Sean Carney Band
Live Blues On Whyte
Brand new live in Canada release from the 2007 International Blues Challenge winners.
“Live Blues On Whyte” captures The 2007 International Blues Challenge winners, The Sean Carney Band, live at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada’s Blues On Whyte just two weeks after their IBC victory. Produced by Sean guitarist Carney and drummer Eric Blume, this disc finds the two Columbus, Ohio musicians joined by Edmontonions Graham Guest on piano and Hammond B-3 organ and Chris Brzezicki on upright bass.
A review from CBA BluesNotes
“Live Blues On Whyte”
The Sean Carney Band
Nite Owlz Records NOR003
By Greg Johnson
In early February 2007, the Sean Carney Band captured the title at The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge, with Sean also being named the Albert King Most Promising Guitarist of the event, too. It was Carney’s third trip to the IBC, having twice landed third place with the Teeny Tucker Band. Barely two weeks after the competition in Memphis, Sean and drummer Eric Blume were already in Canada performing a couple nights in Calgary first and then as a featured act for a week at Edmonton’s Blues On Whyte.
During their trip to Canada, Sean and Eric hooked up with keyboard player Graham Guest and bassist Chris Brzezicki, recording their shows in Edmonton now available on disc as Live Blues On Whyte. The performances captured are nice examples of the same energetic, passionate display presented at the IBC, with outstanding solos delivered by each of the musicians.
For those familiar with Carney’s repertoire the selections included on this live recording are staples of his shows. Original numbers such as “Life Of Ease,” “All These Worries” and “Bad Side Baby” clearly show Carney’s adeptness at songwriting, and the eight-plus-minute opus “What Can I Say” offers Sean’s sensational guitar licks intermixed with Guest’s driving piano. There are also outstanding offerings of covers by artists such as Jimmy Witherspoon and Willie Dixon that only add extra fuel to the fire behind these live takes.
Though this disc may have been recorded two years ago, it does nothing to belie the exceptional live performance musicians that both Sean Carney and Eric Blume (the heartbeat of the band) are every time they step onto a stage. Always an act that is worth making the extra effort to witness, even if it means driving a little further than normal and this new live release is one that should receive extended time on your players as well. IBC winners for certain, but Live Blues On Whyte proves that they are champions every night out! Add this one to your must-buy list.
“Live Blues On Whyte”
Review printed by Blues & Co. (France)
Winning The International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2007 out of 165 groups is what made it possible for The Sean Carney Band to begin an international career, spring 2009 will see already his fourth Européan tour. Two weeks after their victory of this presigious trophy Sean and drummer/recording enginner Eric Blume travel across the United States to play Edmonton (Alberta) in the Canadian province where this album was recorded. For the occasion our two accomplices are called upon in high level local musicians: Chris Brzezicki on the upright bass and Graham Guest on piano and organ to enrich the sound. This 12 song live program starts strong with the traditional “It’s My Life, Baby” popularized by Johnny Winter, another classic, “Call My Job” (Son Seals), “Too Many Cooks” (this version more interesting than that of Robert Cray) the remainder being their own compositions “Why Do You Lie," “Life Of Ease” are played with incredible feeling as well on the level of the voice as of the guitar, “What Can I Say," “Bad Side Baby” close this superb CD which shows us an artist displaying much personality and rare finesse. 52 minutes of pure happiness!!! My preferred CD of the quarter. The Sean Carney Band will make some dates in France in April. Miss it not!
