd like to hear him, again, if you feel so inclined. I know they can't do the radio show, but he has some sound files that'd go really well on a CD, imo.:-)

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 01:46 PM

I'm in the US, reasonably up-to-date on blues in general, and this is the first I've heard of Seasick Steve.

There have always been and still are plenty of players, amateur and pro, who can do a credible job playing the most basic kinds of blues music in a "primitive" style. How "good" a given performer might actually be is generally moot ~ it's simply a question of whether you enjoy and/or are impressed by the performer's personality, which always comes through any musical performance, and especially so when said performance is so very simple and unadorned that there is very little to hear and to notice except the human feeling embodied in the artist's delivery.

Of course, the critical question is how many listeners come away with a strong positive impression. Performers capable of eliciting a good response from most of their listeners stand a decent chance of making a mark ~ and, with luck, maybe even a living ~ with their music.

Since I'm at work, with no speakers, I haven't witnessed any of the performances submitted to this discussion by Steve's admirers. I have a strong hunch that my reaction would very likely be "Nice enough, but I could do the same or better."

I very strongly suspect that Steve's greatest talent lay not in his musicianship but in a rare knack for self-promotion. I have no doubt that he's "got something," but so do countless others of us, stuck slaving away at boring day jobs and singing the blues only because we just plain can't not do it.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Mikefule
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 01:24 PM

I reread this thread and went and checked some Seasick Steve videos on YouTube. There's some great music on You Tube if you make the effort to find it. There are also several Seasick Steve videos.

Setting aside the question of "authenticity" and just listening to the music on its merits... well, if I want raw back to basics guitar and simple percussion, the White Stripes will do it better. If I want simplicity, driving rhythm and excitement, then Muddy Waters, or Bo Diddley will do it better. If I want a rabble rousing entertainer, Chuck Berry. If I want quality modern electric blues (not a fair comparison) then there are people like Gary Moore. Seasick Steve just rang none of my bells at all. He comes across to me as a caricature of a bluesman, certainly not an archetype.

Or, another comparison, perhaps: Sid Vicious playing Eddie Cochran songs. Frantic, exciting: it grabs you by the throat in a way that Eddie Cochran doesn't... but after about 2 tracks you realise that although the king may not actually be stark b*ll*ck naked, he is seriously underdressed for the occasion.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 11:36 AM

I fel sure someone on the Mudcat alerted me to SS, but it may have been a CD Baby recommendation. Anyhow, I bought his CD a year or more ago and enjoy it. I haven't seen him on tv. Of course, I have a taste for the primitive in blues/folk.

RtS
(but what do I know!)

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: matt milton
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 11:23 AM

Ah yes I'd heard Bob Meyer before. Been meaning to get in touch with him actually, cos he's a South Londoner and I'm trying to organise some local gigs...

Couple more for you:

www.myspace.com/lennymolotov
www.myspace.com/davidbroad

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 11:07 AM

Yep I liked that song

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 10:53 AM

There's another SSS performance on the Jools Holland/Later website which was obviously filmed in a different part of BBC TV Centre. Might give some doubters food for thought, or it might entrench opinions the other way. De gustibus non est disputandum, as the jolly old Romans used to say.

Go to bbc.co.uk/later and click on the small photo of Steve.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 10:51 AM

And to follow up John FW's post:

SPIDER JOHN KOERNER Official Website

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: john f weldon
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 10:25 AM

Whooeee, it's too easy for to take things too seriously around here.
I'd never seen this guy before. Corny but fun. I did enjoy the guitar style.
Somehow made me think of a guy I saw many times in the 60s and then saw live a couple of years ago, Spider John Koerner. Probably still going strong.
Big boots, big voice, uncomplicated but ideosyncratic guitar style, and great audience rapport.
And undeniably lots of fun.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 10:02 AM

I liked him.

There a nice irony to the fact that people are getting into a high dudgeon about SSS's credibility and authenticity at the same time that there's an active thread about the ol' Comissioner of the Folk Police himself, Ewan MacColl, and the veracity of some of his claims about his life and history...

