Sean Costello: Moanin’ for Molasses

Hotshot guitarist Sean Costello is back with his brand of exuberant, raucous, Chicago-styled blues on his third outing, Moanin’ for Molasses (Landslide 1027; 44:02). The 22-year-old Atlanta resident is that rare item: a white boy with an authentic feel for the blues, a strong sense of confidence and a husky, soulful set of pipes to boot. You’d have to be both confident and soulful to even try to cover the James Brown ballad “I Want You So Bad” and young Costello does a remarkably convincing job. On the six-string side, this young cat stakes out his territory on urgent renditions of Otis Rush’s “It Takes Time,” Willie Dixon’s “One Kiss” and Buddy Guy’s “No Lie.” His organ-fueled instrumental shuffle-swing groover, “Moanin’ for Molasses,” shows more range than the typical toe-curling licks and he also turns in an affecting solo acoustic rendition of J.B. Lenoir’s “Good Advice.” Costello is a raw talent with a truckload of passion who shows more seasoning on this outing.

Originally Published November 1, 2001