Craig Erickson
Also credited as Craig Erickson Project
Cedar Rapids, Iowa5 reviews across 5 releases
Craig Erickson is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, guitarist and solo recording artist who began on cornet at eight, switched to guitar at twelve, and was leading local bands by junior high and high school. In the mid-1980s he taught more than 40 students a week while developing a one-man recording method; the 1989 tape At the Moment was instrumental fusion with a more confident, spacious feel than his earlier work. The unnamed 1990 release kept that approach but added jazzy arrangements and lyrics, with Erickson writing and playing everything. His 1992 Shrapnel debut, Roadhouse Stomp, moved toward sung heavy blues with Southern boogie in the mix. Its Christian perspective appeared through allegory rather than direct evangelism. Retro Blues Express retained the 1970s blues-guitar basis while giving the vocals a calmer, song-centered role.
In 1994, Erickson co-wrote and arranged Glenn Hughes' comeback album Blues, beginning a working relationship that also brought two US tours with Hughes. His own records continued after the Shrapnel period: Shine used Hughes and Rob Lamothe as guest vocalists, while later releases appeared through Grooveyard and Mascot/Provogue. He also recorded and toured with other established players, including bassist Rob Wasserman and guitarist Richie Kotzen. Erickson returned to Blues Bureau in 2012 for Cosmic Roadhouse. He remains a solo artist, releasing and performing under his own name and, in recent years, with Craig Erickson's Sky Train.
5 releases reviewed
Roadhouse Stomp
Retro Blues Express
Shine
[title unknown]
At the Moment