Sean Costello

[Mr Meaner]

I know I'm a bit slow on the learning of this sad news, but I thought I'd share while I'm feeling what I'd felt if I had only known him before recently...
Sean Costello has become the next in line to one of the biggest tragedies in blues guitar heroes to me... I have just now found this sad, sad, story... Next to Stevie Ray(and thank the Lord he was able to find his way back before his untimely death) this may be even more sad. This guy was well on his way to being one of the next great players if you ask me!!! He even had a very positive interview just a few hours before his death... Sean was only one day before his 29th birthday and sounding so positive and so looking forward to what he accomplished in the past couple of years... Not that is all he had done, but it seemed to me those last couple were a beginning to the payoff of all his hard work... Like earlier, this is as close to the death of SRV that I've felt this way about... Maybe the SRV thing is a little more deserving of such grieving and thought as longevity goes... This is still very, very sad!

Go to his MySpace and listen to his first song on his player, "Going Home"... I know it's not actually HIS song, but it still will give you chills... Also, you should Google a Bob Dylan song he covered called "Simple Twist of Fate", just really great!!!
http://www.myspace.com/seancostello
While you're there scroll down and watch the amazing video as well...
This guy was an amazing talent and I'm pretty much devistated that I didn't get to catch him before he left...
Thanks so much Sean for sharing what you did in the little time you were here bro... THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[JohnK24]

I share your thoughts...his death hit me like Stevie Ray's ...I had only started to listen to Sean for about a year prior to his death. I turned several local blues fans and guitarists onto his music. We get together every now and then and still believe that "We Can Get Together" is the best blues album of this year...or the past several. Sean was a nature performer, singer and blues guitarist. Simply a total loss to the world of music. Heck, I bought my first P90 LP 'cause of him.

[Mikey Likes It]

Sean is definitely one of the P-90 poster boys. Tone for days, and a great voice. He was the real McCoy, that's for sure. His handling of "Double Trouble" is one of the classic blues recordings for me.

[stephenT]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/sean_goldtop.jpg

[Shnook]

While Sean's death is tragic beyond words, I prefer to remember the music he made. He is one of my favorite singers and guitar players. Gone way too soon. RIP Sean

[custom kid]

Its just incredibly sad on many levels..

A terrible waste of a young guy who had his whole life ahead of him.

At the same time it seems that he was either criminally underrated or just plain overlooked while he was with us. In a lot of those clips on youtube (including some just a few days before he passed) there only seem to be a handful of people in the place.

I only heard about him for the first time when he passed - but watching those clips it seems so obvious that this guy was the real deal, as a singer, musician and songwriter. A good looking guy too - he seemed to have it all, talent and marketability.

Watching the footage of him play in half empty clubs and bars reminds me of those stories you hear about guys discovering Hendrix in Greenwich village or SRV before he got famous. Its just glaringly obvious how great he is - and I expect it was even more undeniable if you were in the room when he played.

I know he worked with Susan Tedeschi a few years back but I just don't know why he wasn't better known. It would have been great to see one of the bigger names give him some exposure or a shot as their opening act.....he'd have fitted right in on one of the early slots at either of the Crossroads festivals.

Surely John Mayer must have known about Sean too...given that he was also involved in the Atlanta scene before he got a deal.

The only conclusion I can come up with is that the bigger more establised artists were either unaware of Sean or were perhaps worried about being eclipsed if they shared stage time with him.

Stephen T - I've read your other posts and know that you were friends with Sean. Would be great to get your views and insight on this. I'm just amazed and saddened that it seemed to take his death for many people (including myself) to hear about him.

[stephenT]

Stephen T - I've read your other posts and know that you were friends with Sean. Would be great to get your views and insight on this. I'm just amazed and saddened that it seemed to take his death for many people (including myself) to hear about him.

I don't know why, even though I've been a musician all my life, I don't understand the music business,... timing obviously, maybe because his choice was to play blues and his audience was limited,... he came around in a time where the "Young Blues Phenomenon" was the rage, Sean was an old soul and really didn't fit that box.

We've all read stories about overnight successes that took 10 years of hard touring to break out. I do believe that Sean was just about there. His last release finally did him justice. Those of us who saw him perform live knew his recorded material didn't come close to illustrating the extent of his amazing talent.

When Sean passed we found that people all over the world knew of him and were touched by Sean's talent, his music and his spirit. At Sean's graveside my dear friend Ross Pead in his grief said to me, "We all knew Sean was THE ONE. The one who would not make the mistakes we all made,.. We loved him and we stood aside and we were proud to do so".

I do want to say that in many ways Sean was very successful. He played the music he loved, he saw the world doing it, he played with most of his heros and those who knew him, loved and respected him. He climbed the mountain. He was trying to work out having a life beside his career when he died.

My hope is, like you, folks will continue to discover Sean Costello as long as guitars are played.

[Mr Meaner]

I don't know why, even though I've been a musician all my life, I don't understand the music business,... timing obviously, maybe because his choice was to play blues and his audience was limited,... he came around in a time where the "Young Blues Phenomenon" was the rage, Sean was an old soul and really didn't fit that box.

From what I understand and I'm not a friend or anything, but this is what I read into what very little I know... The first 4 albums he made were not really pushed by the label. Getting dumped by a label is like almost getting the death penalty unless you're well known already.

We've all read stories about overnight successes that took 10 years of hard touring to break out. I do believe that Sean was just about there. His last release finally did him justice. Those of us who saw him perform live knew his recorded material didn't come close to illustrating the extent of his amazing talent.

:agree


At Sean's graveside my dear friend Ross Pead in his grief said to me, "We all knew Sean was THE ONE. The one who would not make the mistakes we all made,.. We loved him and we stood aside and we were proud to do so".

Is this is reference to lifestyles or music?

I do want to say that in many ways Sean was very successful. He played the music he loved, he saw the world doing it, he played with most of his heros and those who knew him, loved and respected him. He climbed the mountain. He was trying to work out having a life beside his career when he died.

He played many places many only wish they could... They're so many people out there in this same situation. I'd say it comes back to who you know, but he has references of BB King as well as others. It's hard for people to understand when a musician is not playing there is a life other than music. When the music stops it's back to the Real Life... Can you say at the time of his death his life was in some kind of turmoil? Girlfriend, financial, family trouble... I know from his website has a memorial fund for Bipolar research and can only assume that he had such a problem. In this short time I've tried to figure out what can. It's always been said he was as gracious and giving a person you could find...

My hope is, like you, folks will continue to discover Sean Costello as long as guitars are played.

I'm certain my encounter even though it's after his death will be everlasting. Don't know exactly why? Not saying it will affect me the same way SRV's death did, but it's strange how it has so much for as little I know of him...

Do you know if his band members have moved on or what they're doing now? Really appreciate you posting as well as the great pic of his Gold Top!!! Thanks!

[duanesworld]

I have met Paul, his drummer of recent, He is living and playing with some great players out here in las vegas. And he has been great to talk to about Sean and the music. Check him out on myspace.

[shallbe]

His recordings never leave my CD player. He sounded so fresh, yet so famliar. Eeverything he did was near perfection for me---his timing, sound, singing, emotional content. Wow.

At 29, he was already a master. The only other musician death that has bothered me this badly was when John Bonham died.

[custom kid]

I do want to say that in many ways Sean was very successful. He played the music he loved, he saw the world doing it, he played with most of his heros and those who knew him, loved and respected him. He climbed the mountain. He was trying to work out having a life beside his career when he died.

My hope is, like you, folks will continue to discover Sean Costello as long as guitars are played.

Thanks Stephen - its great to get some insight from someone who knew him.

I'm curious about a couple of things and wonder if you might know the answers.

I read an interview Sean gave to a local newspaper around the time 'We Can Get Together' was released....he mentioned that he was considering (or had considered, can't remember which)....putting a more commercial project together that would be separate from his more blues based material.

Was this the unreleased album featuring the Dylan cover - or something different entirely? I'm just wondering because the Dylan stuff and the more RnB stuff seemed to already be a pretty regular part of his set from what I can tell. I can't remember where I read the interview now but I think he may have mentioned that it was more rock based.

Was he interested in playing different styles of music?

The other question is do you know if any of his gigs were professionally filmed. The youtube clips are phenomenal but it would be great if one day something of better quality is released.

Lastly and most importantly - I'm truly sorry for your loss - it seems to have touched a lot of people who never knew him - but its obviously far worse for his family and friends.

[Strat-O]

At the same time it seems that he was either criminally underrated or just plain overlooked while he was with us. In a lot of those clips on youtube (including some just a few days before he passed) there only seem to be a handful of people in the place.

I know he worked with Susan Tedeschi a few years back but I just don't know why he wasn't better known.

The only conclusion I can come up with is that the bigger more establised artists were either unaware of Sean or were perhaps worried about being eclipsed if they shared stage time with him.



Well, this is probably going to sound bitter and negative, but its how I feel. He didn't wear a black hat, play Jimi Hendrix covers, overplay or pander to mainstream media. Therefore, his vast talent flew under the radar to all but those of us who are drawn to artists of depth, passion, talent, creativity, and sincerity.

Anybody who was lucky enough to stumble across a Sean Costello performance never thought twice about what they were seeing and hearing. I'll see him again one day. When I do I'm going to shake his hand and say thank you!

[stephenT]

I read an interview Sean gave to a local newspaper around the time 'We Can Get Together' was released....he mentioned that he was considering (or had considered, can't remember which)....putting a more commercial project together that would be separate from his more blues based material.

Was this the unreleased album featuring the Dylan cover - or something different entirely? I'm just wondering because the Dylan stuff and the more RnB stuff seemed to already be a pretty regular part of his set from what I can tell. I can't remember where I read the interview now but I think he may have mentioned that it was more rock based.

Was he interested in playing different styles of music?

The other question is do you know if any of his gigs were professionally filmed. The youtube clips are phenomenal but it would be great if one day something of better quality is released.

Lastly and most importantly - I'm truly sorry for your loss - it seems to have touched a lot of people who never knew him - but its obviously far worse for his family and friends.

