New Release with RARE tracks!
Check out some sample tracks here.
Updated Bio february 2009
The Porch of Planet Pluto Part 1 is Erickson's first completely self-produced
and financed CD,recorded on a shoestring budget at Rivertown Recording in
Cedar Rapids ,Iowa before and after the epic flood of 2008(2nd worse flood
disaster in US history next to Katrina) The studio was totally destroyed by the flood with only the miraculous saving of the sessions and some of Craig's prized
guitars and recording gear.even the lyrics for the CD were drowned in the flood
that filled the studio and music store 10 foot high on the main floor! The CD was finished and mixed 1 month after two months were spent cleaning and
salvaging from the disaster wearing gloves,boots,and masks and eating food
from the Salvation Army trucks.former Cedar Rapidians like Ashton Kutcher,
Zach Johnson,and Superbowl QB Kurt Warner stopped through town to show
their support.and Taylor Swift did a local concert and raised tens of thousands
of dollars for the cause.Thousands of families were evacuated from their homes and sent to live in relatives houses and FEMA trailers.a surreal scene
in an otherwise average heartland American city.
The CD started out to be a musical journal of overseas travels and the
loss of loves,the death of some important relatives and close friends. but morphed
into an even larger Epic of struggle for survival,overcoming and faith and hope
through dark times on songs like Water,Infinite Light,Perfect Love,Youre With
Me Now,etc.
The CD also features humor and party songs like Ramblin Again and Chocolat
conceived during fun moments on a French tourlaughter.faith and love are great medicine even during the toughest of times!
Vocals,drums,percussion,bass,banjo,acoustic.lapsteel and fretless guitars
were all played by Erickson with guest violinist Natalie Brown spicing up a
couple tracks.
Obvious influences on the record include Little Feat,The Band,Grateful Dead,
Dylan,Joni Mitchell,Taj Mahal,Chris Whitley,Tommy Bolin,Django,Eric Johnson,
Ani,Dave Matthews,and even Bob Marley.a very different and entertaining
record.a step out of time and expectations.
The artist describes it as something he dreamed about doing for a long time
including the title.also a reflection of recent live acoustic solo shows.
Craig Erickson's European blues/rock CD is called "Castle Blues",inspired by various tours through France,Germany,etc. but it's also as a metaphor
for the giant Hollywood homes in California where even the word's most rich and famous have a bad case of bluesRockin songs like "Public Eye"
and "Keep It Real" explore that subject,while blues boogie barnburners like "Boogie Train" and "She So Sweet" are just fun party songs inspired
by touring
The CD echoes influences from,Jimi,SRV,Clapton,Trower,Rory Gallagher,Gary Moore,etc. delving into slow minor grinders like"Down and Out" wailing for the plight of the homeless in the city,and the epic off the cuff instrumental"Castle Blues" some dramatic Gary Moore meets Zep and
the Allmans. Other songs',like "Deep In The Night" and"Broken Heart, Broken Strings" are mid tempo minor blues funk somewhere between
Robert Cray and Robin Trower. Craig enlisted the talents of two great French musicians,Francis Campello/bass and Luc Heller/drums to play on the CD.Two tours in 2007 helped develop a common "mojo" among the power trio.Future tours and recording are pending at presstime.
Castle Blues is the follow-up to two CDs released in 2007"Big Highway" and "rare tracks"(both on Grooveyard Records) featuring diverse
styles,slide,acoustic touches and virtuosic fusion rock type guitar solos aplenty.
Erickson has participated in many diverse projects from an early age,composing hundreds of songs during high school years in his parents
basement and playing multiple instruments including guitar,keys,bass,drums,etc.He counts his jazz guitarist father and piano teacher mother among his many musical influences along with artists like Hendrix, The Beatles, Sly Stone, John Mclaughlin, Jan Akkerman, Tommy Bolin, Zeppelin, classical music, jazz fusion, reggae etc.
Playing with bands night after night in smoky bars,playing the blues and paying dues night after night.Sometimes on the verge of giving up,he continued to write and record his own music while teaching up to 45 students a week during the 80s. His break came when his demo tapes caught the attention of Guitar magazine editor John Stix, and producer and guitar record guru Mike Varney.Varney took notice of his fusion chops but also his Hendrix meets blues/rock riffage and songwriting.
Soon(in 1991) Craig was flying from Iowa to California to record his first solo record "Roadhouse Stomp" on the heels of other more well known Shrapnel/BBI blues projects by Pat Travers and Leslie West. The record was an aggressive rocking blues CD featuring modern classics like "Heartbreak Train" and "Blues Avenue".
