CRAIG ERICKSON - Rare Tracks

“Rare Tracks”, the latest disc by outstanding, world-class, blues/rock axeslinger Craig Erickson, features an intimate collection of awesome, rare “unreleased” home demo tracks by this amazing, gifted guitarist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Includes 14 tracks (77 minutes) of pure, stripped-down “Rare Tracks” recorded between (1989 - 2006) that range from deep, acoustic bluesy grooves to flat-out blues-based heavy guitar rockers. With the strength of his stand-out, dynamic, stellar, songwriting skills (songs that “shine” even in their most stripped down form) and along with his amazing guitar playing, Craig Erickson is a prolific musical giant amongst the blues/rock crowd and a true, bonafide, bluesy heavy guitar axemaster of the highest order.

"Rare Tracks" is an awesome bluesy heavy guitar disc that is HIGHLY recommended to fans of HENDRIX (long live the musical spirit of JIMI), ROBIN TROWER, FRANK MARINO, TOMMY BOLIN, S.R.V., JOHNNY WINTER, RORY GALLAGHER, ERIC GALES, LANCE LOPEZ, JOE BONAMASSA, WALTER TROUT, WARREN HAYNES, ERIC JOHNSON, INDIGENOUS, DOYLE BRAMHALL, BUDDAHEADS, TONY SPINNER, SKY HIGH, MICHAEL KATON, JEFF HEALEY, CHRIS AARON, SCARLET RUNNER, VAN WILKS, and other killer blues/rock axeslingers who are speaking the same bluesy heavy guitar language. Fans of Craig Erickson’s many previous discs and guest spots will be blown away completely by the deep, bluesy heavy guitar magic found on the excellent “Rare Tracks” disc.

On his 3rd disc for Grooveyard Records (a label dedicated to outstanding guitar music), Craig Erickson lays his warm, retro-70s, organic burdens down on the aptly titled “Rare Tracks” disc and there is something for everybody on this beautiful, deep, bluesy, heavy guitar “musical document”.

::THE RARE TRACKS::

Jammin’ July
Rewind
Only Drifting
Away
Stones In My Pathway
River Blues
Tomorrow
Guitar/Bass Interplay
Overload
Jam For J
Down At The Bottom
Little Wing
Elliptical Galaxy
Below Zero Blues
(((Hidden Bonus Track)))

CHECK OUT THE AWESOME MP3 SAMPLES FOR: RARE TRACKS

Back in Issue #64 when we reviewed Erickson’s Big Highway CD, we said, “Craig Erickson’s guitar playing sends us back in time to when the guitar ruled supreme and guitar gods were the order of the day.” With Rare Tracks, Erickson continues to impress as he explores a more colorful array of technical and emotional skill. Recorded between 1986-2006 and playing a diversified range that includes the acoustic/slide of “River Blues” to the Bad Company stylings of “Only Drifting” give credence to his love of seventies rock. Yet, he bends and stretches in different angles to capture mood and texture. For one who’s worked with Glenn Hughes and admired Jeff Beck, there are the expected highlights of the Clapton-inspired “Away” and the Robert Johnson-penned “Stones in my Pathway” where Erickson’s guitar screams like a wounded demon. “Down at the Bottom” is six-minutes of slow burning scorching blues with a sizzle like a bayou Cajon grill. Considering all 14 tracks are basement demos, it’s a true testament to the man’s craft and mesmerizing fretwork.
Rare Tracks also introduces the listener to a number of ideas Erickson has been working out over the years. One such gem is the wooly “Rewind.” The song captures a raw stoner vibe with its fuzzed out sonically dense rampage that chews on the brain. Though the vocals are a bit shaky the guitarist pulls off a tasty display of risk and bravado. He continues to share bits and pieces with a live 30-second run called “Guitar / Bass Interplay” and dedicates “Jam for J” to co-producer Joe Romagnola where he strings together a melodic shuffle that recalls Rory Gallagher’s instrumental nuances. The Hendrix epic “Little Wing” is given a gorgeous acoustic lullaby treatment in the hands of Erickson while the eleven-minute “Below Zero Blues” has a resonance similar to Michael Schenker’s acoustic picking. The song closes the record out nicely with a slight country blues groove and sporadic tempo change that harmonizes into a powerful performance.

Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge) (September 2008)
www.thecutting-edge.net