Three String Wonder January 27, 2007
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
Ever wondered what a three string guitar or a diddly bow sound like? Wonder no more, Seasick Steve has arrived and lets you know in no uncertain terms. The music on this album reminds me of some of the greats of the Blues; John Lee Hooker, R L Burnside and Canned Heat. I don't think I have ever heard a white blues artist sound quite like this, he is not the usual white man singing the blues. Here is a white man who quite obviously, through his lyrics, lived the blues. Yellow Dog, after a short intro moves into an even shorter thrash and to me is reminiscent of early electric blues. Following this is the Mississippi country style Things Go Up, then comes the three string guitar piece Cut My Wings, how Steve does it I don't know, but it is pure heaven to listen to. Fallen Off A Rock tells of a life hoboing, which has a surprise ending very reminiscent to me of my hero R L Burnside. Dog House Boogie, you've guessed it a boogie al la John Lee Hooker via Canned Heat, introducing yet another blues style. Steve then introduces the one string diddly bow, "I got me here the one string diddly bow", on a simple song Save Me it make fascinating listening and is in my opinion one of the highlights of the album. On and on I could go but I think you should discover Seasick Steve for yourselves. Once every decade or so someone is (re)discovered, the late 70's/80's brought the Wonderful Ted Hawkins, then followed Kent DuChaine and the 90's brought the late great R L Burnside, who transcended many musical barriers, to world wide attention. It is now Seasick Steve's turn and justly so in my view.
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