Barely finishing the CD and getting home and Craig was flown back to LA to begin work on Glenn Hughes first comeback CD"Blues". Newly sober Glenn
(a rock legend vocalist/bassist from Trapeze/Deep Purple) was bringing in guest guitarists from Great White, Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Madonna, etc
but Craig was in charge of the main riffwriting and arrangements while Glenn wrote the lyrics and melodies. This was another turning point in Craig's career
and led to two different tours with Glenn and more collaboration.(Glenn's career is currently on high intensity with several amazing recent records with
Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers!)
Erickson's next few solo albums included guest appearrances by Jeff Martin and Greg Chaisson(Badlands,Racer X),Chris Duarte,Eugene Gales,
Greg Martin(Kentucky Headhunters),Darrell Mansfield,etc. etc
Several European tours were arranged and performances included shows with Shawn Lane,Michael lee Firkins,Hellecasters,Doug Aldrich,etc.
Balancing guitar lessons at his fathers music store,playing in several local bands,touring,writing,recording,etc. began to take it's toll,but in 2000 he came back with a strong CD"Shine" featuring Glenn Hughes on one song,Tommy Bolin's brother Johnnie on drums and Rob Lamothe,the fantastic vocalist formerly of "Riverdogs"The record was picked up by the Mascot/Provogue label and led to two Euro tours with Rob Lamothe and Craigs longtime bassist friend Al Robinson.
The next record"Ride" was recorded in Canada with Rob and a funky rhythm section ,"The Voodoo Bros." Some touring with Willie Waldman and friends at jam band fests in the midwest led to an idea to record a fusion instrumental record for Mike Varney's Tone Center label.The record"Cosmic Farm"(2003) brought Craig together with three of the worlds top players on their instruments:.Rob Wasserman/bass has worked with Lou Reed,Bob Weir,Rickie
Lee Jones and countless others!
Keyboardist TLavitz is known for his outstanding work with The Dixie Dregs,Widespread Panic,Jazz Is Dead,etc.
Drummer Jeff Sipe is an absolute legend of drums playing with people like Shawn Lane,Aquarium Rescue Unit,Phil Lesh,Trey Anastasio,Susan Tedeschi,and the list goes on and on.
The resulting record"Cosmic Farm" (composed mostly by Erickson )is full of funky grooves , memorable melodies,tasteful solos,and
more than a nod to great fusionrock influences like Beck,Bolinr,Scofieldjust a hint of Craig's instrumental fusion side potential.
Live performances at tributes for Tommy Bolin and Shawn Lane have demonstrated his high intensity fusion style Various clips on "youtube" give a hint. besides preparing for upcoming touring and various perfomances he is taking a limited number of students and producing for other artists and companies.
A recent batch of songs for MusikHeadz should be landing in mainstream
TV and movies this year
A new heavy bluesrock CD may be on the horizon and participation in an
online guitar lesson company.also guest spots on several upcoming releases
inluding a release with a female singer produced by Tommy D Daugherty and
including Frank Zappa alumn Ike Willis.and a re-release of some amazing
instrumental fusion shred demos prepared for Mike Varney before being signed
to Shrapnel records in the early 90s
In his own words" Life is an absoulutely amazing thing, sometimes a blessing or a curse it seems, but always worth it.and music, art, writing, etc are such
a gift of expression and communication I can never completely express my gratefulness for all the amazing music I've shared by jammingal the beautiful, interesting people I've met, the places I've gone.the things I've seen. how can i ever thank all those who've helped me enough. other than by trying to reach for the best music I can offer at any given point in time. I'm completely blown away and thankful. when I look beyond the pain in this world, the frustration, the need for passion and compassion, the never ending longing for love. music is one of the strongest ways to get deep in the heart and make people realize beyond the shadows of doubt . through the hassles of life . a way to get more close and in tune with the furthest reaches of what we are sometimes afraid of or ignorant of, yet so desperately need to let ourselves feel and understand .to have a reason to go onno matter what.what a fantastic gift from the Creatorthank you to everyone!"
Stay tuned for many more projects and collaboratons in the future! The music keeps going on
Articles,interviews include Guitar World,Vintage Guitar,Relix,Guitar and Bass(France).etc.etc.
Endorsements include Vigier Guitars,Seymour Duncan,Rivera amps,Orange Amps,Dunlop picks
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