Sean was a huge Dylan and Band fan. he'd spent time with Levon Helm and did some of Levon's Midnight Rambles a few years back. Levon was just starting to sing again,... Sean was dating Amy Helm, Levon's daughter. I remember that some of these were filmed but I don't have any info on that, check here.

http://www.levonhelm.com/midnight_ramble.htm

Sean was interested in doing a roots project. He was a fixture at our Sunday night gigs at the Northside Tavern when he was in town and dug what we were doing at the time. He wanted to product the Fat City Wildcats in the studio, but we were never a studio band and we never did anything but live recordings. He kidded he was going to steal our "act" and always said it was his favorite band. "Little Birds" on Sean's "We Can Get Together" release was a good example of a possible new direction.

The unreleased material was recorded in NY, there's some good stuff there and I imaging someone will release it but "We Can Get Together" is a superior effort IMHO, and in Sean's as well. He was proud of his work and felt it was some of his best recorded guitar work, and it is, no question about that.

Sean was a smart guy, he missed nothing, loved NPR, read veraciously, was tremendously funny and he was a great friend. I miss him every day.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/5ba7.jpg

[MLG8675]

I had heard of Sean right after I moved to Atlanta and kept meaning to make it down to the Northside Tavern to hear him play.

Sadly, I like so many others, missed that opportunity.

Fortunately I did discover the Northside Tavern because of Sean's name alone, and finally made it down this past weekend...
Ike Stubblefield and company. Whoa!!! Can't wait to come back!

[Mr Meaner]

[quote=Strat-O;4904797]Well, this is probably going to sound bitter and negative, but its how I feel. He didn't wear a black hat, play Jimi Hendrix covers, overplay or pander to mainstream media. Therefore, his vast talent flew under the radar to all but those of us who are drawn to artists of depth, passion, talent, creativity, and sincerity.

Why is it that when someone, anyone that plays blues and is young, usually is thrown into the SRV category? Sean played blues... SRV played blues... Sean has many of the same influences as SRV... That being said I find that Sean was a total different style of blues... SRV would tell you himself that he was very lucky the cards fell the way they did for him as far as his success... The music business has changed drastically since the 80's anyway... It's not just Sean, SRV is a big influence on many people Joe Bonamassa for example. He is another that is his own, yet he's become pretty popular. Just hate that they have to put down a great influence(SRV) because he was that... Great!!!

[Strat-O]

:huh I hope you didn't think I was necessarily putting down Stevie Ray Vaughan. I wasn't. My point is that feather boa's and 'Voodoo Chile' (in addition to talent) get an artist into the limelight much faster than being 'just' a classy talented artist like Sean Costello was.

I would hope that no one would take anything I said personally. I'm just venting. Its a personal issue for me, and maybe this wasn't the best place to bring it up. Sorry.

Why the album 'Sean Costello' didn't win a Grammy is one of the great mysteries of the world to me. One of a long list of things that don't make sense to me in this world. The newest album is brilliant too.

[Mr Meaner]

:huh I hope you didn't think I was necessarily putting down Stevie Ray Vaughan. I wasn't. My point is that feather boa's and 'Voodoo Chile' (in addition to talent) get an artist into the limelight much faster than being 'just' a classy talented artist like Sean Costello was.
SRV was an influence on Sean I can almost guarantee you... Sean played his share of cover tunes as well though. Have yet to hear any Hendrix, but from what I understand he liked the older blues vibe. To me it fit his persona much better!

I would hope that no one would take anything I said personally. I'm just venting. Its a personal issue for me, and maybe this wasn't the best place to bring it up. Sorry.
No bro nothin' personal. It's definitely not just you... Everyone seems to be upset about comparisons to the feathered phenom that used his influences just as most others on their albums.


Why the album 'Sean Costello' didn't win a Grammy is one of the great mysteries of the world to me. One of a long list of things that don't make sense to me in this world. The newest album is brilliant too.

:agree ... There should be many others as well though... Joe Bonamassa, but he's the same... Acknowledges SRV as an influence but hates to be compared. Just go with it... Most any musician knows they do their own thing amazingly different, but yet the same... Just can't help when they play and all those influences seem to cross and come out when they play.

Take care!!!

[stephenT]

SRV was an influence on Sean I can almost guarantee you...

Well, not musically. In no particular order,..

Hubert Sumlin, Jody Williams, Otis Rush, Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Taylor, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Booker T. & the MGs, Eddie Hinton, Howlin Wolf, BB King, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Freddie King, Jimmy Rogers, Sam Cooke, Robert Ward, Guitar Slim, Magic Sam, J.B. Lenoir, Freddy King,...

[jawjatek]

Sean wouldn't listen to stuff he considered derivative. I heard him refuse requests for SRV tunes at gigs many times. Once he told me they were going to be playing a private shindig somewhere up northeast, and were going to be on a bill with Savoy Brown. I mentioned that he might like Kim Simmonds, that he was one of my favorite Brit blues players, and tried to lend him my Street Corner Talking CD. He said he had never heard of Kim and I don't think he ever listened to the disc. He wasn't too interested in hearing others interpretations of the original artists, or so it seemed that way to me at the time - he was a seeker of musical truth.

[custom kid]

Thanks again Stephen - really interesting to read your posts.

Its a shame if Sean's trio was never professionally filmed....I've heard some great sounding audio recordings from the last year or so - but a possible dvd in the future would have been even better!

I'm in the UK - but hope to visit the Northside Tavern one day. I've heard a lot about it while trying to learn more about Sean's work.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to see your band play then.

[jjboogie]

Well, not musically. In no particular order,..

Hubert Sumlin, Jody Williams, Otis Rush, Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Taylor, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Booker T. & the MGs, Eddie Hinton, Howlin Wolf, BB King, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Freddie King, Jimmy Rogers, Sam Cooke, Robert Ward, Guitar Slim, Magic Sam, J.B. Lenoir, Freddy King,...


Not to mention Charlie Christian and T Bone Walker.....Sean also liked early Willie Dixon stuff!

[Mr Meaner]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts of Sean... Especially you Stephen, being such a close friend and everything. Even listening to the music and watching the videos you can see what a wonderfully gifted yet so generously humble person he was... Though just now learning the shock of his death after all this time it's still so moving!

Again thanks everyone and please keep posting respectively in the memory of Sean Costello...

Thanks!!!

[JiMB]

He had an incredible voice, vocally and on the guitar.

Jim

[Mr Meaner]

Anyone else hear of the late Great Sean Costello? If not you should check him out... All his music was good, but his last album has to be his best work.

[Ulysses]

SRV was an influence on Sean I can almost guarantee you...

Somehow Sean Costello strikes me as the very last of the modern bluesmen to have paid much if any attention at all to SRV. I can't think of two more opposite styles. To me the whole philosphy behind the spirit of his playing is diametrically opposed to anything SRV.

[Mr Meaner]

Somehow Sean Costello strikes me as the very last of the modern bluesmen to have paid much if any attention at all to SRV. I can't think of two more opposite styles. To me the whole philosphy behind the spirit of his playing is diametrically opposed to anything SRV.

"Considering his young age, it's amazing that Sean Costello has accomplished what he has in such a relatively short time. Picking up the guitar at the age of nine, the young musician first pursued a hard rock direction before discovering Stevie Ray Vaughan and turning towards the blues. Costello won the Beale Street Blues Society's talent award in 1994 at the tender age of 14 years. He subsequently toured as part of Susan Tedeschi's band, released his first album when he was 16, earned a coveted W.C. Handy Award nomination at 18, and had released his third album by the time that he was 21 years old."

"Through the years, Costello has toured constantly, and has been able to perform beside some of his blues idols, giants like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and James Cotton. Over the course of time, Costello has matured from a young, Stevie Ray-styled six-string hotshot into a complete blues artist. His raw, soulful vocals remind of a younger John Hiatt, though erring on the Muddy Waters side of grittiness. Costello's songwriting has also evolved through the years, as both a lyricist and a musician, his songs including elements of 1960s/70s-era soul, Southern rock, R&B, and Texas-styled electric-blues, all of which vie for attention in the mix."

[mr tom]

Mr. Meaner, I think whoever wrote that for Delta Groove was rollin' his own. Certainly Sean was aware of SRV, but I too heard him decline requests for those songs in performance situations, insisting "We play blues". Instead, he cited Led Zeppelin and a Howlin' Wolf cassette tape as the catalysts in his "turning towards the blues" and I would be interested to learn of anything he ever played that sounds remotely like Stevie (or John Hiatt). He _did_ cover at least one Jimmie Vaughan song beginning in 06 or so, and as long as I knew him, he cited JLV as a major stylist and influence. You can hear Sean tipping his figurative hat to Jimmie on "Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleepin'" on Nappy Brown's Long Time Coming disc.

[stephenT]

Mr. Meaner, I think whoever wrote that for Delta Groove was rollin' his own. Certainly Sean was aware of SRV, but I too heard him decline requests for those songs in performance situations, insisting "We play blues". Instead, he cited Led Zeppelin and a Howlin' Wolf cassette tape as the catalysts in his "turning towards the blues" and I would be interested to learn of anything he ever played that sounds remotely like Stevie (or John Hiatt). He _did_ cover at least one Jimmie Vaughan song beginning in 06 or so, and as long as I knew him, he cited JLV as a major stylist and influence. You can hear Sean tipping his figurative hat to Jimmie on "Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleepin'" on Nappy Brown's Long Time Coming disc.

Mr. Tom knows. I've been listening to a "Greatest Hits" Howlin' Wolf in the car for the last couple months,... Sean said that hearing the Wolf for the first time blew his mind and (I'll bet) the Hubert Sumlin solo on "Shake It For Me" was one of those life altering moments.

For You Tom,..

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/tom_sean.jpg

[stephenT]

and from the same day in Duluth, Mn. 7/21/2001. one of my favorite pics I took of Sean.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/P0001643.jpg

[gkoelling]

Another great Sean Costello thread. Thanks everyone and particularly, thanks to stephent and mrtom for their insight and for sharing personal moments they had with Sean.

