SEAN COSTELLO Source: Walla Walla Date: 04/2008 Writer: Kevin ‘Bad Dog’ Shenefield

Sean Costello was only 11 years old when Stevie Ray’s helicopter went down in Wisconsin, and he was 14 when he won the Beale Street Blues Society’s prestigious New Talent Award. It would be an honor for anyone, but it was a pretty remarkable feat for a self-taught 14 year old guitarist. Two years later his impressive debut album, “Call The Cops” was released, and Sean was already well on his way to establishing a solid reputation in the Blues community while most kids his age were sitting home playing video games. Two years after “Call The Cops”, Sean contributed the incredible lead guitar work on Susan Tedeschi’s certified gold debut smash instant classic album “Just Won’t Burn” (if you’re one of the few who still hasn’t heard ‘Just Won’t Burn’, step out of your cave and go pick up a copy and check out Sean’s tasteful guitar work).

Already pretty damn good credentials for someone who at this point was still only 18 years old, wouldn’t you say? But Costello didn’t stop there. Yet again two years later he released his long awaited follow up album “Cuttin’ In” and earned himself a nomination for Best New Artist Debut from the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. Since that time Costello has released two more critically acclaimed recordings, shared the stage with many of his inspirational heroes in Blues, appeared on the cover of Blues Revue Magazine, and contributed his talents to the comeback recording “Long Time Coming” by 50’s R&B pioneer Nappy Brown.

Although several of the young Blues phenoms that he exploded onto the scene with have since fizzled and disappeared, Sean’s star is still shining brightly. With this newest release, which is his Delta Groove debut, Costello delivers the strongest effort of his career. Sean is already widely recognized as a very gifted and consummate guitarist, and this CD will only increase those standings. He has somehow managed to polish his already unfaultable style here by balancing blistering, red hot guitar work with expertly crafted songs, and he delivers the entire package with his signature growl and soulful, confident vocals (I personally think he sounds a lot like Jonny Lang, albeit Jonny Lang on steroids - which is a compliment). All in all, this is a terrific album that is very well crafted and a great listen. I love this CD and can’t seem to get it out of my truck’s stereo. In fact, I keep finding myself starting it over again whenever it ends. I have a feeling it is going to take up residence there for quite some time to come. This is my very favorite album right now, and I guarantee you that if you pick it up you will love it. Have I ever steered you wrong before?

So yeah, it certainly appears that Sean Costello and Monster Mike Welch are both indeed quite capable of taking the Blues to the next level. In fact, the future of the Blues suddenly seems to be in very good hands after all.