Lettin' Go

Son Seals

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00004SUFA
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #224,256 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When Son Seals' self-titled debut was released in 1973, his tutelage under blues greats like Sonny Boy Williamson and Albert King gave way to an identity as a new master of modern electric blues. Seals's maiden 21st-century release, Lettin' Go, once again encapsulates all the things that have cemented that identity for an international following: painfully jagged guitar riffs, uncompromising, emotional vocals, and chops cut on a lifetime of jook joints and hard livin'. The record represents something of a departure for this notorious traditionalist. An acoustic guitar opens the record, which in Seals's repertoire is a rare sound indeed. Tracks like "Blues Holy Ghost" incorporate gospel stylings and sentiments. There's even a more-or-less straight-up rock track here, "Osceola Rock," and a guest appearance from Trey Anastasio from the rock band Phish. Still, when you hear Seals going to work on dirty, soulful workouts like "Bad Blood," there's no doubt where this man's true talents lie. --Matthew Cooke

From Jazziz
'My father taught me everything from the start,' says bluesman son seals, 'tuning the guitar, fingering. Where I wanted to be riffing around all up and down the neck right away, he'd keep me on one chord for hours, until I could feel it in my sleep. I'd get up the next morning, grab the guitar, and I'd be right on that chord.' Seals' new CD, Lettin' Go, finds the Chicago resident revamping his classic 'Funky Bitch' alongside the jam-rock band Phish. 'Bad Blood,' was co-written with attorney and crime novelist Andrew Vachss. 'He did the lyrics, and I put the music to it,' says Seals. 'I'm pleased with it.' - JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars. Son's last but not his least, November 17, 2007

By	Docendo Discimus (Vita scholae) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I'm not very observant, apparently. I had held this CD in my hand several time before I noticed that part of Son Seals' left leg is missing. He lost it due to diabetes. A very poignant cover photo, actually, especially considering that this album ended up being his last.

This is Son Seals' first CD for Telarc records. Unfortunately it is also his last album; he has been dead for five years now.
"Lettin' Go" is mostly blues and tough R&B, but there are excursions into other genres, especially gospel and soul. The band is tight and muscular, Al Kooper on Hammond organ, a small horn ensemble, and Son Seals himself churning out liquid fire on his guitar.
His gruff vocals sound even gruffer than usual, and he is in top form on songs like "Bad Blood" and the mid-tempo blues "Give the Devil his Due".

It's a little surprising to hear Son Seals doing the "western swing" of "Rockin' and Rollin' Tonight", though. And if I am to complain a little bit, and I am, as usual, some of these songs are simply too long. The arrangements are not interesting enough to justify seven minutes of "Jelly Jelly" and "Dear Son", and five more songs are over the five minute mark. And both soloing and melodies can seem a bit repetitive and overly familiar at times, especially if you've already heard Son's previous albums.

But, hey, this is still a pretty good blues record. Son's playing hasn't slowed down at all...just listen to his solos "Doc's Blues" and the thumping "Blues Holy Ghost". And "Hair on a Frog" features a great horn arrangement and a funky sax solo, as well as a scorching guitar solo.

He had a lot to sing the blues about, Son did. During the course of his life he was shot, his house burned, he lost all but one of his many brothers and sisters, and finally died at 62 years of age due to the same illness that cost him his left foot and part of the leg as well.
Maybe that's why he sounds so sincere. No putting on airs here.

This is not Frank "Son" Seals' best record, but it's certainly good enough. And if you don't already own them, you should go get his three best Alligator albums: "The Son Seals Blues Band", "Midnight Son" and "Nothing But The Truth".
Son Seals played real blues music. He was the real deal.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How did Son get into my brain?, October 11, 2000

By	Rebekah Sue Harris (West Haven, CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered this CD to be delivered with the new Burke book ("Dead and Gone" by Andrew Vachss). Little did I know that the CD would be delivered after my boyfriend/almost fiancé/the first guy in 30 years who was ever nice to me/etc. would be caught cheating on me.

I threw myself into the Blues.

Son spoke from MY heart.

THIS was my introduction to Son Seals.

"Let It Go" I played over and over. Sometimes, you just gotta let it go! It's upbeat beat pulled me out of my doldrums and its message got through to my brain. You listen to this CD enough, and if you've been lied to and cheated upon, you will embrace "Love Had A Breakdown" as you learn to love your freedom instead of hating it. (Does that make sense? I went from crying, to being able to welcome Son's "I no longer want you." That's a far cry from my earlier, "I can forgive you" -- and MUCH healthier.)

I could pick through each song for you, but I think that each person who listens to it will get something different out of it, based on his/her own life experiences. I can honestly tell you that it made me feel better.

I am not a blues connoisseur and indeed have only been listening to the blues for a few years (finding my choices based on amazon.com's recommendations to me, a registered user who buys Andrew Vachss books) -- so I can't critique this as a professional reviewer might. However, I'm a music fan going back as far as I can remember, and I can tell you that this is GREAT. The music wraps itself around the lyrics and the listener is given a package worth opening. Son's voice is the rich, deep green of a forest; it's cool and inviting and you can hear the wild animals in the underbrush even when you can't see them.

Everyone whose heart has been broken should listen to this CD.

Everyone who has a FRIEND whose heart has been broken should listen to this CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars last but NOT least!!, March 16, 2008

By	Kenneth A. Knowles - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

i have been a fan of son seals since i saw him live in chicago at the wise fools pub in the late 70s and this is one of his best recordings. its too bad he didnt receive the acclaim he deserved but anyone who digs the blues will like this album. dont "burn it" BUY IT, son deserves at least that much. ken