@haubsen ....yes, in some aspects I agree regarding his songs being boring at times, but you can't argue his command of the guitar and all it's subtleties....I wish I had half of his command and technique
@AGB1954 im really not used to this wanky gayness happy music. i guess what i really miss is the drama in his music. when u hear a song or solo of him, the story he is telling with it is running naked over a greassland with a happy face after taking 4 kinds of different drugs. thats what i hear out of his songs. and when u then look at him, he really looks the same. he is such a gaylord to me. with gay music. about gay stuff.
sry man thats me feeling i get when i listen to him.
@haubsen If Eric Johnson makes you think about taking drugs and being "gay" in a field, please seek psychological help. What guitarists do you like, out of interest?
its the image i get when i listen to him playing. there is no drama. no structure in his improvs. it is too hard to understand for normal people. and his songs are the definition of boringness.
what story does he tell u with his playing? yeah i know its very hard to say heh?
i like most vai stuff. u probably know his threenecked guitar solo... thats an improvisation with structure. and i like more band music. thats why petrucci will always be one of my favorite players.
@haubsen Now that you've explained normally, I kinda understand what you mean. I'm a big Vai fan too, and his songs/solos are always perfectly constructed for emotional impact. When improvising, Eric does seem to 'meander' a bit, but it still sounds beautiful to the ear. It's a small complaint for such an accomplished player.
@haubsen EJ is too complex a personality to arrange into a structure, I believe. Then these Cliffs of Dover improvs can really go anywhere. And it's a great place to go when noodling about without any idea on what song to play, really. I seem to get stuck there myself with my playing. As far as solos incorporated into songs are concerned I prefer All About You from Venus Isle. That is a stroke of genious. Though that solo is not really accentuating any melody either.
@haubsen One would have to be of an intellectual mindset and probably with a touch of Asperger's syndrome to appreciate EJ's style fully. AS'ers are really all about taste and subtle details, that may have no bearing or meaning what so ever to others - to the level of boredom, even. Doesn't mean it's bad, just different. And heaven knows how many hours have been spent to perfect his tone and style, like it or not. That said Bloom and Up Close are rather "meh", even in my book.
what i dont understand is that everyone thinks his tone is so awesome. but when i look at his telephone vibrato, omg thats not string control at all. an vibrato still is the most important musical expression for a guitar player. who cares if can stroke strings with your finger to make them sound warmer when your vibrato sounds like a fluttering high frequency telephone with always the same amplitude.
really dont get it why people think he is so awesome. he has no attitude, too.
@haubsen His style is not built against vibrato, in fact his soloing sounds way more jazzy than bluesier. His technique is extremely precise, his tone is wonderful, and most important his compositions are awesome, at least in my opinion. There are many players with better vibrato, but that doesn't make Eric a non-awesome guitar player.
All i meant was the quality of tone, accuracy of bent pitches, intonation, phrasing, etc. all sounds very much of a quality that is on par with his recording. Clean as a whistle. His recording probably wasn't done in 1 take, as this live video was. Such is my fascination with the QUALITY of his playing which sounds as I said, "just like the album." Sorry if I didnt elaborate krissmith1986, i didnt find it necessary. I thought my point was fairly obvious w/o such a long winded explanation.
@AUIYMful that's actually completely untrue. I have never seen a live video where he plays the same as the album...I could probably list about 100 time he plays different just on this video
I can't believe you have this performance!!! This is from a BB King Festival at The Woodlands Pavilion in Houston, circa '94 or so. I have this on VHS. This intro is one of my all time favorite guitar improvs to be recorded ever. There is about a minute of it missing but still, Thank You for putting this out there.
Astonishing dexterity and creativeness. The problem with Eric Johnson wannabees is that they can learn some of his licks and possibly play a passable version of this but there's only one EJ
Fruity pirate suit or not he had some mental edge that day as his improvisation shows him shifting gears even faster than normal,more creative,daring and connected at once.
I normally can't listen to shred type players but Eric is a phenomenal exception.No tacky squeals or dive bombs,just fire and finesse,the notes sound like flowing dots of color.
@brian3377 Hangin around the country side building onto his huge studio he was working on with "Up Close" recently and meeting other famouse musicians.
@metachozoite haha, yup, ever since guitar hero. The people who are experts at the game think they're sophisticated because they like this music. haha.
I love his incredible tone.. what amazes me is he doesn't seem to do shread stuff but his technique is obviously fast and very clean!! love the melody!
