Blues for a new school?

[StewFairweather]

Firstly, I know Seasick Steve refers to himself as "a song and dance man" and not a "blues man" but everything's got a label these days and in that context a "blues man" he is. (I'm thinking there's potential in that sentence for a whole discussion!)

I play blues, pretty much exclusively. Perhaps more importantly I'm a blues fan. It just has a sound that speaks to me and stirs me up. I imagine it's much the same for others who listen to or play it too.
I'm sure anyone signed up to this forum has seen Steve live or at least footage. It warms my heart to see shed loads of young faces in the audience eager to lap up something a "little more raw" as Steve puts it. With his excellent showmanship and general funking and punking up of Northern Mississippi style blues licks he's palatable and contemporary.
Thing is though, I know lots of folks with copies of Steve's albums. Rarely will I see another blues album on the shelf with 'em. Turned on and tuned into Seasick Steve but not blues.
Leaves me a bit flat in a way. I remember thinking when I saw him play on Jools a few years ago that finally someones breaking out of the blues bubble and getting noticed. Found myself a little excited that one or 2 others might crawl out of the woodwork.
Truth is there are loads of great bluesman (and women) out there who sound great and keeping it alive. Seasick Steve though has a great sound, the materials not too heavy and the performance just sucks you in.
He's not a bluesman that happened to get noticed and make it out of the blues bubble. Nor is it blues for a new school. He's out there on his own. Seasick Steve "The song and dance man"!
Long may it continue

Stew Fairweather

[endsprings]

Hey Stew.....

The blues definitely stirs me up too. Something so natural about it, especially delta blues. Steve is a true, unique performer and writer in these days. He's definitely been a breath of fresh air! I don't think it matters if people don't dig the blues and just like Steve. If you like both I believe knowing of blues artists helps, maybe, you get deeper into what Steve's doing!

I also love acoustic blues as well as Steve. For me there is no one better than Robert Johnson and I believe there never will be. His music is so haunting and special. Also Mississippi Fred McDowell is a fav of mine.

I am also a "geetar" player and after 18 years I'm still trying to get to grips with acoustic blues! I'm damm enjoying it too!

Steve

[Chiggers Plays Pop]

There's a Bluesman frequents this here forum from time to time - when he's not having a few scoops (whatever that means?!!?)

[davey]

...Thing is though, I know lots of folks with copies of Steve's albums. Rarely will I see another blues album on the shelf with 'em. Turned on and tuned into Seasick Steve but not blues...

True - there are many folks out there who have Steve's albums but no other blues. But many of them have rock or punk albums, or even folk albums - all of which are related to Steve's music in some way. I guess it goes to show how wide Steve's appeal is and how many different camps in which he has a foot.

And then there are a few of us at least who had never really got into the blues until we heard Steve - but I for one am appreciating more and more different blues artists as time goes by.

Hmm, interesting!

Cheers, davey.

[shave me head]

...Thing is though, I know lots of folks with copies of Steve's albums. Rarely will I see another blues album on the shelf with 'em. Turned on and tuned into Seasick Steve but not blues...

True - there are many folks out there who have Steve's albums but no other blues. But many of them have rock or punk albums, or even folk albums - all of which are related to Steve's music in some way. I guess it goes to show how wide Steve's appeal is and how many different camps in which he has a foot.

And then there are a few of us at least who had never really got into the blues until we heard Steve - but I for one am appreciating more and more different blues artists as time goes by.

Hmm, interesting!

Cheers, davey.

Well written davey, can`t really find the right words, but you got it in a nutshell there. I`ve graduated to Steve`s music via NWOBHM and Punk. Always had a liking for a bit of blues, but that`s as far as it went, just starting to delve a little deeper now. I think the connection for me is an honesty and rawness that is sadly missing in a lot of music today, to my mind anyway

[RidingWestAndFree]

Well written davey, can`t really find the right words, but you got it in a nutshell there. I`ve graduated to Steve`s music via NWOBHM and Punk. Always had a liking for a bit of blues, but that`s as far as it went, just starting to delve a little deeper now. I think the connection for me is an honesty and rawness that is sadly missing in a lot of music today, to my mind anyway

I like a varied selection of music but I have to say I had to Google 'NWOBHM'

I am better educated now!

[StewFairweather]

Well written davey, can`t really find the right words, but you got it in a nutshell there. I`ve graduated to Steve`s music via NWOBHM and Punk. Always had a liking for a bit of blues, but that`s as far as it went, just starting to delve a little deeper now. I think the connection for me is an honesty and rawness that is sadly missing in a lot of music today, to my mind anyway

I like a varied selection of music but I have to say I had to Google 'NWOBHM'

I am better educated now!