Re-invention as part of the folk process: discuss.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST,21st Century Bluesman
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 09:44 AM

It was Tunesmith's 'ten-a-penny' remark I was reacting to, Nigel, not yours! Thanks for your comments. Some Fat Possum stuff is great, others not so. To paraphrase Mr Milton "the critics are bit easy on them"... Steve is better than a lot of it in my opinion; though the George Mitchell collection issues on FP are often very good, especially RL Burnside's early acoustic album.

In response, to Matt Milton's recommendations - I like some of Boycott Coca Cola, the other two I hadn't heard are good, but are too 'copyist' for me. Matt, you might like (and some others here might too!)

myspace.com/thebobmeyer
myspace.com/markarend

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 09:28 AM

21st Century Bluesman.

Good, passionate post there. Nice corrective to the rather bitter rant from Mr Clarke.

Just to clarify - my comment about being sure performers like Steve were ten-a-penny in the States was laced with an irony that it seems didn't work on the page. Having said that, when its waking up time in the USA someone may post a list of fantastic stuff for us to check out. I'm tempted by the 'Fat Possum' stuff Matt talks about, though I'm jealous that he got to attend the Green Man Festival whilst I had to waste my ticket.

I enjoyed Steve's performance and will try to get to see him live next time he's in Manchester. Makes a nice occasional change from the trad(dish) folk I usually listen to...

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST,GUEST 21st Century Bluesman
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 08:54 AM

In response to Jim Clark's bilious, ill-informed and borderline paranoid, rant.

"impersonating a tramp with a beaten up 3 string guitar can get you a long way if you happen to have an American accent and a bit of gaul in Scandinavia,"

Erm, please do a wee bit of research. Seasick Steve was a tramp for many years.

"this tuneless pretentious guitar thrasher"

Tuneless? You really can't having watching the same clip.

"ocean of superb acoustic acts"

Please point to them specifically. I found George Hutchinson. Fairly competent, but horribly uncharismatic. And Bottleneck Bill. Again OK, but dreary, and actually not tuned correctly. Ironic, given your comment above.

"corrupt".

What? You reckon Seasick or his tiny independent record label paid to be on the Hootenanny?! I've seen Steve several times over the last two or three years and he has always put on a magnificent, engaging show. He also can play very subtly, something which hasn't been shown off on Jools or many of the Youtube videos of him. Try searching 'walking man' on Youtube. Or listen to Salem Blues, Shirly Lou, or I'm Gone from Dog House Music.

In fact I'd advise quite a few of the people who've dismissed Steve peremptorily on this thread to actually attend a gig and listen to his albums before sounding off. I really wish I could find slide-players at "ten-a-penny" who are as good as Steve, I really do. I go to lots of gigs and listen to lots and lots of blues music out there. There aren't that many, and when I do find them, technical ability is just about all they've got.

I agree with Matt Milton about Duke Garwood (someone Steve has had support him on several occasions) and The Fuji. Will check out those others.

By the way Jim, your videos are out of synch, and are not very well-executed anyway. It all seems a rather dry and slightly pointless exercise, though it did seem interesting in concept at first.

And yes Jim, aren't the plebs who are buying Steve's records in their thousands silly and inferior. You want to preserve the blues as a museum piece it seems to me, not a living breathing entity. At the very least you ought to be thankful that Steve (just like The White Stripes, who I suspect you don't rate - correct me if I'm wrong) is introducing youngsters to the likes of Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Charley Patton.

I held off submitting this until I saw Mr Clark's contribution, but the earlier comments from people who'd obviously made no attempt to look up Steve's background or his music (other than his Jools appearance) really wound me up too.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: ranger1
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 08:16 AM

Max is the guy who started Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: matt milton
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 07:33 AM

I saw Seasick Steve live at the Green Man festival and also once live on his own. He has a nice sound - he does that kind of "one-bar-blues" thing, and it's properly ramshackle and crude and doesn't sound complacent like boring mainstream contemporary so-called bluesmen. But he gets a bit of an easy ride from critics and doesn't push himself. Too self-indulgent – loads of his songs go on too long. He does have something though, and if he upped his game a bit he could probably make a great album... maybe if he worked with some challenging sidemen or something. I'd recommend pretty much anything on the Fat Possum label over a Seasick Steve album – but then again, rather Steve than any of those boring bluesmen like Corey Harris or Alvin Youngblood Hart or Keb Mo or Otis Taylor. I'd rather hear Steve on Jools than the majority of the turgid, uncritical careerists Holland regularly champions.

