What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

[richard parker]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

An interesting one - I kind of think Eric Johnson falls into the same category as Alan Holdsworth which is 'not of much interest unless you play guitar yourself'. When I first heard Alan Holdsworth many years ago I was blown away. I played some of his stuff to a non playing friend who was totally unimpressed, his response was 'Well, you can play that fast'. I really like Holdsworth's playing but I own one of his CD's and see no pressing reason to own any more. I think Eric Johnson is in a similar space.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

I think when your a young guitarist you tend to want emulate guiartists that are very technically proficient as a blue print to your own developing playing technique-or you go with with what you think will eventually bring popular success, however you define that. As you mature and find yourself, you change.

I still think that Clapton is the best pure improvisational soloist ever on guitar. He gets into that zone where he is just inspired, especially live. Pure Soul.

One shouldn't take my girl friend at the time's comment about EJ being like a classical pianist on guitar as a dis. If you think about it, that is a tremendous musical accomplishment in itself.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

I still think that Clapton is the best pure improvisational soloist ever on guitar. He gets into that zone where he is just inspired, especially live. Pure Soul.

See the older I get, the less impressed I am with Claption - especially his early stuff. Maybe I'm familiar enough with his influences that I hear them too much in most of his early playing. These days, later in his career, I'm digging him.

I think EJ has an Awesome melodic sense. And again, can conjure emotions other than sad through his melodies and can use speed as a melodic tool. He is different. And also good.

 

[tone4days]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

An interesting one - I kind of think Eric Johnson falls into the same category as Alan Holdsworth which is 'not of much interest unless you play guitar yourself'. When I first heard Alan Holdsworth many years ago I was blown away. I played some of his stuff to a non playing friend who was totally unimpressed, his response was 'Well, you can play that fast'. I really like Holdsworth's playing but I own one of his CD's and see no pressing reason to own any more. I think Eric Johnson is in a similar space.

interesting

i have to disagree with your binning them together ... i think eric johnson is much more accessible as his music is strictly a linear expansion from a traditional base - folks 'get' his stuff nearly instantly, even if they don't enjoy it ... holdsworth's music is as you described, i think, because his meloidc, and especially his harmonic, sense are very outside the base that would allow folks to receive it easily

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

Wow...I should have stuck around in here to defend myself!: private:

Im not sure how in the hell my jacket got brought into this but for those that are curious this is the only jacket I ever wear...in fact besides company issued jackets for work it's the only jacket I even own!

My jacket::cool2: Which is rather pimptastic I think...
http://www.wilsonsleather.com/produ...cp=2446814..2446939.2013493&parentPage=family

Now, back to EJ...don't get me wrong...he's impressive as hell, knows lots of chords and scales and all kinds of neat tricks I don't know but I find him boring. There is none of the snarling attitute and greasy playing that I love about electric guitar players. He's a great player but after about 3 minutes all his stuff starts to sound the same to me and this migh be ok if I liked what I was hearing but I personally don't...

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

See the older I get, the less impressed I am with Clapton - especially his early stuff. Maybe I'm familiar enough with his influences that I hear them too much in most of his early playing. These days, later in his career, I'm digging him.

......

I agree. I tend to like his modern day solos a little better. His live playing is better than ever, particulary now that he's playing sober.

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

Now, back to EJ...don't get me wrong...he's impressive as hell, knows lots of chords and scales and all kinds of neat tricks I don't know but I find him boring. There is none of the snarling attitute and greasy playing that I love about electric guitar players. He's a great player but after about 3 minutes all his stuff starts to sound the same to me and this migh be ok if I liked what I was hearing but I personally don't...

Yup. In short, despite being incredibly good at what he does, EJ simply doesn't rock. At all. Ever. There's absolutly no "pelvis" in his playing. Some times tasteful=tasty, but if it's done all the time, it's whitebread.

But I don't begrudge those who dig him. His music just doesn't do it for me.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

No doubt EJ is closer to Al Dimeola than Angus Young. But I think he is great. Everything doesn't have to be power chords and pentatonics through a Marshall.

I wouldn't say Stanley Jordon, Al DiMeola, Charlie Christian, or wes Montegomery rock - but I never get tired of listening to them! Well, Al Di rocks a little...But they are all cool as heck!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

What Im talking about has nothing to do with power chords and pentatonics...it's an attitude that EJ just doesn't have to me...

I tihnk the big thing being overlooked here is that just becasue I don't care for him doesn't make him bad and it doesn't make me wrong just like because some of you guys do like him doesn't make him good or make you right...

It's all music and all a matter of opinion...I have a lot of respect for EJ I just don't care to listen to most of his music...

 

[WhoFan]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

listening to this live Austin City cd his sound is real thick and mid heavy from that in-between setting... when he switches to the bridge PU it really is noticeable

 

[357mag]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

Eric's tone seems to leave something to be desired. Good player but his tone is muffled. Exactly what I don't like.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

Eric's tone seems to leave something to be desired. Good player but his tone is muffled. Exactly what I don't like.

it is a little muffled... i like it in many ways but it could do with a slight bit clearer sound... the amount of Delay he uses is interesting... i used less delay then that in a band i was in once and they kicked my ass and had me take it off my board! i love space in my sound.... not overpowering either

 

[Philcguitars]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

Funny you know.

I just came across his stuff this morning.

Nice, listeneable stuff. None of the stuff I've found though really set my hair alight.
I just didn't HATE him, so I guess I LIKE him!

 

[Markk]

Re: What can you tell me about Eric Johnson?

An interesting one - I kind of think Eric Johnson falls into the same category as Alan Holdsworth which is 'not of much interest unless you play guitar yourself'.

That's an interesting way to put it. Matter of fact, I've now realized why my wife hates watching concert DVD's and music videos and the like.

Hmmm