[JohnK24]

Sean with Nappy Brown...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH7N6urQZko
Good God, I really would have loved to see Sean live...he's about the greatest performer/player if heard, watched on video, yet never saw.

[jjboogie]

Sean with Nappy Brown...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH7N6urQZko
Good God, I really would have loved to see Sean live...he's about the greatest performer/player if heard, watched on video, yet never saw.


Seeing him live was amazing but actually gigging with him was absolute joy!

He really brought out the best in you and blew you away with his musicality and ear! His feel was unbelievable and he put his WHOLE HEART AND SOUL into every note!

[Mr Meaner]

Well, not musically. In no particular order,..

Hubert Sumlin, Jody Williams, Otis Rush, Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Taylor, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Booker T. & the MGs, Eddie Hinton, Howlin Wolf, BB King, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Freddie King, Jimmy Rogers, Sam Cooke, Robert Ward, Guitar Slim, Magic Sam, J.B. Lenoir, Freddy King,...

This is my deal with the putting down of SRV... SRV took all these same influences as well as a few others and thats were he came up with his sound... Same as Jimmie Lee and most any other blues/rock artist. They do it differently I totally agree... My question is why do all these so called blues purist or even artist like Joe Bonamassa think they have to really put aside any affiliation with SRV? It's cool I don't think anyone is saying they are just like SRV... It's because of their influences being the same that they are talked about collectively as well as playing somewhat the same style of music. I agree totally that his style was closer to Jimmie than SRV... That being said, Jimmie was a influence on both Sean and Stevie... I'm done with this after this reply... I want to enjoy all the info you can share with about Sean... This guy was amazing and I didn't want to cause a tiff between the more traditional blues and the blues/rock... I like both generations!


Stephen those are some awesome photos you have of Sean!!! Keep all this history and photos of past memories going! It's awesome!

[KBR]

A Great Talent, one of my Faves.

[Mr Meaner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPvchvBFu2E

[jumpnblues]

You know, to me, one of the measures of a great blues player is the ability to bring something new to the music while staying close to or remaining within the traditional boundaries that define the genre. And other than the addition of some 40's-50's style R&B to his performances (which I loved) he did it beautifully.
It's just way too easy to add a lot of rock and roll to blues to "make it new" and call it blues. IMHO, it's much more difficult to intensely study (and I mean study) traditional blues, its nuances, its phrasing, its tones, its arrangements, its progressions (anyone who thinks blues is all 1, 4, 5 and 12 bars doesn't know what they're talking about), its feel, etc., etc. Blues didn't just appear in the 70's, 60's, or even the 50's. It includes many of the big bands of the 40's, 30's, and 20's from Louis Jordan to Duke Ellington to Count Basie to Cab Calloway and before, all the way back to when it was played all acoustically. Not all 1, 4, 5, 12 bars. Not even all 2, 5. And certainly not all the big bands did was blues. But they did play a lot of it and fused some of it with swing...much the same as a lot of blues guitarists do today.
Blues is much deeper and bigger than many give it credit for or realize. But Sean realized it. To me he epitomized the very definition of what a truly great blues player is. And he could do it all with a level of excellence few others can demonstrate. JMHO, YMMV.


Tom

[duanesworld]

what guage did he use? He looks like someone who would use at least 11's?

[mr tom]

11 is right as far as I know, judging from the time I pinch hit as tech for a gig and changed the strings on the 335 Sean used to have. Paul Linden (who wrote, recorded, and gigged with Sean) always talks about the heavy strings the kid used. (And Sean recorded the Nappy Brown album using my Strat, strung with 11s.)

[custom kid]

Does anyone know if Sean ever used different tunings or played slide at all? The recordings I've heard all seem to be in standard tuning but I'm sure with his knowledge of blues history he would have tried other things too.

I'm also curious about this article that says Sean was planning to film a live DVD (seems to have been scheduled for Feb '07). Does anyone know if this happened?

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=73192506&blogID=187198346 (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=73192506&blogID=187198346)

[stephenT]

Does anyone know if Sean ever used different tunings or played slide at all? The recordings I've heard all seem to be in standard tuning but I'm sure with his knowledge of blues history he would have tried other things too.

I'm also curious about this article that says Sean was planning to film a live DVD (seems to have been scheduled for Feb '07). Does anyone know if this happened?

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=73192506&blogID=187198346 (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=73192506&blogID=187198346)

Sean was using 12s when I first met him but eventually settled on 11s. He did play slide, I don't remember him ever retuning from standard on stage and don't recall him ever having a guitar tuned for slide around his house, although I'm sure he experimented.

I remember there was a film crew following him around in '07 but have no idea what's become of the footage.

[gkoelling]

Sean was using 12s when I first met him but eventually settled on 11s. He did play slide, I don't remember him ever retuning from standard on stage and don't recall him ever having a guitar tuned for slide around his house, although I'm sure he experimented.

I remember there was a film crew following him around in '07 but have no idea what's become of the footage.

Oh, geez! Someone's sitting on a treasure if they have footage of Sean. I hope they realize what they have and release it.

[JohnK24]

Oh, geez! Someone's sitting on a treasure if they have footage of Sean. I hope they realize what they have and release it.

Agree 110 percent...this is a treasure that needs to be shared with the blues community - in time that is. The wound is still open and needs to heal before a release.

[TwoFeets]

The only tune I ever saw Sean change tuning for was when they were having tech difficulties and he did JB Lenoir's "Good Advice" (off Moanin for Molasses) as a solo electric number.

[stephenT]

The only tune I ever saw Sean change tuning for was when they were having tech difficulties and he did JB Lenoir's "Good Advice" (off Moanin for Molasses) as a solo electric number.

Yeah, he played that in drop "D' tuning, just the bottom "E" tuned down to "D". The guitar on the recording is an old Epiphone archtop w/ a DeArmond pickup.

I'm sure a lot of you'all know Sean used a capo quite a bit. I once mentioned to him I had a hard time with a capo, he said, "I love 'em, every time you move it, it's a whole new guitar".

[franksguitar]

Steve you said some great things about Sean which mean alot and we talked at his wake. I knew him since his teens and saw him a few times over the years and remember jamming with him on the old Monday night jams at the Northside when he was 19. We miss him such a great loss. Frank

[TwoFeets]

Yeah, he played that in drop "D' tuning, just the bottom "E" tuned down to "D". The guitar on the recording is an old Epiphone archtop w/ a DeArmond pickup.

I'm sure a lot of you'all know Sean used a capo quite a bit. I once mentioned to him I had a hard time with a capo, he said, "I love 'em, every time you move it, it's a whole new guitar".

That's cool to know. When Felix first turned me on to Sean, it was with a copy of Call the Cops. I remember Fe's copy had a track by track breakdown of the guitar rigs that were used. I don't know if more recent copies have that anymore but I thought it was pretty cool.

Hey speaking of that record, someone asked about Sean and slide. Some nice slide work on Annalee on that album .

[JohnK24]

That's cool to know. When Felix first turned me on to Sean, it was with a copy of Call the Cops. I remember Fe's copy had a track by track breakdown of the guitar rigs that were used. I don't know if more recent copies have that anymore but I thought it was pretty cool.

Hey speaking of that record, someone asked about Sean and slide. Some nice slide work on Annalee on that album .


I'd love to find a copy of "Call The Cops", I'm not paying $80 used on amazon as it appears out of print. I've got four of his other releases.

If anyone knows where I can find a new copy on the 'net, please PM me.

Thanks

[Bluesbuff]

I first met Sean when he gave a seminar at the National Guitar Workshop. I was blindsided by his tone and became an instant GT P90 convert. He was asked if he used any other guitars and his answer was "I can get any tone I need out of this one". When I got home from that week I sold a my other guitars and bought a LP GT with Lollar P90s. It's been my #1 ever since, even though my collection has grown a lot since then. I went to see him anytime he was within driving distance and he always took the time to talk at the bar between sets. It's a great sadnees that we won't get to hear what could have been his future.

[TwoFeets]

I'd love to find a copy of "Call The Cops", I'm not paying $80 used on amazon as it appears out of print. I've got four of his other releases.

If anyone knows where I can find a new copy on the 'net, please PM me.

Thanks

PM Sent

[Birdseye]

Charlie at Bluebeat has most of the Sean stuff in stock right now. It's all worth having!

http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=sean+costello

[Deacon]

PM sent also.

I'd love to find a copy of "Call The Cops", I'm not paying $80 used on amazon as it appears out of print. I've got four of his other releases.

If anyone knows where I can find a new copy on the 'net, please PM me.

Thanks

[iluvstrats]

I jammed and played with Sean many times and miss him greatly.

Kind of a weird story, but Sean was supposed to come to my house to do some recording on the day the police discovered him. The police found his cell phone and the first number they called was a friend at my house. We thought it was Sean calling for directions. As we were the first to hear of Sean's passing, my friend called Sean's mom and let her know. An unbelieveablly sad and surreal day.

[franksguitar]

I jammed and played with Sean many times and miss him greatly.

Kind of a weird story, but Sean was supposed to come to my house to do some recording on the day the police discovered him. The police found his cell phone and the first number they called was a friend at my house. We thought it was Sean calling for directions. As we were the first to hear of Sean's passing, my friend called Sean's mom and let her know. An unbelieveablly sad and surreal day.

I talked with Charlie Wooten and Ricky Fargo at Sean's wake who were supposed to record with him and when he didn't show the rest is the sad history.

[BadAssBill]

I've commented on my Sean experiences a few times. I would not call him a friend, but I talked to him and his organ player a few times about gear, hockey, and some other goofy stuff. His music was transcendant of sorts. I would call some of his shows at the Northside Tavern "blues revivals"...where the place was packed, every person in the bar was listening to the magic on stage. People drinking, dancing...like a scene out of Dirty Dancing or something where people came together and forgot every ounce of being in the world while he was on stage making his notes of magic.

