Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 11/11/2008
Filmed at
the Grove in Anaheim, CA on May 3, 2006, this DVD presents 50 minutes of
Eric Johnson in concert, leading a trio that also includes
Tommy Taylor on drums and
Chris Maresh on bass. The nine songs showcase
Johnson's versatility and virtuosity on electric guitar on both instrumental and vocal numbers.
Johnson moves between
Hendrix-indebted effects (in fact, according to the back cover blurb, this has his only recorded performance of
Jimi's
"Manic Depression") to passages which nod to jazzy fluidity and folky dexterity, though most often with a hard rock base. While five of the songs are
Johnson originals,
Maresh contributes
"Rocktopus," and in addition to the
Hendrix cover, versions of standards by
Bob Dylan (
"My Back Pages") and
Neil Diamond (
the Monkees hit
"Little Bit Me Little Bit You") are also tackled. Visually it's a basic but very accomplished document of the event, focusing on the fairly no-nonsense musicianship, with plenty of angles allowing aficionados to watch
Johnson's fingering and techniques in action. Also included on the DVD are three acoustic performances, two of them on piano (including another
Hendrix cover in
"Wind Cries Mary"), as well as a short interview sequence from July 2007 in which
Johnson discusses the creative process and working on his upcoming album, interspersed with some concert footage not found in the disc's principal feature.
~Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
;)
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