Tonight at 8pm, BBC4 will screen a documentary on the bearded, tattooed, three-string-guitar-playing sexagenarian who has recently found his way into the nation’s psyche.
While the mention of his name at random stills leaves itself open to a few “Seasick who?”s, generally the words Seasick and Steve are met with unrivalled effusiveness. Tonight’s showing of ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ will help to convert those few remaining Brits who are yet to fall under the Seasick spell.
Anyone who was lucky enough to catch one of Steve Wold’s performances at a festival this summer (and there were plenty) will know what the commotion is about. His energy is infectious and his storytelling captivating; his guitar-work is genius and his own brand of Delta blues just compels you to move.
The fable goes that the self-professed “song and dance” man rose from the ranks of the homeless, and tonight’s show (part of BBC4’s American Folk Season) follows him to some of the freight-train yards, run-down juke joints and roadside diners he used to frequent during this time.
Seasick’s star continues to be in the ascendant. Not only is he about to embark on another UK tour, he has also been nominated for his first ever BRIT- not that he knew what the BRITs were beforehand…
Check out Seasick Steve looking slightly at odds with the red carpet here.
Imogen Eveson
