Eric Johnson

[TeleCat]

Got tix for Eric Johnson 7-13-05 @ House of Blues. Never seen him but have been a fan since I heard the song Zap in a music store around '87. I don't care for his singing too much (a bit too pop oriented for my ears) but his insturmentals are up there with the likes of Vai, Satch, Steve Morse etc. IMO. He was replaced on the G3 tour I saw in '97 with Kenny Wayne Shepperd . Anyone here dig him or seen him live?

I'll post a review following the show.

 

[willg54]

Hey Tele, funny you should mention Eric. I got a "hankerin'" to hear him last night, so I downloaded Cliffs of Dover, and I also got Zap, which I am listening to for the first time right now as I type. Eric is an amazing technical guitarist(kinda reminds me of Yngwie Malmsteen, in a way), and I really like him, but there seems to be something about his playing that at times is too structured for me, unlike someone like Vai, whose music has at times brought me to tears, believe it or not. Vai's guitar playing really has a voice, it's own personality, like it's a human, talking to you. It's something that I think Eric sorta lacks. That's not saying that Eric sucks, 'cause he is incredible. Anyway, that's my opinion. But I'm only a drummer, so what the fuck do I know!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Guitarplayer1989]

I just started getting into Eric Johnson. Trying to learn Cliffs of Dover on guitar. It's freakin' hard. My guitar teacher said he saw him once or so. He said the same thing: he doesn't like Eric's voice too much. The story was he went to see him and he came out saying that he was sick and wouldn't be able to sing. he'd have to do all instrumentals. my teacher said that the whole place just started applausing. Anyway he said that he was phenomenal when he saw him live.

 

[TeleCat]

Good show with Johnny A opening. I've read about him but haven't heard him until last night. Pretty impressive. He played seated which didn't do much for his stage presence but he's a very good blues/jazz/rock player. Heavy Hendrix influence in his playing and actually did an insturmental version of The Wind Cries Mary.

What can I say about Eric Johnson. I didn't know all the stuff he did but it was all at the virtuoso level. The highlights for me were Righteous, a tune called SRV and Summer Jam. He didn't do Zap which pissed me off and Cliffs of Dover had a disjointed intro and didn't sound quite right. But all in all he put on a great show. His singing comes across a lot better live but he still sounds like Richard Marx to me. The thing I really like about him is his tone. Screaming treble which I love. He runs his leads and scales so effortlessly and plays some really intricate chords.
He ended the show with a few covers; Drive My Car and Manic Depression and put his stamp on both of them. I definately got to pick up more of his music (I only got Tones and Ah Via Musicom). So anyone feel free to make suggestions.