Search - Eric Sardinas :: Treat Me Right

It's easy to come away of two minds about Treat Me Right. On the one hand, there's no question that guitarist Eric Sardinas has talent; one listen to "Give Me Love" will assure one of that. On the other hand, songs like "Cherry Bomb" and the title track give the impression that he's trying too hard. That's a shame, because the best material on this album is the stuff with that relaxed-yet-energetic feel that is so essential to good roadhouse blues. When Sardinas lays back and lets the music speak for itself, as on "Get Along Rider" and "Goin' to the River," the result is a good, solid, blues-rock effort. Unfortunately this tends to be overwhelmed by a cover of "I Can't Be Satisfied" that is neither loyal to the original nor a particularly exceptional reinterpretation of it, and guest appearances by Hubert Sumlin and Johnny Winter, while of interest, aren't enough to overcome the flaws here. It'll be interesting to see how Sardinas develops as a guitarist, but overall Treat Me Right leaves a very mixed impression indeed. --Genevieve Williams