"listen to a few CDs from Mudcatters, esp. that Max. That kid is The Blues personified"

Sounds intriguing. Who is Max?

And hey, don't knock Ramblin Jack Elliott: his last album is really surprisingly good. Like Johnny Cash, age seems to do his music a lifetime's worth of good.

Here are my recommendations for recent, contemporary blues:

Duke Garwood
www.myspace.com/dukegarwood
Mr O'Muck
www.myspace.com/mromuck
Serious Sam Barrett
www.myspace.com/sambarrett
Boycott Coca Cola Experience
www.myspace.com/bcce
The Fuji
www.gramophone-records.co.uk

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST,Jim Clark aka vidlad at youtube
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 07:23 AM

Like so much on the mostly vacuous mediocre Jules Hollands shows i'm afraid SS is a classic case of "The kings new clothes" i'm sorry to say that impersonating a tramp with a beaten up 3 string guitar can get you a long way if you happen to have an American accent and a bit of gaul in Scandinavia,but it doesnt make you a bluesman i'm afraid.Giving this tuneless pretentious guitar thrasher airtime on national television when their is an an ocean of superb acoustic acts out there who would sell their mother to the gypsies to be given just one spot in their careers on primetime television is in this day and age where you can research a wealth of fine musical talent without leaving the house these days via youtube etc is either lazy,misguided,corrupt,or just plain incompetant. You only need to take a look at my vidlad channel at youtube to know that there are better acts than a pretender like SS to fill 10 minutes of television time with inbetween the trash rock served up on this abysmal show,alas most of his audience who no doubt think the X Factor is a talent show are never likely to notice the difference between pretence and talent.

Videolocaly yours

Jim Clark aka vidlad at youtube

acoustic musicians and poets living and reincarnated digitaly at youtube

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 06:36 AM

According to an interview I read he was a 'hobo' from the age of 14 (late fifties) till the late sixties. Wound up as a record producer in the Pacific North West in the 90s. Dunno what he did in between.

I'm not sure it matters. A lot of entertainers either dress up or dress down to perform and I'm not sure that anyone should take someone else's stage costume as an insult to themselves or anyone else. I'm also not convinced that the question of authenticity is all that important either - I'm more interested in 'are they any good at what they do'?

Now, I'm no expert when it comes to the blues. I have a few CDs on Yazoo etc of ancient recordings, which are fantastic - but I know very little about the genre. So I couldn't tell you if Seasick Steve is technically good at what he does or not. What I will say though is that compared to most of the bland, tired, dreary music on Jools' new year show, to me - and the people I was with - Steve was like a breath of fresh air.

Having said that, I'm sure people in the US are in a totally different situation and, for them, performers like Steve - and better than him -are ten-a-penny.

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 06:14 AM

Seasick Steve

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Stu
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 05:01 AM

People do take all this rather seriously - Seasick Steve was good entertainment and who's to say his music is any more or less heartfelt or legitimate than anyone else's (including your own)?


Not liking it is one thing, but if it's played from the heart, so what? My problem is with the corporate music acts who have got where they are largely by marketing rather than their passion for music.

They record the Jools Holland New year Show (I can't be arsed to type Hootenanny) in early December, so Sir Paul and his amazing dyed barnet has plenty of time to sober up buy now.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 04:39 AM

Art. I suspect your tongue may be firmly in your cheek, but Jonathan Winters is not the same as Johnny Winter.

He's much fatter, for one thing ...

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 09:29 PM

Someone here above compared him to Jonathan Winters!   Is he really that off the wall? The guy must be pretty funny though!