@moronslave He actually doesnt pick every note. Pay attention to the closeups of his remarkable style and technique. The best setup for EJ is with Kyle and Tommy . Brilliant trio!!!!!! These two "backline musicians" are so skilled and talented. B R A V O .
@oscarsstuff because there are only a few who really take the time to get to know their guitars and gear, and dedicate the time to become something unique. Guys like Eric Johnson are rare, absolutely LOVE his sound!
What can i say that hasn't already been said about him and this cut! Simply awesome! Moving stuff right there folks. That is the modern Bach or Beethoven.
What's that music about? I really don't anderstand what he wants to say... Technically, it is too perfect, where is the emotion, the sweat and the blood ? maybe he should forget all this shit and start again from the beginning, a good and simple blues with just 1 or 2 chords
Maybe he just wants to convey a nice melody for our listening pleasure? One doesn't have to indulge in raving emotions to give us a nice tune to listen to.
Oh Man! I can't thank whoever posted this enough; I accidentally recorded over this when trying to convert vhs to dvd..I found this late one night on PBS while channel surfing some years ago, and when I lost it I just about went into a depression [lol]. He plays this intro a different way every time and I really loved this version, its like a Keith Jarrett intro...Thanks again!!
nooo the hockey player's comment disappeared!!
kristolaos 4 days ago
Eric Johnson>God
2010metalmaster 4 days ago
fucking best guitarist ever i thought yngwie was good till i saw eric johnson he owns yngwie and plays with more soul and emotion he is god of guitar
shredmaster100 2 weeks ago
0:01 to 7:59 is the best
kelchnerguitarist 1 month ago
7:35 oops
rodrigoawilasco 1 month ago
Comment removed
rodrigoawilasco 1 month ago
In other news, two thousand people died at an Eric Johnson concert after their faces were melted clean off!
BruceJC75 4 months ago
this live is when?
SLANKYMasaki 4 months ago
super awesoe technique and amazing skills and whatsoever
even very musical, very dynamic
but fucking boring as hell. i have never seen or heard a song that is fucking awesome by him. it all sounds so gay to me. :(((:(:(
haubsen 6 months ago
@haubsen ....yes, in some aspects I agree regarding his songs being boring at times, but you can't argue his command of the guitar and all it's subtleties....I wish I had half of his command and technique
AGB1954 6 months ago
@AGB1954 im really not used to this wanky gayness happy music. i guess what i really miss is the drama in his music. when u hear a song or solo of him, the story he is telling with it is running naked over a greassland with a happy face after taking 4 kinds of different drugs. thats what i hear out of his songs. and when u then look at him, he really looks the same. he is such a gaylord to me. with gay music. about gay stuff.
sry man thats me feeling i get when i listen to him.
haubsen 6 months ago
@haubsen it's not for everyone. I use his guitar stuff for technical exercises; they're really great for that.
boobtuber06 5 months ago
@haubsen If Eric Johnson makes you think about taking drugs and being "gay" in a field, please seek psychological help. What guitarists do you like, out of interest?
YummyBananaFish 5 months ago in playlist YummyBananaFish's Favourited Videos
@YummyBananaFish
its the image i get when i listen to him playing. there is no drama. no structure in his improvs. it is too hard to understand for normal people. and his songs are the definition of boringness.
what story does he tell u with his playing? yeah i know its very hard to say heh?
i like most vai stuff. u probably know his threenecked guitar solo... thats an improvisation with structure. and i like more band music. thats why petrucci will always be one of my favorite players.
haubsen 5 months ago
@haubsen Now that you've explained normally, I kinda understand what you mean. I'm a big Vai fan too, and his songs/solos are always perfectly constructed for emotional impact. When improvising, Eric does seem to 'meander' a bit, but it still sounds beautiful to the ear. It's a small complaint for such an accomplished player.
