Hey there. It’s deja vu all over again. That’s how I felt when Eric Johanson dropped his latest album, Covered Tracks: Vol. 2.
Like Vol. 1, this is a group of songs that came from his Covid livestreaming days. He’d work up some covers each week and his fans ate ’em up. So he polished them up and produced them into two separate, stripped-down acoustic recordings.
Vol. 2 isn’t completely a Blues album (so sue me) It’s more diverse. In it, Eric covers songs from Son House to Lennon & McCartney and more. But some of Eric’s Bluesiness seeps through into each tune.
Listening to an artist who’s in such command of both his voice and his guitar is a real treat. He sings effortlessly. And his guitar work is pitch perfect in every song. He’s only showing off a fraction of his talent but he’s savvy enough to use only as much as is needed for each song to shine. This is really some great acoustic craftsmanship.
If you’re in the mood for some terrific acoustic music, this is a great listen. Covered Tracks: Vol. 2 will wrap you up and make you feel all warm and Bluesy.
Online Corner
This week’s latest crop.
Videos
- Shemekia Copeland & Kenny Wayne Shepherd are fighting against racism within the Blues community with “Hit ‘Em Back”
- Travellin’ Blues Kings seem to think that “Too Many People” are speaking without thinking nowadays
- Eric Johanson is doing it again, this time with an old Lead Belly tune “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”
Audios
- Cedric Burnside thinks that you’ve got to be strong because “The World Can Be So Cold”
Articles
- The Blues Music Award Winners were announced and (spoiler alert) Shemekia Copeland was the big winner
- Muddy Water’s House is now a home – designated with (preliminary) landmark status
- Steve Cropper has some funny stores (and a little wisdom too) from his 60 years in music
Podcasts/Livestreams
- Tedeschi Trucks has been keeping busy at home – here’s a taste from their living room
Spotlight: Record Store Day(s)
Record Store Day (RSD) is coming up folks. Or should I say, Record Store Days? This year there will be two – June 12th and July 17th. That should make it easier to handle smaller crowds and social distancing, (And maybe drum up a little extra interest?)
RSD was created back in 2007 as a way to bring revenue back to local, independent record stores. And it worked. It’s been a boon to thousands of shops all over the U.S., and now Europe and beyond.
This year, there will be 400-some records exclusively released to participating independents. (Before they go mainstream to the Big Box locations.) Brand new stuff, and special re-issues. You can find (and support) a local store in your area with this map.
You can also shop online if you’d like. Either way, you’ll be helping a small businesswoman or businessman stay alive. Here’s a list of all the RSD Drops and some more info to boot.
Photo by Sean Benesh on Unsplash
New Blues Albums
This week’s collection.
Out Now
- Eric Johanson: Covered Tracks: Vol. 2
- Trainman Blues: Shadows And Shapes
- West Side Joe & The Men Of Soul: Keep On Climbin’
- Rogue Johnsen Project: 20/20
- Chris Bergson: All I Got Left
- Quinn Sullivan: Wide Awake
Coming Soon
- Joe Bonamassa: Now Serving: Royal Tea From The Ryman (Jun 11th)
- Deb Ryder: Memphis Moonlight (Jun 11th)
- Kelly’s Lot: Where And When (Jun 11th)
- Alligator Records: 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin’ Music (Jun 18th)
- Cedric Burnside: I Be Trying (Jun 25th)
ATWB: New Blues Playlist
The new tunes this week on the ATWB: New Blues Playlist are from Shemekia Copeland & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johanson, West Side Joe & The Men Of Soul, and even a touch of Billy Gibbons (and more).
The Playlist gets updated every week with the new tunes I dig.
Check them out on Spotify — and please Follow or Share.
Photo by Fábio Alves on Unsplash
I’ll Leave You With: Some Chuck Berry
This is the great Chuck Berry performing on “BBC Television Theatre” back in 1972. Here, he’s playing with the Rockin’ Horse Band.
Chuck did a full hour of his hits that night with a live studio audience. This tune, “Mean Old World,” is by T-Bone Walker. And Chuck twists the lyrics to make them all his own. (Not an unusual occurrence.)
Chuck looks soooo comfortable on stage. He was a great entertainer and a joy to watch. (And that shirt was something special too!)
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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