Art

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: kendall
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 07:28 PM

I'd never heard of him until now, and checking the performance I just watched some of, I have to say I'm not surprised that I haven't heard of him.
Give me Utah Phillips any day, and not just because he is a friend.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: artbrooks
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 07:11 PM

Truth to tell, I enjoy listening to Bruce Phillips when something of his comes on a station I'm tuned to, but I am somehow prevented from being as appreciative as I perhaps could be by my vivid memory of his promotion of himself as "U. Utah Phillips, the Golden Voice of the Golden West". (I was a student at U. Utah at the time.)

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Mikefule
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 04:18 PM

I watched the programme and found it all a bit "flat". Seasick Steve struck me as the blues equivalent of what country and western people sometimes call a "hat act".

People like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf were aspirational and dressed smartly to perform. Many white blues players do the opposite and dress as poor workmen. It is patronising. Seasick Steve looked like he was in "am dram" costume, and it jarred horribly.

But he was a good blues guitarist, if a little "busy" for my taste.

I thought it was "demonstration blues" for the masses: three minutes, an easy visual reference, a stereotype, and soon forgotten.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Fliss
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 04:07 PM

My daughter & son in law like Mika. They had his CD in the car while we were out for a day... and I survived. Thought on the high notes he sounded like Leo Sayer!!

Paul McCartney was always my fav Beetle. Hes worn well and I enjoyed his performance. So he dyes his hair.... so do a lot of other people and others wear rugs! (Hairpieces to those across the pond). I noticed his attention to Kylie.

Madness were great... all the old favourites.

Where was Robbie Coltrane? In the paper Telly page it said he was doing a Sinatra impersonation.

I enjoyed Seasick Steve... three strings good rhythm.

Kaiser Chiefs were very professional, good sound. Not as impressed with Kate Nash.

Lulu is a year older than me and has far more vitality... boo hoo, so does Ruby Turner.

I enjoyed the mix of styles. Nice end to 2007 and start to 2008.

fliss

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 01:17 PM

To Ron Davies:

Don't have to do the research. I'm aware of his many accolades and am familiar w/his catalog which is great. As a performer I found him a complete sham. You want 'character as opposed to caricature' check out Greg Brown, Dave Mackenzie, Tom Dundee(RIP),Thom Bishop, Dougie Maclean, Andy M. Stewart, Kate Wolf(RIP), Robbie O'Connell, etc.

Jeff Jones

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 11:04 AM

oh -its a bloke then!

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 11:00 AM

Linda, Mika has been my hero since he released a single claiming' Big Girls you are beautiful' lol

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 10:04 AM

Don't know anything about "Seasick Steve".   But "caricatures rather than characters".? Anybody who puts Utah Phillips in that category needs to do some research---and listen to Utah. Too bad we can't see him in concert these days.

But he is a giant talent, has written immortal songs, and is a true character, definitely not a caricature.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: artbrooks
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 09:09 AM

Dean Reed comes to mind...

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 09:05 AM

And I did.
I said to my missus. Here comes the next one for Paul LOL

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 08:32 AM

Les in Chorlton - yes, I did.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 07:21 AM

Have a chat with my daughters Linda. They will tell you who Mika is. I really like what he does. I really like his CD.

Les

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: NormanD
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 07:19 AM

I forgot to add - SSS has lived in Scandinavia for a number of years, so it's most unlikely that he'll be known widely in the USA. He's probably been able to make a better living in Scandinavia where blues performers seem to be cherished more.

Norman

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: NormanD
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 07:15 AM

Jools Holland is the presenter, not the commissioning editor who books the acts. Mark Cooper (I think that's his name) has his ear to the ground and, for most editions, has one non-mainstream performer - visiting World Music artists, non-pop folk players from the UK, etc. It's not much and it's not perfect but it's better than anything else being broadcast on TV.

Seasick Steve has a genuinely interesting biog and has been round the block a few times as a player over the years (including, would you believe, a stint as guitarist with The Beach Boys). He's worth looking up on the interweb for his CV. The joy of his music is its simplicity. It's all been done before, and probably by better performers, that I don't deny. The big difference is that he's around, right now, and some other genius like Hound Dog Taylor, isn't. No doubt there are also a load of Fat Possum label blues people who could knock him for six, but it's SSS who's getting the break rather than them. I'm not defending this, it's just the way showbiz works.

