Music
Press
Interview / cuts from "Live" on
Tom Jackon's "Somebody Else's Troubles" show - WLUW 88.7 in Chicago, simulcast on wluw.org on Saturday November 11th
- WLUW 88.7
Buddy Guy’s Legends Bluesletter –
on Midwest Blues
Blues publications around the world have praised Eric Noden as one of the finest exponents of early acoustic blues in the style of Rev. Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt. But Noden is just as adept at playing Delta masters like Robert Johnson… Noden’s first CD 55 Highway put him on the map as a monster guitarist with an encyclopedic knowledge of early blues. But his second CD, Midwest Blues demonstrates that he’s developing a thrilling repertoire of his own material.
on 55 Highway-
This self-produced, self released CD by local artist Eric Noden is the sort of quiet gem I love to find. Well, it’s not necessarily “quiet” but it is entirely acoustic and direct. There are no overpowering layers of music laid over each other, no background vocals, no discernable drums even. I find Noden’s bare bones approach refreshing, timeless, and a completely enjoyable listen. - Buddy Guy’s Legends
- A purist could hardly enjoy a true pre-war blues recording more than Midwest Blues… an accomplished guitarist singer and piano player, the Chicago resident has not only a refreshingly unforced vocal style and a remarkable ability to pen genre-perfect additions to the canon, but a scholars knowledge of his instruments - Blues Revue
…natural born vocal style. His original lyrics have a poetic quality again capturing the feel of pre-war material. A recommended outing by this committed & sincere musician. - Blues and Rhythm (UK)
…(Midwest Blues) is a great effort that provides a roots perspective of the Blues with a renewed interest and passion by Mr. Noden. “Midwest Blues” is a history lesson of the love of the Blues and Eric deserves high honors for both this effort and his Blues in the Schools programs. A worthy addition to any Blues collection with support to a man who’s carrying on a great tradition that wears very well. - Blues On Stage
on Midwest Blues -
*Recommended. Prewar acoustic blues and some Dylanesque licks were registering while some things in the old memory bank were being pleasantly stroked… very listenable CD, his licks on the acoustic guitar stand out, followed closely by his boogie and blues output on the 88s - Pikes Peak Blues Community
Fortunately for fans of blues without amps, Windy City guitarist Eric Noden can be heard regularly at clubs like Buddy Guy's Legends and House Of Blues or at home on his debut Diving Duck CD 55 Highway. Noden gives new life to selections originally performed by country blues artists like Mississippi John Hurt, Tommy Johnson, and Blind Lemon Jefferson, and even delves into some early jazz by dipping into Jelly Roll Morton's songbook for spirited readings of the New Orleans virtuoso's "Michigan Water Blues" and "King Porter Stomp." Noden's command of classic pre-war styles is impressive, but the versatile musician also lends a personal flavor to his interpretations of tunes from the old masters. While his guitar work is his main claim to fame, Noden also sings creditably and displays his Sonny Terry-influenced harmonica chops on the smoking original "Red Line Special." - Kevin Toelle
- Cutting-edge blues singer guitarist Eric Noden left Kent, Ohio for the City of Big Shoulders in 1995, where he has since plied his wares at Buddy Guy's Legends, The House of Blues and as an instructor at the renowned Old Town School of Folk Music. Combining powerful sure-handed, traditional guitar playing with a voice of great authority and presence, Noden's current CD 55 Highway ranks among the finer trad blues discs I've heard in some time. It makes his Iowa City Debut complete with the much-cherished Dave Moore Seal of Approval. - Jim Musser
Eric Noden is a foot-stomping, guitar-banging acoustic bluesman whose disc is full of tasty licks and hearty vocals. This one-man band works a traditional delta blues sound with a slice of ragtime. Not only is he a proficient guitarist, but he's a slammin' harmonica player as well. - Ed Ivey
Steve Cushing (host of Blues Before Sunrise) -
…proof that Eric Noden strives to master the craft…
Cadence -
… mastering older styles while transporting them and us into a new century where the past is not forgotten.
Juke Blues
- Beautifully picked acoustic guitar…
Sing Out – Noden is the real deal …
Crossroads Blues Soc. Newsletter -
A masterful performance …
Living Blues - Noden is no mere copyist…
- Various
Discography
Fox and Branch
Bootlegger's Blues, Fox and Branch - 2001
Eric Noden
55 Highway, Diving Duck Records - 2003
Eric Noden
Midwest Blues, Diving Duck Records - 2004
Eric Noden / Joe Filisko
Filisko & Noden Live, Diving Duck Records - 2006
Photos
Bio
Best know for his command of early 20s and 30s acoustic blues, Eric Nodens style reflects his influences--early blues masters like Reverend Gary Davis, Tommy Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt. Blues Critic David Whiteis has called Erics knowledge of early blues styles Encyclopedic Nodens rhythmic finger-picked guitar and barrelhouse piano playing blends perfectly with his well traveled voice. From the Carolinas to the Mississippi delta Eric takes his audience on a journey through many moods and styles of American music. With one foot in the past and one in the present, Eric Noden is a unique voice in American roots music.
