Dick Earl’s Electric Witness – Get Up Off The Ground
Self Released
https://dickearlselectricwitness.com/
11 tracks/43 minutes
Dick Earl Ericksen is a powerful vocalist and harp player who has appeared with many a storied musician and is now on his own with his own great band. This is their second album, a follow on to their first self named CD. His son and daughter make up the backline and his wife and daughter help out, too. They are part of the Las Vega Blues Society and they placed third at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. I first meet him when he and Tas Cru were at the IBC and later when we had them in town playing for us as part of our Blues in the Schools programs. He impressed me then and he continues to impress with this superb band he’s put together.
Isaac Ericksen on bass and backing vocals, Mari Ericksen on drums. Percussion and BV, and Thomas Anderson on guitar, BV and percussion join Earl who handles lead vocals, harp and jaw harp. Also on backing vocals are his wife and daughter Alice and Zoe Ericksen. Also featured on track 7 are Jimmy Carpenter on sax, Jason Levy on trumpet and Jen-Francois Thibeault on trombone.
The album opens with some dark chords resonating and then a tribal bear with the title track. The chords resonate and grab the listener as Earl begins to sing the introduction. Then he breaks out his harp and sings this deliciously cool cut and after getting knocked down talks about just what the title says. Slick opener to a fine album of all original cuts, Next is “Black Lines and White Crosses,” featuring a driving beat and sweet harp lead. Earl powerfully howls out the vocal lead. He then tells the story of witness to an accident involving a woman who is escaping her life in California. “Eggs” follows, a a jumping and funky blues with a nice groove, cool harp and Earl continuing to excel. He gives advice about keeping one’s “eggs in their own damn basket.” Another really nice cut.
Following that is “Sarah,” the story of a woman who left her life as a butcher’s daughter but found that the life she chose for herself was not God’s will. She returns home in a very symbolic song depicting Christ’s sacrifice (her bloody butcher’s apron) and his gift of his body (her baking and consuming communion bread). A ringing guitar solo and harp solo are parts of this very symbolic cut. “The Vineyard” is next, featuring Dick on banjo and harp delivering a great performance in another Biblically referenced cut. Sometimes trimming or burning grapevines is necessary when a vine bears no fruit, as the Jesus noted in John’s Gospel. ”I Hear You Calling” begins with haunting slide by Dick and flows along sweetly, a pretty and uplifting instrumental with a concluding vocal call of “I hear you calling from the other side,” another cool spiritual reference. “Once Again” is a big number with horns blazing and guitar and organ wailing; a great production and performance!
Up next is “Wishin’,”a song about the life that has passed us by and wishing to be set free. Emotional stuff! “On Her Heart”is a cut about a woman who was looking for salvation, Earl sings with deep emotion and plays harp with equal passion here. His work on the harmonica is spectacular. “Left Standing” is a song about person who has been left behind. Earl reminds us that we have a gift from above to get our lives back on track. A Revival/Gospel performance with great organ and vocals breaks out mid song and takes us home as we spread our wings and fly together. The final piece is titled “Into The Fire,” a slow cut that grabs at you as he sings and backs himself on harp.
What a superb album. I heard a few of these cuts live at the IBC earlier in the year. All these original tunes are excellent. The vocals by Earl are amazing and his harp is truly magnificent. He and his family and friends have put together a fine sophomore effort with big time songs and performances that will grab at the listener and not let go. I most highly recommend this one!
