Review ERIC SARDINAS ‘Midnight Junktion’

‘Midnight Junction’, that is the title of the sixth album from Eric Sardinas which will hit the stores these days. The Florida-born guitarist moved to around in his homeland before landing in California in 1990. At this time of his career, Sardinas played on the street and in small pubs to make his living.

Known for great songs and wild performance, Sardinas could catch the attention of no less than Steve Vai who offered him a record deal. Since 1999, Sardinas released a few longplayers and with ‘Midnight Junction’ the next strike is waiting in the starting box.

For the album, the slide guitarist gets support by Chris Frazier (Whitesnake, Foreigner) on drums, Koko Powell (Lenny Kravitz, Sheila E) on bass guitar and David Schulz (The Goo Goo Dolls, Bo Diddley) on keys and organ. Furthermore, it is Charlie Musselwhite, who contributes with the sound of the harmonica, completing the kind of all-start team around this album.

‘Midnight Junction’ features thirteen songs and it all starts with ‘Long Shot’. The song has been revealed as a single already earlier and is an entertaining blend of blues and rock. This kind of music is catchy and at the same time away for the worn-out path of mainstream.

‘Said and Done’ might be the credo of Sardinas. In this case however it is an upbeat song that fires on all cylinders.

A song one shouldn’t miss is the thumping ‘Swamp Cooler’. A southern swing and Musselwhite’s harmonica are the driving forces of this pretty cool instrumental.

Sardinas started on the street and can maintain the spirit to date. ‘Lock and Key’ is a song the reflects it but actually it is the entire album that transports such an authentic streel spirit, which is what makes the difference to many other releases.

You can drop the needle wherever you want, you will always get a great song in return. Although driven sometimes by a bluesy melancholy, the album contains a constant factor of hope and a good vibe.

‘Midnight Junction’ is a blues rock album that showcases great craftsmanship. Sardinas loves to play music and it seems like making an album is a nice side effect but not the essence of motivation. By this approach the result is honest music that sounds real and reflects the ups and downs of life. Down-to-earth music for folks that honor stellar blues rock with a street-approach.