· CRAIG ERICKSON - New Earth Blues (GYR063) ·

::T R A C K S::

01. NEW EARTH BLUES
02. WORLD KEEPS ON TURNING
03. BE MY FRIEND
04. TITANIC PLANET
05. DROWNIN' DOWN HERE
06. POLITICAL WORLD
07. LOWDOWN WAYS
08. CROSSROADS OF LOVE
09. GYPSY JIMI JAM
10. SPACESHIP LIFEBOAT
11. INDIAN SUMMER
12. BLUE HORIZON


FORMAT: Audio CD / Digipack
GYR063 - $14.99

"New Earth Blues", the awesome ninth solo disc by this amazing, gifted blues/rock axemaster from Iowa, features 13 tracks (67 minutes) of outstanding, remarkably deep, dynamic, soul-powered, retro-70s, bluesy heavy guitar grooves that truly deliver on a world-class level. An impressive six-string display of exceptional blues-based power trio riffage with a strong message about the world around us. Craig Erickson is an incredible, underated guitarist who's musical talents are right up there with the best of them. Erickson has created his own trademark style/vibe and voice on the guitar with all the right influences & inspirations as he speaks volumes through his instrument. The Man is a true bonafide Guitar Hero for our Modern Times. Combining "outstanding total guitar" skills complete with righteous, "old-school", vintage tones and strong compositions full of depth and maturity, Craig Erickson is definitely in a class all his own. On "New Earth Blues", Brother Craig takes his guitar into the "outskirts of infinity" and beyond. Definitely, one of his best/strongest discs to date.

The Craig Erickson: "New Earth Blues" disc is an outstanding, classic, bluesy heavy guitar groove that is Highly recommended to fans of HENDRIX, TROWER, FRANK MARINO, SRV, TOMMY BOLIN, JOHNNY WINTER, RORY GALLAGHER, CLAPTON, GARY MOORE, WALTER TROUT, JOE BONAMASSA, INDIGENOUS,DOYLE BRAMHALL II, WARREN HAYNES & GOV'T MULE, BILLY GIBBONS, ERIC GALES, TONY SPINNER, BUDDAHEADS, PLANKTON and all other phenomenal, world-class blues-based axemasters that rule the Guitar World. And previous fans of Craig Erickson's vast musical output will heavily dig and appreciate the deep, timeless musical beauty of "New Earth Blues", an epic, stellar, soul-powered heavy guitar statement from the Grooveyard.


MP3 Sample Clips

01. NEW EARTH BLUES
02. WORLD KEEPS ON TURNING
03. BE MY FRIEND
04. TITANIC PLANET
05. DROWNIN' DOWN HERE
06. POLITICAL WORLD
07. LOWDOWN WAYS
08. CROSSROADS OF LOVE
09. GYPSY JIMI JAM
10. SPACESHIP LIFEBOAT
11. INDIAN SUMMER
12. BLUE HORIZON

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· reviews ·

We've been fans of Craig Erickson for years so when his ninth solo record New Earth Blues arrived at our doorstep, we were elated. It's been a couple years since we've heard any thing new - so his sweet guitar tone feels fresh and energetic. In 2008, Erickson's studio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was wiped out with an epic flood - second worse flood disaster in US history next to Katrina. The devastation and aftermath fill New Earth Blues with an undercurrent (no pun intended) of struggle and hardship in titles like "Drownin' Down Here", "Spaceship Lifeboat" and "Titanic Planet". His guitar echoes SRV, Clapton and Gallagher influence, but his lyric writing and vocal edge are closer to Chris Whitley, Little Feat and even the Grateful Dead. What many respect is his unique ability to color a song with the right emotion so that it sticks with you. For instance, his cover of Chris Whitley's "Indian Summer" captures the laidback Iowa season with a delicate wa-wa and melodic voice that paints a picture of complete beauty.

On the other hand, album title "New Earth Blues" and "Political World" are fierce political statements that breathe fire into six strings while drummer Eric Douglas bashes out a thunderous groove. Also unafraid of unleashing loud riffs with big hooks, Erickson has us going back time-after-time to visit "Crossroads of Love" and Peter Green's "World Keeps on Turning". Both reflect a certain Gary Moore meets Leslie West echo, especially when the solo extends out. Erickson's urgent delivery and dynamic phrasing push and pull to squeeze every ounce from each tune. He even steps "World Keeps On Turning" up a notch from shuffle to two-step and ends in rockus frenzy. Yet the tenderness of the before mentioned "Drownin' Down Here", and Hendrix-inspired psychedelic nature of "Spaceship Lifeboat" truly showcase the guitarists craft as he embraces a variety of blues styles and gives them his own signature. Free's "Be My Friend" takes on new life with Erickson's voice becoming a powerful force of emotion joined at song's end by a ripping solo run. The last 13 minutes of the disc are the most personal and passionate with country-edged "Blue Horizon" followed by a scorching 7-minute jam.

Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge) (March 2010)


Craig Erickson is an artist who's comfortable enough in his own skin and confident enough in his own abilities to claim the right to make the kind of records that he wants to make. After years of forging his own brand of fiery guitar work, always displaying his emotive and expansive musical vocabulary (with each release refining, expanding and deepening his artistic palette), New Earth Blues is the bravest of all of Craig's releases.. and it's also the most startling, direct and chilling.

In a musical environment where it's almost required that each new record be bigger, badder and grander than the last, some stories are told best by one man - and his guitar. New Earth Blues is a masterstroke; an intensely personal project that comes as a shock and hard as a rock - a somber, acid-etched portrait of a wounded world that fuels its machinery by consuming the dreams and aspirations of its alienated inhabitants. Through the blurred sting of smoking electric guitars and spare, lamenting lyrics delivered in the smooth grit that is Craig's trademark, grim portraits of a world in decline emerge.. and every nuanced word and note speaks volumes.

The grooves are tight, wicked and hard-wired with soul and heaviness; the tones are "old school modern" vintage, jacked-up with a swagger and attitude that hits you upside the head like a 2 X 4. Craig's lead work is as raw as the lyrical imagery he uses to convey his vision.. there's no doubt he means what he says and plays what he means. Despite the dark themes on parade, dreams of deliverance and hope are not forgotten, and epitomized in the incredible Spaceship Lifeboat - a beautiful and wonderful Hendrixian journey of joyful beauty and transcendent grace that is a shining beacon of hope within this journey through the dark side of a world gone mad.

Clear, with a sharp focus and single-mindedness that is ever-apparent, it is as deep and unsettling as anything he has ever recorded. Filled with images of false messiahs, unrequited love, skies that never clear, unanswered prayers and dashed hopes, every song story is emotionally stripped down to the core.. the lyrics are prescient, defiant and honest; the music is hard, stark, deliberate and pure. And lest we forget this IS a Craig Erickson record, master-class level guitar work is on display at all times (including on a hidden bonus track that takes us into classic "Band of Gypsies" Who Knows territory that is improvisational chopsmithing at its very finest).

It's rare that an artist can put together a musical statement that is more than the sum of the tracks on a CD. New Earth Blues should be put in a time capsule for our descendants to listen to.. and learn from. This musical document is as clear a narrative of the state of the world at the beginning of the 21st century as any historical document.. and just as important. Listen.. and learn.

Jimmy Ryan (Truth Squad) (February 2010)


Craig Erickson may well be picking up where Hendrix, Clapton, Page and Beck left off, and he may even have -- dare I say it?! -- guitar chops beyond their wildest dreams. This CD offers originals and covers in a three-piece band context. The focus is clearly Erickson's playing, which is stellar. His tribute to Hendrix, "Gypsy Jimi Jam," is a masterpiece. Not that the rest of the CD isn't -- it's all magnificent, with some of the best guitar playing now available. A must hear CD for all guitar enthusiasts.

Steve Rosen, author (February - 2010)


Featuring nine original songs, three covers, and a hidden "Jam Session" track, New Earth Blues, the newest album from Craig Erickson, is funky, heady and psychedelic at times. Fans of Chris Whitley should really enjoy "Indian Summer", an exceptional cover from Whitley's 1998 album, Dirt Floor. Also covered on this album, are Free's "Be My Friend", and "World Keeps on Turning" by Fleetwood Mac.

A slower, somber ballad, "Drowning Down Here", is beautifully constructed and at times reminiscent of Big Brother and the Holding Company's version of "Summertime" as his guitar seems to just break down and cry. My two favorites tracks from New Earth Blues are "Political World" and "Titanic Planet". "Political World" is pure Seventies blues-rock, but with more poignant lyrics. However, "Titanic Planet" stands out as one of the best new songs I have heard this year. I absolutely love it. It's got such a captivating groove to it, I often listen to this song multiple times in a row. I would love to hear this one live with a full band, stretching it out to at least a ten minute jam. I've had this disc on heavy rotation lately, and it just seems to get better with each listen.

Rating = 5/5

Phil Smith (Blues Paper) (October - 2010)


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