Elmore Magazine Live Review - Brooklyn Bowl

Eric Krasno regularly takes up residency at the Brooklyn Bowl. His annual Soulive shows have become highly anticipated events, with friends like Luther Dickinson, Susan Tedeschi and Robert Randolph joining him on his home stage. Williamsburg’s twenty-somethings have embraced Krasno’s eclectic mix of rock, funk and jazz served up in the old-fashioned jam-band style their parents rocked to a generation or more ago.

It was therefore only fitting that Krasno and his new lineup were the headliners chosen to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Brooklyn Bowl’s quirky blend of music and bowling in a lively beer hall atmosphere. In addition, Krasno had something of his own to celebrate: the release of a new album, Blood From A Stone, a fine effort that features the guitarist stepping out on vocals.

As if that weren’t enough for music fans to brave the TSA-like security on a steamy July night, opening for Krasno was the Marcus King Band, an eponymous six-piece powerhouse fronted by a 20-year-old phenom, to heat things up even further with a scorching set that took most of the audience by surprise. Hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, Marcus King is a protégé of the esteemed Warren Haynes and looks and plays very much like his mentor. King’s bluesy Southern rock is an updated version of the genre’s finest traditions. The band’s first album, Soul Insight, was released last year on Haynes’s Evil Teen label, and if the response from discerning Brooklynites is any measure, Marcus King is a talent to be reckoned with for years to come.

Krasno then took the stage with an air-tight band featuring Danny Mayer on guitar, Alex Chakour on bass, DeShawn Alexander on keys, Eric Kalb on drums and Mary Corso on vocals and tambourine. Jump starting the set with some playful jamming, Krasno stepped up and handled the lead vocals impressively on “Torture,” “Jezebel,” “Waiting On Your Love” and other songs from Blood From A Stone. The album’s only instrumental, “Curse Lifter,” was a dual-guitar showcase for Krasno and Danny Mayer along with DeShawn Alexander’s keyboards. Marcus King returned to sing and shred on the blues standard, “Sweet Little Angel,” and was warmly embraced by Krasno and the crowd.

From start to finish it was a four-hour show of forward-facing music and superb musicianship. Adding such fine new originals and strong vocals to his existing strengths as a six-string master, Eric Krasno is putting the progressive rock world on notice that he’s taking his game to a new level. He’ll be touring behind the new album all summer and into the fall, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see for yourself.

-Peter Jurew, Elmore Magazine

Elmore Magazine Review

For nearly two decades, Eric Krasno has made his bones as a musician, songwriter and producer across the rock, soul and jazz spectrum. His latest solo release, Blood From A Stone, is fittingly diverse, featuring ten original compositions that touch all the bases.

Krasno is a highly regarded collaborator, having played with and/or produced for Derek Trucks, Dave Matthews, Justin Timberlake, 50Cent, Aaron Neville and Norah Jones. His own bands —Soulive and Lettuce—are a jazz trio and a multi-piece funk powerhouse. He’s also a familiar face on the jam-band scene, having appeared with the Allman Brothers during their Beacon runs and with Tedeschi Trucks and Phil Lesh and Friends. The only thing Krasno has never been known for is his vocals, but all that has now changed.

Working with long-time writing partner Dave Gutter, the pair composed several highly personal songs that helped Krasno find his voice. “Waiting on Your Love,” the album’s opening track, is Steve Miller on steroids, an accessible tune with a mighty riff and a driving beat. Krasno can hold his own with today’s top guitarists, but Blood from a Stone features tight constructions sans extended soloing. “Torture,” “Jezebel” and “Natalie” all clock in under four minutes each and demonstrate different facets of Krasno’s guitar work and vocals. He cites Hendrix, the Stones and Zeppelin as influences, along with the Dead, Marley and Coltrane. There are threads of all of them here as Krasno shifts among styles, sometimes within the same song.

Co-writer Gutter contributes background vocals on several cuts, and the album, recorded mostly in Maine, features friends who dropped in to add a lick on keyboards or horns. For extra firepower, Derek Trucks joins Krasno on “Curse Lifter,” the album’s only instrumental track. The dual-guitar lines are reminiscent of Elizabeth Reed, highlighting both players’ considerable chops.

Krasno is a fixture on the New York music scene, a Brooklyn hipster before the term took on a tone of irony. Soulive frequently performs at the Brooklyn Bowl for multi-night residencies with unannounced guests that have included Luther Dickinson, Robert Randolph, John Scofield, Susan Tedeschi, Joe Russo and other top-tier musicians. Krasno will be appearing there on July 7th to celebrate the release of Blood from a Stone. The CD is a solid effort that expands his credentials, but Krasno’s live performances have traditionally been the better showcase for his talents. Be sure to check him out if you get the chance.

-Lou Montesano, Elmore Magazine