Ten Til Midnight Sean Chambers Blue Heat Records(Self Release) by Brian Robbins
Wham! When you drop the needle on bluesman Sean Chambers' new Ten Til Mid- night album, you'll want to brace off and hang on. Chambers might hail from Florida, but his tubes-too-hot-to touch tone and voodoo blues riffing on the title cut will make you think Austin, TX fo' sho'. But don't jump to conclusions - though the strat does happen to be his primary weapon of choice, Chambers is no Stevie Ray Vaughan wanna-be copping licks and wearing a big hat. Sure, the man has his influences, but in the end, what comes through the speakers is Sean Chambers ... and that's a fine and bluesy thing.
A graduate of the Around-The-World- with Hubert Simlin school of blues (a five year experience during which he served as musical director for the legendary Sumlin), Chamber's goal for Ten Til Midnight was too nail his three-piece band's live sound to the studio. Overdubs were held to a minimum, and grove reigned supreme over perfection.
"Blues and Rock 'N' Roll" offers up everything from a Hendrix-style guitar break to a honking harp solo, courtesy of guest Gary Keith. "You're Gonna Miss Me" features blistering, squealing slide reminiscent of some of David Lindley's more over the top moments with E-Rayo X. Be sure to check the classic dobro/harp duel between Chambers and Keith on "I Don't Know Why." And throughout Ten Til Midnight, Chambers offers up plenty of fat Strat, and dues paid vocals. This cat's the real thing.
Radio ChartsAs of 2/26/2010
XM/Sirius #5 W/E 2/26/2010(4 weeks on the charts) Weekly Blues Charts #15 W/E 2/26/2010(9 weeks on the charts) House Of Blues #6 W/E 2/26/2010 (6 weeks on the charts) Living Blues Charts #21 Dec 2009 Living Blues Charts #30 Nov 2009 Living Blues Charts #24 Oct 2009 Florida Roots Charts #1 W/E 2/26/2010 7 weeks at #1