THE expectation was heart-twanging, deep rhythm and blues in Southampton on Sunday night from Seasick Steve and he did not disappoint.

Warmed up with a hypnotic undertone and deep pounding rhythms by My Baby, who in equal measure to Seasick Steve are full of gusto and southern blues.

You could be mistaken and assume they are from the deep south of America but the Dutch and New Zealanders proved to be one hell of a warm up.

They sang songs from their new and old album Shamanaid and Loves Vodoo.

There was no hanging around, after My Baby the stage was set up and with no hesitation or keeping the crowd waiting on comes Seasick Steve who we’ve all been waiting for.

The cool mood of packed O2 Guildhall in Southampton swaying and listening to every word he sang, it felt as though we were united by Seasick Steve by the strings of his barricade of hand-made guitars as though the beats were in tune with your heartbeat, Sonic Soul Surfer being an appropriate name for this soul talking legend of rhytham and blues.

Singing a compilation of songs old and new from Summertime Boy, Swamp Dog, most accompanied by stories of their originality, Baracuda ’68 about an old car with a green dial gage and romance with a full serenade of Walking Man to a lucky lady picked from the crowd.

It’s not often you come across such authenticity from an artist and that’s what I like about Seasick Steve, he’s willing to be just himself with the help of Crazy Dan and his mackleshackle of a drum set.

Steve does not let the current day or help from precise technology to improve his performance, this man solely relies upon his extraordinary talent and personality to win over a crowd.

I’m pretty sure they aren’t many artists out there who are as humble as him and that’s what makes him the people’s Soul Talking Man.

Lisa Emery