Sean's death affected me a lot. Not because I was remote friends with him,...but because he had something in his voice and fingers that I have heard but briefly in my life. An art form that truly has it's place on the WORLD stage...and it's now gone. It's as if a true living art form died. Words can't really express his shows. His music put a fever in you. It was moving.

[Mr Meaner]

I want to thank everyone for sharing all their stories and great information of Sean Costello!!! It has all been absolutely informative although sometimes soul wrenching...
I don't mean to come on as uncaring and I'm absolutely not wanting to be disrespectful... If no one wants to say, that is fine as well...
Do the general consensus believe that Sean accidentally overdosed or was there something else that may have contributed to this sad ending? Most of the people that have the most interesting comments have been(to me) really close friends as well as musical acquaintances... I figure someone knows what really happen and could share this... It's just odd to me that he would need to stay in a motel in his home town, but maybe that's just me...
Anyway if you feel like sharing or not please keep posting all these wonderful memories of Sean!
It's just really strange how someone you never knew affects your emotions...

[jjboogie]

I want to thank everyone for sharing all their stories and great information of Sean Costello!!! It has all been absolutely informative although sometimes soul wrenching...
I don't mean to come on as uncaring and I'm absolutely not wanting to be disrespectful... If no one wants to say, that is fine as well...
Do the general consensus believe that Sean accidentally overdosed or was there something else that may have contributed to this sad ending? Most of the people that have the most interesting comments have been(to me) really close friends as well as musical acquaintances... I figure someone knows what really happen and could share this... It's just odd to me that he would need to stay in a motel in his home town, but maybe that's just me...
Anyway if you feel like sharing or not please keep posting all these wonderful memories of Sean!
It's just really strange how someone you never knew affects your emotions...


Accidental overdose.......it happens so easily and obviously when you least expect it.

[jumpnblues]

Accidental overdose.......it happens so easily and obviously when you least expect it.


Just lost a niece to the same thing about a month ago.


Tom

[stephenT]

It's just odd to me that he would need to stay in a motel in his home town, but maybe that's just me...

I and my wife had dinner with Sean on Saturday night, Sean was going to stay with us for a few days, was going to come to my gig on Sunday and come home with me. When he didn't show, which was not alarming at all, I figured he was safe and I'd see him soon. Tuesday he was gone. It was Sean's choice to stay at the motel. He had a hundred places he could have stayed. When we got up to leave the restaurant, he gave me a big huge and told me he loved and I told him the same and that's the last time I saw him alive, except for a few very nice dreams where we're just hanging out, having lunch or making plans to meet up later. In Dreams.

Sean's Mom wrote me today with a message that broke me up, she's a strong person, a wonderful person. I don't know how she endures the loss of Sean but she's found a way. I passed on the link to this thread, because it's all of our hope that Sean will be remembered and in some way, this all helps. I hope you'all visit this web site and help if you can, The Sean Costello Fund for Bi-Polar Research. Sean's Mom started the Foundation after his passing, God Bless her.

http://www.myspace.com/theseancostellofoundationforbipolarresearch

On a side note, I got to play with Terrence Prather last night who was Sean's long time drummer and it was a pure joy. T is a freight train of a drummer and a lovely guy, a blues shuffle with that band with Sean at the wheel was an amazing and glorious thing to behold. Thunderous.

[custom kid]

Here's Sean performing a great version of a Ray Charles song

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=99KvTHiGC-4

Also an interview with Sean that was published in March...

http://www.connectsavannah.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=6984

[stephenT]

For those who haven't seen this article it is an interesting read. It seems to have attracted criticism from some people who knew Sean - but does include interviews with one of his band members - and answers the question someone asked earlier about why he was staying at the motel that night.

yup, this article is so very insulting to Sean and his family and long time friends in so many levels. Hometown tabloid journalism at it's most insensitive.

I wish you had not posted it and i wish the author a special place in hell.

[jjboogie]

I disagree. I did not find anything insulting in the article. Maybe I missed that part.

I don't even think Sean would have been offended by it....maybe just indifferent.

Was there anything not truthful in it? If so then I could see being bothered by lies however if it is truthful then there should not be such harsh criticism towards the writer of the article.

[custom kid]

Which contemporary artists did Sean like?

I've heard he enjoyed Amy Winehouse's music and see that she is one of the favourites on his myspace page. Were there other current artists - perhaps outside of the blues genre that he liked too?

It would also be great to find some way of getting Sean's music better known and raising the profile of the foundation that his mom has set up. Maybe one of the guitar mags would be interested in doing a profile on his vintage Goldtop...in the same way that other famous guitars have been analysed?

Everyone I know who has seen the youtube clips has been blown away by Sean's talent. The problem seems to be that people just haven't been exposed to his music before - which is a real shame especially as his recording career spanned over 10 years and included 5 albums and countless live performances.

I can imagine that guys like Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughan would have been very impressed by Sean if they'd known about him. In fact its hard to imagine anyone with any interest in the blues not enjoying his work.

[stephenT]

Sean dug Nora Jones and she was a fan of his. She saw him several times in NYC.
Sean enjoyed Ms. Winehouse's attitude and her music.
I think we can count Bob Dylan as a contemporary artist and Sean was a huge fan.

I tried to interest him in Tom Waits and the Gourds, all he would say is they've got some good stuff.

[jjboogie]

I love the footage of Sean with Jimmy Vivino in NYC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t3mNHMQ1ZQ&feature=related

Too much fun!

[mr tom]

I am not making this up: Sean also REALLY dug Gnarls Barkley and Cee-Lo Green's solo stuff (and his work with the Goodie Mob).

[Phloored]

I love the footage of Sean with Jimmy Vivino in NYC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t3mNHMQ1ZQ&feature=related

Too much fun!


I'm feelin' his performance with Jimmy on these cuts from that video

footage, the smokestack lifts,

outstanding.

[gkoelling]

I and my wife had dinner with Sean on Saturday night, Sean was going to stay with us for a few days, was going to come to my gig on Sunday and come home with me. When he didn't show, which was not alarming at all, I figured he was safe and I'd see him soon. Tuesday he was gone. It was Sean's choice to stay at the motel. He had a hundred places he could have stayed. When we got up to leave the restaurant, he gave me a big huge and told me he loved and I told him the same and that's the last time I saw him alive, except for a few very nice dreams where we're just hanging out, having lunch or making plans to meet up later. In Dreams.

Sean's Mom wrote me today with a message that broke me up, she's a strong person, a wonderful person. I don't know how she endures the loss of Sean but she's found a way. I passed on the link to this thread, because it's all of our hope that Sean will be remembered and in some way, this all helps. I hope you'all visit this web site and help if you can, The Sean Costello Fund for Bi-Polar Research. Sean's Mom started the Foundation after his passing, God Bless her.

http://www.myspace.com/theseancostellofoundationforbipolarresearch

On a side note, I got to play with Terrence Prather last night who was Sean's long time drummer and it was a pure joy. T is a freight train of a drummer and a lovely guy, a blues shuffle with that band with Sean at the wheel was an amazing and glorious thing to behold. Thunderous.

Stephen,

Thank you for the link. Is there a web site where buying Sean's CD's puts more of the profits in his family's hands, or does it not matter where we buy them?

[JohnK24]

Stephen,

Thank you for the link. Is there a web site where buying Sean's CD's puts more of the profits in his family's hands, or does it not matter where we buy them?


Yes, this would be good to know. Also, the foundation could consider a Sean Costello Foundation t-shirt. I bet it would sell VERY well in the guitar community and Atlanta blues clubs. After reading Sean's mothers blogs on the foundation page, I understand why he never sold t-shirts. I had looked all over the 'net a year ago trying to find one.

I just hung a large poster of Sean's black and white promo pic from Delta Groove Records in my music room (above my guitar cases)... I smile every time I look at it. Sean is on one wall...Stevie Ray is on the other.

Hey guys...a new string of youtube videos are up search out Fat City Wildcats....our own StephenT is playing with Sean....sweet stuff....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRyBHVihET0&feature=related

[Shnook]

I bought a CD off of Sean's Myspace page right before died. Two months later I hadn't received it. I emailed about it and received a reply from Sean's stepfather. A week later the CD arrived addressed from Sean's stepfather. So, I'm guessing that's a good place to purchase from.

[stephenT]

Hey guys...a new string of youtube videos are up search out Fat City Wildcats....our own StephenT is playing with Sean....sweet stuff....

Hey JohnK24, thanks so much for that, hadn't seen that one. I'm doing what I do best when playing w/ Sean, staying out of his way.

[jjboogie]

One of the things I loved about playing with Sean was not only his inspiration that he gave increasing the energy of a room but his interplay with not only guitar players but drummers. He heard everything and felt everything.....and played off of you.

I remember playing a shuffle with Sean as you often do in the blues world and it was medium tempo....he was soloing and I decided to mess with him to see what he could really do so I did this double time thing with the highhat against the groove and low and behold that sucker ripped right into double time himself in the middle of his solo just shredding it!

He was the only blues guitarist I ever played with that did it! He got off on obviously enjoying not only the challenge but the musical interplay.

His feel was just sick.......I could have shuffled all night with Sean's amazing sense of groove and pocket.

I am very blessed to been able to gig with him numerous times as well as just improv with him at so many jam sessions at the Northside Tavern.

[stephenT]

I bought a CD off of Sean's Myspace page right before died. Two months later I hadn't received it. I emailed about it and received a reply from Sean's stepfather. A week later the CD arrived addressed from Sean's stepfather. So, I'm guessing that's a good place to purchase from.

that or email the myspace Foundation link. I've suggested t shirts and photo prints, I'll talk to Sean's Mom about a store, I'm sure they've thought about it, but we're all still,...

some stuff moves at it's own pace.

[stephenT]

I should mention that Sean's step-dad Glenn just had back surgery. Glenn took Sean everyplace to play from age 11 to his early 20's, he's a wonderful guy who's taking his horrible loss very hard. Well wishes through the Foundation would be cool, if so moved.

