Seasick Steve – You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks – Album Review

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Rogue Mag Music Seasick Steve Chris Durst
Seasick Steve by Chris Durst

He might be an old dog not learning new tricks, but he’s damn good at what he already knows

Steven Gene Wold A.K.A Seasick Steve is 70 years old this year. SEVEN.O. Let’s just put that into perspective. That’s the same age as Bob Dylan, a year younger than Paul McCartney though still three years older than Keith Richards! (That’s right, having a face like a melted welly doesn’t really do you any favours, when trying to convince people you’re not as old as Blackbeard.)

To judge Steve’s music for not sounding current therefore, is pretty unfair, after all, as he said himself in the title of his last studio album; he’s a ‘man from another time.’ That said, Steve is a popular guy across the ages. His reputation built on regular summer festival slots and a brilliant sense of onstage fun.

Rogue Mag Music Seasick Steve by Chris Durst
Seasick Steve by Chris Durst

Steve dazzles with his D.I.Y, beaten up guitars and his white-blues storytelling lyrics, speaking of his many years spent homeless. So, in this age of smart phones where most kids want their music to sound as advanced as their technology, does this record sit amongst the innovators? The answer is no. Of course not! I mean, the bloke’s probably only just managed to get a landline since his arrival on the scene about 5 years ago.

But who cares, this is thriving blues, country, rock and roll played exactly how it should be. Steve begins this record by convincing you he’s sounding as weary as his old mutt in the album artwork. But as the heart-breaking fiddle of ‘Treasures’ comes to a fade, what follows is 12 or so tunes of proof of youth, vigour. In ‘Burnin Up’ not only has Steve pinched John Lee Hooker’s guitar riff from ‘Boom, Boom’, he’s also acquired the legendary blues-man’s energy.

Rogue Mag Music Seasick Steve by Chris Durst
Seasick Steve by Chris Durst

A get up and go attitude also found in tracks like ‘I don’t know why she loves me but she do’ and the suitably titled ‘Party.’ ‘Back in the Doghouse’ on the other hand is a scuzzy blues rocker which features slide guitar sounding like it’s being played by the neck from a recently downed bottle of Jack Daniels.

So while Bobby D concerts are now an awareness campaign for the effects of Laryngitis and Keef has finally embraced his old pirate roots by fannying around with Johnny Depp on the big screen, Seasick Steve is refusing to show his age. Like its player, this is a timeless record and his finest yet. A must have for fans of country and blues. But for the rest of you, Steve will see you from a big stage or packed out tent this summer, and the one after that, and the next one till he drops. Cause as this album shows, he wont be stopping anytime soon, he’s just having too much fun.

8/10

Kieran Owen

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