Sean Riley & The Water – Stone Cold Hands

Pugnacious Records announces a March 8th release date for Stone Cold Hands, the new album from singer/songwriter/guitarist Sean Riley. Based in New Orleans, Riley is a familiar face in the New Orleans music world, playing frequently throughout the city, from the Bywater to the French Quarter and Uptown, as well as regional shows in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Stone Cold Hands features nine original songs by Sean Riley, all showcasing his distinctive voice, lyrics, guitar style, and arrangements. The lone cover is Jimmy Reed's “High and Lonesome,” a swaggering Mississippi juke blues tune.

“This record is my musical tribute to New Orleans, and Southern folk traditions,” says Riley. “It's a celebration of the highs of dance-filled evenings, communal feasts, and all-night parties - to the lows of facing grief, fear, and the loss of what we hold dear. The songs represent the ebb and flow of emotions, from high-energy house party rockers to tear-in-my-beer barroom reflections and down-on-your-luck country blues, back to the uplifting spirit of self-worth and love.”

Stone Cold Hands features some of Louisiana's most-lauded musicians. Multi-instrumentalist and practitioner of Zydeco and Afro-Louisiana music Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes plays accordion and harmonica on four tracks: “Dance Me One More Time,” “Truck Route Blues,” “Out All Night” and “Jump the Line.” Cajun/Zydeco musician and “Louisiana's Rockin' Fiddler” Waylon Thibodeaux shines on "Rosie's Rag” and “A Losing Hand.” Phil Breen shows his versatility and strength on keys and organ for the title track, “Stone Cold Hands,” as well as “Go Easy on Me,” “A Losing Hand,” “Rosie's Rag” and “Shine a Little Stronger.” Tiffany Pollack graces the album with sweet harmonies on “Stone Cold Hands” and “Go Easy on Me.” She is joined by Megan Harris Brunious and Whitney Alouisious to create a tingling three part harmony to the album bookends, “Dance Me One More Time” and “Shine a Little Stronger.” Last but certainly not least is the record's thumping rhythm section, consisting of New Orleans' own limitless drummer Mike Barras, and acting as both bassist and producer, the unwavering Dean Zucchero. 

Track Listing:
1. Dance Me One More Time -   2. Go Easy On Me -   3. Stone Cold Hands -   4. Truck Route Blues -   5. High And Lonesome -   6. Out All Night -   7. A Losing Hand -   8. Rosie's Rag -   9. Jump The Line -   10. Shine A Little Stronger 

Reviews:

1. lahoradelblues.com - 2024.06
Singer, guitar player and songwriter Sean Riley releases an album to pay tribute to New Orleans music, the city where he has settled now. Riley is well known in French Quarter scene and around Crescent City, as well as in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama where he plays regularly, having also toured Europe and Australia.
Besides playing solo, Sean usually performs backed by his band, The Water, whose name comes from the fluidity their music and the chemistry among all the musicians who play together, communicate on stage.
This is their first full length album after having released an EP, and features nine own compositions, plus the version of “High and Lonesome…” coming from Jimmy Reed.
The recording becomes a tribute to the most genuine USA southern folk tradition and, of course, to the different Louisiana styles, which drive us to those country parties where dancing is never missing, with zydeco or cajun music, as well as fun, a good dose of beer and smoky barbecues, although sometimes, you can also feel certain sadness due to bad luck, the loss of love or hopelessness.
The band strength and professionalism are out of doubt. Sean Riley is on vocals and guitar, together with Dean Zucchero on bass and Mike Barras on drums. The album also features some guests like Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes on accordion and harmonica, Waylon Thibodeaux on violin, Phil Breen on organ and Tiffany Pollack on backing vocals.
It was recorded at the Rhythm Shack Studio in New Orleans under the supervision of Dean Zucchero and Jake Eckert, who managed to communicate the same good vibes that all musicians enjoyed while doing this more than interesting work.