[John Alexander]

...thanks for starting this thread...I've since become a big fan...it's a terrible loss that Sean is not here anymore...

[Mr Meaner]

...thanks for starting this thread...I've since become a big fan...it's a terrible loss that Sean is not here anymore...

Don't thank me... Thank all these super friends and fans of Sean... I can't believe starting this post would get this much of a response! Especially from those that were so close to him on a daily basis and in many ways still are...(dreams...);) I can only hope that in some way that this is helping heal this terrible loss... Please keep on with the stories and videos this is absolutely very interesting!

[TwoFeets]

Anyone here covering Sean's originals? I've started adding one or two in here and there. It's my way I guess of trying to put his music in front of new people and keeping it alive. (though I'm infinitely less talented - maybe I'm doing more harm than good. LOL) I didn't know him all that well but he seemed like the kind of guy who might have gotten a real charge out of that.

The first time I met him he signed my copy of Cuttin In for my 8 year-old son. He seemed to get fired up when I told him he knew all the words to most of the tunes.

[Birdseye]

We've been covering "Don't be Reckless With My Heart" for a few years now. It was especially fun when Paul Linden was playing with us. Never get tired of playing that one.

[ReddRanger]

Reading this thread got me to start listening to "We Can Get Together" again. Lots of great stuff on there.

[Londoncalling]

I first heard of him just a few months ago. Sirius Blues was playing "Going Home".

His talent was incredible. I would have loved to see him live.

[Shnook]

Some great feel and playing here. Excellent performance all the way around. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MkEZkH54s4

[custom kid]

Well, not musically. In no particular order,..

Hubert Sumlin, Jody Williams, Otis Rush, Robert Lockwood Jr., Johnny Taylor, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Booker T. & the MGs, Eddie Hinton, Howlin Wolf, BB King, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Freddie King, Jimmy Rogers, Sam Cooke, Robert Ward, Guitar Slim, Magic Sam, J.B. Lenoir, Freddy King,...

A lot of blues and soul artists in there as expected. Sean also seemed to use jazz and swing influenced phrases and voicings - what type of artists did he like in this genre? Some of his versions of 'Hucklebuck' on youtube feature some playing that seems like it may have been inspired by guys like Les Paul and T-Bone Walker. I think I've read somewhere that Ronnie Earl was a big influence too ...is that right?

Here's his version of the Hucklebuck

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pPmIPaWdChU


Also - did Sean play acoustic much? Stephen I think I found an old post from you while I looked for info on Sean describing how you guys went shopping for acoustic guitars. How did his acoustic playing differ from the electric work?...were there different styles and influences that came out when he played acoustic?

Finally did Sean read music or did he do everything by ear?

[rhp52]

I came across Sean one day on YouTube while looking for something else. and was immediately taken with his feel. I then bought all his cd's and started to keep track of him, then he was gone. I didn't know of him long but i do miss him.

[mr tom]

Some of his versions of 'Hucklebuck' on youtube feature some playing that seems like it may have been inspired by guys like Les Paul and T-Bone Walker. I think I've read somewhere that Ronnie Earl was a big influence too ...is that right?

Finally did Sean read music or did he do everything by ear?

Stephen T, I hope you'll give our best-informed answers. Here is my shot: All by ear. Sean was one of those guys whose ears needed to hear something only once, or whose brain needed only to think of a tune/chord/lick, and his fingers instantly could play it. Paul Linden, no slouch himself, was amazed at Sean's natural facility.

I can't speak to sources for Sean's playing on Hucklebuck. I never heard him mention Les Paul. Sean loved T-Bone (and Pee Wee Crayton and all those other icons), but gave credit where it was due. "Whenever I play T-Bone, I'm playing Felix Reyes playing T-Bone" is how he explained it.

Sean studied with Ronnie Earl at more than one National Guitar Workshop. He received a lot of encouragement and inspiration from Ronnie and always cited him as one of the contemporary guitarists he most respected.

[jjboogie]

Sean listened to a lot of Charlie Christian too......he absorbed styles like a sponge.

About his ears......he could hear a song and in his mind he could visualize and know how and what is being played.

[stephenT]

Wherever he is, I know Sean's doing a happy dance today, Nov. 5th.

About learning, Mr. Tom's answer is right on. Sean said he could visualize the fingering when he heard guitar playing he enjoyed.

[Ulysses]

One more post to keep it going..... Sean was a true master. I became a fan about three years ago. Blues is not my main focus but Sean was impossible to overlook considering the state of the genre. His young age betrayed his deep knowledge of the art form. Not only was he an R&B/blues purist of the highest order, he was obviously a devoted student to the music's history and preserved finer nuances that were otherwise getting lost with many new players. I hope this thread opens the door for many more to Sean Costello's brilliant playing. I believe his greatest legacy is the YouTube videos we have. They capture the sincerity of his music as well as his mastery of tone, touch, and feel.

[mr tom]

One more post to keep it going..... Sean was a true master. I became a fan about three years ago. Blues is not my main focus but Sean was impossible to overlook considering the state of the genre. His young age betrayed his deep knowledge of the art form. Not only was he an R&B/blues purist of the highest order, he was obviously a devoted student to the music's history and preserved finer nuances that were otherwise getting lost with many new players. I hope this thread opens the door for many more to Sean Costello's brilliant playing. I believe his greatest legacy is the YouTube videos we have. They capture the sincerity of his music as well as his mastery of tone, touch, and feel.

:agree

Never used a Smiley before, but Ulysses's post called for this one. Right on!

[stephenT]

Sunday night at the Northside Tavern, 10/20/02.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/IMG_0544.jpg

[bbarnard]

Anyone here covering Sean's originals? I've started adding one or two in here and there.

Well not Sean originals but we cover Goombay Rock and I Got Loaded as Sean did them (except we add horns instead of harp). Here's a link to a sound file of us covering Goombay.

http://www.6streetmusic.com/Goombay1.wma

[gkoelling]

Sunday night at the Northside Tavern, 10/20/02.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/IMG_0544.jpg


When I see shots like this it really hits home, not only at the loss his freinds and family were hit with, but the terrible blow to blues music that was dealt by Sean's passing, as well.

[mr tom]

Here's something maybe you all can help me with. It's nominating time again for the Blues Music Awards, and I'm looking at We Can Get Together for Song of the Year candidates. Want to help? I lean toward:

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie
All This Time

but am open to other suggestions. What are your favorites off WCGT?

Thanks in advance!

[stephenT]

Told Me A Lie - a personal fav, Sean played both the t90 i built him and my John How Ladder Braced concert (acoustic) on that track, so it hits me on several levels.

Have You No Shame - Written by our friend Donnie McCormick, Sean sings the ears off this one, plus a wonderfully left handed guitar solo, love it.

Can't Let Go - Wow, I happened to stop in the studio when Sean and Oliver Wood were recording this beauty.

Little Birds - Another one. Sean played a gig Fat Matts Rib Shack with me and Scott Callison (percussion) maybe a month before he passed, Fat Matts was the first music venue he ever played at 13, played there with Felix for years and the gig he did with me was the last time he played there. I have a phone video of Little Birds from that gig and it sends chills and starts tears every time i see it.

[mr tom]

Stephen, thanks for the input. Have You No Shame is incredible, I agree 1000%! Do you know if it was recorded prior to this year? That's the only reason I didn't list it - this category is a songwriter's award for 'new' compositions. (Little Birds is traditional and I think out of the running for the same reason[s].)

I'm nominating the album in the Contemporary Blues category, and Sean's getting nods for Guitarist and almost certainly Contemporary Blues Artist (Male) and Entertainer of the Year on my ballot.

[Shnook]

Here's something maybe you all can help me with. It's nominating time again for the Blues Music Awards, and I'm looking at We Can Get Together for Song of the Year candidates. Want to help? I lean toward:

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie
All This Time

but am open to other suggestions. What are your favorites off WCGT?

Thanks in advance!

It's hard to pick one to lean on, but I'd go with Can't Let Go.

[TwoFeets]

Man, so hard to pick just one, and I love the ones already mentioned. My personal choice would be "Feel Like I Ain't Got a Home.". I had a conversation with Sean at one point where he had been touring for quite a long time and he said he just wanted to get back home and take a little time off to clear his head and work on stuff. The first time I heard this song all I could think of was that conversation. The way he just took all of those emotions and set them to music, that's just true talent. I like it most because to me, it just seems most autobiographical.

[jjboogie]

Well not Sean originals but we cover Goombay Rock and I Got Loaded as Sean did them (except we add horns instead of harp). Here's a link to a sound file of us covering Goombay.

http://www.6streetmusic.com/Goombay1.wma


Goombay Rock was always one of my favorites to play when gigging with Sean.....something about that groove......I could have played it for hours!

[bbarnard]

Here's something maybe you all can help me with. It's nominating time again for the Blues Music Awards, and I'm looking at We Can Get Together for Song of the Year candidates. Want to help? I lean toward:

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie
All This Time

but am open to other suggestions. What are your favorites off WCGT?

Thanks in advance!


To me there's only one choice, Going Home (to Live with God). Gives me chills everytime I hear it.

[bbarnard]

Goombay Rock was always one of my favorites to play when gigging with Sean.....something about that groove......I could have played it for hours!

It is a blast to play. I've gotten much better at the little tricky single string stuff that he does at the start and the end of the solo than what that clip shows. That clip was done the first or second time we tried it.

[TwoFeets]

Goombay Rock was my son's favorite!

The first time I saw Sean play at the HOB kitchen in Orlando,they were doing that tune and maybe hadn't done it in a while. When it got to the chorus and that little backing vocal behind "Goombay," Matt Wauchope came in way off key. It cracked Sean and him up, so much so they had a hard time delivering the next lines.

[gkoelling]

Here's something maybe you all can help me with. It's nominating time again for the Blues Music Awards, and I'm looking at We Can Get Together for Song of the Year candidates. Want to help? I lean toward:

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie
All This Time

but am open to other suggestions. What are your favorites off WCGT?

Thanks in advance!

