REVIEW OF
SEAN CARNEY'S
"Life Of Ease" CD
by Jean-Claude Mondo
(translated from French by René Malines)
This guitar playing
singer lives in Ohio. In Columbus exactly.
He's the president of
the local blues society, Columbus Ohio Blues Alliance.
Put together with the help of the Night Owlz, his first
album was back in 1998. Entitled "Provisions",
it had received Christine Kittrell's and Willie Pooch's
help. Sean also collaborated to 2 albums sessions for
black female singer Teeny Tucker (Tommy's daughter) : "Tommy's
girl" in
1999 and "First
class woman"
in 2003. Like his pairs Ronnie Earl and Duke Robillard,
Sean is considered one of the greatest contemporaries
guitar players.
The master title
opens the album. A composition filled with a jazz
nightclub mood. A typical late night track, when the
dance floor have started to empty, when couples embrace
each other and a mix of sweat, alcohol and tobacco
saturate the air. This is where Sean meets T-Bone
Walker's ghost, leading Steve Perakis' acoustic bass,
Eric Bloom's brushes and John Popovich's piano that
nails it. "All these worries" takes West side Chicago
direction. The tempo is catchy. Strings follow the
singer's chanting tracks. The man only concedes
necessary notes in reply to the Hammond B3. The exercise
occurs with natural and softness. Instruments get
complementary to sculpt together this unique style. Sean
pinches his strings like Albert Collins at his best,
fronting Miss Linda Dachtyl's warmful organ sounds while
Chuck Moore's tenor sax lands on top. Mr Carney sings "Bad
side baby"
with passion. An original well put together and filled
with sensitivity. An intimate track, "I've got a gypsy
woman" get enlightened by a solo as sharp as it is
sober. Chicago shuffle, "Pennies
& teardrops"
frees the sounds of a rootsy guitar, close to a Jimmy
Rogers caught in the fifties. Sean impresses with his
style so relaxed it seems easy.
This album, Sean
wanted to share it with his friends. Friends they are,
but also very talented musicians. Joe Weaver first. A
friend of Johnny Bassett, this black vocalist hails from
Detroit. He covers "Outskirts of town", a Louis Jordan's
composition. Again, this is a blues destined to smokers.
When he sings, first a chill runs down your spine, then
all you can do is surrender to his tone. Carney takes
this chance to communicate, note by note, the emotion
that haunts him. Joe's back on the piano to perform "Farmboy"
he sings with a raunchy voice. His friend King Sax Gene
Walker supports him on saxophone. Sean plays like a very
inspired Duke Robillard. Willie Pooch is another black
singer. Originally from Tupelo, Mississippi, he now
lives in Chicago. He sings the famous Lowell Fulsom's
"Tramp" with passion.
Teeny Tucker is a
talented vocalist. Sean and Teeny meet regularly. For
work. They also tour together. She does her "I live
alone", an up-tempo blues rocker. This "She Devil"
possesses a hell of a voice. Sean can't hold it no more.
Friend Phil Berkowitz blows his harp like a demon. "I
know your wig is gone" goes back jazz. Signed by T-Bone
Walker, this track allows Jack Popovich Sr to shine on
the ivory 88. Sean sings "That
man". His
timbre really adapts itself to any style. This one here
reminds of Jimmy McCracklin. Chuck Moore shines on
honking sax. Ready for anything, Mr Carney then borrows
Pee Wee Crayton Californian sweetness to deliver his "When
I trains it pours".
In this range, he sweeps very intense emotional moments
that feel good with quietness. The last three tracks
immortalizes 'live' performances. Two at Denver's
Skylark Lounge in March 2006. His guitarist friend Steve
Gerard takes part in it. Another one at Ft Myers' Smokin'
Oyster Brewery. The ending. Willie Pooch is back
celebrating with "Take off your shoes".
Sean just
signed a truly exceptional album !
Jean-Claude Mondo
(translated from French by René Malines)
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SEAN
CARNEY
recently took home TOP HONORS
at the 2007 International
Blues Challenge against 150 acts. He also was
given the Albert King Award
for most promising guitar player for 2007. GO
SEAN! Sean is accepting bookings for 2007 and beyond.
MIGHTY LESTER
was very proud to have taken
Third Place at the 2007 International Blues Challenge
and then went on to take home
FIRST PLACE in the Best Self-Produced CD of 2007
Competition. Catch them on the road this summer
at some of the best blues
clubs in festivals in the United States!
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