SEAN CHAMBERS LIVE FROM DARYLS HOUSE CLUB
I consider myself lucky in that I have followed Sean Chambers’ career from very early on. The first packages we received were handwritten by Chambers himself as he went looking for airplay. My radio partner and I figured anyone that hungry was either very good or very bad.
Fortunately for the blues world, Sean Chambers fell into the former category. Jump cut to a few years later and Chambers has turned out several smoking albums and gotten a reputation as a real up-and-comer and has even toured with Hubert Sumlin as his band.
Now he stands on the precipice joining the ranks of the best guitarists working today. I interviewed him some months ago and found him to be personable and a good storyteller. He came through my town and I got to catch him in an intimate theatre/club.
He rocked that house and people who weren’t as familiar with his catalog came and turned into instant fans. He is releasing a new album on Quarto Valley Records called Sean Chambers Live From Daryl’s House at the end of February and I got a chance to catch a listen before it’s release date.
Chambers has been working with the Savoy Brown Rhythm Section, Pat De Salvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums, since Kim Simmond’s passing in 2023 and they make a potent team.
The album starts off with a little bit of crowd noise, the introduction, and then Cobra, one of the most blistering instrumentals that you will ever hear. Chamers’ fingers fly all over his guitar and De Salvo and Grimm play like men possessed. The sound is crisp, you would swear that you’re in the crowd at Darryl’s. If they can maintain this intensity for the rest of the night, this is going to be a helluva ride
Next up is I Need Your Lovin’, another full throttle number that makes the crowd go wild. Chambers’ vocals are confident, and his playing is electric. Chambers got a big break when he spent years playing with Hubert Sumlin and you can hear Sumlin’s influence in songs like this. There’s some of the audience’s appreciation for Chambers and Company at the end of the song and you may find it hard not to clap yourself.
What follows is Red Hot Mama, a Chamber’s original. An attempt to get the audience to sing might have been a little early, although he does manage to get a fair response. This is another smoking cut and you can tell by the applause that the audience is digging the show very much.
Chambers turns the heat down to a simmer for Louise, and the effect is powerful. The Savoy Brown Rhythm Section gets a real workout creating a deep pocket for Chambers to fill with his innovative riffs and runs. Damn, this is a striking song and it delivers a smoldering sound at just the perfect time.
The action picks up with Ten Til Midnight. This is some serious noir blues happening and the lyrics spell out the story of a man who is waiting. There are a few Santana-style licks that add a little flavor to this dark song.
Dedicated to the late great Kim Simmonds, Street Corner Talking is one of those great songs that you have to hear live. Clocking in at seven-plus minutes, the trio each get a chance to strut their stuff in the spotlight. This is what I like to hear when I go to a live show – an extended mix where each band members contributes to the song and the audience gets to share in their talents!
Bullfrog Blues is an homage to one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Rory Gallagher, who passed away in 1997. Gallagher was known for his virtuoso playing and he inspired a number of young up-and-coming guitar slingers, of which Chambers is in that company. Originally written by William Harris in 1927 or 29, the song is very demanding of the player and Chambers comes through with a stellar performance. And it just might turn some of the younger blues fans to seek out some of Gallagher’s records.
One of the songs from Chabers’ Trouble & Whiskey follows. Sweeter Than A Honey Bee is a straight up blues number that rocks from beginning to end. It’s a good song for showcasing Chambers’ fretboard nimbleness and it delivers on its promise of pure entertainment.
Next up is the title track from Trouble & Whiskey and man, does in smolder beautifully. Chambers makes his guitar talk and sing, the only thing it doesn’t do is dance but put a pair of shoes on it and it could probably do that too.This one is worth the price of admission, and so far, just about every other song is as well.
Some sweet slide opens You’re Gonna Miss Me and it adds a nice touch to the proceedings. Chambers has proved himself time and again that he belongs in that conversation of who-is-the-best-working guitarists today and this one just adds another arrow in his quiver.
Louisiana Blues really shows off Chambers’ skills and he makes the most of them. His playing overshadows his vocals, although his vocals aren’t bad either. While you know the CD is coming to an end shortly, the energy level hasn’t lagged one bit. This has been an exciting disc.
There’s one more song to go and it’s Brown Sugar, but not the Rolling Stones song. This one talks about how “that Brown Sugar is gonna set me free.” The song rocks hard and is a great way to end his show.
About the only thing I would have added to this album, and it would have to be sparingly, is a little of Chambers’ banter with the audience. He is a very personable performer and it would have been good to hear him interacting with the audience.
That small quibble aside, I predict that anyone who is already a fan of Sean Chambers will grab this disc. And if you are not yet a fan – and you hear this disc – you will quickly become one!
Check out his website to learn more and pick up your own copy of this disc. You won’t be disappointed. And yes, this one is already on my short list of best albums of the year. Catch him now before he graduates to the big stages!