Eric Steckel's debuut CD "A few degrees Warmer" came out in 2002 and scored high in the blues charts. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, one can consider this guitar player a super talent! Right now, in my cd- player, is his newest work, "Feels Like Home". The opening song, 'Just Walk Away' jumps out with a beautiful intro from Eric, accompanied by a Hammond Organ. Together with a guitar solo, it sounds really amazing. And now about Eric's voice? Smokey Bars and puberty have worked well together in making his voice what it now is. 'Feels Like Home' is the title track and is sounding just like its' name. Great Feel. Actually, it is a song we can place in the category of modern rock. 'Southern Skyline' is an instrumental where Erics' fabulous guitar playing is stealing the spotlight. The intro of 'Don't Look Behind' makes me think of the Allman Brothers. In the middle of the song one gets the impression that Dicky Betts and Warren Hayes are having a guitar "dual". Or is it perhaps that the drummer Duane Trucks (cousin of Butch Trucks and the younger brother of Derek Trucks), joined the band in 2005. Eight tracks written by the hand, or better said the finger of Eric Steckel. The version of 'C'mon In My Kitchen' by Robert Johnson is worthy of notice. A guitar with distortion instead of an acoutic guitar, that is daring. 'The Ghetto' met Hammond Organ and funky guitar... Eric lets us clearly hear that there is still more to come. This young man has earned a place between the "giants" of the Blues. Definitely somebody to be cherished and nurtured, we have great expectations for what the future holds for him.

Translation by: Cindy Peress