The Sean Carney Band - Live Blues On Whyte (2009)

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.