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Eric really cranks out the licks in his trademark style on Black Pearls, he also gets great backing from Paul Loranger on bass and Mike Dupke on drums. All the songs on this CD were written by Eric, Black Pearls keeps in step with Eric's earlier albums, however this CD takes it up another notch, you get a good dose of super guitar in styles ranging from slow acoustic to blistering fast and hard rockin'. If you are unfamiliar with Eric Sardinas (it would be hard to understand how or why?), then let me tell you that you've been missing something. I can only compare Eric's sound to Johnny Winter (guitar and voice) but it's more like Johnny to the 2nd power, you can hear the influence, however Eric has taken it to a new level. Eric plays a dobro style guitar like you never imagined, he plays it in styles ranging from soft to hard and either way it sounds super, this CD is said to be recorded without any studio tricks, just live to tape. As expected, there are several smoking tracks to hear, the opening track Flames Of Love ignites the fire with hard driving guitar complete with some feedback. Another good rocker is Ain't No Crime, Eric really tears up the guitar on this one using his usual talents and some pedal stuff too. Same Ol' Way has an infectious slide guitar line that's hard to beat, it sticks in your head and you can still hear it when its gone. Two tracks have a southern flavor, Big Red Line has a smooth "muted" dobro sound that's easy to digest and Old Smyrna Road has some super pickin' and a good beat that will make you want to do a jig. You will feel up close and personal with the strings on Wicked Ways, this foot stomping acoustic fest has a old time quality that sounds great, simple is good. There is one "extra killer" track on this one, Liar's Dice Blues starts out electric with a low down dirty blues feel, turns acoustic and quiet then builds to a jam fest, and then a slide fest that slides from right to left channel and back and forth again, WOW. This is one of those that when you get to the end of the track, you have to play it again to see how you got to where it took you, or just to hear it again. There are several tunes on this CD that could be "crossover" songs for mainstream air play, these include Bittersweet, Black Pearls, Four Roses and Tenfold Trouble. All of these are good tunes ranging from the softer Bittersweet to a rocker like Tenfold Trouble, good songs with more of a rock edge that still could be called blues if that's your thang. There is a lot here for varying tastes, if you are a fan of the "twang" of a dobro or like your guitar with a hard driven edge then Black Pearls has something for you.
Visit Eric Sardinas at www.ericsardinas.com Chris Puyear - moblues.org Reprinted with permission of the author. |
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advance review of "black pearls" by chris puyear, moblues.org On - Favored Nations #FN 2300-2 |
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Black Pearls is in stores! Purchase it here! |
