Customer Reviews

Devil's Train

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Listening to Eric Sardinas one has to conclude that he is one of the top electric slide guitarist in the business today. Based on this sophmore release, it's clear that he continues to grow and sharpen his skills. However, as with his previous release, it's clear that his hard edged style of blues will not be easily appreciated or accepted by many blues fans. Much of that has to do with Sardinas's singing which is smokey, strained, gruff and at times uneasy.

On "Killin' Time Blues" and "Gambling Man Blues" which features HoneyBoy Edwards, Sardinas does demonstrate that he is capable of some rather pleasing vocals, showing that the harsh vocal tone throughout the remainder of the CD is intentional. If you like your blues hard and heavy and your guitar smokin', this CD may well fit your bill.

Eric Sardinas is a rare talent indeed. If you like high-powered slide guitar electric blues, you can't go wrong with either "Devils Train" or his first one "Treat Me Right". This guy respects the blues tradition so much he's literally got it tattooed on his back, and he knows how to fire it up and make those two modified Dobros wail. Do not pass up a chance to see him live, it's a great show. He looks and plays the bad boy role onstage, but as mentioned by another reviewer, he's easygoing and approachable-- he took some time to tell me about his guitars and thanked me for coming to the show, and he meant it. By all means add this CD to your collection!

I bought this CD based on the reviews here on Amazon. Unfortunately, I'm not that impressed. The playing is good, but seems to lack a bit of soul. Both the vocals and the songs lack variety so it gets a bit monotonous after a few cuts. The production also seems a bit shallow or sparse which might be fine if his playing was more compelling. All in all, listening to this CD is like catching Johnny Winter on an off day.

Loaded with great phrasing, tremendous slide work, and great song variation, blues lovers cannot go wrong with this tight, exceptional recording.

This is Sardinas' second studio album, and it's just as good as his first, if not better.

ALL YOU BLUES/SLIDEGUITAR LOVERS PUT THIS CD IN YOUR COLLECTION.ERIC SARDINAS IS THE REAL DEAL!THIS DEBUT CD SMOKES!ERIC PLAYS A CUSTOMBUILT RESINATOR THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BUZZSAW.JOHNNY WINTER PLAYS ON THE CD ALSO.THIS CD WOULD BE ON MY TOP 10 LIST OF GREATEST ALBUMS.AS GREAT AS THIS CD IS,IT DOES NOT COMPARE TO SEEING HIM PLAYING LIVE.I'VE SEEN HIM TWICE AND SEEN ENOUGH GREAT GUITARISTS IN MY DAYS TO PUT HIM ON THE LEVEL AS JIMI HENDRIX AND STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN.<EDDIE KRAMER WHO ENGINEERD ALL OF JIMI HENDRIX'S STUDIO ALBUMS PRODUCED ERIC'S LATEST CD "BLACK PEARLS" ANOTHER KICK ASS CD>

Yes! I've heard far to many uninspired blues bands , this is definitely not one of them. Lots of attitude and great songs. Eric sardinas combines old blues with a much heavier sound and tons of energy, one can really hear these guys are born to play high octane blues and I mean high octane racing fuel blues! Very impressive, just my kind of blues, can't be improved! A solid 5 star album, trust me.

This guy is incredible. I bought his first album on the recommendation of a friend and was instantly hooked by the astounding slide playing that this guy is capable of. This album is just as good, with a great mix of hard blues rock, intricate dobro playing, and at times beautifully sweet melody.

I met Sardinas after he opened for Steve Vai and he was such a cool guy - friendly, talkative and genuinely interested in who I was and what I thought of his music. This is a great album by a great guy, and even hardcore blues fans used to the more mellow side of blues will not be disappointed. I was only into mellow country and chicago blues before I heard Sardinas but he has opened my mind to the beauty of all blues, no matter how heavy or sweet they may be. Buy this now.

I first saw Eric open for Steve Vai a year or so ago, and I've been a big fan ever since.

His first album is a masterpiece of Texas blues stomp. This followup album, in my opinion isn't as good, or at least the production of it isn't quite as good. I still love it, don't get me wrong, but I don't hear the same complexity in his playing, nor the ringing open strings that defined his playing on the first album.

If you can ever catch him live, do so. He's amazing.

Sardinas has bucked the sophomore jinx and come back with an excellent album of rockin' blues. It's still got the trademark Sardinas sound of rude slide guitar work and whiskey soaked vocals. All but two of the tracks are originals. He does a killer version of Elmore James "MY KIND OF WOMAN" that's so good it sounds like Elmore's ghost is dancing all over his guitar strings. The other cover is David Honeyboy Edwards "GAMBLING MAN BLUES" in which Sardinas actually does a delta style duet with the legendary bluesman himself, that was recorded inside a hotel room. He does a couple instrumentals with "TEXOLA" which has more of a rock and roll feel than blues. And "SIDEWINDER", which is a fantastic, on the edge blues song that features almost 6 minutes of blazing slide guitar, mixed with some of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard come out of a dobro. Sardinas really has his mojo workin' on this one. Some of the other highlights here is the title song "DEVIL'S TRAIN", and "BE YOUR MAN", that again features some great dobro work. I don't think anybody plays this instrument better than Sardinas. And my favorite track "COUNTRY MILE", a song with some killer hooks that should start getting some airplay from some of the radio stations out there with good taste. This is a very solid and cutting edge blues album that's a pure joy to listen to from beginning to end. Get on the Devil's Train and you may never want to leave. Highly recommended.

This guy is spectacular! I have seen them live several times (I highly recommend you do the same). This CD is hard edge Blues at its best, Eric Sardinas truly has a gift for playing his guitar. You will not be disappointed if you decide to get this CD.