The second CD from one of the premier guitarists in Americana music with guest spots by Scotty Moore, Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Kid Ramos, and the legendary Ike Turner! The Mike Eldred Trio is a roots “Super-Band” with Eldred (formerly with Stray Cat Lee Rocker) and John Bazz and Jerry Angel both from The Blasters!
Their first CD (Mike Eldred Trio) sent shock waves throughout the rock/roots/blues community with rave reviews from Brian Setzer among others, and gave Eldred the title “best unknown guitarist”. This offering takes the band even farther into the Stratosphere with 13 original tracks, many special guests, and a seamless production that catapults the listener into the deep south of juke joints, hoodoo-voodoo queens, and lonely crossroads that solicited this review from ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons; “El contenta completa”.! This is it. Enjoy this one, top to bottom, bottom to top. The Mike Eldred Trio make the rounds through a blues-wrapped offering that is certain to satisfy. Rock it.”
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“This guitar intensive album features superb playing by axe man Mike Eldred, whose speedy picking, deep dish bends, and snarling tone alternately caress and pummel in the solo spotlight”
. Art Thompson, Guitar Player Magazine
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The Mike Eldred Trio has an impressive resume’, with the rhythm section of Jerry Angel and John Bazz coming from The Blasters and Eldred, in the Brian Setzer seat during ex-Stray Cat Lee Rocker’s recording tenure at Black Top. Their self-titled album finds bombs going off everywhere, in chunky Stevie Ray Vaughn chordings and ‘60s-inspired dance grooves, in rockabilly blowouts and L.A. roots investigations along the Phil & Dave Alvin-X-John Doe axis, in country shuffle-swing (“Mess of the Blues”) and more, including covers of “I’m Ready” (from Muddy Waters), “Mystery Train” (from Junior Parker, via Elvis), and, complete with backwards guitar, Hendrix’s “Pali Gap”. No matter what the genre, the band nails the feel and Eldred distills the appropriate guitar potion. Fingers On Fire award recipient!
Blues Revue Magazine - May, 2000
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“The Mike Eldred Trio, featuring guitarist Mike Eldred and Blasters rhythm section Jerry Angel and John Bazz became the surprise highlight of the weekend. Eldred put his well-worn Tele through guitar clinic like displays of blues boogie and rockabilly expertise”
.Catalina Blues Festival-Adam St. James, Guitar Magazine
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“Mike Eldred is among the rare breed of young guitarist who is not afraid of blurring lines in American Music. By bending all of his favorite musical styles, Mike has created his own original voice in modern electric guitar playing. HE’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT, BABY!”
. Brian Setzer
