Eric Johanson
By Mike O’Cull
Always-impressive New Orleans-based guitarist/singer/songwriter Eric Johanson gives the real, raw deal to his fans on his new double-live album Live at DBA: New Orleans Bootleg. Set to drop on February 18th, 2022, the record captures a single live Johanson show that went down January 15, 2022 at the club DBA on Frenchmen Street in the Big Easy. Unlike many so-called “live” albums these days that are gussied up after the fact in recording studios, Johanson lets these un-retouched performances speak for themselves in the tradition of many old-school concert recordings. Even cooler, Eric is doing this release off the cuff on his own. Knowing that makes the album vibe in a way that’s more about the actual music and less about branding, publicity, and the rest of the usual industry goals.
“Growing up I was always taken in by these raw live recordings that captured a moment in time,” Johanson says. “Sometimes they were my favorite thing to listen to by an artist. Albums like James Brown’s Live at the Apollo, Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s In the Beginning, Gov’t Mule’s Live at the Roseland Ballroom, and so on. There is something about the fact that this magic just happened, these little moments that were as natural and unrehearsed as breathing air, and yet I’m listening to them years later.” Johanson definitely caught the same type of lightning in a bottle as those legendary live sets did and shows us the power and dexterity of his three-piece band onstage in its natural habitat. With EJ on guitar and vocals, Terry Scott Jr. on drums, and Will Repholz on bass, you can’t help but feel every bar of this red-hot night.
The highlights are many across this inspired 19-song set. Johanson clearly had the good fortune to record one of “those” gigs when the dots connect a little better than on some others. From the Hendrix drone of the opener “Hammer On The Stone” forward, he shows his mastery of the power trio format, which is the ultimate test of any guitarist, and his ability to both create and cover songs that keep his people leaned forward and ready for more. His blues/alt/roots rock style is multi-dimensional and fresh and he’s just as compelling when he gets quiet as when he gets loud. The cosmic blues/rock of “Changes The Universe” is a prime example of Johanson’s way of manipulating the atmosphere in the room and taking the crowd skyward with him.
“Never Tomorrow” is hard and funky, built on a big beat put down by Johanson’s skintight rhythm section. The outstanding bass and drum support give EJ the room he needs to rip on guitar and help him rattle every rafter in the building. Johanson’s take on Son House’s eternal “Death Letter” is also especially tasty and understated. His slide guitar work on it goes from sweet to stinging and back again and plays off the band’s insistent groove nicely.
Johanson also takes a strong run at Muddy Waters’ always-popular “Champagne And Reefer,” which becomes a soulful slow blues in his hands. Eric pulls out one laidback guitar line after another between his vocals and turns up the heat when he hits the solo. The other two players ebb and flow with him, keeping musical and emotional pace with Johanson as if they were stitched together. The track is a brilliant and dynamic trio workout that will pull you into the crowd and keep you there.
Other can’t-miss moments include “Till We Bleed,” “Graveyard Queen,” and the closer “Burn It Down.” Johanson keeps the audience spellbound throughout the entire show without sacrificing spirit for showmanship. EJ is one of the most vital roots musicians working today and every note of Live at DBA: New Orleans Bootleg proves why. Get tight with these tunes as soon as possible.
Listen to “Never Tomorrow”
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Can’t wait for mine to arrive. These gritty tracks will rock you to the core. Never disappointed with this artist.
I had no idea who Eric Johanson was until I went to see Samantha Fish in Houston few days ago. EJ opened the show that night and I was blown away by the quality of his music. This live album is a great way to get familiar with his recordings up to now.