Whenever I lost someone who affected my life in a positive way, my initial notion was to escape to the closest time machine and jump inside.Whether it's a close family,friend or merely a passing acquaintance,the gut feeling to travel back in time for one last encounter is paramount in my mind.I honestly don't know what I would say to this person,knowing full well that this would be the last face to face dialogue that I'd ever have with them.Regarding the masterful singer and guitarist Sean Costello,I'd probably just say thanks man for keeping it real. 

                          Costello's no nonsense,soul leaning vocals,whether on inspiring originals or covers,could easily make your heart ache.His meaty,muscular guitar chops evoked  classic Chicago blues leanings,but he still could swing mightily with the best of them.Recording since his late teens,Costello put Susan Tedeschi's first recording on the map with his tasty guitarwork.As he grew into his role as a solo artist,he performed at Natchel Blues Network's Blues at the Beach in the fall of 2001.He was all of twenty one at the time and wielded his Gibson Les Paul and gritty voice,with all the experience and showmanship of a certified blues legend.The young Costello sure did his very best to warm the weatherbeaten crowds' spirits on that cold,damp afternoon.                   

                          Although his recorded output was his major labor of love,Costello in a live setting transcended time and space.His performance at Suffolk's Jazz and BluesFest on September 24th,2005 was one such knockout gig,where his dynamic four piece group tackled old chestnuts,as well as unreleased musical milestones with confidence.I'll particularly remember his heartfelt rendering of Bob Dylan's,Simple Twist of Fate,and  early previews of  the slow moving,gut wrencher,Have You No Shame,and the eerily prophetic.gospel tinged,Going Home. Following the shows' finale,Costello brought me over to the bands' van to preview new material recently recorded in New York.He was like an excited kid with new toys to show me,as fresh,unmixed music tracks blared through the vehicles'small speakers.That was the last time I saw him.     

                    Such a refreshing and warm human being,it seemed like everything in 2008  was rolling along on all six cylinders.Delta Groove Records,his new label,is firmly behind his 5 star,latest effort,We Can Get Together,while Costello's publicity and engagements had been energized lately by new promoters,Piedmont Talent. Also he laid down positively wicked guitar solos all over Nappy Brown's recent Blind Pig recording,Long Time Coming.As music lovers reflect on this spirited guitarists' career and life,what remains are Costello's wealth of recorded works and all of those energizing live show memories that we'll deeply cherish.Forget about all the time machine dreaming.Sean Costello was just one of those rare,polished gems.We'll never see his likes again.    

Alan Kurzer©2008