Eric Johanson

Had a word that Eric is very interested in putting some UK dates together in the near future; give you local venues/promoters a nudge. As they say in Hartlepool, "he's good gravy" or should that be "gumbo"?

Heading back to the studio with Luther & Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars.

Later this month I'll be hitting the studio for my second record to be released under my own name, this time produced by Luther Dickinson, also featuring Cody Dickinson on drums.  I've been a big fan of these guys for quite some time, and it's an honor to be recording with them at their Zebra Ranch studios in Mississippi.  Stay tuned for updates from the studio.

First Tab Benoit, now Luther & Cody - this guy's got a great address book.....

Eric Johanson - Below Sea Level (2020)

So it’s a no-brainer that 2020 is going to effect all of us, but in different ways and that’s going to be even more apparent on those folks who are creative and expressive. What a way time then for Eric Johanson’s solo debut album on the NOLA label, working along with Luther & Cody Dickinson at the famed Zebra Ranch Studios in North Mississippi Hill Country, to make it’s appearance.

Straight away, this is a dark & heavy album, and that’s before you fire up the disc player, blacks & reds make up the cover design, and even the song titles don’t hint at any lightness, in fact they reek of Southern Gothic: but stick with it, once you fire up the music there are glimmers of light, such as Nowhere To Go which has echoes of Chuck Berry while Open Hearted Woman  nods to 70s blues/rock. A fuzzy guitar leads you through this slinky number with deep groove, with yet another head-shaking guitar solo over Terrence Grayson’s bass and Cody’s drums locking it down.

Album opener, Buried Above Ground erupts with dynamic interplay between drummer Cody Dickinson and Eric’s gritty, and sinfully good guitar riffs. There’s a deep, almost empathic connection between the two that drives this live-wire blues rocker. Johanson leads you through some of New Orleans’ traditions and folklore on this track by way of his bright, present vocals and a guitar solo of the killin’ kind. Full throttle, Johanson’s six-string bending is nothing short of inspired while tasteful; this guy knows how to give each note the perfect space, seemingly never rushing for the next note.. Another standout is the blues/rock Never Tomorrow. The guitar hook is especially catchy, begging for the Repeat button. It’s a true blues-inspired rocker with tight drumming, bass and guitar. About seizing the moment, this song fires on all cylinders with a nod to Zeppelin and their ilk but with a modern roots twist.

Change The Universe is the first deviation from the album’s dirge-like blues backbone, and allows Johanson to expose adroitly, another facet of his music. Slower in tempo and softer in mood, he trades in his searing overdrive for an echoed guitar tone on a more pensive number, perhaps influenced by Ray Jacildo’s sublime Hammond organ work. The Dickinson’s touch colours the swampy timbre of Hammer On The Stone, where the deep, lazy riff gets pulled through the progressions by Grayson’s throbbing bass. River Of Oblivion sinks pleasantly deeper into the sonic mire and drags the lyrics with it. Johanson tackles drug addiction by deftly weaving in, out, and around the metaphor he constructs. Dose of Forget stays on subject, but paints a slightly lighter picture on a brief “dose” of a tune, neatly switching cadences through verse, chorus, and instrumental sections. Love Is Rebellion puts forth the most hopeful and upbeat vibe on an album of mostly dark, gritty rock. Largely acoustic, it contains the best solo of the offering and is among the best songs on the album

An acoustic blues treat rattled out on a Resonator closes the album. Riverbend Blues is a love letter to NOLA with references to a streetcar whining, a train whistle, the river bend, and a plea for trouble to end. It’s melodic with slide guitar and Johanson’s voice, soulful with beautiful timbre.

Eric is a well-seasoned and well travelled 3rd generation Blues player, having toured worldwide as the lead guitarist for Cyril Neville, Grammy winner Terrance Simien and has also been featured with JJ Grey and Mofro, Eric Lindell, Mike Zito, The Neville Brothers and Anders Osbourne. This though has the feel of a genuine breakout album. The album, whether just reflecting his varied musical taste or intentionally featuring a diverse musical pallet, offers everything from roots/rock barn burners, swaggering shuffles and a bit of psychedelia, to moving ballads and acoustic roots/blues—all with mature & elegant guitar playing. Johanson’s sound evokes the Louisiana bayou, and reflects the challenges of the human journey in these strange times (while remaining almost timeless) with both personal and universal themes. The Dickinsons’ crisp & uncluttered production has surely brought the best out in Eric Johanson, and the time was right for this multi-talented musician to unleash. The result is fresh, contemporary blues-inspired roots/rock with musicianship that seems limitless.

Never Tomorrow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MHDGMn … e=emb_logo
Down To The Bottom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrvlKPx … e=emb_logo

In all - 85% rating.

I also saw  a good  review of his  latest album.I checked  it out and really like it.

Look out in April as Eric Johanson will be releasing the 1st, of at least 2, albums of covers; favourite tracks doen his way. (Volume two due June.)

“Over the last couple of months I’ve been working on recording my own versions of some of my favorite songs from other artists - songs that had an impact on me at one point or another in my life.  I also pored through each and every request I received from fans and found my favorites among those. I started recording songs and it ended up pretty tough for me to narrow it down to one release. So, I’m doing 2.
Covered Tracks: Vol. 1 will be out 4/23/2021, and Vol. 2 will be out in June.
The way I approached these songs was inspired by the Thursday livestreams I’ve been doing over the last year. I started a lot of the songs with scratching a rhythm into my looper and building organically off of that, just like I’ve been doing on the stream. Of course, in the (home) studio, I was able to add a clap, thump, or shaker (i.e. a can of cookie sprinkles or oatmeal) here and there - and make it all a bit more interesting. 
It was a really enjoyable and meaningful way to connect with music, and with this very unique time at home. While I very much look forward to returning to rocking out with a live band, I can’t deny that I’ve gained a lot from stripping it all back down to basics for a while, with just myself and an acoustic guitar. The personal connection I’ve been able to have with you has been amazing too, and now I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”