Eric Johnson - Up Close-Another Look (Album Review)
Tuesday, 02 April 2013
Written by Simon Ramsay
Listening to Eric Johnson conjuring his unique cosmos of ethereal soundscapes is like having your spirit massaged by a dozen velvet gloves. Unsurprisingly, this long awaited follow up to 2005's 'In Bloom' finds the master of soul piercing guitar tones in exquisite form, showing that his ability to evoke stunning visual imagery with profound emotional resonance remains unmatched. Usually a perfectionist of Kubrickian proportions, these beguiling compositions reign in that clinical precision to produce a 'live' sounding record bristling with kinetic spontaneity. Featuring guest appearances from Steve Miller, Jimmy Vaughan, Jonny Lang and Sonny Landreth, Johnson trips the light fantastic through ambient interludes, picturesque instrumentals, spiritual ballads and more to sire an album as enchanting and awe inspiring as his classic 'Ah Via Musicom'.
'Up Close' came out in America in 2010, but after touring the record and beginning work on his next album Eric decided to revise and remix it for it's belated European bow. Hence, the 'Another Look' appendage. The idea was to capture his on stage sorcery, claiming “I've found the music happens more naturally live and that's what I'm trying to address more in the music I record”. A vivacious mix courtesy of producer Andy Johns nails that feel, imbuing the songs with an energetic off-the-cuff looseness that gives a stirring immediacy to Johnson's kaleidoscopic palette.
Eric's bewitching instrumentals are always a treat and there's some shining diamonds here. Following the spiritual blossoming of 'Awaken' – an atmospheric mix of Indian stringed instruments and transcendental feedback – he burns rubber on 'Fatdaddy', his rhythmic racing car tone revving on a riff that purrs cool, before soaring off in all directions with a cascade of exotic ascending and descending licks incorporating liquid legato runs and scything vibrato. The pick of the bunch is 'Gem', a characteristic EJ instrumental that'll whisk you away to a magical realm of purple skies, yellow rivers, warm winds and doves flying overhead. All courtesy of a guitar melody that's the musical equivalent of the sweetest strawberries you've ever tasted. 'Soul Surprise' is equally captivating - albeit with a more melancholy sheen of blood red skies and gathering clouds - as a feast of guitars float around a dual scat like vocal and six string hook, enriched by a grief stricken solo that howls with cathartic release.
Two of the album's highlights feature stellar guest vocalists, with 'Brilliant Room' finding Texan icon Malford Milligan bringing abundant soul to a panoramic storm of pop-infused self empowerment. A glistening chorus showcases angelic harmonies from Eric, who subsequently unleashes hellfire on an atypical solo, inducing dark musical cumulonimbi as squealing notes scream like lightning bolts over a dramatic thundery ambience. Even better is 'Austin', a passionate ode to Johnson's home that recalls youthful memories whilst mourning the changing City, asking “who's in charge, who's to blame?” It's a windswept desert of classic R&B, suitably enriched by Jonny Lang's sandy vocals as he channels his inner Stevie wonder over stylish jazzy chords. Eric then spins a dizzying cascade of prog licks that give way to a divine lyrical solo, saying more with his choice of notes than a thousand words could manage.
Johnson takes the microphone on a trio of ballads, with the sunshine hued 'Arithmetic' finding his fountain of youth vocals radiating warmth on a lyric about chemistry and relationships, delivered with succulent melodic grace and oozing romance. Hendrixian 'Little Wing' phrases introduce 'A Change Has Come To Me', a poetic diary entry about self realisation. It's full of celebratory euphoria as soul singers buoy the ending with gospel backing chants and delicious 'oo- ah's, making you want to throw your arms aloft and thank the maker for being alive! Closing track 'Your Book' was written after the death of Eric's father, and talks about how everyone has a deeper story – their own novel - that makes their life more than the brief glimpses others get to see. With accompaniment from Sonny Landreth, EJ weaves his celestial croon around the strains of subtle piano, ambient feedback and emotive fret caressing. The only criticism is that ending the album with two slower songs isn't great, and something a little feistier towards the climax would have been better from a sequencing point of view.
Eric's distinctive tapestry incorporates so many influences as to almost render them invisible. With deeper analysis you can pick out classic rock, 60's soul, classical passages, modal scales from around the world etc. The problem is when he comes back to earth and sounds too orthodox, as is the case on a cover of Electric Flag's 'Texas'. Sung with gusto by Steve Miller, it's a standard mid tempo blues number enriched by Eric's operatic guitar tone, interspersing genre based licks with fleet fingered dexterity. Although enjoyable, it doesn't gel with the overall feel and flow of the album, pulling us out of Johnson's unique sonic playground and back to normality. Eric's best when incorporating genres into his musical universe, not when accommodating his style within specific conventions.
Overall, this is a delightful album that's trademark Eric Johnson, with added spontaneity bringing a 3D glory to the Technicolour worlds and emotions aroused by the songs. In a time when everyone seems desperate to fit in and conform, Johnson is a one off musical deity who deserves to be worshipped! In fact, it's possible that if God played the guitar he'd sound just like Eric. Actually, he'd probably have to ask Eric for a lesson.
'Up Close - Another Look' is released this week. Eric Johnson starts his 6-date UK tour at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd April.
Wed April 3rd 2013 - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Thu April 4th 2013 - Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate
Fri April 5th 2013 - Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Sat April 6th 2013 - Bruntwood Theatre, Manchester
Sun April 7th 2013 - Town Hall, Birmingham
Mon April 8th 2013 - City Hall, Salisbury
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'Up Close' came out in America in 2010, but after touring the record and beginning work on his next album Eric decided to revise and remix it for it's belated European bow. Hence, the 'Another Look' appendage. The idea was to capture his on stage sorcery, claiming “I've found the music happens more naturally live and that's what I'm trying to address more in the music I record”. A vivacious mix courtesy of producer Andy Johns nails that feel, imbuing the songs with an energetic off-the-cuff looseness that gives a stirring immediacy to Johnson's kaleidoscopic palette.
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