YummyBananaFish 5 months ago
@haubsen EJ is too complex a personality to arrange into a structure, I believe. Then these Cliffs of Dover improvs can really go anywhere. And it's a great place to go when noodling about without any idea on what song to play, really. I seem to get stuck there myself with my playing. As far as solos incorporated into songs are concerned I prefer All About You from Venus Isle. That is a stroke of genious. Though that solo is not really accentuating any melody either.
joeytruelove 5 months ago
@haubsen One would have to be of an intellectual mindset and probably with a touch of Asperger's syndrome to appreciate EJ's style fully. AS'ers are really all about taste and subtle details, that may have no bearing or meaning what so ever to others - to the level of boredom, even. Doesn't mean it's bad, just different. And heaven knows how many hours have been spent to perfect his tone and style, like it or not. That said Bloom and Up Close are rather "meh", even in my book.
joeytruelove 5 months ago
@joeytruelove
what i dont understand is that everyone thinks his tone is so awesome. but when i look at his telephone vibrato, omg thats not string control at all. an vibrato still is the most important musical expression for a guitar player. who cares if can stroke strings with your finger to make them sound warmer when your vibrato sounds like a fluttering high frequency telephone with always the same amplitude.
really dont get it why people think he is so awesome. he has no attitude, too.
haubsen 5 months ago
@haubsen His style is not built against vibrato, in fact his soloing sounds way more jazzy than bluesier. His technique is extremely precise, his tone is wonderful, and most important his compositions are awesome, at least in my opinion. There are many players with better vibrato, but that doesn't make Eric a non-awesome guitar player.
martyfriedman86 4 months ago
@haubsen I would really love to see who has great tone and attitude in your opinion lol
JesterIF 4 months ago
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JesterIF 4 months ago
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@haubsen Actually don't bother replying to my comment I just saw that your favorite player is Petrucci...
JesterIF 4 months ago
ah, musicians....remember those???
ecsrvjh 6 months ago 3
My jaw is dropped, eyes are as big as 50 cent pieces. Eric is a guitar magician.
rhondawiseman 6 months ago
this.....made me a better person
6eowge 7 months ago
All i meant was the quality of tone, accuracy of bent pitches, intonation, phrasing, etc. all sounds very much of a quality that is on par with his recording. Clean as a whistle. His recording probably wasn't done in 1 take, as this live video was. Such is my fascination with the QUALITY of his playing which sounds as I said, "just like the album." Sorry if I didnt elaborate krissmith1986, i didnt find it necessary. I thought my point was fairly obvious w/o such a long winded explanation.
AUIYMful 7 months ago
Hey that's the puffy shirt from Seinfeld!
cbfeeling 7 months ago
1:47 there some hip shit
nylonsteel 7 months ago
Like a unicorn, at 1:17 the mystical 100 lb. violin tone appears. Gorgeous.
tednugentlives 7 months ago
This is inspired.
BeelaTeismar 8 months ago
Look at the end, i don`t think HE believes what just happened! Best EVER!
Groovtubin 8 months ago
What the hell, his live performance sounds just like the album. Tone is so perfect, he's a freak of nature.
AUIYMful 8 months ago
@AUIYMful that's actually completely untrue. I have never seen a live video where he plays the same as the album...I could probably list about 100 time he plays different just on this video
krissmith1986 7 months ago
I can't believe you have this performance!!! This is from a BB King Festival at The Woodlands Pavilion in Houston, circa '94 or so. I have this on VHS. This intro is one of my all time favorite guitar improvs to be recorded ever. There is about a minute of it missing but still, Thank You for putting this out there.
paradigm0shift 8 months ago
he looks just awesome :D !
janithemani 9 months ago
Not a bum note in sight! It's scary how good he was at this period with his accuracy and creativeness.
23ivee 10 months ago 3
Astonishing dexterity and creativeness. The problem with Eric Johnson wannabees is that they can learn some of his licks and possibly play a passable version of this but there's only one EJ
viclennard 11 months ago
Fruity pirate suit or not he had some mental edge that day as his improvisation shows him shifting gears even faster than normal,more creative,daring and connected at once.
I normally can't listen to shred type players but Eric is a phenomenal exception.No tacky squeals or dive bombs,just fire and finesse,the notes sound like flowing dots of color.
spentonmediocrity 11 months ago
Apart from the fact that EJ is a phenomenal player, his sound is so rich and lush, you can bathe and get lost in it.
jetmarshall 11 months ago
@jetmarshall exactly, so unique and wonderful. It's the reason he's my favorite guitarist.
SinOfDrkness 11 months ago
Eric is amazing. Haven't seen him in a LONG time. Where is he?
brian3377 1 year ago
@brian3377 Hangin around the country side building onto his huge studio he was working on with "Up Close" recently and meeting other famouse musicians.
