More Interviews...
Features...
Reviews...

A bluesman may not be particularly in-keeping with Organised-Sound.com's tradition of rock acts, but tonight's packed-out Astoria gig really is something to write home about. After leaving home at thirteen and working and living for many years on the streets, sixty-something Steve Wold has finally gained a well deserved spot at the top, and tonight is a stellar example of why.

First on the bill are self confessed 'best band in the world' Billie the Vision and the Dancers - quirky Swedish folk/rock, with a front-man in drag and band members dressed for Eurovision are, unfortunately, all 'style' and no substance. They receive a lukewarm reception - their lyrics are (unintentionally) funny, but their music is repetitive, and the fact that all their songs are about Pablo gets old pretty quickly.

After their set, the room begins to fill with a diverse assortment of people, and I see some surprisingly young faces in the crowd; a testimony to Seasick Steve's authenticity and gritty realism - something often boasted about but rarely found in today's fast-paced and fickle industry. Steve enters through the crowd, playing 'Yellow Dog', with adoration reaching near-hysteria level; the audience cheering in delight, and a couple of drummers conducting the ceremony from the near-empty stage - set simply with an assortment of guitars in varying conditions, a small drum-kit, an amp, a chair, and a 'Mississippi Drum Machine' (that's wooden box to you and I). Steve sits down, and the show gets properly underway.

What comes next is unlike any musical experience I have ever had before. Personally, I like to consider myself something of a gig pro; from sugary pop to heavy metal, I've been there, done that and probably got the tee-shirt. But this is something else. No unnecessary polish, no finesse - this is music laid completely bare. Just one man and his guitar - awe inspiring. A simple truth runs through the set, and Steve is charming and gracious for the full length - unlike any other front man I've ever encountered. Regaling us with anecdotes, teaching us slang and occasionally dancing with all the passion he can muster, Steve is reminiscent of ones own granddad or crazy great-uncle - except, as he points out, we're hanging onto his every word; we've all paid to hear his stories tonight.

KT Tunstall cameos on a couple of songs; once on guitar, and once on flute. She's definitely more talented here than most of us would care to give her credit for, but she pales in comparison to Seasick Steve himself. From simple acoustic melodies with nothing but his voice for accompaniment, to exciting but straightforward electric numbers, he does it all. The highlight of the evening is definitely the appearance during the encore of the one-stringed (that's right!) guitar, which is essentially an old plank with a string across it. Steve plays this with an astounding skill - anyone not looking at the stage would have easily assumed he was using a five string - and still manages to make a fantastic sound. This is live music at its best, and a feast for fans and sceptics alike - although I doubt there are any sceptics left in the crowd after what was witnessed tonight. Seasick Steve will be playing the Royal Albert Hall some time this year, and it's sure to be an excellent show, but tonight, with the atmosphere and the intimacy and the feeling that we've all been part of something unique, is definitely something I'll be boasting to my grandchildren about.

Seasick Steve's second album 'Dog House Music' is available now.