Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson Crossroads Live in Austin TX

[STINKFINGER33]

im a bit dissapointed...

[markadiculous]

I never liked ej all that much... but in his defense... it must be very difficult to just get up there and pull of a solo on an exceedingly uptempo number like this version of crossroads. Especially when he's being looked toward for some great mind blowing solo from the entire crowd and also one of his peers who is arguably a better musician than him. I don't know

[SuperFabreezio]

I think every guitarist who's going to solo over 'Crossroads' may sound a bit off tempo...as a matter of fact, EC himself stated that his own solo on the 'Wheels Of Fire' version is 'fucking wrong'! (as he played on the 1 and the 3 rather than on the 2 or 4). That said, EJ could have sounded better, though he doesn't copy anybody at all, unlike JB. That's my humble opinion:)

[chooseyourblues]

EJ must have had a bad day. He's human like the rest of us. I wouldn't call him a Fail by any stretch.

[lordsong7]

@chooseyourblues

Nonsense. You don't understand whats going on here - see my above comment

[G3sal]

Eric actually is on time, he's actually playing slower in the pocket, something he does quite a bit. Just cause he isn't squirting notes all over the place doesn't mean he blew it. Use your ears and listen. To the critics, grab a metronome and try to play half time to the tempo of this song and see if you don't f*** it up. :)

[BlueSpawnRecords]

actually, the EC solos on the original are kick ass as you all know.....I've never seen anybody ever capture that Cream spirit on this tune...ever..I;ve played it hundreds of times...and was never happy about it....yeah..you jam all day long to 145 rock blues..but........I thought I heard a cover band do it once ...in the spirit of the take... the band was across the lake..and it could've been a tape....I have EC's original solos on my practice list for years...the best blues rock solo ever...

[BlueSpawnRecords]

OMG.. EJ blew a fart on that one...next time I'm on stage with him I will call this song...so, I can look like a champ....

[Lespaul13100]

Awesome! Two masters at work!

[SteveFEn7DER]

Eric Johnsons solo is fail..out of timing...even out of tune in some points..also many mistakes..no soul...wtf

[patfreecat2]

EJ had a bit of a shocker on this one, who cares no big deal... watch the rest of the clips from this concert he kills....

[Angelemerald]

Well, darn. I wish I could play like Eric Johnson. It's easy to be critical when you can't play a lick! I think he was (played) awesome. And I love Crossroads.

[mybinhasbroke]

How I wish I could have seen this live.

Joe may grace us with him jamming with Sam Coulson or Virgil McMahon when he next comes to the UK. Get some 'new blood' up on stage and give them the breaks they deserve.

[beeeeoch]

12rotter all of my thoughts (precisely ).

[mitchnelsen]

ERIC DOES ONE OF THE BEST SOLOS FOR THIS SONG THAT I'VE HEARD! EUPHORIA

[SIXSTRING63]

Check out EJ on Blues Deluxe from the same show. He is on the money. Must not been able to hear or something. 8eNsI3Hmw&feature=related

[12rotter]

Does EJ have hearing problem? I've see him wearing cans for live performances. This might explain timing. There's so much eye contact between him and drummer + bass as if he's watching , rather than listening to , rhythm. At least JB had decency to do an EC style solo instead of the ubiquitous EJ riffs.

[SIXSTRING63]

People are say EJ was out of his element playing blues like this. What about how great he was doing blues with Satch and Vai on the G3 tour doing Redhouse and Going Down. Just a bad night or too many cocktails cause his timing was a mess.

[karlrehn]

Eric played much better on the next song they played together at this show.  EJ's never been a pentatonic blues, SRV-esque player. He has his own voice and style, which is why he's been an influential player.

[markadiculous]

I have to agree with the negative comments here.... EJ is definitely a gifted musician, however his choice of phrasing here just did not fit. His style doesn't lend very much to a hot blues song like the cream style of crossroads. But I have always said that joe b definitely had been influenced by Johnson. Along with many others.

[AMPSHOWS]

I enjoyed it for what it was, an imitation/tribute to the brilliance of Clapton.

[richieguy10]

Eric has my respect for what he has done in his life and he is one of my personal heros. He simply doesn't have my respect for this session. Frankly it stank and I would say the same of any guitarist that played like that whatever the reason. Joe on the other hand is a bright rising star and played well. Call it as you see it guys, he's a legend, he had an off day... no big deal.

[thefritz1]

I wonder if Eric was having trouble hearing because the timing seemed strange for some of the sections--could be that I'm just used to hearing the cream/skynyrd version but something seems amiss.

[blackopsrhino]

Joe is clearly having a BLAST here

[Bigbluesboy]

Wel, Eric Clapton version in Cream in 1968 and 2005 was way better... Clapton's choice of notes is a gift... If Clapton wanted he would smoke them when ever he wants..

[Saulera777]

but if it wasn't for E.J, Bonamassa wouldn't have such amazing licks.

[markcloutier]

Enjoy it for what it is a great song and jam--eric is in Joe's Domain-he did great!

[tlow33]

I see Eric standing there,but he is all over.

[Levithia100]

WHO IS THE MASTER???

