Hobo, Let's Go

Bob Dylan famously stated that "when you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose". The fella had a bulging bank account at the time of writing 'Like a Rolling Stone', and therein lies the contradiction. This is also something that will dog the profile of Seasick Steve for the rest of his days.

His line is simple and stomping blues, played on cheap instruments. His garb is American workwear and freewheeling chic, all the better to ride those freight trains. And his lyrical bent is aimed at the non-material, the downhome and the priceless freedoms. His new mission statement: 'I Started Out With Nothing. And Still Got Most Of It Left' nails it rather sweetly.

Critics will say that for all of the humility and penny pinching, Steve is now signed to a major record label, his fortunes are on the rise and ticket prices have also increased rather steeply. Steve seems impervious to all this at the Opera House Belfast, as he hollers, scrapes at the strings and glugs at a bottle of something potent.

Whatever his fortunes may be, Steve is old enough to look at his situation with wry amusement. He's had the heart attack, he's gotten the bad tattoos and he's not spending any more on his guitars. His use of the wooden chairs and cushions in his stage act is a bit cute, but the music is still vital and the guy is full of praise for Belfast and the Open House Festival, which essentially gave Steve the chance to walk away from a passable band situation to the solo acclaim that he now enjoys.