SinOfDrkness 11 months ago
lo maximo la mejor version en vivo...!!!
jppgstrat 1 year ago
2:42 is where the actual main section of Cliffs of Dover starts....or dare i say it "the part from gutiar hero" :P
jmannunez 1 year ago
Its from 1:50 to 2:00 fast forwarded ? :D:D
AdamTomaszewskiPL 1 year ago
@AdamTomaszewskiPL No, Eric Johnson is just BADASS!!!
screechkid116 1 year ago
i bet he hates this song buy now
metachozoite 1 year ago
@metachozoite haha, yup, ever since guitar hero. The people who are experts at the game think they're sophisticated because they like this music. haha.
iantsang1030 1 year ago
5:07 rock out section. 5:16 break down!
SinOfDrkness 1 year ago
thats a lot of treble for EJ
Barcslay 1 year ago
1:43 to 1:52
Wiltonibanez 1 year ago
Ultimately, Eric cut his hair because it affected his tone.
Bluplirst 1 year ago 17
Comment removed
rodrigoawilasco 1 month ago
I love his incredible tone.. what amazes me is he doesn't seem to do shread stuff but his technique is obviously fast and very clean!! love the melody!
moronslave 1 year ago
@moronslave He actually doesnt pick every note. Pay attention to the closeups of his remarkable style and technique. The best setup for EJ is with Kyle and Tommy . Brilliant trio!!!!!! These two "backline musicians" are so skilled and talented. B R A V O .
pbstratocaster 1 year ago
my fuckn dream tone!!!
Boogiethrash 1 year ago
Eric's sound in the 90's doesn't compair to anyone. You can't beat it. Til this day everytime i hear cliffs of dover and this into i get goosebums.
EJStratMan1 1 year ago
Looks like the puffy shirt from Seinfeld.
hendrixfan1990 1 year ago 9
why there are only few, like Vai and him who just sound unique?
oscarsstuff 1 year ago
@oscarsstuff because there are only a few who really take the time to get to know their guitars and gear, and dedicate the time to become something unique. Guys like Eric Johnson are rare, absolutely LOVE his sound!
NHBluesMan 1 year ago
@oscarsstuff - Please dont mention Vai in a comment with Eric Johnson. Steve Vai is engineering a guitar,,,,,,,, Eric Johnson plays music.
pbstratocaster 1 year ago
7:37 Woopsie Daisy!!!!
XD
9erMatthew 1 year ago
I don't know how many times I've circled back around to watch this!!
Simply amazing!!
808Monkseal 1 year ago
Favourited this some time ago, I still can't stop listening to it! Best version of CoD!
blacktarantulaX 1 year ago 2
Damn, that's a good performance.
9erMatthew 1 year ago
HE ROCKS THATS IT!!!!!!!!!!
warrior780 1 year ago
His Harp Harmonic are amazing! Along with his Pentatonic runs...
A38031 1 year ago
the best left hand in the business
zzpot1000 1 year ago
OMG GOD! Watch his fingers from 4:07 to 4:09 !
Freaking amazing!
Odinsgade 1 year ago
Simply the best version of COD
joenzzzz 1 year ago
That was the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. I know because I have been there many times.
LMCDRC 1 year ago
@LMCDRC If you're talking about this concert that's not true. This is at the Woodlands Pavilion in Texas.
TheElectromagnet 1 year ago 2
As always, fantastic playing by a fantastic player. But why the hell is he dressed like a pirate doing a guest spot on Saved By The Bell?
carvetop 1 year ago
@carvetop cause in the 80/90 people liked to wear colorfull clothes and didint worry about fashion prejudice
Takunrsx 1 year ago
ahh! i cant decide which live version of this is the best, they're all awsome in their own unique way.
SinOfDrkness 1 year ago
This is possibly the best guitar playing i have ever seen from Eric, Unbelievable
DaveH28 1 year ago
love those tones on 0:22
kent5525 1 year ago
sos mi idolo eic johnson
PauloCorrea01 1 year ago
Nice. I would have liked heariing more bass guitar in this though.
4rainbowed 1 year ago
That was incredible, but i don't know if i would wanna see it live. Might get boring after 2 hours, maybe?
randyrhoads031 1 year ago
Eric played 473,622 notes in that performance....I counted them all!!!
cast390 1 year ago
Well, I think that demonstrates that the rest of us just pretend we can play guitar.
JadeAxon 1 year ago
@JadeAxon - not me, I' smoke his ass!
theothertroll 1 year ago
The improv part at 4:27-4:31 = genius. The whole performance rocks!
808Monkseal 1 year ago
Easily one of the best of all time...