[Levithia100]

THE MASTER AND........????

[loslobotomys36]

eric johnson isn' t at his best on this video but he 's one of the greatest player.joe play like eric clapton on this one instead his "johnson "licks.it' s fresh.he is a great cat too

[LuvHrtZ]

EJ's solo is woeful..

[MrBluesound]

wow great song to do together as they both love Clapton would love to see Eric Johnson with Clapton and Joe

[robstiefvater]

lol@all these dweebs that critique Eric Johnson based on some Clapton number. It's like having Van Gogh do some paint by numbers and think your guy is better because you like green. check out EJ's catalog before you give your uninformed opinions, or better yet, listen to the very words of the guy you claim to like.

[klwnguitar]

@robstiefvater I know EJ's music man, and I love his stuff, he is an amazing guitarist. just talking about this particular performance which really isn't his best (euphemism).

[ingvay7]

@robstiefvater Exactly...EJ on a bad night still smokes every one and their brother out there...wots up with these arm-chair critics...Venus Isle. Enough said.

[estring777]

Anyone "comparing" anything in this video is completely missing the point of what happens when two great musicians share the stage. I would have loved to have been there..Thanks for posting!!!!

[mshambone50]

Sorry Joe...NO CONTEST....you're still my "go to guy" for an audio "fix" :)

[audiophelia]

HAHAHA! Note the bobble head on the Amp!

[audiophelia]

I've seen both of these gentlemen live over the years. Having seen Joe in more recent years I had thought I heard some EJ influence in Joe's bag of tricks. That must have been a Blast! Kudos to Joe for being able to play with those that inspired him! <3

[DeniseAnnal1961]

Joe is crazy better * smoking this guy, Its nice to pay attention to your influances. I still frett with myself because for x# years I said Jimmy Page King & Eric Clapton God what does that make Joe? cause he is going to surpass them. He is a marketing mastermind. Joe is a madman.

[GuitarEbb]

damn Eric that was pretty bad to be honest. He can do way better.

[klwnguitar]

I know it's Eric Johnson, he is amazing and all, but I have to be honest here, his solo's got no melodic interest whatsoever and his timing seems way off...

[pontacelli]

@klwnguitar

[beemerbill]

I agree, that was dreadful!

[1954tele]

@pontacelli ; Eric Johnson, Joe Bonamassa, myself & the world are all waiting for you to show us how it's done. Just let us know the date, time, place of your choosing. Collectively, we are all waiting for you to instruct us. The stage is all yours....

[Joostieboy]

@klwnguitar Thats his style man. He always falls perfectly back into the rhythm again. Ever heard of jazz? He doesn't use the normal pentatonic patterns, that what makes him so special. I disagree with Joe being the apprentice, he's god amongst men!

[xSnoweyexp]

@klwnguitar mmm, i don't know if you ever watched other eric johnson videos but Eric is definately one heck of a musician !!. Joe wouldnt be Joe as we know him nowadays if Eric johnson wasnt here ERIC DESERVES ALL THE RESPECT IN THE WORLD !!

[theanthill1001]

@klwnguitar Yuh. I love him, but Eric just ain't a blues guy hey. Thinks too much.

[Fishies125]

@klwnguitar Ya, this has been happening a lot now. The poor guy's just getting old. Probably dealing with arthritis and what not. Back in the day he was freakin incredible but it makes sense that he loses some of it now, he's freakin old.

[GroundChucks]

@klwnguitar , dude, for real. i've seen him live twice and he was fantastic. this performance seemed so weird by him.

[klwnguitar]

@GroundChucks he IS fantastic, no doubt, that's why I was so surprised by this performance (and I am not alone I guess)

[geoff101001]

@klwnguitar I agree hes a good guitar player but hes more into scales and shit, hes not an eric clapton or stevie ray vaughan where he can make the guitar sound anyway he wants. most guitar players today are like that, not many ppl can improvise a solo like clapton can!

[lordsong7]

@klwnguitar

Not really

Ask Clapton about his famous Crossroads solo - he was off time & to this day still surprised at how much fame that solo won

Its likely that Eric J is doing the "just slightly off thing"

Clapton -Cream era- was one of his major influences

[lordsong7]

@klwnguitar

Proof :

At the end of the song, Jack Bruce announces, "Eric Clapton, please," over Eric's saying, "Thank you" (both said simultaneously). Eric follows up by saying (probably turning toward Jack), "Kerfuffle." This is British English for "foul-up," referring to the timing back in midsong.

[rkorin1]

Thanks for sharing, it helps me re-live the experience. Eric certainly sweetened an already awesome concert.

[jjeffj008]

So now we know what it takes to get a Strat onstage with MuchJoe...Eric is the name (Clapton or Johnson) and you must be able to hold a pick.

BeddySmoov

[TheBlackycat]

Very cool. Thanks for uploading this. :)

[Tripsybon]

Excellent!....thanks for sharing this :))

[missmoke007]

The smile one Tal and Carmine faces says it all!!!!! Thanks for posting~Love it!

[omegalast800]

...it had to happen sooner or later! ...thanks for being there and posting this! ..what a Bona-Bonus! F.A.B!