ERIC JOHNSON
Souvenir (Vortexan Music)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Since he first emerged as the teenage guitar titan of Austin in the 70s, Eric Johnson has racked up gold records, a Grammy, chart hits and more critical acclaim than any mere mortal could possibly expect (as in Guitar Player Magazine's Best Overall player five straight times and the Austin Chronicle's Guitar Player of The Decade in 2000). He also ended up with a tape vault full of exceptional outtakes, one-off live tunes and other rarities that deserved, but somehow never received, release.

Souvenir is an internet only release of 12 tracks from Johnson's personal vaults, and it's a must-have for fans of great guitar music in any of its manifestations. Johnson has played everything from scorching Texas blues to groundbreaking fusion and from country hotlicks to new-agey ballads. There's a bit of all that here, and a bit more. The tracks range from a live cut from his first solo show in 1979 to outtakes from his next major label release, scheduled for sometime in 2003.

During that time, Johnson not only led The Eric Johnson Band but was featured in groups like the Electromagnets, Avenue, G3 and Alien Love Child, while touring and recording with Carole King, B.B. King, Christopher Cross, Chet Atkins and Dweezil Zappa. That gives you a hint of his range, and Souvenir will give you a full measure of his talent. Check it out at www.ericjohnson.com.

Track List:

Get To Go * Space Of Chords * Paperback Writer * Forever Yours * Hard Times * Climbing From Inside * I'm Finding You * Paladin * Fanfare One * Virginia * A Memory I Have * Dusty

© 2003 - Shaun Dale