I'm glad that he's getting a high profile break, rather than some other over-hyped and over-played performers we see too much of as it is.

Norman

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 06:25 AM

Jools is an idiot! Martin Simpson is one of the world's greatest slide guitarists, but Jools doesn't give him the air time to demonstrate that. Slide guitarists with the skills of Seasick Steve are ten a penny. It's time Jools resigned his commision!

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 05:43 AM

I thought SS was pretty average as well-but different. Jools was excellent as usual as was Kate Nash- I even thought Sir Paul was better tban I expected. As for Kylie well she confirmed my suspicions that she looks wonderful, everyone loves her but she is completely talentless. Loved the Kaiser Chiefs and i ave absolutely no idea what or who Mika is and was what he was doing supposed to be singing? Have a great 2008 everyone!

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 04:57 AM

Kylie looks very good indeed, better now for my money than she did when younger. Sounds better too. And hats off to the lass for coming through her health problems and emerging even stronger and more mature.

But I didn't notice Paul's reaction, my eyes were drawn to his dyed hair and the clash with the rest of his face. I do wish he'd allow himself to age more gracefully.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 04:48 AM

Did anyone notice Paul taking serious notice of Kylie?

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 04:41 AM

My suspicions seem to be confirmed. I have no problem with SS trying to make a living, good luck to him, and he is better than many I have paid to see in the past. Last year I enjoyed him more, second year running the novelty had worn off.

My issue is with Jools or his producers who are supposed to be putting together a classy show (and many times it is classy indeed), but then for New Years Eve they are prepared to feed us mediocrity. And the fact that I was well into my malt by that time, Villan, should be no excuse; it didn't stop me noticing the difference.

It smacks of dumbing down; "wow, this guy is GOOD, we know because we tell you so, you dumbass viewers, so suck it up and praise me for being so avant-garde, because you're not likely to know any better".

Ah, well. It was a Victor Meldrew moment for me. It passed. Happy New Year to all!

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 04:00 AM

Hootenanny I thought was very good. SS was to me very ordinary but effective for an audience that generally is pissed up to the hilt by that time (it is different).

Anyway Happy New Year to all Mudcatters.

Les Worrall

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 01:24 AM

Never heard of him; wouldn't go to see him now that I have. But, I've been spoiled by some of what I consider the best including Mudcat's Boy Wonder, MAX, and several others. If Jools really wanted to hear some GREAT blues, he'd hang out here and listen to a few CDs from Mudcatters, esp. that Max. That kid is The Blues personified. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between him and a recording of Mississippi John Hurt. The kid is magic.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 11:21 PM

The man's got a right to make a living. He's no worse than Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Utah Phillips or any other of those 'so called' authentic American artists. Caricatures rather than characters. It's like Dick Van Dyke's 'cockney' accent in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' He may have come by his accent and attitude legitimately, I don't know, but the 'let me tell you my story' routine has been done before and much better by lessor and greater known talents, George Thorogood being one. The Mississippi licence plate on his 'stomp box' was a nice touch, but can be obtained at any interstate(motorway for you ukers)truckstop. He's done his homework no doubt, but I get a sneakin' suspician there's a lot more sizzle than steak going on. Compare his performance to the eloquent Martin Simpson or K.T. Tunstell of a few weeks ago. You want it loud and crude? Dig up some old 'Hound Dog Taylor' LPs.

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 08:32 PM

Seasick Steve on the Jools Holland New Year Show 2007

I have to agree with George, definitely not my cup of corn liquor.

I know comparisons are odious, but fer Chrissakes, listen to this man and then listen to Johnny Winter ...

Subject: RE: Seasick Steve - how big in the US?
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 08:24 PM

Seasick Steve and his 3-string guitar. I saw him on Jools Holland too and really enjoyed it. I think you have to take him as you find him. I just don't like the seasick bit in his name - but it does grab your attention.

I don't know about the US but tickets for the Astoria, London in January (this month - I'm in the UK!) sound as if they are selling well.