SEAN CHAMBERS
THE ROCK HOUSE SESSIONS
BLUE HEAT RECORDS BHR 103
WORLD ON FIRE–SINCE I’VE BEEN DOWN–HEALING GROUND–MEANT TO BE–COME TO POPPA–YOUR LOVE IS MY DISEASE–HOLDING ON–JUST FOR THE THRILL–MONEY IN A MINUTE–IT HURTS TO SEE YOU GO–CHOO CHOO MAMA
The UK’s “Guitarist” magazine named Sean Chambers as on of the top 50 Blues Guitarists of the 20TH Century, and for good reason. Sean served as Hubert Sumlin’s bandleader from 1998-2003, and, since then, has released four critically-acclaimed albums with the Sean Chambers Band. As an aside, he is currently working as the front man for the seminal Seventies Southern-rock band Blackfoot. (Hey Sean—next time you’re on stage, how ’bout “Train Train” for us, ok?)
Which brings us to his latest album for Blue Heat Records, “The Rock House Sessions.” It once again finds Sean at his fret-firing best, this time recording as just Sean Chambers, using a strong cast of studio musicians. In fact, this set has a great “Nashville Connection.” It was recorded at Kevin McKendree’s Rock House Studio, and was produced by keyboard legend Reese Wynans, with Tommy McDonald on bass, and Tom Hambridge on drums.
The set kicks off with a Rick Vito tune perfect for the uncertainty that permeates today’s society, where Sean asks the Lord to “send more love to this World On Fire,” His Doomsday guitar licks and TJ Klay’s wailing harp mesh perfectly to set the verboten tone on this one. Sean and Reese’s love ballad, “Meant To Be,” is reminiscent of Bob Seger’s classic ballads from the Seventies. Speaking of Seger, Sean and Etta Britt, who adds the female vocal, pull out all the stops on a struttin’ read of “Come To Poppa.” “Money In A Minute” is another fret-burner, this one the tale of a lover after “cold cash,” and will take money over real love any day. The set closes with a strong tribute to the Lee brothers and Ten Years After, with the flash and fire of “Choo Choo Mama.’
We haxd two favorites, too. TJ’s harp and Sean’s guitar visit classic Chicago blues with “Just For The Thrill,” while Gary Nicholson and Kenny Greenberg’s “Healing Ground” recalls vintage Faces or the Stones.
Sean Chambers just gets better with each release. His playing and singing are impeccable, and the musicians he surrounded himself with on “The Rock House Sessions” seemed to inspire him to new heighs. This set is highly recommended listening for all blues fans!!! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
donandsherylsbluesblog 