Hey there. You know, sometimes the simple approach is the perfect approach. That’s what we get with Eric Johanson’s latest album, Covered Tracks: Vol 1.
This album is essentially just Eric’s voice and his guitar and boy, do they shine. The tone and intonation on both were absolutely spot on for me. Just a joy to listen to.
Eric’s choice of covers hits a big sweet spot too. He tackled tunes as diverse as Chicago’s “25 Or 6 To 4,” Willie Dixon’s“My Babe,” and Nine Inch Nails‘ “Head Like A Hole.” And he nailed every last one of them.
This whole album was born out of the livestreaming Eric did during the pandemic. But I’m hoping this is something he returns to at some point after touring gets back on track. Hopefully the “Vol 1” in the title implies this is just the start.
This is one tasty album. And it deserves some serious attention. Check it out.
Online Corner
- Damon Fowler is tuning up for the road; here he is live-streaming “Some Things Change” (Music Video)
- The Blues Rock Review guys have done a great job of covering the Dallas International Guitar Festival this week (Multiple Videos)
- Larkin Poe has a another great Larkin Poe Cover, this time it’s Eric Clapton’s “Layla” (Music Video)
- The Vinyl Factory can hook you up with some high-end headphones if your wallet’s big enough that is (Article)
- The Reverend Shawn Amos produced a little promo for his upcoming album The Cause Of It All (Teaser Video)
- Joe Bonamassa’s recent Stream-A-Thon to Keep The Blues Alive was a big hit for a good cause (Article)
- Ray Prim calls himself a singer-soulwriter but here’s his latest Blues tune “Half A Dolla Short” (Music Video)
- Open Culture spills the beans on how the Rolling Stones really came to jam with Muddy Waters in ’81 (Article)
- Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen are feeling just a little bit “Broken” (Music Video)
- Guy King is hoping someone can save him from being the “Devil’s Toy” (Music Video)
Goodbye And Fare Thee Well
Delbert McClinton is retiring. Damn! I was hoping he’d never stop. I mean, after all he’s only going to be 80 this year. Isn’t 80 the new 50?
I know he’s slowed down a bit. But some of his best work has been in the last several years. For Cryin’ out loug, he just won his 4th Grammy – this one for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2020.
Well, if this is truly it, then I just have to say thanks. Thanks Delbert for 30-some terrific albums and for too many great songs to count. You’re always going to be a mainstay in my library. You’re one of the best. Fair winds and following seas.
New Blues Albums
- Gary Moore: How Blue Can You Get (Reissue Out Now)
- Will Johns: Bluesdaddy (Out Now)
- Alex Lopez: Rising Up (Coming May 7th)
- Bob Corritore & Friends: Spider In My Stew (Coming May 14th)
- The Black Keys: Delta Kream (Coming May 14th)
- Robert Finley: Sharecropper’s Son (Coming May 21st)
- The Reverend Shawn Amos: The Cause Of It All (Coming May 21st)
- Patti Parks: Whole Nother World (Coming May 28th)
- Joe Bonamassa: Now Serving: Royal Tea From The Ryman (Coming June 11th)
From Blues To Hip Hop
To understand how musical genres influence each other, it’s useful to conjure up an image. Imagine a crossroads somewhere out in rural America. Two County roads intersecting in the middle of … somewhere.
And at this musical crossroads, genres pass through again and again. Each picking up flavors and bits and pieces of each other as they pass through and evolve. One case in point, Hip Hop and the Blues.
In this article in mixdown.com.au, Eddy Lim points out the connective tissue between the Blues and today’s Hip Hop as well as the parallel evolution of the two. As he puts it, “the two share similarities both subtle and explicit.” It’s a good read by a great writer.
ATWB: New Blues Playlist
This week on the ATWB: New Blues Playlist I’ve got new singles from Eric Johanson, Patti Parks, Eddie 9V, and more.
The list is updated every week with the new tunes I dig.
Check them out on Spotify — and please Follow or Share.
I’ll Leave You With: Some Vintage Johnny Winter
This video traces all the way back to 1974. At that point in Johnny’s life he had sucessfully exited rehab and had his career back on track.
Here he’s performing “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” on a BBC show called “The Old Grey Whistle Test.” (Love those Brit names.)
Johnny was in fine form and definitely had the energy for this one. So come for the music. (And stay for the Sleeve Capes.)
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
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