Eric McFadden Trio

Related Content

• Souls of Mischief's A-Plus Reviews His Own Discography
  November 8, 2011
• Friday Night: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at Yoshi's (Photos)
  July 11, 2011
• George Clinton Begins His Four-Day Birthday Funkathon in S.F.
  July 8, 2011
• Sizzle & Fizzle: Highs and Lows from the Last Week in S.F. Music
  July 13, 2011
• George Clinton: Show Preview
  June 29, 2011

More About

• Eric McFadden
• Paulo Baldi
• Michael Hampton
• King George II of Great Britain
• James Whiton

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Six-string axe slingers lauded for their digital dexterity are usually: a) crappy singers, and b) inept tunesmiths. Though local guitar wizard Eric McFadden has an unquestionable pedigree -- for four years he served as designated face-melting soloist in George Clinton's P-Funk army, a position held by such giants as Blackbird McKnight, Michael Hampton, and the late, great Eddie Hazel -- his many eclectic projects, including Liar, Alien Lovestock, and the Faraway Brothers, have always showcased gruff, authoritative vocals and versatile songwriting skills. The latest effort from the Eric McFadden Trio doesn't skimp on hard-grooving, distortion-heavy interplay with drummer Paulo Baldi and stand-up bassist James Whiton, but the songs on Joy of Suffering also encompass sultry, country-noir laments ("Is the Morning Safe for Waking?" and "Never Gonna Burn"); warped, gypsy-jazz struts ("Bury Our Sins"); and galloping, Spanish-tinged acoustic workouts ("Miranda"). Lyrically, McFadden continues to explore a seedy underbelly inhabited by boozers, junkies, and carnival freaks, however, "The Rise of King George II" and "Limitations" find him dealing out politically charged venom to match the blistering instrumental salvos he unleashes. EMT can be proud of an accomplished release that will please guitar geeks and fans of dark Americana alike.