-Philippe LE GUENNEC
Vainqueur de l'International Blues Challenge à Memphis en 2007 devant 165 groupes ce qui permit à Sean Carney de débuter une carriere internationale,le printemps 2009 verra déjà sa quatrieme tournée Européenne!!!! Deux semaines apres la victoire de ce presitgieux trophée S C & son fidele batteur Eric Blume s'envolerent pour jouer à Edmonton (Alberta) dans la province Canadienne ou fut enregistré cet album. Pour l'occasion nos deux comperes firent appel à deux musiciens locaux de haut niveau: Chris Bizezicki à la basse & Graham Guest aux claviers pour enrichir l'ensemble. Au menu 12 morceaux enregistrés durant ce concert,çà commence fort avec le classique "it's my life,baby" popularisé par Johnny Winter,autre reprise "Call my job" (Son Seal),& too many cooks (version plus interessante que celle de Robert Cray par exemple) le reste étant ses propres compositions "why do you lie"life of Ease" titre joué avec un feeling incroyable tant au niveau de voix que de la guitare, "what can i say"bad side baby pour cloturer ce superbe cd qui nous montre un artiste faisant preuve de beaucoup de personanité & d'une finesse rare!!!! 52 minutes de pur bonheur!!!Mon cd préféré du trimestre. Sean fera quelques dates en France en Avril surtout ne le manquer pas!!!! www.seancarneyband.com -Philippe
Live from Edmonton
The Other Paper
by Johnny Go
Our globe-gallivantin’ (Europe, Canada, U.S.) blues boy, Sean Carney, has a new live CD out this Saturday, with its debut to take place at the Vonn Jazz Lounge. The title, Live Blues on Whyte, refers to Blues on Whyte, a club in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Carney and fellow Columbusite Eric Blume on drums are joined by a coupla Canucks on Hammond B-3 and piano and a stand-up bassist.
The results? Sean always did have more than a little swing in his rockin’ bones, and Whyte rolls more than it rocks.
Originals lie side by side with well-chosen covers like Jimmy Witherspoons “Money’s Getting Cheaper” and Willie Dixon’s “29 Ways.” And Carney is ever improving as a sangin’ frontman. Of course, his guitar playing’s always been tasteful and tough.
SEAN CARNEY BAND
LIVE BLUES ON WHYTE
Reviewed by Rootstime
Blues On Whyte is voor Canada zowat het belangrijkste bluesfestival van het jaar. Edmonton in Alberta is dan even het centrum van de blueswereld. Dit is de live registratie van het concert dat Sean Carney daar in februari 2007 gaf. Toen was zijn debuut nog niet zo lang verschenen en bij het verschijnen van zijn opvolger, ter gelegenheid van het Bluesfestival in Ecaussines in mei vorig jaar hadden wij een gesprek met hem. Wie de man ooit bezig zag weet dat zijn optredens de "real deal" zijn. Hij maakte op ons een overdonderende indruk toen en deze live registratie is daar een duidelijke weergave van. Blues die de link tussen het verleden en zijn hedendaagse invloeden perfect legt. Sean is een virtuoze gitarist en daar bovenop ook een behoorlijk sterke zanger, invloeden van T.Bone Walker en Ronnie Earl zijn duidelijk aanwezig. Toen we als één van de eersten zijn debuut bespraken was onze eindquote dan ook "This is real blues!". En daar staan we natuurlijk nog steeds achter, want drie jaar later is de kwaliteit alleen nog maar gegroeid en is Sean één van de topvertegenwoordigers van de Canadese en internationale bluesscène. Luister maar even naar "What Can I Say" een van de mooiste songs uit die "Life Of Ease" cd. Hier in zijn wat uitgesponnen live uitvoering zit je na enkele minuten met open mond te luisteren, want wat Sean hier uit zijn gitaar tovert op 't einde van de song is inderdaad fenomenaal en laat velen ver achter zich. Vol zelfvertrouwen en met een natuurlijke flair speelt hij de sterren van de hemel. Net als Ronnie Earl heeft hij de gave om zijn gitaar van fluisterend naar fel uithalend te laten gaan in één ogenblik. Naast die traditionelere langzame bluesnummers is hij eveneens een meester van de swing, de afsluiter "Bad Side Baby" en Jimmy Witherspoon's "Money's Gettin' Cheaper" tonen hem hierin van zijn beste zijde. Bobby Bland's "It's My Life Baby", waarmee het concert opent krijgt ook een zeer overtuigende uitvoering mee. Het snelle "Why'd You Lie" tenslotte zet het aanwezige publiek helemaal in vuur en vlam. Naast Carney vinden we hier in Edmonton natuurlijk zijn onafscheidelijke drummer Eric Blume en verder pianist en Hammond B3 speler Graham Guest, terwijl op bas Chris Brzezecki van de partij was. Wie de vorige concerten op Belgische bodem moest gemist hebben, laat dan het Blues D'Up festival in Bierbeek op 4 april niet aan je voorbij gaan, want als bluesfan moet je deze man gezien hebben. Ben je niet zo'n festivalganger en luister je echter liever vanuit je luie zetel, dan is deze "Live Blues On Whyte" het enige alternatief. (RON) www.rootstime.be
Carney knowledge
IBC winner gets fired up at Blues on Whyte
On February 2nd, at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, a couple of extraordinary events took place. For the first time, the finals of the band competition at the 23rd annual International Blues Challenge were held in the classic, three-tiered opera house. And the winner, Ohio’s Sean Carney Band, picked out of 95 competing acts, was a surprise as -well.
