Being a mere thirteen years of age, does very little in detering Eric Steckel from spreading the blues virus.
Already he has a resume of jamming with Debbie Davies, Bob Margolin, Smokin Joe Kubek and recently playing with John Mayall's BluesBreakers at the Sarasota Blues Festival.
Steckel's vocals need to gain mileage in order to be taken seriously. This is not much of a setback as Eric cranks guitar voltage rivaling a pre-teen version of Eric Clapton.
Live At Cafe Classics is loaded with cover songs heard thousands of times in blues jams across the country. The way Steckel tackles them is a prophecy of how is he going to be when he is twenty years of age. His takes on "Rude Mood" and "Hideaway" come off free of cheap impersonations. Steckel can unbelievably shine on his own compositions. "The Sad Night Owl" is an instrumental beckoning Eric Clapton to abandon his commercial baggage and go back to his roots. The BluesBreaker's anthem "Steppin" Out" finds Steckel spurting kinetic leads with nimble fingerwork.
Releasing a debut live cd might be a marketing ploy to serve the best purposes. In a live atmosphere, Steckel is an instant audience favorite as he wrenches notes and gets right in the face of listeners surrendering themselves to the moment. Steckel pours it on in "The Sky is Crying" with gusto most 13 year olds can only dream about.
The sound quality of this recording is mixed just right. Drummer Wayne Smith and bassist Bethany Guerrero form a musical freight train gathering steam in "CrossRoads" as they follow Steckel cutting a path with fiery fretwork. Likewise "In The Sad Nite Owl" that moves like a copperhead down your backbone and feeding upon your body. Eric keeps the momentum high as he tears through original composition "JayWalkin" in wah-wah pedal glory. Steckel's personal highlight is surely "Where I Play My Blues" that sees him cutting it up with diesel leads that can hack their way through a greasy spoon.
It won't be long before Erick Steckel becomes a major household world. Another youngster carrying the Olympian Blues Torch of the 21st century. When he releases his studio debut in the Spring of 2004, it won't be difficult to see what the fuss is all about.
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by Gary Weeks, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.