Review: Seasick Steve, Bristol Summer Series

The scene was set down on the harbourside of what would have been the penultimate night of the Bristol Summer Series had Jessie J not cancelled her Saturday night performance, rivalling the shenanigans happening further down the A37. The clouds parted to make way for a perfect festival-vibe evening. Glastonbury’s all well and good, but the Pyramid stage doesn’t have a tall ship passing by majestically behind the stage, what more could Seasick Steve ask for? 

Supported tonight by the Manchester trio I Am Kloot, who recalled their first visit to the city 15 years ago with fondness – playing at the Louisiana to ‘the weird people of Bristol’ (their words, said with sentiment). Stand-out song and self proclaimed best song ever, Storm Warning, had sniffs of Portishead, well suited to the gathering crowd. They sounded as good now as they did first time round, sharing highlights from their vast back catalogue – I Am Kloot ,Sky At Night and Let It All In. A strong 10-song set dedicating To You from their debut album to ‘Seasick Steve aka The Beard’. Good to hear this band have still got more to give, like fellow contempories Cast. New live album out now Hold Back The Night.

The bikers, boys, babes and beards started to fill this great open-aired venue to the max. Steve Seasick has a definite cross-generation appeal. The original 76-year-old American hobo really does have a story to tell and so he does through authentic blues, rock, folk, funk and genuine floor-stomping rythmn.

Drummer Dan Magnusson is the perfect partner to the ultimate entertainer Steve. Opening with the intense energy and guitar genius, which could have been the encore, he ended up undertaking at least six guitar changes throughout the night, showing off his array of homemade one string, three string, hub cap, washboard, hosepipe, thimble plucked, scratched, banged and just about every way possible to make great sounds from one instrument, you could not be but in awe. Not to mention blowing the amp and breaking at least one of these guitars before the end of the gig.

Stories accompany each song but all relevant and engaging, even if being retold for the umpteenth time. Now on his 7th official album, Sonic Soul Surfer , he still has a sound that so many can connect with and never tire of. Pure, authentic and rich, you find yourself matching that infectious, bearded smile (albeit without the facial furniture). Tanya is pulled from the crowd onto the stage for Steve to woo and Dan fights for the last swig of red – so much more then a standard performance.

Fifteen great songs were chosen from across his back catalogue, including newer offerings Summertown Boy and Barracuda 68 – which didn’t disappoint the “Stevo” chanting crowd. The title track of his 2011 album, You cant Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, played on the Jack White hub cap gift guitar, had people rocking, waving and generally feeling on top of the world.

Steve’s mantra Keep On Keeping On drew the night to a close with a thrashing, drum-pummelling end. Two hours of pure, raw sounds that Robert Johnson would be proud of to call his own. 

Seasick Steve may have taken some time to have risen to fame, but it feels like he’s still got more stories to tell and the undeniable energy and knack to deliver them.