Chris_APA Posted May 27, 2008 Report Share Posted May 27, 2008 What you really have here is Seasick Steve himself; a real American, trainhopping, jailbirding, cowboying, carnival-working, migrant farm-picking, occasional tramping, near-fatal heart attack surviving old hobo.The real deal.Steve was invited to leave home before his 14th birthday. Having spent many hours listening to stories of hobos, tramps and bums who would come by his childhood home asking for work or just a handout, he reckoned he was ready for a life on the rails.So making up a 'bundle' (sleeping roll, some clothes, etc), and not forgetting his guitar, he headed off into the sunset.Sound romantic? For the most part it was not! Sleeping rough. Going hungry. Working for handouts. Eating at the missions. Riding the rails. Playing on street corners for small change and many a free stay in the county jails of America... and this is the PG version!But then there were those moments, stories told and heard in the 'jungle camps', scraps of old songs picked up. Food for song? You bet!Seasick Steve's music is so out of it and old fashioned that it somehow arrives at modern. His audiences have mainly been the younger crowd, listening to the Fat Possum sounds of R.L. Burnside et al and bands like The White Stripes and Black Diamond Heavies.While doing shows with R.L. Burnside, Steve saw how younger audiences went crazy for what he was doing. After playing, kids would ask "What kinda music is this?" Steve replied "Well, it's kinda low-down blues and such..." Their response was "We hate the blues.... but man we LOVE what you do!"This is what got Seasick Steve out again and doing what he does best - being the pied piper of the hobo blues!http://www.seasicksteve.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.