I you disagree, you're either ignorant or an idiot.
myonlydanger 1 year ago
Looks like an outfit you'd see someone of Seinfeld wearing. Eric is the master. So good.
pbomb552002 1 year ago
this guy stole my whole routine
allansed 1 year ago
That is ultimate guitar control. His hands are just flying on the frets
sindret00 1 year ago
Ive been looking all over youtube, and I couldn't find any soul, until now!
brooklynstudio 1 year ago
But I don't wanna be a Pirate
ngirard85 1 year ago
What can i say that hasn't already been said about him and this cut! Simply awesome! Moving stuff right there folks. That is the modern Bach or Beethoven.
buckeye01 2 years ago
He is wearing the "puffy shirt"
Stratifying 2 years ago
I lost my VHS recording of this, thank you for posting!
richieaha 2 years ago
0:00 wtf?..hockey player
rascalferret 2 years ago 86
@rascalferret
It´s a subliminal message o.O XDDD
lovelier10 1 year ago
@rascalferret
yes..Young Eric ....
AdamTomaszewskiPL 1 year ago
@rascalferret best comment ever!!
kristolaos 4 months ago 2
:54 - 3:29 is incredible.
timwalkersings 2 years ago
Lol. 0:00 - 7:59 is incredible.
RockinMetalGuy 2 years ago 4
this is so flawless
jesse1291 2 years ago 2
I love his outfit....
igknightus 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
That uniform is suck!
itti1977 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
sick sick sick tight tight tight awesome awesome awesome teh roxorz teh roxorz teh roxorz pwnage pwnage pwnage fresh fresh fresh
baelsharon 2 years ago
Well said.
hmm2112 2 years ago
Comment removed
MarcAndreOlivier 2 years ago
wtf? because of the clothes or what? that were the 90s... everybody weared colorful clothes, dont you remember?
turboneger 2 years ago 32
@turboneger they wear shit now........
metachozoite 1 year ago
are you retarded?
JEZUZ06 2 years ago
almost falls - 7:37
MarshallGunner 2 years ago
al final casi se cae jajajajajaa
ericmaiden 2 years ago
absolutely insane intro!!! Was this recorded at Dte in Michigan?
PrestonTocco 2 years ago 5
@PrestonTocco New Orleans Jazz Festival.
ReneeNme 1 year ago
That's the highest level of electric guitar you'll see. Awesome!
andrew6string 2 years ago 4
wow... Eric with long hair XD
MojeImeNijeBitno 2 years ago 4
Great guitar player... I love the blues, but this cat jams...
Thistlesifter220 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
What's that music about? I really don't anderstand what he wants to say... Technically, it is too perfect, where is the emotion, the sweat and the blood ? maybe he should forget all this shit and start again from the beginning, a good and simple blues with just 1 or 2 chords
jrth78 2 years ago
Maybe he just wants to convey a nice melody for our listening pleasure? One doesn't have to indulge in raving emotions to give us a nice tune to listen to.
Torfinnmadssen 2 years ago
2:42 and on is SEXY
Warp2567 2 years ago
i think this is where KC and Jojo ripped their song from ha, this is awesome
RelaxAlready 2 years ago 2
This guy scary good--a real modern day composer
Mediterraneanblue9 2 years ago 3
lol he triped over his pedal!
basshunter132 2 years ago
2:55-3:00....sounds like the wrong key...wierd. Fucking awesome though!
Drucef 2 years ago
He's just walking up chromatically.
Mike3303 2 years ago
Yeah, thanks, I'm aware.
Drucef 2 years ago
its just a chromatic, hes going through like 5 keys in that lick lol..
Spocksbrother 2 years ago
He's as cool as they get.
mrlot44 2 years ago 3
Watch Eric trip over his pedal array and almost take a dive at 7:39.
lawl
ReneeNme 2 years ago 4
rofl!!1
mickiew4 2 years ago 3
/this is the /best /7 mins i have spent on this thing thank you thank you thanyou for posting this.... :)
GoombaGoone 2 years ago 5
my jaw is still dropped on the floor after watching this the 10th time
ChrisTucker1234 3 years ago 4
Oh Man! I can't thank whoever posted this enough; I accidentally recorded over this when trying to convert vhs to dvd..I found this late one night on PBS while channel surfing some years ago, and when I lost it I just about went into a depression [lol]. He plays this intro a different way every time and I really loved this version, its like a Keith Jarrett intro...Thanks again!!
beatniksoul 3 years ago 4