Hobos are people who travel around looking for work, tramps are people who travel around but don’t look for work, and bums are people who don’t travel and don’t work.
– old hobo saying
I wouldn’t steer you far wrong.
If you haven’t heard any Seasick Steve… then that’s too bad. But now that Third Man Records is carrying his new record in here in North America that can all change. This is Seasick’s sixth album, and it’s a real beaut. Besides his usual drum guy, Dan Magnusson, it also has some other high end talent performing with him; with the likes of Luther Dickenson, John Paul Jones, Fats Kaplin, Elizabeth Cook, and Jack White.
I dig Seasick Steve because his lyrics and music are simple, raw, and unapologetic and seem to be from the heart. There may be some idle chit chat and controversy out there about the reality of his persona and how much is marketing shtick, but I don’t really concern myself much with any of that; I think the emotional truth shows through in the music.
I must admit I was pretty surprised by this latest offering…it has a BIG sound. I guess what can you expect with John Paul Jones thumping away on the bass? This album’s music is certainly more ‘put together’ that some of Steve’s earlier work, like Doghouse Music, but in a good way. I will say however, that for me anyway, this is right on the borderline of being almost too much. It hasn’t stepped over the line but it’s pretty darn close. There are eleven songs on the recording, two of them although very beautiful are a bit uncharacteristic.
Steve, as usual plays some pretty funky gear like the three string guitar (maybe it’s the Three String Trance Wonder) and a cigar box guitar, and of course the hubcap guitar for which the album is named.
JPJ also is heard playing more than just the bass; with kit like a fretless gourd banjo, mandolin, and ukulele lap steel.
I would have preferred if the record had been pressed onto 180gm vinyl, but at the price point it was being offered at I guess that wasn’t realistic. But all in all with everything said and done I like this album a lot, and its certainly gonna get some spinning time on the old turntable.