So a while back I came across Ernie Hendrikson’s name on the Roots Music Report Folk Chart and downloaded his first album Down the Road. I listened to it a couple of times and then it became part of the random shuffle on my mp3 player. I soon found that whenever I heard a song I didn’t quite recognize but liked, I’d check to see who it was and sure enough it would be Ernie and soon songs liked “Seasons Change” and “Bad Mixed Up Woman” were recognizable as favorites! So the other day, I downloaded his latest album Walking with Angels and I won’t have trouble remembering his songs again because I am a fan! This album works all the way around for me good vocals, great lyrics and good picking. Henrickson a native of Cuba City Wisconsin grew up in Rockford, Illinois and now calls Chicago home. He self produced his first CD but for this CD he brought in the legendary producer and guitarist Bo Ramsey (Lucinda Williams, Greg Brown) and for me that move paid off, as I like the production on this a little bit better than the first album. He also but in a great lineup of musicians, including Bo, Jon Penner on bass (Junior Brown), Steve Hayes on drums (Greg Brown), Brian Wilkie on pedal steel and guitar (Alison Krauss), and Bob Black on banjo (Bill Monroe) and like I said the playing is great.
However, the songs are the core of this album and they are all top shelf! From the upbeat opening track “Holding to to Hope” to the poignant closing track “Where the Sidewalk Ends” they are all outstanding! Some of my favorite favorites include: “I’ll Remember You” , “Let Me See you Smile” and what may be my favorite song “Country Fall” a song to make Goose Creek Symphony proud and “Candy’s Song” a song to make Chris Knight proud, and finally the title track “Walking with Angels” . Like I said for me from top to bottom this is a great album. You can preview the tracks here! From his webpage:
“Dark and pretty songs. Ernie Hendrickson is finding a niche in the indie folk Americana segment. He is a storyteller like Harry Nilsson in a country mood.”
– Hans Werksman
Here Comes The Flood
I’ll let Ernie tell you more about his music with this promo video for Walking With Angels. So if you haven’t heard Ernie’s music go find it and enjoy!
