Eric Johnson – Europe Live
Provogue
http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/ericjohnson-liveineurope.html

Rating: B+

Eric Johnson is a master craftsman of the guitar.  He is a maestro of the six-string and a class act as a performer.  Hmm, I wonder if one can tell I kinda think this guy can play guitar pretty damn good?  Probably so, but hell, it’s the truth.  And he does.  And on this album he does it live onstage from Europe.  

Johnson plays a cross section over his entire career, and yes, it does include a killer version of that one song that we still hear everywhere… grocery stores, radio stations, during pitching changes at baseball games…you know the one…”Cliffs of Dover.”  Ah yes, the cursed song that has blessed the man with longevity in the crazy world of business.  Yep, it’s on there.  And it rocks…totally.  He really plays the shit out of that song.  But, and here is what people need to know, he plays the shit out of every song on the album.  Song titles don’t even matter as most probably didn’t know that the bouncy classic is titled “Cliffs of Dover!” 

Suffice it to say that if you love guitar and you really love guitar soloing that is soulful, emotional and done with a technical flair that will have you shaking your head, then you will love this album. 

In fact the only reason it does not get an “A” rating is because he sings on some tracks.  Yes, yes, his most rabid fans are throwing tomatoes at me because I said it.  It’s not that he is a bad singer.  He has a relaxing tone and it seems like he enjoys it.  It’s just that when it comes to Eric Johnson, most folks in the world just want him to take the Frank Zappa approach. You know…shut up and play your guitar! 

And on this one…he does…quite well, I might add… again. 

Track listing:
1. Intro
2. Zenland
3. Austin
4. Forty Mile Town
5. Mr. P.C.
6. Manhattan
7. Zap
8. Song for Life
9. Fatdaddy
10. Last House on the Block
11. Interlude
12. Cliffs of Dover
13. Evinrude Fever
14. Sun Reprise

By Jeb Wright