Customer Reviews

Sean Costello

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent record from Sean Costello. He's in his mid-20's now and has made some outstanding Chicago blues styled records and a great swinging blues disc (his first one). He's clearly maturing as an artist and this record has roots deep in the blues that he mastered so long ago. But its obvious that he's not stuck for the rest of his life trying recreate the Chess blues style recordings. The songs on this record clearly show that he also bears some influence from soul and R&B artists like Al Green, Sam Cooke, Bill Withers, and others. There are a couple of good blues cuts done only the way that Sean could do them. The originals are excellent and provide us with a glimpse into Costello's life. There is a lot of passion and soul from a great young blues artist. This one's bound to win some serious attention. The production is excellent and has a great warm, full sound like so many great recordings from the 60's and 70's.

But if you're looking for another album of Chicago style blues, this isn't it. Its got a mean streak of soul and R&B mixed into those Chicago blues. A classic album!!!

The other review saying this is pop music is completely off the wall. If you want to know what a young blues artist sounds like who's gone the pop road then check out Johnny Lang's or Kenny Wayne Sheppard's newest disc, total commercial pop-rock-blues.

I highly recommend it!

This is Sean's first major label release and he fills every song with all the excitement and drive his independent releases offer. The new originals show maturity and style, it's his best all around effort to date.

I've got to say, if you don't think this is Blues, then you don't understand the genre. Check Sean and his band live and you'll get it, it's all Blues.

I love this new Sean Costello record!
It's a cool hybrid of Soul and Blues. I especially like his version of Simple Twist of Fate (with Levon Helm from The Band on drums) and No Half Steppin' reminds me of a classic Stax song.
A great songwriter and his singing and blues guitar playing remain first rate. I highly recommend it!

How can anyone be disappointed with this Sean Costello offering? Is it traditional blues? No. But the blues has different sounds and form and this CD, with its up-beat tone, tough chops by Costello, pounding drum rhythm, works ... and works well. The blues don't need to be sad, they can make you want to dance, too. You'll bop your head up and down to this CD and mimic a bass player or a drummer if you like. It's catchy and fun. C'mon guys, lighten up. Clapton, Costello ain't. Why would anyone put the two in the same sentence? He's Sean Costello not trying to be anything but. Give it a whirl, it's good music, done good.

My wife and I love this album and have listened to it repeatedly. Sean's singing and guitar playing show an amazing amount of maturity for such a young guy. His version of Simple Twist of Fate is one of the better Dylan covers I have heard, and I would rank it along side Jimi's take on All Along the Watchtower and Kenny Wayne's cover of Everything is Broken.

However, this is a not an album for die-hard blues traditionalists. They are still locked in the 1950's and resist any "blues" that doesn't toe the line of 3 chords for 12 bars. And a little of that straight-up blues goes a long way, a very long way. Ironically, Sean did a lot of that type of playing in his previous project the Jivebombers and became famous as a young guitar god.

Now Sean fuses roots rock, funk, soul and blues to create a fresh sound that still pays homage and respect to the past. So, he's more like a Tommy Castro or a Rick Holstrom; he's contemporary. Also, his guitar playing shows an amazing amount of restraint -- hence he's more like BB King, content to let his vocals, the strength of the composition and the meaning of the lyrics do the heavy lifting rather than wang away on the guitar all night. And I'm a guitar player!! A great record.

I bought this cd at the concert Sean and his band played in tucson i was ashamed the turnout was so small the concert only cost 5 dollar's but i digress let us get to the cd first thing's first once you listen to this cd a couple of times and give it a chance because sean is growing up and stretching out if you like soul/blues/gospel/rock this cd has it all. I am listening to it right now and the songs touch me. He is a great guitar player as he showed in concert showing up with just a 3 pc. group he must have broke 10 strings that night playin to maybe 50 to 70 people but the boy can jam he has a great voice and they played a lot of this album i kind of wish i could have seen the whole group but watching sean in action was like watching the shows back in the 70's give this kid a listen i think you will find a cd that gets a lot of play on your player.

Thanks for reading.

I discovered Sean Costello at a live performance where I lucked into front row seats. I had a chance to visit with him before & after the show. Sean & his band are very down to earth good people. I am tired of musicians that play great music, but are lousy people. This is NOT the case with this band. Nice people playing great music.

Sean Costello's music has a unique quality of being up-beat blues. Many of his songs are very life affirming & uplifting. They have poignant messages that appeal to all ages and types. Ihave played in for people from 6 to 60, and they all really enjoy this music. Sean deserves to be in everyone's music library as a breath of fresh air from the routine. I hope he keeps his high standards in music & messages. Very catchy stuff. Fabulous sound for 3 guys.

The best guitarist I have ever heard. The studio does not do him justice, but check out his live shows on youtube.

If you are a blues fan and enjoy great guitar playing this CD needs to be in your collection. You will not be disappointed.

What is everyone missing? Sean Costello has got it all. He's got the voice, and the chops! His new album is just a little taste of how well he can cover the soul of the blues. All of his albums are great, he is definitely the next Blues/Soul great!