CD Reviews

"At His Best - Live"

Sean Costello

Downslide Records

Despite the loss of so many tremendous elder bluesmen over the past couple years, I still feel that one of the most significant losses was that of Sean Costello. Taken from this world one day shy of his 29th birthday, he had the blues world knocking at his door as the next great hope. That individual who could perhaps been the future Robert Cray or Stevie Ray Vaughan to spark interest beyond to the cross-over market. He had that type of potential. Skills on guitar and a voice that growled filled with soulfulness and reckless abandon that demanded attention. And there was no better forum to listen to this talent than in performance.

Luckily for us, Landslide Records has taken 16 tracks of Sean Costello live material culled from various venues between 2000 – 2007 and released a remarkable compilation documenting the power he held for audiences. All selections have never been previously released on any of his albums. Outstanding covers by artists such as Magic Sam, T-Bone Walker, Tyrone Davis, Michael Bloomfield, Bobby Womack and Earl King among others. Please note, the sound quality varies throughout the album because the inclusions were recorded by various means from stage soundboards to personal cassettes. But even if there is feedback or background talking going on at times, the music being offered is out of this world fantastic! Guitar playing that cuts to the bone, never over-played, concise and just damn flavorful! Want proof? Give a listen to Magic Sam's "All Your Love", Freddie King's "San-Ho-Zay" or Andy Gibson's "The Hucklebuck."

Costello's guitar work may have brought the most recognition, but his singing is more than stellar, too. On numbers like Tyrone Davis' "Can I Change My Mind," Bobby Womack's "Check It Out" and Johnnie Taylor's "Doing My Own Thing" Costello displays soulful readings just dripping with emotion. There are also fine readings exuberating fun such as T-Bone Walker's "T-Bone Boogie," Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Motor Head Baby" and Little Richard's classic "Lucille." And his take of Robert Ward's "Peace Of Mind" is over the top, just maybe the highlight of an album filled with outstanding material.

It is a tremendous shame that we will never be able to witness Sean Costello on stage ever again. Those of us who had that pleasure will never forget the dynamics he brought forth. Those who did not will have to resort to this disc. But have no fear, it is going to make believers of anybody who listens of just how important a musician Costello really was. Thank you Landslide for bringing back such fond memories.

Note: Proceeds from the sale of this album will benefit the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bi-Polar Research.

Total Time: 71:33

Intro / San-Ho-Zay / Blue Shadows / T-Bone Boogie / All Your Love / I Got A Feeling / Check It Out / Can I Change My Mind / You're Killing My Love / Reconsider Baby / Doing My Own Thing / The Hucklebuck / Motor Head Baby / Hold On This Time / The Battle Is Over But The War Goes On / Peace Of Mind / Lucille

Reviewed by Greg Johnson