In an event rife with "Stevie Ray Hendrix" style guitar slingers, over-the-top singers and novelty acts, the winners played original blues with a gentle tone. Sleek guitar solos that made a statement, a style that oozed confidence, a serious grounding in traditional blues and swing, and that certain "something" that sets contenders apart from the real thing had this observer picking Carney’s band as winners early on. But, you never know in events like this exactly what the judges are looking for.
"I was acutely aware of the risk we were taking by giving space to our music," explains Carney, who also took the Albert King Award as "Most Promising Guitarist." "By playing our own music based in the Ohio tradition of great musicians who play swinging blues and jazz–artists like Robert Lockwood Jr. and Rusty Bryant."
The risk paid off, and Carney and his bandmates will reap the rewards over the next year. Those benefits include cash, media exposure, guaranteed gigs, including the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise and a festival in the Virgin Islands, and free consultation with professional artist management.
Carney was making his third appearance in as many years, sponsored by the Columbus Blues Alliance. Just in his mid 30s, Carney is no newcomer to the blues.
"I started playing as a teenager," Carney relates, "I come from a very musical family–my dad is a bassist and music educator, and my uncle on my dad’s side is a world class trombonist. On my mom’s side, two uncles have a blues band that I started playing in when I was 16. While my friends were playing Nintendo, I was playing the blues."
His musical taste was quite different from that of his peers as well.
"T-Bone Walker, Howlin’ Wolf, and Robert Johnson were on the stereo. I was heavily influenced by early electric blues/jazz guitar. I also had the opportunity to catch shows by the likes of Robert Lockwood Jr. and Gatemouth Brown. Their musicality, professionalism, willingness to take musical risks and, above all, entertain, made a deep impression. I guess you could say I wear those guys on my sleeve.
"I also love singers who enunciate, people like Jimmy Witherspoon and Charles Brown. At 18, I met singer Christine Kittrell. I talked her into rejuvenating her career and we worked together for 10 years. She taught me how to dress, how to play behind a singer, and so much more. I also worked with Joe Weaver, Jimmy T-99 Nelson, and Teeny Tucker."
Carney learned his blues lessons well. Life of Ease is his latest calling card and it shows a young artist firmly rooted in the great blues tradition of "less is more." Spare but meaningful guitar solos, well written original songs, and superb ensemble playing is found throughout the recording.
"We had the luxury of recording at Eric’s [Blume, his drummer] home studio and were able to work without being under the gun. We self-produced and tweaked things as we went."
What does the guitarist expect the IBC win will do for him and his band mates? "It’s terrific to get feedback from judges and the audience. This win had us going from a smattering of performances this year to being fully booked through to 2008. My hope is that we won’t have to do a lot of the really tough work it takes to break in–that the win will open some doors."
For their performance next week at the Blues on Whyte, Carney and drummer Eric Blume will be joined by local keyboard ace Graham Guest and bassist Chris Brzecki.
"I know we can’t rest on our laurels," Carney admits. "Our visibility is up and it’s up to us to make the most of that now."
-CAM HAYDEN
Blues: Jazzy Blues