Perfection is in the details, artist Eric Johnson

[Ken McDaniel]

http://www.ericjohnson.com/bio.html

This the best bio I could find on Eric Johnson. To call him phenomal is an injustice. He is perfection personified. Eric first came to my attention with the release of his 1990 effort Ah Via Musicom. That year I followed him all around Texas. His live shows are simply awsome. Those that saw him on the G3 tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai will agree that Johnson stole the show.

It took six painful years to finish his follow up album, Venus Isle. Rumors swirled around Austin about the production effort. To say Johnson is a perfectionist is like saying that Picasso was just a painter. Johnson is a master musician. His music images almost as if he were live. This is a reference disc. I have not come across a better disc in the last ten years.

With Johnson releasing a live album in October and a new studio effort shortly after, I figure now is a good time to refresh our memories. If you don't already have it, go get Ah Via Musicom and Venus Isle. Artists like Eric Johnson are the reason we are in this hobby in the first place.




Ken

[ThomasW]

I've been a Eric Johnson fan since "Ah Via Musicom" was first release. And have "Venus Isle". He is certainly a masterful guitarist. And the sonic quality of his albums are indead very good.

The Picasso analogy eludes me. I am a "degreed" artist by training/schooling. Picasso was a child prodogy. A political activist, and very outspoken. His artistic evolution is evident throughout his life.

Johnson is a masterful technical guitarist, but he seems to be "in a rut" . The music doesn't truly evolve, it's to predictable. He's strange to see perform, it's as if he "tunes out" the rest of the band and lives in his own world.

This to me is problematic, because the lack of interaction makes it seem as if everyone is only following his lead. Not that his lead is bad, it just seems to have a lot of flash and not much substance/depth after a while. Sort of like Al Di'Meola in his early years.

The best example of this is when he's played on the radio. Even if I'm not familar with the song, I instantly know it's him. Not a good thing, I think

Satriani on the other hand frequently takes me by suprise. I'll listen and wonder, "who's playing that?" and am truly surprised whan they say his name.

My favorite is Paco DeLucia




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Pat]

I'll agree that he is very unexciting to see live.
When I saw him with G3, his poor showmanship was very obvious. Especailly when following the likes of Steve Vai:B Steve all over the stage like a madman and then Eric Johnson comes out and just stands in front of the mike...he doesn't even look like he is having fun.
His guitar work is awesome...that speaks volumes of his talent.




Pat's Page

[KennyG]

My sweetie gave me Ah Via Musicom for my birthday the year it came out, loved it!
Johnson's technicial execution is flawless, but he sometimes gets so caught up in it, that it looses soul.
Still it'd be in my top 25...if I had one

[Ken McDaniel]

Wow, now this is how we are supposed to discuss music.

Thomas, although I appreciate your position, I couldn't disagree with you more. Picasso wasn't just an artist. Eric Johnson isn't just a guitarist. Johnson was a prodigy with a guitar at the age of 14. His pursuit of perfection is borderline obsessive compulsive. Although his style is unique, it is far from rigid. Johnson has evolved tremendously over the last 20 years. He's taken a guitar and turned it into an esoteric art. He creates musical synergies of sound, vibration, and rhythm like no one else today.

Seven Worlds(released 1998) is a collection of previously unheard Eric Johnson. Recorded between 1976 and 1978, this album offers a hint of what we listen to now. It has a raw and untamed sound. Tones, 1986, explores more of a pop version of the traditional Austin-style funk.

His Alien Love Child, October 2000, is a live master of his latest tours. It is very blues driven. Johnson is more or less getting back to his roots.

Maybe I'm just biased because I grew up watching him refine his act at La Zona Rosa in Austin, Texas. Then again maybe I've just been spoiled. Just because he doesn't bounce around on stage, doesn't mean he's not a showman. I am stupified by the techniques Johnson pulls off in the middle of a show. I don't think Vai could bounce around quite so much if he was playing the same tunes.




Ken

[ThomasW]

Ken

I'll pick up one of the newer CD's and check it out.

Oh BTW, Picasso was admitted into the Paris Academy at age 12. This is equal to starting a Phd program at Yale/Harvard.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Ken McDaniel]

Next time I pick an analogy I'll stick to my point of reference: military history. I was only trying to point out that Johnson is a prodigy in his own right. Granted not on the same planetary scale as Picasso, but a master nevertheless.




Ken

[Pat]

Johnson is a great technical guitarist...I just felt his showmanship needed a little work.

Satriani was just as animated as Vai if not more...his skills are amazing.

I have to go into work for a few hours so I am going to take my copy of G3 Live In Concert to revisit the performances.




Pat's Page