Eric Allen is an interesting cat who has lived a lot of lives. He grew up in Indiana. Despite being legally blind, the lifelong musician began playing in his father’s country band when he was just four years old.
He eventually went to college, earned a law degree, and took a position as an Ivy league professor. A decade in the publishing industry followed. And then Eric Allen flipped the script once again and moved to China, where he still resides today.
For more than ten years Eric Allen has toured throughout Asia, known for his signature solo acoustic blues vibe. He made his solo recording debut in 2021 with an eponymous LP. That record introduced a raspy, soulful singer and guitarist with an authentic, organic Americana sound.
Prowlin’ Lobo Blues is the brand new album from Eric Allen, released worldwide via all major streaming services on February 2, 2023. Throughout the 13-track set, Allen takes us on a gritty and bluesy history of the American drifter, from the Civil War to present day. Recorded entirely acoustic and without drums, the album has a timeless sound.
The album opens with the title track. Like a young Tom Waits fronting a bluegrass band, Eric Allen delivers the ominous monologue of a ne’er-do-well wanderer. We then travel the rails of America, experiencing the people and music we find along the way. From Robert Johnson-style Delta finger-picking of “Moose Jaw” to classic Texas outlaw blues of “Terrebonne”, Eric Allen and his band of acoustic virtuosos shine.
The album veers into some John Prine folk-singer territory on tracks like the nostalgic lament “Ball in the Street” and the woeful “Penance”. We can even hear Asia’s influence on Eric’s sound in the Inner Mongolian throat-singing of “Fire in the Canyon”. Whether hopping the rails with hobos on “Itinerant Blues” and “Shortline Rag” or laying down an excellent John Lee Hooker-style rumble on “Black Water Buff”, Eric Allen stays true to the style and substance of the music, people and times to which he pays homage.
Check out Prowlin’ Lobo Blues in its entirety below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the song “Prowlin’ Lobo’ ‘ on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Eric Allen.