Noden was born in the late 60s near Kent, Ohio, a small college town that offered a rich music scene including blues, folk and underground rock. Eric started off playing the electric guitar and soon migrated to the solo acoustic blues styles that local musicians Andy Cohen and Jack Dielasandro were playing. I was drawn to the finger-picking style of blues because I felt it had a lot of soul and the guitar playing was so percussive and dynamic says Eric. While living in Kent, OH Eric also joined a Gospel group which helped shape his singing style. We traveled all around Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania playing at storefront and country churches everywhere. It was a real education for me in a style of music that shares a lot of history with the blues says Eric.
Chicago, IL has been Nodens home since 1994 when he left northeast Ohio for the bright lights of Chicago. Erics acoustic blues style quickly became a staple on the Chicago music scene performing often at Buddy Guyss Legends the House of Blues and the Chicago Blues Festival. Eric also taught acoustic blues at the legendary Old Town School of Folk Music where Big Bill Broonzy once taught workshops. Eric has performed with many Chicago legends including Billy Boy Arnold, Erwin Helfer, Devil in a Woodpile, Joe Filisko and Barrelhouse Chuck. Today Eric mainly plays solo but he will occasionally work as a duo or with a band.
55 Highway was Erics first CD on Diving Duck Records which featured the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Lemon Jefferson. From Charley Patton like guitar rhythms of 55 Highway to the sophisticated jazz harmonies of King Porter Stomp this album put Eric on the map in the blues and roots music world. Blues Revue magazine said "Eric Noden is a foot-stomping, guitar-banging acoustic bluesman whose disc is full of tasty licks and hearty vocals." The cds focus on Erics finger-style guitar playing has made it a cult favorite of guitar players.
Nodens latest cd Midwest Blues has drawn praise from critics and fans alike around the world who listen to blues and roots music. Midwest Blues features Nodens brilliant guitar work as well as his energetic piano playing. Sing Out magazine described the piano cuts on Midwest Blues as a tour de force original showcase of hard-driving, barrelhouse piano pounding. This album also introduces Eric as a songwriter with 7 original songs that blend seamlessly with songs from the 20s and 30s. The last Cut on the CD Black Cat Bone finds Noden mixing New Orleans Blues with Caribbean sounds on the piano. Special guest musicians on Midwest Blues include Rick Sherry and Tom V. Ray of Devil in a Woodpile.
Eric Noden is a performer who delivers, an acoustic blues artist who energizes the traditions of the past and creates the traditions of the future.
"As a spiritual heir to Chicago blues guitarists of the '20s and '30s like Tampa Red and Big Bill Broonzy, this multi-talented acoustic artist fills an important niche in the city's mostly plugged-in blues scene, fortunately for us, with style and skill" Illinois Entertainer
Festivals:
American Music Fest, Blues on the Fox, Changing of Leaves Fest, Chicago Blues Fest, Chicago Folk & Roots Fest, Cuneo Gardens Arts Fair, Deerfield Arts Walk, Manor Bash, Two Way Street Concert Series, Warrenville Folk Festival IL / Blues and BBQ Fest MO / Eureka Springs Blues Fest AR / Shermanfest WI / White River Folk Fest IN / Kent State Folk Fest OH / LMNOP Fest LA / Mississippi Valley Blues Fest IA / Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival MS / Harmonic Convergence Festival NC / Blues to the Point KY / Alaska State Fair
Venues: (solo acoustic performance) Bills Blues, Buddy Guys Legends, Candlelight, Charleston Tavern, Chicago Art Museum, Chicago Cultural Center, Fitzgeralds, The Hideout, Hothouse, House of Blues, Martyrs, Old Town School of Folk Music, Pilcher Park Nature Center - IL / Bombers, The Charleston, Crystal, Gallery Cabaret, Hotel Metro, Liquid Johnnys, Milwaukee Ale House, Mother Fools, Mortons Wisconsin Inn, The Saloon, Wildmans Whitewater Ranch, U of W at Madison, The Uptowner WI / The Sanctuary, Under the Water Tower Concert Series, River Music Experience IA / The Slippe
Links