Eric Johnson
Up Close
Vortexan Music
Never one to be
considered “prolific,”
Eric Johnson
has emerged from
his studio with a
new collection of
tunes that gives
anxious fans just what they want: great playing,
great tone and a Texas-size dose of soul. This
is the first album that was recorded entirely in
Johnson’s home studio (which was took Johnson 15 years to build). The sound of the record doesn’t
come across as sterile as previous studio albums
and the addition of some guests really adds to
the looser vibe. A great example is “Texas,” a
medium-slow blues where Johnson shows off
his Clapton-meets-Bloomfield licks alongside
Steve Miller and longtime Austin friend Jimmie
Vaughan. The juxtaposition of Johnson and
Vaughan’s solos shows off how unique, and
comfortable, each guitarist is with their style.
Throughout the 15 tracks on Up Close, from
the Hendrixian-ballad “A Change Has Come
to Me,” to the space boogie of “Fatdaddy,”
Johnson has created another worthy addition to
his already legendary catalog.
Up Close
Vortexan Music
Never one to be
considered “prolific,”
Eric Johnson
has emerged from
his studio with a
new collection of
tunes that gives
anxious fans just what they want: great playing,
great tone and a Texas-size dose of soul. This
is the first album that was recorded entirely in
Johnson’s home studio (which was took Johnson 15 years to build). The sound of the record doesn’t
come across as sterile as previous studio albums
and the addition of some guests really adds to
the looser vibe. A great example is “Texas,” a
medium-slow blues where Johnson shows off
his Clapton-meets-Bloomfield licks alongside
Steve Miller and longtime Austin friend Jimmie
Vaughan. The juxtaposition of Johnson and
Vaughan’s solos shows off how unique, and
comfortable, each guitarist is with their style.
Throughout the 15 tracks on Up Close, from
the Hendrixian-ballad “A Change Has Come
to Me,” to the space boogie of “Fatdaddy,”
Johnson has created another worthy addition to
his already legendary catalog.