Eric Johnson - Bloom

[robelinda2]

Ive had this cd for a few months, i didnt like it much the first few listens, but ive been giving it a solid thrashing the last few weeks and i reckon its his best cd yet. the tunes just take a while to set in, but he really is making music now better than ever. well done old chap.

columbia is a great tune to play too, took me a few hours to get it down, but its well worth it.

 

[Colin]

I'm probably the biggest EJ fan I know, and it's a fantastic album.

 

[mcvinyl]

I'm probably the biggest EJ fan I know, and it's a fantastic album.

That's because the only other person you know is me

Great album though, took a while to grow on me too but now I love it.

Simon

 

[pauldogx]

Its kind of a strange album--------a little scatalogical----but it does grow on you. However---I find his tone on the 1st loud and rocky section of the album to be a bit disappointing. They seem to be kind of muddy and indistinct------not his technique or tone mind you---but the actual recorded sound seems a bit "browner" than he usually uses and therefore a little murky. I prefer the earlier violin type distorted tone he got-----his newer distorted tone seems a bit "fuzzboxy".

 

[jeffrey]

I, fortunately, live about 45 minutes from EJ. I have seen him play a number of times, including solo acoustic shows, shows with Alien Love Child and shows with his regular crew.

The first time I saw EJ live however, was 1988 when I still lived in New Orleans. He had this massive array of stomp boxes and big Flock of Seagulls hair, but had this amazing tone.

Now his live tone still reminds me of his tone years ago, the feel of it and the push of it. Bloom, to me, doesn't have the same push quite so much.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like Bloom a lot, I think all of EJ's records are excellent (I came about || that close to buying an EJ Strat, the only Fender I've ever really liked), but I think I prefer Tones/Ah Via Musicom the most.

I tend the lump those two together as I find the tunes very similar.

Luckily too, whenever any hotshot guitar band comes through town, EJ almost always sits in (saw him at the last G3 and when Vai came solo, as well as the Dream Theater/King's X/Satch tour).

EJ possess such an amazing combination of chops, feel, technique, melody and originality.

Easily one of my favorite guitarists ever.

 

[Colin]

Most people associate the violin tone with his song Cliffs of Dover, which was a 335 Gibson and a chandler tube screamer.

 

[SteveB]

Here.

 

[robelinda2]

Most people associate the violin tone with his song Cliffs of Dover, which was a 335 Gibson and a chandler tube screamer.

yeah there's so many people who dont believe me when i tell em that! it doesnt even sound like a strat at all.

 

[Colin]

yeah there's so many people who dont believe me when i tell em that! it doesnt even sound like a strat at all.

Eric has said that he prefers the lead tone of a Gibson but the clean tone of a strat. I guess he needs to get a y2d....

 

[robelinda2]

i must say the lead tone on the Y2D is really growing on me, its very clear and precise, i'm liking it alright!!!!!!!! the cleans really punch out on stage too, really cuts through.

 

[jeffrey]

I still think my favorite performance and tone of EJ is the Live at Austin City Limits DVD, hands down.

To me at least, everything about that DVD is classic EJ.

 

[Colin]

I still think my favorite performance and tone of EJ is the Live at Austin City Limits DVD, hands down.

To me at least, everything about that DVD is classic EJ.

hopefully his new live DVD will be out soon. the bottomline dvd is my fav

 

[kbaim]

I still think my favorite performance and tone of EJ is the Live at Austin City Limits DVD, hands down.

To me at least, everything about that DVD is classic EJ.

Steller set. playing. Hair. Everything. I love this DVD.

 

[robelinda2]

yep ACL is a great dvd, cant wait for the new one.

 

[jamminjim]

My favorite EJ album is/and will always be Ah Via Musicom and I really like the tones he gets on Trademark and especially East West, which is a song that just hangs in my mind alot...... super cool. For years now... Heck his vocal work on Twenty Mile Town ain't even that bad...

 

[Colin]

We had James Burton in for an interview a week ago. I asked him who where some of his favorite guitar players? Without hesitation he said Eric Johnson and Tommy Emmanuel!

 

[robelinda2]

who couldnt like Tommy! Sensational player.

Hey Col ive seen some of that Bottomline EJ gig, was pretty good, i'm assuming yours is a bootl*g? i havent seen the whole thing, i know its not an official release.

 

[Colin]

who couldn't like Tommy! Sensational player.

Hey Col ive seen some of that Bottomline EJ gig, was pretty good, i'm assuming yours is a bootl*g? i havent seen the whole thing, i know its not an official release.

It was for the japan market, has interviews back stage. I have every ACL show as well. The House of Blues concert is one I'd love to see officially released, but Eric hates it. He blows a speaker first song.