Seasick Steve; Searing, Visceral Dirty Rock & Roll!
Published
As the opening strains of My Baby ring around Glasgow’s infamous Barrowlands, a notable excitability and anticipation is evidently palpable throughout the air. For the iconic setting known for it’s somewhat grubby, though unmistakably rough-hewn charm, seems perfectly apt for the headliners own idiosyncratic gifts, something he himself alludes to later during his own set.
Though initially it’s My Baby’s time to shine, and if the battle lies in aesthetics they are half way there already. Lead singer Cato Van Dyck in particular looking like one of Hank Moody’s super-cool, hot rock and roll girlfriends - you know the type you just dont find walking up Sauchiehall Street, though forget looks and instead it’s her voice that hits immediately - and what a voice!. All Janis Joplin rock and roll wail.
Whilst the guitar player throws out some tangled, moody guitar riffs all controlled and dirty. The sound meanwhile is quite full and rich, surprisingly for a three piece in some ways. Best evidenced in Uprising’s surging momentum all taunt and attitude infused. In many ways the band are somewhat like a modern day thrown-back, in a good way. Harking back to the times of Hendrix and Joplin et al, to the extent that my mate on commenting how impressed he was with the band stated a note of caution in noting where would a cool band that can sing and play actually fit in the modern disposable market?
Conversely touring with Seasick Steve is clearly the best route for My Baby, that of an artists that made it singularly on his fantastic live performances. Thus a strong turn from My Baby who I predict will be welcomed back to Glasgow gleefully.
Though on to the main event, an artist that has in a few short years become an almost unmissable live draw. Wherein the opening number "Thunderbird" is an absolutely searing, visceral accomplishment, and truly one of the greatest opening’s this reviewer has ever seen to a show. And trust me I’m a veteran of thousands of shows!
That is, acts like Seasick Steve are fundamentally forged and formed in thousand upon thousand of live performances, from sweaty old bars to packed houses. And sure his albums are good, but it’s the Iive shows on which he has made his name, and not just the music. Throughout the set humour, anecdote’s, storytelling and an ever present humble self-deprecating charm, it’s almost as if the audience is willing the man on consistently, as if his late blooming is a win for everyone. And moreover it’ not just the old blues, evolution has been evident in his template throughout from the addition of John Paul Jones, his fantastic live drummer to the funky, contemporary "Summertime Boy" sharing much of the Black Keys et al funk.
The guitar playing meanwhile deserves special mention containing at times some absolutely vicious, dirty roaring blues and kudos for innovation throughout from banjos to rocking one string pawn-shop guitars, any guitar player needs to see this show. The Barrowlands now absolutely alive and swaying, Seasick Steve the absolute embodiment of that rough, blues infused sound Glasgow audiences love from ACDC to Chuck Berry, simple music that makes people want to move, it’s always been there and always will.
Wherein by the time "Doghouse Blues" rings out on encore, the audience is near frenzy old men rocking air guitars gleefully, intimidating Neds staggering about with no tops on, women moving to ever beat, the audience no mistaken won over. It was almost inevitable really?
To find out more about Seasick Steve click here.
To visit Seasick Steve's Facebook page click here.
Words by John Tonner
Main photo by Andy Sawyer
