What I love about EJ is that playing with that clean tone, you've nowhere to hide from mistakes that heavy distortion can disguise. He plays clean in technique and tone - one of the absolute best.

First time hearing Eric Johnson. He's such a fluid player!

Eric is a smooth vocalist, too. He's a Texan from Austin and is a contemporary with SRV and both were born in the same year. I would watch the live version of "Desert Rose." I always loved his clean tone. Once his songs end, you touch your face and realize he melted it off without you knowing it.

Wow! Cliffs of Dover is one of the best guitar instrumental songs of all time. Really glad you are reacting to this!

Fluidity, speed, precision, clarity and tone, tone, tone - masterful performance!! 👍😎❤

This live version is my favorite from Eric Johnson. He is an incredible guitarist. When I first heard this many years ago, gave me goose bumps. Couldn't get enough of him. All these years later still the same. You won't go wrong with any of his music.

Really well articulated comment by Alex at 10:30 Eric Johnson has that ability to play really fast stuff that seems "shreddy" but has an element that doesn't make you feel like he's just showing off, because what he does makes such a musical statement. Stevie Ray Vaughn did this with blues licks. They both have that gift of extending their solos with amazing musical ideas.

You have to check out all these rockers like Johnson, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai playing with Mike Stern.

The way he plays, each note hit to perfection. Absolute maestro!

I remember when this album came out. As young musicians we were just blown away. Was a good time as we had Eric Johnson, Steve Vai & Joe Satriani all putting out albums. So much great guitar going on then and I'm leaving out a bunch of people. Got to see EJ once live at about a 1000 person club. Amazing show and got to meet him in the parking lot afterwards. He was a really great and humble guy during my brief encounter.

I remember the first time I heard this song. I was in my car and had gotten home but refused to leave the car before this song finished. He is one of the finest guitarist I've ever heard. Loved this song too!

Fun fact: this is the same show Stevie Ray Vaughan popped his string on during Look at Little Sister (his was a 1989 episode, this was 1986), and the same stage too. Austin City Limits was the show, and was one of the best displays of talent ever

One of my favs from this same album is called "Trademark" - definitely worth a listen. It starts off with a bluesey/jazzy feel and then erupts in a more edgy rock anthem with his typical melodic stylings and some really cool effects. The ending solo is just explosive.

I have to admit I have never heard of Eric Johnson, but I am seriously impressed with his talent. Will be checking out more by this artist.

Love that era of the instrumental guitarists, like EJ, Satriani, Vai, Malmsteen. Incredible talent.

This whole cd is fire. EJ at his best.He toured with Rush years ago and is one of Alex Lifesons favorite players.

A masterful performance by Eric Johnson, discovered him while stationed in Germany, his tone alone makes him a guitar god.

Love the guitar tone.... plays it so crisp and clean..... wonder how many times he has played it.... you guys will love Joe Satriani.... Surfing with the Alien..... another master....

I'd recommend "Desert Rose" from this same show. It is better than the studio version and is a beautiful song with some shred as well.

I've seen Eric a couple of times in the mid 90s. He's another guitarist who can play Jimi like nobody else. He's in the league of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, etc.

Eric Johnson is from Austin Texas, my hometown. This is a recording from Austin City Limits back in the early 90s. Speaking of the 90s, I met Eric Johnson once when he and the guy who wrote the song Desert Rose (Vince Mariani) came into a pawn shop I was working at. Eric was looking for a portable keyboard. He is a real person, kinda shy and he was really nice. No one working in the store knew who he was when he walked in but being the EJ fan that I am, I noticed immediately. I rushed over to him, starstruck of course 🤩, to assist him. I got a two-for-one from him. First I made the sale then I got his autograph that I still have today. He wrote "Merry Christmas Sam, Eric Johnson"...... must have been around Christmas time 😊

A good next Eric Johnson song for you guys to hit is Desert Rose. I picked this because he sings in it and he shreds as well. It's a beautiful song. There's less than a handful of guitarist /singers / song writers that can touch Eric's Guitar /singing /song writing skills.

Gorgeous tone. His "two note per string" pentatonic scales + odd groupings (5 over 4) = absolute magic. Thanks for featuring one of my all-time favorite guitarists!

I have enjoyed EJ since the Cliffs of Dover album came out ( Ah Via Musicom ) ! Even saw him live, at a bar , playing in Charlotte NC. Way to small a venue for a man of his talent, but then this was when he was just becoming known to the mass public. The one word I have always used to describe him is " CLEAN " . He is so good, so fast, so precise , but more than that, so clean in his playing. Personally my favorite by him was Desert Rose.

Eric Johnson's debut album "Tones" is outstanding, a mix of instrumentals and songs with Eric doing the vocals (a very talented vocalist), but all featuring great guitar work. "Zap" is a fun and fast instrumental. "Friends" has vocals and is a banger in my opinion. "Desert Song" is a beautiful introspective acoustic guitar instrumental song. Nice insight, Alex, regarding the different chord voicings, etc.

You guys definitely need to check out “Trail Of Tears “. Same concert as this performance

His version of " Are You Experienced" Austin City Limits is amazing, he plays the backwards guitar solo using volume swells, truly a master. I met him 3 years ago, truly humble and kind......the man Steve Vai calls "the best ever."

Another great Eric Johnson track is “Manhattan”. Its crazy groovy and builds up a beautiful atmosphere.

I watched Mr. Johnson play Rockefellers in the Houston Heights 6 or 7 shows . Many times with stage side tables. He is a stand up guy. One night he was playing two sets. We were front and center for both shows. After the first show, one of the attendees tried to walk off with his slide. I stopped him, called his roadie over and gave him the slide. After the second show, Mr. Johnson treated us to signed, tshirts, CDs and a signed sweatshirt. He was very quiet, very polite. He has many great tunes. SRV, Manhattan, Zap, you guys nailed it. He isn't a noodler or a pure shredder. He understands and plays a melody that few can rival. Great review. Catch him live if you get the chance.

Our hometown boy! Have lost track of how many times I’ve seen him live over the last 35 years and it’s spot on every time. A master of his craft. Did some home renovations for him back in the late 80’s Great guy Thanks for hitting this.

Makes it look almost effortless and definetly one of the finest I've heard. I'd rate him in with Yngwie Malmsteen, David Gilmour, and Brian May, to name just a few.

Best clean tone in rock n roll. Got to see him live in 1989 when he was just getting popular. Got to do Zapp.

"Tommy Bolin- 1 word, greasy 🔥 1) "People People" (off "Tease" circa 75) 2) Dealer- with Deep Purple(replaced Blackmore for 75''s " Come Taste the Band" Tasty!! 3 ) Stratus- With Billy Cobham(Mahavishnu drummer) circa 73 from groundbreaking Jazz- Rock Fusion album " Spectrum" Love you guys!!!

I heard this three times back in grad school circa 1978. The DJ never said who it was. I was mesmerized, stunned, brain agape. For years I carried that incredible musical hook around in my memory. I would sing/hum it to people a few times a decade hoping SOMEONE would recognize it. Nothing. I thought of it a few times a month, then a few times a year. Sometime, maybe 2010 or so the thought occurred that I would die and never know who played that incredible guitar. Once I thought it, life became a bit darker. About a year ago, I just could not stand it anymore and I turned to The WNEW Radio 104.3 Where Rock Lived in New York City Fan Club and explained my sorrow. Who in the late 1970s recorded the most amazing guitar instrumental. Suggestions began to pour in. I would call up the songs on KZfaq and be disappointed. But then suggestion #14 came in: "Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson. I felt a chill. Cliffs of Dover. no recognition. Eric Johnson. Never heard of him but maybe I DID hear the name way back. I searched it. There it was. With the first couple of bars the tears were actually flowing. OMG. this is it. When the hook came the first time, those sublime notes that I had never forgotten were there sounding better than I could have ever imagined. I intend to die happy.

Never saw or heard this song before, but dang it was awesome, he is an excellent guitarist. Thank you!

So smooth and so amazingly talented. EJ is definitely in my top ten favorite guitarists. Love this song! I haven’t seen y’all ever react to Joe Bonamassa….. Anything off of his Live At The Royal Albert with video would WOW you! With that said, if you want to hear killer blues vocals and absolute guitar shredding, start with Id Rather Go Blind from Joe And Beth Live From Amsterdam. Beth Hart puts her entire body, heart and soul into her vocals and Joe Bonamassa does one of, if not the best live guitar solos I’ve ever witnessed! If you think you’ve ever heard a better female blues singer YOU ARE WRONG!! Check it out…..

