I Started Out With Nothing and Still Got Most Of It Left

Every generation needs “the man” who has lived through it all and Steve Wold, aka Seasick Steve, is it for us. Tragic upbringing? Check. Lived as a hobo in his teens? Check. Worked a variety of odd jobs (including a bonafide cowboy) before settling as a fulltime musician? Check. He released his debut solo album Dog House Musicin 2006 and Jools Holland made him the cat’s miaow. And rightfully so. His current offering is some good listening indeed. Featuring guest appearances from KT Tunstall and Ruby Turner and writing credits and vocals from Nick Cave, the album generates pure foot stompin’ and knee slappin’ enjoyment right from the opening title track. He sings about ankle biting bugs called ‘chiggers’ in a way that makes you reach down and scratch your own. Recorded at Leeders Farm in Norfolk it sounds rural, you can even hear birds singing in the background when Steve is telling the story ‘My Youth’, a twelve-minute spoken word piece that closes the album. You feel every song was the first take and that the man himself is right there in front of you with his slide guitar and baseball cap. ‘Nevermind’, the best track, also contains the best quote: “If you are going to sing a song about drinking wine you should drink some wine.” I like his style.