1. Deep River
2. Ride
3. Connection
4. Hide With You
5. Too Good For Me
6. Which Way To Go
7. Everybody's Crazy
8. Walk Away
9. Echo Hill
10. Walk Away Jam

Ride
©2003 Mascot Music Productions and Publishing

Craig Erickson & The Voodoo Brothers - 'Ride' by  Will Phoenix The Iowa Entertainer October 2003

Any CD that starts with a mean, growlin, overdriven, wah-soaked lead line CANNOT be bad.  This album was the perfect example of all things awesome. 

As far as the lyrics are concerned, on "Ride" they do exactly what good Blues lyrics should.  They say what they need to and then get out of the way for some soulful music.  There is a mix of story and expressive lyrics in each song, which brings balance and helps the tunes to flow.

The vocals on this album were smooth.  he rolls into his phrases and delivers an extremely emotion soaked performance.  The melody lines are simple when needed and strong as an ox when the mood demands it.  This singer knows the full range of what his voice can do and he sure uses every bit of it many times throughout this album.  From dynamic volume change to near octave jumps mid song the vocals were, um, I can't say but it's good.

Musically speaking, FRIGGIN PERFECT!  The instruments tone here is amazing.  The guitars growl with a burning intensity that you can feel.  The bass is low and full and the drums snap like a trap.  There is excellent timing, awesome breaks and the solos are just as emotional as the vocals.  You can feel the guitar cryin you can hear the organ moan and the bass guitar just keeps pushing you deeper into each and every song.  The drummer stays simple yet is extremely intricate at the same time.  Throughout this CD there is an excellent groove that will force you to close your eyes and get into the funk baby.  Oh Yeah.

Overall, this CD has awesome production.  The perfect use of reverb and excellent equalization make this album both clean and dirty at the same time.  Here's what I suggest to all of you little music junkies out there.  Buy the album.  put it in your CD player.  Crank the volume to just below distortion.  Light a smoke of your choice and enjoy every second of the next 45 minutes.

(purchase info)