I've use to hear virtuoso guitarist like sat and vai and I was amazed with their technicality. I just listen to EJ music just this November 2016, and I preferred his material a lot with my ears especially his clean and tube driven tone are very unique. my ears want less distorted and I am happy listening with EJs materials.they are perfect for long drive. I like how EJs denotes himself with multiple genres and experimentation with it. one of my number one favorite guitarist outside shredders world :)))
Sat? do you mean Satch? Satch has as much feeling as technique. You have to stop comparing guitarists as if they were cars. They are all unique. One is not better than another. But yes, Eric is truly a gem, amazing tone and melody. I listen to different stuff depending on my mood
Got to meet Eric Johnson back in the late 90s at the Dallas guitar show...he was just wandering around looking at gear with his wife..he was such a nice laid back guy..a true musician first and foremost..and the most magical clean tone on the planet!!!!
I met the first time in 1995 when he was still touring for Ah Via weather in Raleigh North Carolina what was crazy is when me and my friend got there they were sold out and I caught Kyle coming off the bus and he was like hold on and put us on the guest list dude we got in before anybody else with VIP seats and and passes to the after party. Took a killer picture with Eric and then I met him again like 3 years later and he signed the picture for me; couldn't ask for a nicer guy.
Nice Camera Cinematography there! Congrats! What is that second song? I had the honor of meeting Mr. Johnson in Cleveland, Ohio. And yeah, I bought the shirt...only now it doesn't fit. Eric is so humble and simply put...amazing.
@@jeffsteinbarge8861 Incorrect. The 2nd song is in fact Battle We have Won from the album Venus Isle. So you see not only you got the name of the album wrong, but we know you weren't there....you didn't even know the name of the song. Try better next time ;)
Man, that's Chris Maresh on the bass. That guy is one of the greatest bass players in the world. Classically trained, a jazz giant; I grew up listening to him in the elephant room in Austin, TX, in another lifetime
I'mma go out on a limb and say that it's not an intentional thing. Like most incredible tones, it relied on the fact that the equipment was being pushed to the limits...mostly vintage equipment (the vintage greenback speakers, even the older tubes, and the Fuzz's transistors) and can not just be replaced, especially when you are a real working musician and need this stuff to work night after night. Not quite the same tone, but lets face it 98% of the tone is in his fingers. Just a guess.
Love it! Does anybody know why Eric doesn't use the beautiful smooth cream tone he was known for anymore? The tone I'm referring to is his tone on Austin City Limits, the Cliffs of Dover tone. Maybe it's just me, but ever since he starting using all his signature speakers and pedals, he lost that magic lead tone. But Eric is the best!
I think there is some processing going on post amp in that clip, there is reverb added as well as the EP, and i swear I can hear some ever so light flange blended in.
Something else... the fact that this is in Paris. Different voltages on the plates of the tubes..hell...probably different amps all together. I'm sure it's difficult to travel with his entire 'stateside' rig. That being said. Yeah, I've heard his tone change a bit also. You know a lot of the 'tone' of that old equipment came from the fact that the stuff wasn't working quite right, or was breaking down. He might not be able to access it anymore. Still great guitarist though isn't he?!
To answer the question of his tonal change, the answer lies in the the fact, as he has said many times before, that the TUBES from back in the day, are no longer produced. The two ingredients needed to support the amps we all love are proper voltage regulation, and old school tubes. Eddie VH taught guitar players the importance of voltage control to the Marshall Plexi. However tube manufacturers have absolutely let down all of our favorite players. They should listen to their customers, and start making these again. In that regard, hats off to The Fender Co. They are already remaking Eric’s signature guitar. His 54 Strat called Virginia. Also in the process of reissuing many other old favorites. Let’s hope other companies follow suit. Stay positive.
It's a single camera room acoustic recording...probably sounded better in person. EJ sings 'Drix's 'Burning the Midnight Lamp' well...I'd suggest detuning to E flat. That tuning almost makes my band passable.
Yeah there's other marginal singers who still have great acts: Joe Satriani; Steve Vai and the like. Bonomassa who initially annoyed me with endless spam in my email box from Guitar Player etc, has won me over with his modesty, NY roots, independence and decent vocals...Now his songwriting has been an issue and he's now getting help down in Nashville.
kd350 It's not the mic. If you've been around that world or worked with peoples voices it's fairly easy to tell if they are using their body properly and whether there is a core voice showing. There are many passable bedroom type singers who really have no actual voice but just some musical mannerisms. Funny thing is that as expressive as these may seem, they always do the same one little thing. When you peel that layer away and get them to use their voice properly a completely different expression person seems to emerge. Then you have something real to work with. It's usually hell when people with no core voice sing on stage in a mic, cos there are too many sounds and consonants and not much vocal. One moment they are inaudible and the syllables can't be heard, and the next they are too loud because they are forcing it to reach higher notes. One can almost feel their throat and chest seizing up, choking the flow. It's not that he should not be singing, it does the job after all, but you'll notice that its essentially the same 2-3 mannerisms being recycled and that the voice itself really does not carry much. The problem at that stage is usually that people will seize on a certain mood that they can at least produce, and then that's applied to everything. Once people get in contact with their actual voice, things become much more openended, but also much more emotionally risky for the singer, because now we are getting to where something is actually at stake which may make it either more relevant or more painful if dismissed. Got rambling there, sry, I am not really a singer myself, but I have worked with many, many youths to get their voices to work on stage in a convincing, stable and audible way.
