© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2009

Eric Lindell
Gulf Coast Highway
Alligator ALCD 4928

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and bandleader Eric Lindell is one of Alligator’s newest and youngest modern roots music artists. This is his 3rd release for them in four years. His hip, swamp pop music appeals to youth as well as free-spirited boomers. The Northern California native spent a lot of time in San Francisco, where he absorbed the musical sounds of the city. After performing with a few transitory bands on the West Coast, Lindell formed his own group in 1993. Quickly, he gained a sect type of audience in California. He left for New York in 1998, gigged there regularly, then relocated to New Orleans in 1999. There, he discovered the roots music scene and learned the ability to mix music of different cultures. Before long, Stanton Moore (drums) and Rob Mercurio (bass) – of the popular and funky Crescent City band Galactic – began sitting in with Lindell. Though he currently lives in the Florida panhandle, Lindell proudly states, “The new CD is a celebration of my last ten years living on the Gulf Coast.”

Unlike popular rap/rockers who remanufacture hits by sampling the music of others, the cheerful guitarist and throaty-voiced singer inventively creates his own music. The same contagious spirit that has motivated The Big Easy for years can be heard in his music and lyrics. 15 short songs garner your attention with their punchy rhythms. There is a natural progression from one song to the next. No single instrument hogs the spotlight or gets too many solos. This artist and CD is all about creating and performing music as an ensemble. Backing Lindell are the members of his road band and New Orleans friends such as the aforementioned members of Galactic and Jimmy Carpenter (tenor sax).

Lindell’s music is retrospective-sounding yet it is also forward-looking. The best example of this is heard on “Turnin’ It Out”. The upbeat rhythm and positive message of “If Love Can’t Find A Way” encourages you. The 40-year-old musician resembles someone half his age. So, you won‘t be surprised that many of the songs are about love. At any and all costs, he tries to win a woman’s love on “Willin’ And Able”. While wah-wah guitar simmers atop the heat of New Orleans brass and a gumbo of urban Americana, the lady-infatuated man declares, “I changed my ways/won’t be ramblin’ all night long.” Soulful horns practically enable the much needed social change that’s sung about on “Love And Compassion”. “Lullaby For Mercy Ann” is a lovely and romantic melody, where Lindell acknowledges “Your love is a beautiful thing.”

A few of the songs – particularly the covers – were not formed from the same mold as the 12 original songs. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s “I Can Get Off On You” has a noticeably different rhythm. Delbert McClinton’s country rock “Here Comes The Blues Again” sounds like it was the inspiration behind the Rolling Stones’ “Far Away Eyes”. The contemporary roadhouse rocker practically emulates McClinton’s blue-eyed soul voice on Buck Owens’ “Crying Time”.

For 46 minutes, Lindell is energized but he wisely exercises some constraint along the journey. His hook-laden melodies are strong and catchy. You’ll hear a lot of influence from all the American roots music genres. But most of all, you’ll hear the genuine originality that is Eric Lindell. And it’s an exciting celebration.

- Tim Holek -


Southwest Blues CD Review - April 2009

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