January 2019 – Eric Schenkman
You’ve seen Eric Schenkman’s name in the listings playing guitar in Jerome Godboo’s bands for some years now along with many others. He’s also a member of Godboogie, a more formal Godboo lineup whose album Play Music and Dance was released last year by Vizztone. Schenkman was a founding member and guitarist for the New York City alt-rock group the Spindoctors. He co-wrote their five Top 100 hits but he now calls Toronto home. This is his third solo album and it’s a power trio affair with Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars or Van Romaine on drums and Shawn Kellerman, his bandmate in Godboogie and a veteran of the Bobby Rush and Lucky Peterson bands, on bass. While Jerome wrote most of Godboogie’s songs, the songs here are all Schenkman originals that the press release says cover ‘raw rockin’ blues to funk/soul/pop’. They reveal a songwriter of considerable skill, capable of injecting new life into several straight-ahead blues: “I’m Alright”, it’s Ok to go out with me (the second single); “Far Away” and “Only A Fool”. Veteran that he is, each has some nice touches to lift the music out of the ordinary. “Locked in the House” is a flat-out radio-friendly rocker with a fantastic groove and some unusual changes. Our narrator is fed up with his current relationship. A more ambitious blues is up next with “Lincoln’s Feat”, whose lyrics deal with someone in desperate need of salvation. An irresistable slice of New Orleans funk is the title song and first single – a tale of violence during the Mardi Gras parade. “Sign of the Times” is an attractive slow blues dealing imaginatively with moving from one relationship to another but regretting it. There are occasional keyboards, backing vocals and rhythm guitar overdubs but he and his co-producer Shawn Kellerman have managed to make this beautifully recorded studio album sound pretty much as it would be live. Schenkman is a seasoned vocalist, guitarist & songwriter who doesn’t have to take second place to anyone. The album’s release date is January 11, check out his Facebook page for details on his live shows.