Eric Johnson
Tones

THE REVIEW

Eric Johnson, the artist in whom technique, taste, songwriting, and feeling come together in almost perfect harmony.

On DeBaser, I couldn't find a review of this album, his first official solo work, so I'll try to describe it.

The album flows smoothly, it really seems like there isn't a note out of place, starting with the opening instrumental, Soulful Train, which along with Zap, perhaps represents the most representative track of the work. The melancholy expressed by the only acoustic piece, Desert Song, is disarming while Trail of Tears might be the best sung piece. 

There are indeed also sung tracks on the album, by Johnson himself: certainly, it's not to say that he's an outstanding singer, but his voice fits perfectly with the style of the album. Also noteworthy is the solo at the end of Bristol Shore and the final track, Victory, which is very catchy (not an easy feat for an instrumental piece).

I happened to listen to this record a day after the contemporary "Not of This Earth" by Joe Satriani (Reynolds would call me a Retromaniac...) and inevitably I compare these two 'first' works: if I had to choose the highest point of the two albums, I would definitely say Rubina; moreover, Satriani's record is more varied, especially in terms of effects, but here's where I give a point to Johnson.

Johnson's songs seem more... like songs, perhaps missing the stroke of genius that would come a few years later with Cliffs of Dover (although Zap comes pretty close), but you get the sense of a complete musician, who knows what he wants and knows what to do, and doesn't feel the need to constantly show off his skill (although he obviously has it), while Satriani's work leaves many pieces feeling incomplete, as if he didn't quite know where to go.

For both, the calm 'before' the storm: soon after, Ah Via Musicom for Johnson and Surfing with the Alien for Satriani will propel them into the realm of modern super guitarists (with corresponding super sales).

But that's another story.