You really can't miss. I love all three of these but find myself hitting the repeat button after "Can't Let Go" all the time.

[stephenT]

Stephen, thanks for the input. Have You No Shame is incredible, I agree 1000%! Do you know if it was recorded prior to this year? That's the only reason I didn't list it - this category is a songwriter's award for 'new' compositions. (Little Birds is traditional and I think out of the running for the same reason[s].)

I'm nominating the album in the Contemporary Blues category, and Sean's getting nods for Guitarist and almost certainly Contemporary Blues Artist (Male) and Entertainer of the Year on my ballot.

Thanks for the PM Tom, will do. Gottcha on the"new compositions". Donnie wrote "Shame" years back and has recored it on a couple CDs. "Going Home.." is an old gospel number, so it couldn't work.

"Feel Like I Ain't Got a Home." was actually written a few years ago,... so I'd go with either,

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie

[Mr Meaner]

Here's something maybe you all can help me with. It's nominating time again for the Blues Music Awards, and I'm looking at We Can Get Together for Song of the Year candidates. Want to help? I lean toward:

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie
All This Time

but am open to other suggestions. What are your favorites off WCGT?

Thanks in advance!

On this are we narrowing it down to only songs that Sean wrote? Or... can it be just any song on the album? If it's just songs that Sean wrote does anyone know exactly which songs were his?:confused: Can we have the songs we can pick from?

Thanks!!!

[JohnK24]

Well, for my two cents for any Blues Music Awards..."Can't Let Go" just a killer song, that melody and the guitar leads throughout stick in my head all day...then the solo just lifts it up and away. It's written and performed so damn well it comes across as an R&B tune that's been around for decades. It would be a crime if WCGT doesn't get a Grammy nom for Contemporary Blues album imho.

[custom kid]

Well, for my two cents for any Blues Music Awards..."Can't Let Go" just a killer song, that melody and the guitar leads throughout stick in my head all day...then the solo just lifts it up and away. It's written and performed so damn well it comes across as an R&B tune that's been around for decades. It would be a crime if WCGT doesn't get a Grammy nom for Contemporary Blues album imho.

Totally agree....'Can't Let Go' is a great song (by the way does anyone know what effect he is using on that song?...it sounds a little similar to a wah..but is different)

'All this Time' is another great one......they're all good...I haven't heard a weak one yet.

In my opinion - his original songs fitted seamlessly into his set along with the cover tunes...which is no easy feat considering he was playing tracks by guys like Al Green and other giants of soul, blues and RnB.

Was Sean a prolific writer - is there much/any unreleased original material?

[Strat-O]

Here's something maybe you all can help me with. It's nominating time again for the Blues Music Awards, and I'm looking at We Can Get Together for Song of the Year candidates. Want to help? I lean toward:

Can't Let Go
Told Me A Lie
All This Time

but am open to other suggestions. What are your favorites off WCGT?

Thanks in advance!

They are all unforgettable but "Hard Luck Woman" is the one I can't get out of my head. It sounds new and old at the same time. Great guitar riffs (note riffs...not just riff) that just get hung up in your head. Cool lyrics. Has a bridge that flat rocks. Killer composition, lyrics, and musicianship.

[stephenT]

Also - did Sean play acoustic much? Stephen I think I found an old post from you while I looked for info on Sean describing how you guys went shopping for acoustic guitars. How did his acoustic playing differ from the electric work?...were there different styles and influences that came out when he played acoustic?

We saw a Collings 000-1 (12 fretter) that Sean fell in love with at Maple St. Guitars here in Atlanta, he called me early the next day, couldn't get the Collings out of his head and we met again and he bought it. Sold it a couple years later when funds were an issue.

Sean was a big fan of Robert Lockwood Jr., he taught me Lockwood's version of CC rider. When he played acoustic, it was acoustic music. here are two acoustics that Sean also owned, the Epi I mentioned earlier and a vintage Washburn parlor. He had a decent Gibson L-00 that I put a pickup in but I believe Amy Helm ended up with that guitar.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/IMG_2501.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/IMG_2504.jpg

[Goldie295]

I was going to suggest Hard Luck Woman as I also can't get it out of my head. I have performed it a few times at jams etc.

I have been doing Double Trouble for a while. Obviously, this is an Otis Rush song. But it was with Sean in mind that I decided to start performing it. I also do Low Life Blues.

Can't put into words how bad I feel about never getting to see him live. The YouTube vids have become my bible. Thank god for YouTube.

Cheers,
Phil

[Mr Meaner]

They are all unforgettable but "Hard Luck Woman" is the one I can't get out of my head. It sounds new and old at the same time. Great guitar riffs (note riffs...not just riff) that just get hung up in your head. Cool lyrics. Has a bridge that flat rocks. Killer composition, lyrics, and musicianship.

:agree All the other songs are great as well, but this one really sticks with me!!! The other of course is "Going Home" for obvious reasons... Always loved the Dylan cover "Twist of Fate" and Al Green's "I'm a Ram"... Hoping the band I'm in will want to work these up...

[Mr Meaner]

http://a751.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/72/l_604c774174de350e7a85fe9d2f9b0d66.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=169648570&albumID=315483&imageID=18723301#a=315483&i=24176558) (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=169648570&albumID=315483&imageID=18723301#a=315483&i=24176558)

[Mr Meaner]

http://a927.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/120/l_487789e23525bc2cebc7c7db716fc03e.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=169648570&albumID=315483&imageID=24176558#a=315483&i=2754162) (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=169648570&albumID=315483&imageID=24176558#a=315483&i=2754162)

[Mr Meaner]

One more for the day... This is really cool!!!

http://a305.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/82/l_00d1c1f2b17036858e2ef954c25f3680.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=34611944&albumID=1729873&imageID=37224927#a=1729873&i=40621335)

[Mr Meaner]

Here's when it all started!!! Couldn't resist one more...



http://a447.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_17a73845400c9c3cd804ed1770d4a73e.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=34611944&albumID=1729873&imageID=33071164#a=1729873&i=33071167)

[stephenT]

One more for the day... This is really cool!!!

http://a305.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/82/l_00d1c1f2b17036858e2ef954c25f3680.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=34611944&albumID=1729873&imageID=37224927#a=1729873&i=40621335)

I love that picture. There are several picture w/ Sean and BB, one where Sean's about 13 years old. BB King called Sean's parents to wish them deep condolences.

[gkoelling]

One more for the day... This is really cool!!!

http://a305.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/82/l_00d1c1f2b17036858e2ef954c25f3680.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=34611944&albumID=1729873&imageID=37224927#a=1729873&i=40621335)

Great shot!...and thanks for the link.

I really appreciate the input from all of you who had the opportunity to be a part of Sean's life.

[TwoFeets]

Is there any good footage out there of Sean back when he was playing with Susan Tedeschi? I don't think I've seen any.

I remember Felix calling me after some festival down this way, wanting to know if I knew Susan and who she was (I'm originally from Boston). I knew of her but didn't know her personally; she had quite a reputation on the scene up there as a bright young talent. Anyway I guess that was the night Sean and Susan met. Fe was ranting about how they jammed together and just tore it up.

[mr tom]

I don't think I've seen any, not even audience video. By the time she hit Austin City Limits, he had left, although Paul Linden and maybe Terrence were still in the band. I'll have to dig out that tape. I recorded her on Letterman, too, but that was right after Sean had left - Shawn Pittman was playing guitar with Susan by then.

[mr tom]

Which brings up another point I'm sure we all agree upon. Wouldn't it take just ONE BREAK (I'm talking television appearances) for cats like Sean or, say, Nick Curran, to get across and achieve some real success? When I'm king, or win the lottery, Ima buyin' a TV network. All good music, all the time.

[stephenT]

I did three web sites for Sean back in the days and had a great picture of Sean and Susan playing a gig at Northside Tavern but I can't find it. I'll keep looking. I've seen the little videos I did of Sean for the site showing up on YouTube so maybe someone has them.

Sean was thinking of a career change after he got off the road w/ Susan. He stayed in the house for a couple weeks and then got a job at Guitar Center which lasted two days, not good times for him. Susan had been shopping for a band and found Sean's band would fit the bill. Sean was abruptly replaced in his own band (while on the road) and as Susan's "close personal friend".

[rhp52]

Do you know the circumstances regarding his exit?

[bbarnard]

Which brings up another point I'm sure we all agree upon. Wouldn't it take just ONE BREAK (I'm talking television appearances) for cats like Sean or, say, Nick Curran, to get across and achieve some real success? When I'm king, or win the lottery, Ima buyin' a TV network. All good music, all the time.

You know (not to derail the thread) but I think Nick actually had that shot and I think he abdicated. I just don't know if that is what Nick wants. I mean he won the Handy Award, had a well received follow up CD, then the Nitelifes went into the crapper. He then got the gig with the T-birds but opted out of that for Deguello. I just don't think Nick wants to be a band leader, nor do I think he's sure what he wants to do from a music perspective. He's an amazingly talented guy, but I think he doesn't care about the business aspect of the music business and unfortunately that doesn't typically translate into "big time" success.

[jumpnblues]

"Big Time" playing straight blues? Ya' never want to say never, but... Now, if you play blues influenced rock and roll you could experience a moderate amount of "big time" success ala Joe Bonnamassa or Gary Moore. But straight blues? Probably, well...never.


Tom

[bbarnard]

"Big Time" playing straight blues? Ya' never want to say never, but... Now, if you play blues influenced rock and roll you could experience a moderate amount of "big time" success ala Joe Bonnamassa or Gary moore. But straight blues? Probably, well...never.


Tom

Actually I agree with the poster that either Sean or Nick could make the "big time", but not because they play blues, but rather because VOCALLY they both had/have great voices and are willing to explore other materials. Sean towards the end had gone very much into the more R&B end of blues (while still having a firm blues tradition). He was also very funky. I think Nick may actually be a slightly better (well different perhaps more commercial) vocalist. Both of them are amazing guitar players. Nick is also more firmly available to go into more modern musical areas (witness his punk band Deguello).

