Eric Johanson Releases New Video for “25 or 6 to 4”

Photo: Eric Johanson by Kaylie McCarthy

New Orleans guitarist, singer/songwriter, Eric Johanson releases a new video for “25 or 6 to 4,” his take on the Chicago classic, from his newest release Covered Tracks: Vol. 1, which debuts at #2 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. Released April 23, 2021, Covered Tracks: Vol. 1 is a collection of stripped-down acoustic covers featuring acoustic guitar driven, blues-inspired renditions of wide-ranging artists such as Chicago, Nine Inch Nails, Skip James, The Cardigans, Taj Mahal, The Allman Brothers Band, and more.

You haven’t heard “25 or 6 to 4” like this before. It’s an innovative interpretation of the Chicago classic, as are his other tracks on Covered Tracks: Vol. 1. The record was a result of the Covid-19 touring lockdown and grew out of a weekly livestream event Johanson started doing last year to remain plugged into his fans. Livestreaming performances gave him a chance to reconnect with songs from his past as well as requests that were brand new to him. Johanson recorded his favorites on his own in his home studio and Covered Tracks: Vol. 1 was born.

Rock and Blues Muse’ review of Covered Tracks Vol. 1 states, ‘Johanson’s minimalist version emphasizes the rock songwriting lurking beneath that big horn arrangement that’s always on the radio somewhere and he gets the song to breathe in a whole new way. His guitar playing is sweet and strong in all the right places and his vocal performance is pure and true. It’s obvious that Johanson respects the classic rock tradition a song like this belongs to but it’s equally obvious that he hears it his own way.’

When asked about his acoustic livestreams, Eric said in Rock and Blues Muse’ interview, “The livestreams have definitely been a way of keeping that connection going (with his fans.) I tried the acoustic livestreams a couple of times and I was surprised that people seem to dig it and showed up for it. I kept doing it and people kept showing up. Now I can’t imagine not having done it.”

Watch “25 or 6 to 4”

Covered Tracks Vol. 2 is to be released June 4, 2021

About Eric Johanson
Combining influences from an array of genres and his work as a touring guitarist, New Orleans artist Eric Johanson creates blues-based alternative roots rock in his rising solo career. Eric’s debut solo album, Burn It Down, was produced by Tab Benoit and released in October 2017 on Whiskey Bayou Records. His most recent studio album, Below Sea Level, released September 2020 on Nola Blue Records, was produced by Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars and debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart.