Music Review | Sean Wiggins: I Gotta Be Me
Written by: Kage Alan


Album Rating: A

A long time ago in a city far…far…away…  Okay, it was really just last August and the city was Chicago, not nearly as far as one of my less than favorite places; Kansas City.  Anyway, there was a festive mood in the air and tremendous crowds all around.  Well, they were down the street at Halstead Market Days where I was supposed to be.  Unfortunately, because of an overbooking problem, Border’s booth where I was to do a book signing at during the festival got the axe.  Depressed, lonely and vulnerable, I sat at a table inside the store praying for customers to come in when the live sound of a girl and a guitar began to float through the air.  In a word, I was captivated.  In another word, I was hooked.  Pretty soon I was running out of words, but lucky for me Borders carries an extensive thesaurus, only I won’t bore you with them all.  Suffice to say, I sat there and listened to Sean’s entire set (she appeared later at the festival in front of a much larger crowd).

What does any of this have to do with you, dear readers?  I’m pleased to announce that Sean has released her latest CD titled “I Gotta Be Me” and she’s just that.  Her…not me.  Aside from the clever use of inserting introductions to songs from live sets, Sean has a bundle of material she shares here starting off with the wonderful “LA Blues”. “Lucky In Love” features some terrific vocals and lyrics…which I admit being surprised at (the vocals, not the lyrics) only because Sean is so soft spoken in person.  Girl gotta voice!  The title track, “I Gotta Be,” discusses everything the singer isn’t, yet also states that she has to be herself and believe me, listeners wouldn’t have it any other way.

A change in tempo kicks in with “You On My Mind” and “Anyway It Happens” finds Sean accompanied by piano instead of guitar and proves this artist’s versatility.  “Grandpa” is a cute little number inspired by a real life incident and “Remember Spring” offers something uniquely different with the vocals.  There isn’t any hesitation to experiment with the songs on this album and that proves to be a huge strength.  There’s some funkiness to be found in “Mercury In Retrograde” and “Isn’t There More” is an absolutely gorgeous type ballad.

“Who Died And Left You Boss” is a scream (not to mention something we’ve all wanted to say to someone we’ve known or worked for), “Place In My Heart” incorporates some slide guitar and then there’s a bonus Christmas song, “Baby Let’s Make Up For Christmas”.  This is bound to sound odd coming from someone like me who listens primarily to Europop and Techno, but there is something about Sean’s music that feels fresh, uninhibited and not created or marketed by a record company for image and no content.  There’s sincerity here.

While I tend to be a huge fan of layered music (aside from techno and dance), sometimes the right combination of voice and a single instrument can do wonders and Sean makes the most of everything she’s got.  It also speaks highly of her that live performances sound equally fantastic and showcase a great deal of heart and soul.  Could I rave anymore?  Yes.  Will I?  No.  I want you decide for yourself.  For more information about the artist or to order some of her CDs, check out www.SeanWiggins.com.  Also look out for her live performances.  She’ll make a believer out of you!