California-born, New Orleans-schooled singer/songwriter/vocalist Eric Lindell is a roots rocker with dozens of original songs that combine soul shaking rhythm & blues, reggae grooves, swamp pop and blues. Lindell is a ... more »fan favorite in his northern California turf and his adopted home of New Orleans (where he was featured on the cover of OffBeat magazine and performed on the main stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival). He is accomplished on guitar, harmonica, keyboards and bass, and has performed with some of the Crescent City's top musicians as well as some of the jam band community's biggest names (including members of Galactic). The winner of the "1999 John Lennon Songwriting Competition" for his song Kelly Ann, Lindell is now ready to bring his rough-hewn voice and memorable original songs to the rest of the music-loving world with the release of his Alligator Records debut, CHANGE IN THE WEATHER.
CHANGE IN THE WEATHER will delight and surprise music fans hungry for an extraordinary, original artist who is just getting ready to explode. Lindell's songs are cliche-free, completely original and yet have an instant familiarity to them. The laid-back grooves and hook-laden melodies hint of 1970's-era Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen, but are not throwbacks as much as they are powerful, rootsy, thought-provoking and danceable contemporary songs. Traces of Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles and Sly and the Family Stone can be found in Eric's originals, with foot-stomping grooves coming around every corner and horns punching in all the right places. Guests on the CD include War drummer Harold Brown, Ivan Neville, and Galactic?s Stanton Moore.« less
California-born, New Orleans-schooled singer/songwriter/vocalist Eric Lindell is a roots rocker with dozens of original songs that combine soul shaking rhythm & blues, reggae grooves, swamp pop and blues. Lindell is a fan favorite in his northern California turf and his adopted home of New Orleans (where he was featured on the cover of OffBeat magazine and performed on the main stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival). He is accomplished on guitar, harmonica, keyboards and bass, and has performed with some of the Crescent City's top musicians as well as some of the jam band community's biggest names (including members of Galactic). The winner of the "1999 John Lennon Songwriting Competition" for his song Kelly Ann, Lindell is now ready to bring his rough-hewn voice and memorable original songs to the rest of the music-loving world with the release of his Alligator Records debut, CHANGE IN THE WEATHER.
CHANGE IN THE WEATHER will delight and surprise music fans hungry for an extraordinary, original artist who is just getting ready to explode. Lindell's songs are cliche-free, completely original and yet have an instant familiarity to them. The laid-back grooves and hook-laden melodies hint of 1970's-era Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen, but are not throwbacks as much as they are powerful, rootsy, thought-provoking and danceable contemporary songs. Traces of Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles and Sly and the Family Stone can be found in Eric's originals, with foot-stomping grooves coming around every corner and horns punching in all the right places. Guests on the CD include War drummer Harold Brown, Ivan Neville, and Galactic?s Stanton Moore.
"Wow ... holy wow. This cd sizzles with fresh music new to the blues scene. The riffs are intoxicating(ly) great. I couldn't stop playing "Feel Like I Do," which is the third track, but it didn't take that long to proclaim this a winner. Start at No. 1, "All Alone," and the music grows from there because Lindell has a multi-faceted approach to his music with a touch of rock, pop, blues, raggae, horns/brass, and a voice knee deep in soul. His singing comes straight from the heart. The arrangements are tight. Go for it!"
Makes Your Shoes Move
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 02/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Eric Lindell who looks like a recent high school grad from the beaming picture on the cover of the CD will turn 38 this year. Lindell began working in Sonoma County, California before relocating to New Orleans. He won the 1999 John Lennon songwriting competition. With four CDs & one EP under his belt on small labels, this is first recording for the Alligator blues label. The tunes on this disc put a smile on your face and keep your toes tapping with a bluesy soul groove. The opener "Give It Time" boasts percussion by War's Harold Brown and Lindell's relaxed optimistic vocal slur, "Things will get better, a change in the weather, it just might suit you good." Another favorite of mine is "Feel Like I Do" with Brown's pounding percussion and Lindell's catchy chorus, "Baby, one two three four times a night, I wonder if you feel all right like I do." "Sunny Daze" also has sparkling percussion sounding like nouveau Santana with Lindell's slick guitar licks "Some rainy days you know I dig the rain; It's rolling down my window pain; Some rainy days I have no luck; Hell, I can't get up." While these are my very favorite tracks, the rest of the CD is strong with a soulful blues groove that's sure to make your shoes move. Run to get this one! Enjoy!"
Simplify it!
Sue Few | Oroville, CA United States | 04/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lindell's voice is authentic and wonderful. Material is perfect for his style. Everything is perfect except for the band. I know they are all expert bluesmen including the great Ivan Neville, but they get in the way of Lindell. Listen to Markus James and Willy DeVille's "Live: Berlin" cds to listen to what I'm talking about. A simple back up piano, bass & drums (& accordian?) is all Lindell needs. This is definitely a 5+ star artist. Simplify it!"
Eric Lindell Rules!!!!
Burntness | Half Moon Bay, CA | 04/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The man and his band should/will be playing big venues real soon. Solid rock-n-roll laced with the blues and spiced from the Bayou. Well, that might be a bit corny, but the man is good.
Top to bottom this is an excellent compilation of his small-label stuff. Some favorites are Give It Time, Sunny Daze, It Won't Be Long, and Casanova. I only wish they had included It's a Drag...but you can find that in his live recordings available at jazzfestlive.com.
Glad to see he is signed with a big label, but will miss his dates at the Forestville Club. It you are at the NO Jazz Fest, be sure to check him out!"
Fresh and Fabulous
Music Lover | Atlanta, GA | 02/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While tooling around on My Space one day, I went to one my "friend's" home pages, which "friend" is Tinsley Ellis. On Tinsley's page, I ran across an artist of whom I had never heard, but for some reason, I was curious about him. As I clicked on that artist's home page, one of the funkiest, most fun songs I have heard in a very long time began to blare from my speakers. I immediately added that song to my own player. That song is called "Casanova," and that artist is none other than Eric Lindell. Eric's music highlights everything that is wrong with music today. The focus is on his musicianship, his smokey vocals, and his incredible songwriting skills. His music takes me to places I've never been but want to go. The selections on this CD go from making one want to get up and jam to kicking back and enjoying the company of close friends or a significant other. If asked to give you the "highlights" on this CD, I will tell you "all of them." From the funky beat and anthem that is "Two Bit Town" to the jazzy, bluesy strains of "Sunny Daze," Eric ensures that no one will ever take your smile or change your funky style. This is a must-have for all true music lovers who appreciate the talents of a unique, multi-talented artist. Eric is primed to take blues to a whole new level. I don't know about you, but I'm going with him."