Thu 17 Apr 2008
April 16, 1979 - April 15, 2008
This is from the last interview Sean Costello did.
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It is with very deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Sean Costello. Sean Costello was a very talented 28 year old who could play and sing the blues with great skill. He just released his fifth cd “We Can Get Together” on Feb. 19, 2008. This has really shaken me up because Monday night (April 14) I interview Sean Costello. Tuesday night I recieved an email from his manager that Sean had past away a few hours after I had talked to him. Sean Costello last interview is the one you will hear. The interview seemed so pointless in hind site. Sean had so little time and it was being spent talking to a stranger about his music. We all need to think about how we use the time we have here on Earth. Before we carry on would you please take a minute to pray for Sean Costello’s family, friends, and band mates that God would help them through this pain they must be suffering from the lost of a family member or close friend.
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Sean Costello got his first guitar for his ninth birthday. It wasn’t till he was eleven or twelve that he started getting serious with the guitar after hearing a Howlin’ Wolf record. At that point Sean said he wanted to be like Hubert Sumlin the guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf”s band. While still in high school Sean represented Memphis in the International Blues Challenge in 1994. After the International Blues Challenge he got a manager and put together his own band to tour the region on weekends. Sean made his first cd when he was seventeen years old called Call the Cops (1996). Half of the songs were written by Sean the other half are by old blues artists. Songs like “One More Chance With You” by Little Walter, “Take a Walk With Me” by Robert Lockwood Jr., “Sail On” and “She Was a Dreamer” by Sonny Boy Williamson and “Sit Down Baby” by Willie Dixon. Sean really knew the old masters and loved their music. This is a very mature cd for a seventeen year old to be making. Susan Tedeschi asked Sean to play lead guitar on her first cd “Just Won’t Burn”. The cd went gold and Sean went on tour with her for a about a year and a half. His 2nd cd Cuttin’ In was released in 2001. This cd also has the Chicago Blues style to it with well chosen songs by Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Otis Rush and Little Walter. Sean’s voice is more mature and his own songs are being added to the cd. Sean was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award for “Best New Artist Debut.” in 2000. Now Sean was touring the US, Canada, and Europe under his own name. This cd really got a lot of people in the blues community interested in this new young blues man. In 2001 Sean released Moanin’ for Molasses which went a little more towards the soul side than just straight Chicago Blues. 2004 brought his self titled cd that had a bigger budget and more variety of musical styles like Bob Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate”, Al green’s “I’m A Ram” and Sean’s own songs. There is a jazz ballad, gospel, soul, R and B even a funk song. Still the songs sound real good and were well recieved even though his record company at the time barely promoted the cd. Sean said his new cd We Can Get Together is a more aggressive in your face guitar sound. He felt he had found his own style in soul, rock n’ roll and blues by mixing them up in his own way. Sean was pleased with the way his voice was sounding on this cd. In my opinion that is the real strong point– his great from the heart sound. Sean really makes you feel his emotion in the songs. Sean said he was trying to put out something new that was still relevant while paying respect to the traditional blues artists that he admired so much. Over the years Sean has played with most of his heroes. People like Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Hubert Sumlin, Dr. John, Kim Wilson, Steve Jordan, Johnnie Johnson, James Cotton.
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Sean Costello
We Can Get Together
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The latest cd by Sean Costello came out Feb.19, 2008 on Delta Groove Music. “Anytime You Want” kicks off the cd with a gritty rock n’ blues song. Sean’s voice is almost as unmistakable as Howlin’ Wolf’s voice. The gravelly emotional sound let’s you know he is passionate about what he’s singing about. Sean said the opening riff he has had around for years and only now worked out the rest of the song. Kind of reminds him of a John Lee Hooker type song. “Same Old Game” lyrically is trying to be somewhere between The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. Here Sean is trying to reinvent himself after moving up to a bigger label for his self titled cd. Things did not go quite the way he had expected. Now having a new attitude, new confidence, and new sound he is moving on. Sean said he thought this song, “Can’t Let Go” would be more popular among a larger group of people, not just the blues lovers. I have to agree whole heartedly with him. The emotion in his voice is so powerful and work so well with an upbeat almost pop like sound. This song could be played on so many different types of radio stations and fit in perfectly with their playlist. Remember Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”? Was that pop, rock, soul, blues or R and B? It didn’t matter it was just great. Have you ever met anyone that did not like that song. No, it broke all the bearers down just like “Can’t Let Go”. To hear this song is to love the song. Oliver Wood’s rhythm guitar, Aaron Trubic bass, Paul Campanella Jr. on drums all working together to make a very memorable song. In the background you hear beautiful keyboards being laid down by Neal Wachoupe. Sean’s lead guitar is right on the mark. Then the voice, oh what a sound. Hold on I have to play this one more time.
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Ok I’m ready to move on, the next song is like a slow funeral march. Sean said he heard this song as having a tuba for the bass line. This works great, I have this feeling of going down the streets of New Orleans behind a band playing in a funeral. The background vocals and the different little percussion sounds all add up to a very nice song.
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Sean said “Hard Luck Woman” is kind of chant like on a chain gang. This has more of a hard blues rocking sound than the last few songs. His voice is just great, both here as well as the next song, every bit as important as the guitar or drums. “How In The Devil” is another blues rocker similar to the last song. This time it’s just a three piece band and that’s all it takes to rock you with “How In The Devil”.
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“Have You No Shame” and “All This Time” are a bit slower than the last few songs. Still rough edged rock n’ blues but the passion is not there like the earlier songs. The’re not bad songs, they just don’t stand up to the earlier ones. Hey, how many records have you bought with only one or two good songs. The first six songs are very strong with the first one “Anytime You Want” good for top air play on any rock or blues radio station. “Can’t Let Go” would be a hit on any station that does not play classical music or rap.
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“Going Home” is a traditional gospel song. Sean said he had heard a lot of different artist do this. O. V. Wright was a soul singer back in the 60′ and 70’s and Sean’s version is closest to his. Once again the voice kicks in and you can’t help but love this song. Great guitar playing for a gospel song. Rich Lannucci’s organ holds it all together as well as giving us a new sound to hear on the cd. “Feel Like I Ain’t Got A Home” is a nice upbeat enjoyable song. Funny how the name sounds like it should be a sad song but it’s very positive. The last song “Little Birds” is also a traditional song. This was taught to Sean by Levon Helm (The Band) who’s father taught it to him. This works as a nice way to close the record.
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Sean Costello’s voice makes him sound like one of the old time original blues artist. His guitar playing though is far to good to be like someone from the fifties. Sean loved the old time blues artist and tried to emulate them. You did a great job Sean, thanks for all the great songs.
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Songs in the podcast are:
Same Old Game
Hard Luck Woman
How in the Devil
Going Home
Can’t Let Go
Anytime You Want
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MUSICIANS on the CD:
Sean Costello: Vocals & Guitar
Aaron Trubic: Bass
Paul Campanella Jr.: Drums & Percussion
Oliver Wood: Guitar
Ray Hangen: Drums & Percussion
Rich Iannucci: Organ & Accordion
Adam Mewherter: Sousaphone
Jon Liebman: Harmonica
Donnie McCormick: Chicken Coop
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Sean Costello Website
Sean Costello MySpace page
To buy Sean Costello’s cd We Can Get Together
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I would like to thank:
Sean Costello for taking time to do the interview.
Carol Peters of Peters Management Syndicate for all her help.
Sacha J. Guzy for keeping me informed and setting everything up.
Delta Groove Music Inc. for letting podcasters play/promote their music.
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