[jumpnblues]

Actually I agree with the poster that either Sean or Nick could make the "big time", but not because they play blues, but rather because VOCALLY they both had/have great voices and are willing to explore other materials. Sean towards the end had gone very much into the more R&B end of blues (while still having a firm blues tradition). He was also very funky. I think Nick may actually be a slightly better (well different perhaps more commercial) vocalist. Both of them are amazing guitar players. Nick is also more firmly available to go into more modern musical areas (witness his punk band Deguello).


Oh yeah, certainly they "could" make the "big time" and both are monster talents. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to have seen either or both have success on the level of, say, Mariah Carey. But realistically in today's market? Nah gunna' happen. Frustrates the heck outta' me that such massively talented guys will forever go largely and all but unnoticed. There's just so much crap and junk/throwaway music out there right now and people are getting rich and famous for it. But, that's the way it's been for most of my 47 year music career, so I don't look for it to change anytime soon.


Tom

[stephenT]

Do you know the circumstances regarding his exit?

Who knows the mind of a female singer?

[jjboogie]

Do you know the circumstances regarding his exit?

I think Susan was ready to take advantage of another under aged boy! ;)

J/K

[custom kid]

Oh yeah, certainly they "could" make the "big time" and both are monster talents. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to have seen either or both have success on the level of, say, Mariah Carey. But realistically in today's market? Nah gunna' happen. Frustrates the heck outta' me that such massively talented guys will forever go largely and all but unnoticed. There's just so much crap and junk/throwaway music out there right now and people are getting rich and famous for it. But, that's the way it's been for most of my 47 year music career, so I don't look for it to change anytime soon.


Tom

I agree that mass appeal is unlikely to happen with blues music - I would gauge success in that genre as being on a Robert Cray type level...playing capacity gigs in places holding anywhere from 1500 up to a few thousand or so.....rather than bars....and maybe even getting some chances at opening slots with the likes of BB King, Clapton, Mayer etc etc

I think Sean was more than capable of achieving that with the right break. From what I've read it seems like he certainly had his share of bad luck - particularly around the time of the self-titled album in 2005 - where everything seemed to be in place for some wider recognition and he was recording with guys like Steve Jordan and Willie Weeks - only for the label to fold pretty much immediately when the cd hit the market.

Susan had been shopping for a band and found Sean's band would fit the bill. Sean was abruptly replaced in his own band (while on the road) and as Susan's "close personal friend".

Since finding out about Sean and his work with Susan Tedeschi I've wondered why she didn't 'come back' for him when she achieved greater success and help give him a break. Maybe thats naive on my part - but I'd have thought his name may at least have been mentioned to some influential people at that point. She was on the Crossroads bill last year and also toured with her husband Derek Trucks with the 'Soul Stew Revival' - which I believe had several different acts involved in a kind of touring festival setup. Both of those would have been great opportunities for Sean.

I hope he realised how much he was admired and appreciated by those who DID see him play and hear his recordings.

[mr tom]

I'm a firm believer that people in general learn to want what they get. I worked in record stores long enough that I got to see LOTS of folks who had never heard blues before really digging what I was playing, asking about it, and buying it. Hence my faith that if we could find a way to spoonfeed people Real music and Good music, they might even get into it.

Guys like Sean (and Nick and Shawn P and Gary Clark Jr.) just HAVE it - in addition to their obvious musical talents, there's something that says "Watch me!" I think it's called charisma.

Agree 100% with bbarnard: Nick is not very interested in being a bandleader, as far as I can tell. I believe there's a CD left to deliver on his Blind Pig deal, but that doesn't seem to be materializing in any big hurry. (I WISH IT WOULD!!)

[Scott Miller]

On the other hand, if Sean Costello had made it really huge, this thread would have gone into "sucks/doesn't suck" about eight pages ago.

[custom kid]

On the other hand, if Sean Costello had made it really huge, this thread would have gone into "sucks/doesn't suck" about eight pages ago.

You're right! There are some streaming audio interviews from February this year where Sean says he had been criticised in some reviews for not playing enough guitar on his self titled album that went in more of a RnB direction. I'll try and dig up the link and post it here.

The more success you get the more criticism tends to come with it. You can't please everyone I guess!

Edit - Here's the link to the interview

http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej/2008/02/15/sean_costello_to_showcase_his_eclectic_t

[Mr Meaner]

Here's a little reason why I compared SRV and Sean early in this post... Maybe you can see some similarities... This may be a side of SRV you never heard, but I knew he could play many styles other than Albert King or Jimi Hendrix... Those were just his preferences and how could that be bad anyhow? Absolutely nothing here to knock Sean, but Stevie was a masterful Blues artist of many styles. Theres some B.B.,(his song of course) T-Bone, Ray Sharpe, maybe even some Elmore James in there... So you guys that are stuck on Stevie being a one-trick pony I think you should just give it up... There's also another clip of him playing it in Australia... The sound and playing doesn't match up very well, but it's later and it still great playing that many of you may of never heard form Stevie!!! He was an absolutely awesome BLUES player!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KE0VwHJL4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=kvz8Vcm133s

[Mr Meaner]

http://a827.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/95/l_beab7c60cb1b7815dde21c65133777ea.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1037206&imageID=9281473#a=1037206&i=9281392) (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1037206&imageID=9281473#a=1037206&i=9281392)

[Mr Meaner]

http://a867.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/126/l_98d7c5d3d03e761f67ce4a4da84ba7ba.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1037206&imageID=9281536#a=1037206&i=9281542) (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1037206&imageID=9281536#a=1037206&i=9281542)

[Mr Meaner]

http://a538.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/24/l_aa4dec63175e92051941e19918ffd371.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1359740&imageID=16683568#a=1359740&i=16683575) (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1359740&imageID=16683568#a=1359740&i=16683575)

[Mr Meaner]

http://a847.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_ccf8527e355b64474a685ab85b31200e.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1359740&imageID=16683601#a=1359740&i=16683606) (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1359740&imageID=16683601#a=1359740&i=16683606)

[Mr Meaner]

http://a483.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/116/l_02379eb2bb7fd23a6de9ebd010d660ca.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1359740&imageID=16683833#a=1359740&i=16683834)

[BadAssBill]

Today's Lesson: Love people while they are still here...

[stephenT]

Today's Lesson: Love people while they are still here...

amen.

[Shnook]

What's up with the knobs on Sean's R6?

[stephenT]

What's up with the knobs on Sean's R6?

Most every guitar or amp that Sean owned was missing at least one knob.

[JohnK24]

http://a847.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_ccf8527e355b64474a685ab85b31200e.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=136349701&albumID=1359740&imageID=16683601#a=1359740&i=16683606)


Pedals ???...Do I see some pedals ???...I never thought the man used these...any details...perhaps a TS...a tuner...and ????

Mr. Meaner..THANK YOU for these pics...they are amazing and good for the soul.

[reddgeetarzan]

What a great thread.......I've managed to not get a single thing done today at work so far.....and its all grey and cold outside.......and I've got the blues REAL bad now......but thank you for that- I can't think of anyone I'd rather help me get the blues out than Mr. Costello. A tragic loss- at least we have something to remember him by. He'll always be thought of in a positive light in my mind! He will always be missed.......as will his guitar playing and singing- RIP Sean!

[Rockinrob86]

So does anyone know what happened to his 1954 goldtop? Do his parents have it? He was such an amazing player, it is such a waste.

[stephenT]

So does anyone know what happened to his 1954 goldtop? Do his parents have it? He was such an amazing player, it is such a waste.

His parents still have the (it's a late) '53.

[Mr Meaner]

So what happen with Sean and Aaron Trubic? Also, seemed he had a different drummer than 2006 and 2007? Was there a rough patch going on there or was this just normal? Most recent videos had Trubic playing bass, but Seans most recent videos(the videos a few days before) had a different bass player... These guys(Sean and Aaron) seemed inseperable though. I guess things can happen though...

[stephenT]

So what happen with Sean and Aaron Trubic? Also, seemed he had a different drummer than 2006 and 2007? Was there a rough patch going on there or was this just normal? Most recent videos had Trubic playing bass, but Seans most recent videos(the videos a few days before) had a different bass player... These guys(Sean and Aaron) seemed inseperable though. I guess things can happen though...

Folks who can do the gig, be away from home,... that always changes. Aaron was with Sean for a couple years, a short time. Anything else about all that not a subject for an internet forum.

Sean's long time bass player was Melvin Zachary, a great guy and great bass player. Here are the two of them on stage in Atlanta,...

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/sean_melvin.jpg

[jjboogie]

Folks who can do the gig, be away from home,... that always changes. Aaron was with Sean for a couple years, a short time. Anything else is about all that not a subject for an internet forum.

Sean's long time bass player was Melvin Zachary, a great guy and great bass player. Here are the two of them on stage in Atlanta,...




That is a cool pic Steve. I loved Melvin's playing the best! His feel and tone was awesome to me. I used to love grooving with that guy.

[JohnK24]

I just love this thread and all these great Sean pics...thanks again Mr Meaner & Stephen T for sharing your personal collection of pics. I've got a KILLER screensaver slide show of Mr. Costello now. Thanks !!!

[stephenT]

Thanks guys, that pic of Sean and Melvin was taken at Music Midtown in Atlanta, May 3rd. 2002. Here's another.

Most of the pics I've posted I took (unless I'm in the photo).

When I think of Sean's band, this is it, Melvin, Sean, Terrence, Paul and Matt.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/musicmid.jpg

[gkoelling]

Thanks for the pics, all. We're lucky someone had the presence of mind to get some shots. It's nice to have some visual history to go with the music.

[Catoogie]

I saw Sean when Melvin was in the band, apparently right before they went up to NY to record and they were all using old tweeds (aside from Melvin who was using an old B-15) that apparently belonged to the keyboard player. GREAT gig!! GREAT BAND!!! Sean was using an old non-cutaway hollowbody with a floating pickup and some dead spots on the neck. He sounded killer!

[custom kid]

When I think of Sean's band, this is it, Melvin, Sean, Terrence, Paul and Matt.



