June 4th, 2021, marks ten years since the release of my first official album “Home to the Highway” in 2011. Since then, I’ve released five more full-length studio albums, two EPs, toured the USA and Europe numerous times, and generally lived a whole lot of life. What a great ride it’s been! This album of rarities, unreleased live and studio recordings, and side projects is a look back at my more formative years as a musician. The tracks in this compilation are from roughly 2003-2010, with a few exceptions, and includes music that ended up on the cutting room floor for one reason or another. I’ve listened back through the entirety of my recorded archives and skimmed the cream off the top, selecting my favorites, many of which have never seen the light of day before this release. You’ll find some things sound familiar, and a lot of surprises too. Enjoy!

-Lon Eldridge

"The Island", the fifth studio release from Chattanoog multi-instrumentalist Lon Eldridge, was recorded in isolation during the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine.

Special thanks to: Parker Allen, Emily Kate Boyd, Jama Jacks, Zach Serleth, Choro das 3

Tracks 1-8 recorded at the Chattanooga Public Library on 11/2//19.

Tracks 9-11 recorded at The Roasting Room in Bluffton, SC, on 3/2/17.

"For this recording Lon Eldridge from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Steven Troch of Mechelen, Belgium, join forces for a journey into America’s musical past. This cross-Atlantic collaboration started in 2015 when both musicians were on a bill at the N9 club in Eeklo, Belgium. Lon was playing a solo set before Tiny Legs Tim & Band featuring Steven on harmonica. Steven was intrigued when Lon started playing “Take the 'A' Train” on his guitar backstage. Lon was impressed with the soulful harmonica playing and deep knowledge of American blues that Steven brought to the bandstand that night. The meeting eventually led to a 2017 Belgian tour that included fifteen performances in seventeen days and also produced this album.

Two of the tracks were recorded live at the Kafee Zapoi in Steven’s home town of Mechelen. The other seven tracks were recorded by Bird Stevens at Tub Thumper Records Studio in the Netherlands. From the good time hokum of Tampa Red’s “You Can’t Get That Stuff No More” to the sophisticated jazz of Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin'”, the duo weaves between musical styles effortlessly throughout the recording. In the haunting “Jack of Diamonds”, Eldridge’s well-traveled voice laments losing his money in a card game. In “Leavin’ My Blues With You” he celebrates the end of a relationship with manic enthusiasm. Troch’s original harmonica composition “Sunday Morning Waltz” has more of a European feel and is the only track that features the chromatic harmonica. Eldridge’s finger-picked resonator guitar and vocals mixed with Troch’s soulful harmonica make for a classic combination. The two rely not on modern technology but on musicianship and feeling to create honest acoustic music that’s good for the soul."

Eric Noden
Chicago, April 1, 2018

"Long Gone" is the third studio release by ragtime bluesman and Chattanooga icon, Lon Eldridge. It is unlike his previous albums, in that the vision was one of a simpler "bare bones" approach. Guest musicians appear on only one track. Even though the instrumentation is simple (resonator guitar and vocals on most tracks), it does not leave the listener with empty ears. In fact, it really allows Eldridge's voice and intricate guitar arrangements to shine, giving them ample space and breathing room. Bass runs, counterpoint, melody, and rhythm all work together with incredible ease at the hands of a fingerstyle master. A collection of original tunes and standards alike, "Long Gone" is sure to astound and tickle the fancy of any lover of American roots music.

A collection of original, down-home, feel-good blues from harmonica master Ed Huey (Natchitoches, LA) and guitar wizard Lon Eldridge (Chattanooga, TN). It's sure to satisfy your soul.

Let the church say, "BOOM SHAKA LAKA!!!"