Year in Rock 2011 Nominee: Seasick Steve

SEASICK STEVE
You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

From: You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Released: May 30 (UK)

It's hard to use the phrase "up and coming" when describing a 70 year old man.  And yet there it is in praise of Seasick Steve, a man who's had such an interesting life that I can't even begin to describe it here; suffice to say, his Wikipedia entry is a great primer that will earn this man your admiration and respect.  Indeed, his life has been turbulent and triumphant from the start; he's been a hobo, carnie and cowboy.  He's also sold out Royal Albert Hall  and earned a spot at several massive European festivals.  His breakthrough started with a New Years Eve 2006 performance on Jools Holland's BBC program, and has yielded four albums since.  His latest, You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks, stays true to what Seasick Steve has always done; play he blues.  It's been his life, and on the title track he briefly ponders changing things up before scoffing at the idea, "I don't need to change my style".  And why should he?  Playing the blues has earned him some eye-raising friends over the years, among the most famous Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and Jack White (who signed Seasick Steve to a U.S. distribution deal through his Third Man Records).  Oh, and if you like the groove of this track, you can thank John Paul Jones; he plays bass on this record.  Not bad for an old dog.