SEAN COSTELLO Source: Blues Wax Date: 03/2008 Writer: Art Tipaldi

Exciting Talent, (03/26/08) We often watch young guitarists appear, quickly record an album of Blues, get press coverage, and then leave the Blues. Sean Costello has never been that soul. Since his debut on the Blues scene in 1994, Sean Costello has never left the Blues. At only 29, Costello's a 12-year touring veteran on the Blues scene. In 1994, a fourteen-year-old Costello placed first in the Beale Street Blues Society's talent contest in Memphis. I first saw him jumpin' the Blues at Sonny Boy's hall at the 1996 King Biscuit Festival. He recorded his first CD, Call The Cops, in 1996 and has never looked back. He has sat in with virtually every Blues guitarist and, most importantly, been an integral part of the recent recording of older, overlooked Blues legends like Jody Williams and Nappy Brown.

The match of Costello's honest Blues spirit with Delta Groove, one of the premier Blues labels, guarantees a powerful outcome. Joined by the rhythm section of his touring band, Aaron Trubic on bass and Paul Campaella on drums, Costello's music takes listeners on a lively journey from Blues to Soul to Gospel.

The CD opens with "Anytime You Want," a lean, electric Blues featuring Costello's pinpoint guitar and clear-cut vocals. The slight tempo changes mid-song, which force Costello to alter his vocal delivery, give this cut a spontaneous, live feel. It is clear that over the years Costello has worked as hard on his voice as he has on his guitar. That vocal study shows on the his gritty approach on Texas Blues rocker

"Same Old Game" and the sincere, joyous approach on "Can't Let Go." Costello has always had the guitar chops, but years on the road have seasoned his tone. He is no longer affecting a voice; he has discovered a toughness to his voice that conveys his unique inner vibe. At the same time, Costello has forged his own guitar identity. He's no longer the kid in the blue suit jumpin' the Blues or the clean-shaven twenty year old coverin' his mentors. Today, Costello is separating himself from his influences and discovering the roads to his own sound. That sound is mostly found in the trio format where Costello constantly explores.

On "How In The Devil," Costello energizes the fretwork on this classic Texas shuffle. Costello's "All This Time" is a radio-friendly, modern Soul tune that concentrates the band's energy into Costello's soothing vocals. Recently, Costello and the band backed the Blind Boys of Alabama in the studio, so his passionate take on the Gospel classic "Goin' Home," with the Northside Men's Choir as the foundation, comes with that special Blind Boys' feel. And there's a distinct Gospel feel to the lyrics of Costello's own "All This Time." Because kids like Costello grew up listened to more than just the Blues, you'll hear some guitar shadings of Beatles-style Pop in "Feel Like I Ain't Got A Home" and "Told Me A Lie." The record ends with a traditional tune, "Little Birds," a song Costello learned from his days touring with Levon Helm. Delivered with a stark, Tom Waits vocal approach and a dense slide guitar, Costello shows another side to his musical spirit. It's evident that all the roots music Sean Costello has been a part of in the past swirls together today in every note he plays or sings.

That kind of commitment, which honors tradition and yet searches out self discovery in the process, makes Sean Costello a very exciting talent.