Sean McDonald: Have Mercy!

Have Mercy!—Sean McDonald's 2025 debut album on the Little Village Foundation label—introduces a young artist whose greatest strength may be his ability to absorb blues, soul and early rock 'n' roll traditions without sounding bound by them. The 24-year-old singer, guitarist and songwriter understands these forms deeply enough to make them his own.

The album's influences are often easy to spot. "My Soul" carries the buoyant feel of Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up," complete with "uh-ah-huh" harmony vocals recalling The Jordanaires. Yet McDonald approaches the material less as a revivalist than as a songwriter finding fresh ways to work within a familiar framework.

Even the album title invites a look backward. Have Mercy! recalls Don Covay's 1964 hit "Mercy, Mercy," a record often re-titled "Have Mercy" on later releases. The reference suits an artist whose music bridges blues, soul, R&B and early rock influences while remaining rooted in contemporary interpretation.

McDonald delivers silky, powerfully expressive tenor vocals. His guitar playing is economical yet distinctive, shaped by clean, round mid-tones echoing Lowell Fulson's blues-and-R&B fusion, as traces of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's razor-sharp pick attack and emotional intensity also cut through.

Just as noteworthy is his songwriting. Rather than relying on blues conventions, he crafts songs with memorable hooks, strong melodies and clear structure. His writing reflects deep familiarity with postwar American popular music. On "Killing Me," the line "I can't get you out of my head" recalls a familiar phrase in R&B songwriting. Elsewhere, expressions such as "devil in disguise," "unchain my heart" and "set me free" resonate with decades of blues, soul and rock recordings. Whether borrowed or absorbed through years of listening, these lyrical touches place McDonald within a venerable songwriting tradition, showing he understands the music and its lyrical vernacular.

"That's All I Need" is a standout. McDonald's fast-paced guitar solo shows his strengths as a player: tight phrasing, clear technique and strong expression. It commands attention, not with speed or excess, but through control and emotional precision.

"Fakin' It"—with its Pagliacci theme and subtle nod to the doo-wop tradition—highlights another side of his artistry, demonstrating an ability to reshape familiar ideas into something fresh and emotionally authentic.

McDonald benefits from the guidance of co-producer Kid Andersen. Recorded at Greaseland USA, the album strikes an appealing balance between polish and immediacy. Andersen keeps the arrangements focused and energetic, giving tracks room to breathe while placing McDonald's considerable talent in the spotlight.

McDonald's supporting cast is one of the album's strengths. Jim Pugh contributes a driving percussive touch on keyboards, while Jack Sanford's thundering baritone sax brings weight and authority. Andersen's counterpart guitar work adds a warm sheen to Bobby Blue Bland's "Rocking the Same Old Boat," where McDonald's urbane vocal is impeccably on target.

Drummer June Core and bassist D'Quantae "Q" Johnson provide a solid, unifying floor while backup vocalists The Morgan Brothers, Lisa Leuschner Andersen and Bay Area soul veteran Marcel Smith enrich the arrangements with gospel and soul textures. Eric Spaulding's tenor saxophone and Mike Rinta's trombone further strengthen a bright, punchy ensemble sound.

Have Mercy! highlights a songwriter with keen melodic instincts, a singer conveying genuine emotion and a guitarist who values restraint. In an era when technical flash often overshadows song craft, these significant strengths are especially rare for an artist early in his recording career. With more than enough musical grounding and artistic identity to leave a lasting mark, McDonald emerges as one of the most promising young voices in blues today.