Thanks again Steve for sharing your pics and memories. What are those guys up to nowadays? Are they all still active in the Atlanta area?

I haven't heard any recordings of this band live but understand these guys were with him longer than any of the other lineups. Pretty much all of the youtube clips seem to be from 2006 onwards and feature trios.

Do you know if Sean recorded his shows for personal use - or just to have a record of them? Hopefully if so these may surface and could even provide a way of supporting the foundation.

Really like the trio stuff - no matter who he's playing with in those clips (Aaron Trubic, Paul Campanella, Ray Hangen etc) they all do a great job of supporting him, adding dynamics and generally filling much more sound than a lot of other bands would.

Just my opinion, but trios can sometimes be some of the hardest things to get right. There's nowhere to hide and everyone has to play for the song and each other to keep the song interesting and the audience with you.

These guys nailed it.

[stephenT]

I was having lunch today with two other fellow Atlanta musicians and we were talking about that band with Melvin, Sean, Terrence, Paul and Matt. From a historical perspective that was a great blues band, simply one of the best. They could shuffle so deep and the interplay between musicians, finishing each other's lines, it was a joyful thing to behold friends.

Maybe Mr. Tom can chime in here and the other guys on the forum who saw Sean play live over the years, it was amazing, Sean just got better and better.

[flyingvees]

"When I think of Sean's band, this is it, Melvin, Sean, Terrence, Paul and Matt."

You nailed it man...I cant even remember how many gigs my band did with Sean and this version of the band and they were always on and killin...I have been watching this thread more than participating simply because I wasnt as close to Sean over the past year as I had been previously but when we would see each other out on the road it was always fun and musical...I also started the roadie awards for us road dawgs and always nominated Sean and Coco Montoya for best Hair...I havent seen anyone since who could fall out of a van after six hours and still pull the best lookin chicks on the planet...I miss you man...

[TwoFeets]

I never did get to see that lineup with Paul in the band; by the time I got to see him Paul had quit touring. The rest of the lineup killed though!

[mr tom]

Stephen nailed it when he said interplay - that magical factor the Muddy Waters bands always had, where everyone is kind of soloing in a subdued way, listening to and playing off of each other, and the whole is so much greater than the sum of the parts. Melvin, T, Matt, and Paul were unstoppable! And yes, Sean got better and better and better. He didn't necessarily go to a trio by choice - life, logistics, economics, all the things Stephen alluded to when he said "not everyone can travel" - but he looked at it as a challenge that would make him play that much more guitar every gig.

Recordings are in fact being sought in connection with Foundation projects. Anyone who knows of any, please let me know! - in theory I am archiving them. However, I am having a lot more success finding my own recordings of Sean, going back to 2000, than locating other tapers' shows.

[mr tom]

I should repeat what someone has said in this thread or another: I saw Sean in all kinds of settings, from packed small rooms to wall-to-wall festivals to empty big rooms (The Magic Stick in Detroit - what a mismatch of performer and venue...combine that with a Tuesday night and no advertising). The situation didn't matter. He played every night like his life depended on it. Sail on, brother!

[Goldie295]

Pedals ???...Do I see some pedals ???...I never thought the man used these...any details...perhaps a TS...a tuner...and ????

Mr. Meaner..THANK YOU for these pics...they are amazing and good for the soul.

The one on the right is a Boss Tuner and the one on the left is a Fulltone Supa-Trem. Not sure what the one in the middle is but it seems to be a Boss pedal of some sort. I would be surprised if it were and overdrive. On that kind of stage he would have been able to get the drive from the amp.

Cheers,
Phil

[Shnook]

I just wanted to thank all the people who knew and saw Sean play for their stories and great pics. I didn't discover Sean's music till late last year. I bought We Can Get Together the first day of pre-order and watched all the Youtube footage. Then I came across a blues festival only a few hours drive away that was to feature Sean in May of this year. I was so excited. I purchased my tickets online and couldn't wait for the show. Sadly, that never happened.

I never got to see Sean live or meet him, but I still feel a great saddness over his passing. Thanks to all of those who keep his memory, spirit, and music alive.

In Jan 2008 I purchased a wonder Gibson R4. Had Lollar P90's put in it a few months later. It's become my main guitar and I think of Sean everytime I pick it up. Nuff sappy stuff now... :o

[stephenT]

...... they were all using old tweeds (aside from Melvin who was using an old B-15) that apparently belonged to the keyboard player.

You're talking about Paul Linden, an amp connoisseur if there ever was one. Paul's an amazing harp player (one of those guys who's just musical, Paul can play anything put in front of him) produced two CDs with Sean and is a long time friend/mentor/coconspirator of Sean's.

Paul talking to Jon Liebman another of Sean's dear friends and a great harp player himself.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/paul_jon.jpg

[Shnook]

Bump for a favorite YouTube vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4BUMFXHYc

[mr tom]

I have to share this one. At home and in the car I listen to CDs, but if I'm out and about (walking/biking/waiting for appointments), I turn to mp3s. I have a couple of smaller 1G players that are loaded with Sean's stuff, and an iPod, which is the absurdly large (but not big enough) 80G model. With a 20K song base, it's not too often that one of Sean's tunes comes up. So the other day (pre-snowstorm) I was biking across town and what should play but "Jelly Roll", from the first record. I about fell off the bike, I was laughing so hard: "I'm not known for candy, ice cream or chocolate cake" has to be one of the best setup lines ever.

Ridiculous Tiny Grimes/Charlie Christian playing on that number, too.

[Mr Meaner]

So did Susan Tedeschi take the band with Melvin, Terrence, Paul and Matt? I thought I read that she took his band and let him go basically? Or... was this band together after the Tedeschi encounter?

Thanks for the compliments on the pics! Though I can't take any credit for those... I've just been searching Youtube, MySpace, and wherever I can find any info... That's basically why I began this thread... I'd love to find some great video of the band at the time Stephen was talking about... I've seen the Double Trouble video several times and that lloks like it was with the fellas he was mentioning.

Can't say enough about how much input Stephen has put in as well as Tom. Many thanks to all of you!!!

[Birdseye]

http://www.flatbrokebluesband.com/album/sean%20at%20tawas.jpg

[Birdseye]

http://www.flatbrokebluesband.com/album/seanbluestrat.jpg

[Goldie295]

http://a534.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/107/l_f8cd9e742a82a1c7d5318e47240db285.jpg

[Goldie295]

Found a cool pic of Sean Costello and his 53GT. It is too big to responsibly post. If you view it at the larger size you can see just how worn that guitar was. Amazing stuff.

See HERE (http://deltagrooveproductions.com/music/presskits/sean_costello/photos/SeanCostello_2.jpg)

Cheers,
Phil

[mr tom]

So did Susan Tedeschi take the band with Melvin, Terrence, Paul and Matt? I thought I read that she took his band and let him go basically? Or... was this band together after the Tedeschi encounter?


Terrence and Paul stayed on the road with Susan longer than Sean did, but returned to Atlanta after she finished touring behind her breakout record, and played with Sean through 2004 (Terrence) - 2005 (Melvin). Paul worked with Sean when he could after 2003, but not 100% of the time. I hope Stephen will correct my timeline if I'm off.

I don't think Matt played with Susan. He was with Sean into the first part of '05.

[stephenT]

So did Susan Tedeschi take the band with Melvin, Terrence, Paul and Matt? I thought I read that she took his band and let him go basically? Or... was this band together after the Tedeschi encounter?

earlier band. it was the "Jivebombers" band.

[custom kid]

His parents still have the (it's a late) '53.

Are there any good stories about this guitar? Anything about its history, previous owners before Sean, or how he came to acquire it?

Is it also true that he pretty much had to retire it and replace it with the R6 as it was worn out? Think I read something along those lines somewhere

[stephenT]

Are there any good stories about this guitar? Anything about its history, previous owners before Sean, or how he came to acquire it?

Is it also true that he pretty much had to retire it and replace it with the R6 as it was worn out? Think I read something along those lines somewhere

Sean bought the guitar from Frank Moats who has Atlanta Vintage Guitars, Frank called Sean up told him he had a special guitar for him, Frank says it was the nicest Goldtop he'd ever seen in playability, lightness and tone.

Sean was getting a little nervous about taking it out too much, he wanted to save it for recording, but it was in pretty good condition last time i had it in my hands which was while Sean was recording the last CD, "We Can Get Together". The back of the neck had been all chewed up and Sean had it oversprayed with clear lacquer, it felt great. Sean was proud of the job that had been done.

I remember one Sunday night at Northside Tavern, we were all drinking a bit and one of us recording with a minidisc so I've heard this several times. Sean strums his '53 open strings and it was hopelessly out of tune, then he plays a 9th cord and it's perfectly in tune. Finger pressure compensated in a nano second and he was never nervous about playing with less than six strings. I've seen him finish a set, play a couple tunes with four strings. I know he enjoyed the challenge, very seldom could you tell the difference.

[bbarnard]

http://a534.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/107/l_f8cd9e742a82a1c7d5318e47240db285.jpg

Downtown on the Plaza in Gainesville, FL. I was the producer for that show! It was a cold night and Sean broke a string on the Goldtop right away. Then he broke a string on the Les Paul Faded Double Cut that he had brought as a back up. He said he really liked the Faded Double Cut but I loved the Goldtop. I got to play the Goldtop that night.

The banner in the background gave it away. That's the Gainesville Friends of Jazz and Blues banner. They gave the North Central Florida Blues Society the rights to put on that show and we've been doing it ever since. Just had Magic Slim down here a couple of weeks ago for the same show.

[custom kid]

For those that haven't heard it yet there's a link to a great audio interview on this page....lasting almost 80 minutes where Sean goes through 'We Can Get Together' track by track.

The highlight for me is the acoustic track he plays around 64:50. Does anyone know the name of this song and whether it features on any of his albums? I haven't heard it before.

http://deltagrooveproductions.com/music/reviews/seancostello.html

Follow the link for 'Interview on Sunday blues'