I had to goolge NWOBHM too!

The idea for the initial post/rant came from something someone said on the Glastonbury coverage. Not sure who, my knowledge of "celebs" is limited. About SSS they said something along the lines of "blues for the new millennium".
To me, a country blues fan and player, it ain't. It is and has been around if you wanna find it. It kind of undermines what SSS does as well. Like I said, he's flown out of the blues pigeon hole and become a great standout artist. One that appeals to many tastes. Nothing surprised me more than to see one of my uncles with an SSS album. A man who normally listens to nothing but 80's synth music! I know for him it's not about the blues. He just appreciates the honesty, rawness and humour of the man and his music.

oohh....for those of you who dig some blues from time to time check this guy. One of my favs name of MIssissippi Gabe Carter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx0GrcTg ... re=related

Stew

[shave me head]

Well written davey, can`t really find the right words, but you got it in a nutshell there. I`ve graduated to Steve`s music via NWOBHM and Punk. Always had a liking for a bit of blues, but that`s as far as it went, just starting to delve a little deeper now. I think the connection for me is an honesty and rawness that is sadly missing in a lot of music today, to my mind anyway

I like a varied selection of music but I have to say I had to Google 'NWOBHM'

I am better educated now!

NWOBHM, that`s me showing my age RWAF

Impressed with Gabe Carter, thanks Stew

[Cali]

I have listened to lots of varied music over the years from jazz to reggae but grew up in the punk era and and being from Belfast stiff little fingers was the band of choice for me I found Steve by chance thru a friend and we are both going to the open house festival in Belfast on Sunday to see Steve for the first time and as I also like ac/dc I decided to make a day of it and go and see the the hayseed dixie as well they are playing at the chillifest in the afternoon cudn't not go for the princely sum of £5 to see heavy rock played blue grass style
but glad I logged in here today now I can now find other good music like the link posted above
and converse with people who like Steve and his style of music.
so I will thank you all in advance.

[Chiggers Plays Pop]

Cali - I'm a Fingers nut - only missed one gig in NE England since they reformed in '87 - you truly have great taste in music.

I'll also be at the Chilli thing and Steve gig on Sunday - You might see me - I'm 6'4" and I will have a non-alcoholic drink in me hand!!!

[RidingWestAndFree]

Cali - I'm a Fingers nut - only missed one gig in NE England since they reformed in '87 - you truly have great taste in music.

I'll also be at the Chilli thing and Steve gig on Sunday - You might see me - I'm 6'4" and I will have a non-alcoholic drink in me hand!!!

Chigg, I am beginning to take you seriously now. Is this for real?

[Bluesman]

Cali - I'm a Fingers nut - only missed one gig in NE England since they reformed in '87 - you truly have great taste in music.

I'll also be at the Chilli thing and Steve gig on Sunday - You might see me - I'm 6'4" and I will have a non-alcoholic drink in me hand!!!

Chigg, I am beginning to take you seriously now. Is this for real?

The 6'4'' is correct anyway. . . . . . . . . .as for the drink

[Nervous Niven]

Interesting as the observations about Seasick Steve are, I only joined this forum to find out more about Stew Fairweather... I discovered him in the wee hours of last night and have been spellbound ever since. Check out his Youtube channel, he is unbelievable.

This is the upload I stumbled across last night.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8yE9LNH6I

Clues on the web appear to be scant, I would be grateful for any information.

Thanks,

Niven.

[davey]

Interesting as the observations about Seasick Steve are, I only joined this forum to find out more about Stew Fairweather... I discovered him in the wee hours of last night and have been spellbound ever since. Check out his Youtube channel, he is unbelievable.

This is the upload I stumbled across last night.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8yE9LNH6I

Clues on the web appear to be scant, I would be grateful for any information.

Thanks,

Niven.

Hi Niven,

welcome to the forum! Thanks for posting the link - yeah - its a bit special isn't it! Good luck in your search for more info - perhaps we'll hear from the man himself.

Cheers, davey.

[Nervous Niven]

Thanks Davey,

While I'm here I thought I should perhaps make a contibution towards the topic under discussion on this board.....

I'm more of a Blues fan than a SSS fan but that doesn't mean I don't like SSS... However I do find it disappointing that SSS's huge success with audiences of all ages hasn't stirred up more interest in the Country and Delta Blues that preceded him... This lack of interest seems to be in spite his best efforts to inform us of his influences. It is apparent that when quizzed in interviews SSS always rattles off a few names for the listeners to investigate.

What can you do?

Ho hum,

Niven.

P.S. If you got a couple of minutes listen to this.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip7c-Xd0Ly0