You've introduced me to something/someone I haven't heard before--and LOVE right out of the gate. Thanks for sharing this one. And, you both look #dapper!

Try "All along the watchtower", he simply does the Hendrix arrangement note by note and places his own vision of the song from the middle to the end. You won´t regret it.

I f-ing _LOVE_ rock instrumentals. This is going on my playlist w/ Frankenstein, YYZ, Hocus Pocus and Outta Space. I had never heard of this song _OR_ Eric Johnson before. I'm definitely gonna check out more of his stuff. Thanx for introducing him to me.

I lived in Austin for most of the 80's and saw him & SRV live twice (each)... Eric Johnson indoors at the Paramount Theatre downtown was practically like the Beatles in terms of the crowd going nuts. He might've been wearing that jacket, too. I agree 100% that he's more melodic than most other shredders. A favorite for me, but it's also because I'm from nearby the area originally.

Eric is known as a perfectionist. Takes him forever to put out a new album, because everything must be perfect.

Eric is a master of technic and melody. The emphasis on Melody.

“Trail of Tears” from this Austin City Limits performance or “Desert Rose” are incredible

One of my all-time favorite instrumentals! Amazing!

I have never understood why Eric Johnson wasn't so much bigger than he was. He has an extensive catalog, but when it comes to a discussion of guitar virtuosos it's always Hendrix, SRV, Van Halen, and - Eric who?

Its so clean you could eat off it bro. There will never be another live performance like this. Truly special in nearly every way. Most people dont have the ability to understand how difficult it is to sound like this. Play the notes? Sure. But pull it off cleanly like this? One in a billion.

What’s fascinating about EJ is that while he is an incredible shredder, in many of his songs his guitar playing is more subdued but equally impressive and usually even more melodic. So many great songs, including: Righteous Desert Rose Zap Soulful Terrain Bloom Trademark Forty Mile Town High Landrons Nothing Can Keep Me From You Venus Isle

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A &A FAMILY!! ☮️❤️♾️

Eric Johnson is a master. I saw him open for the Steve Miller Band in the summer of 1991. What a night!!!!

You guys should check out Europa by Carlos Santana. Another long, beautiful guitar solo.

I've listened and played music all my life, but I had never heard of Eric Johnson before. I was switching channels and saw this concert on our local PBS station. Amazing. I had a chance to see him and Joe Satriani in concert together in SF.

The action on that guitar must be insane... I love watching him. I've been to 3 of his live gigs ... front and center... I swear he barely touches those strings... he's a string whisperer.

I used to watch Eric at a local bar in Houston. His band The Electromagnets would do a week at the place every month or so. I'd be 8 feet away watching him night after night. What an unbelievable experience. Folks down here in Texas are pretty proud of the fellow.

Thank you for this. I had never heard of him and I am glad I listened to this. When you said 'Effortless' the first thing that went through my mind was 'There is a reason they call Eric Clapton Slowhand'. When you master your instrument, you make the difficult look easy.

A few things to note to put this in context. I first saw this ACL episode in 1991 after Ah Via Musicom was released in 1990. This ACL show was actually recorded Dec 14, 1988. The recording sessions for AVM went from March 1988 to June 1989. The first time I heard this live performance, after playing the album cut THOUSANDS of times, I thought the sound was really good but there were places where he didn't quite "stick the landing" between parts. However, after seeing this was recorded PRIOR to the album release, it is clear it was still a work in progress for the ACL show. In fact, Cliffs of Dover was a work in progress since about 1984. There is ANOTHER episode of ACL from 1984 or 1985 (even prior to Tones being released in 86) where he also performs it. For us mortals, that made me feel a LITTLE bit better that this song didn't just drop out of the sky through his fingers to sound as good as the album cut. That version reflects literally six YEARS of refinement.

The best thing about this channel is that you guys NEVER interrupt a performance! So many reactors kill the momentum of the song. Keep up the great work.

I think ‘Trail of Tears’ from this same live show is even better. Also, ‘Lonely in the Night’ from the Venus Isle record has one of the most beautiful EJ solos I’ve ever heard. ‘Manhattan’ is also a classic(!) but knowing you guys’ love for Stevie Ray Vaughan, I would check out his tribute from ‘G3 Live’😎🎸, ‘SRV’!

I’m so happy you guys are finally getting a sponsor! Congratulations and keep doing what you do! Love the video.

I saw Eric Johnson play in Chicago. My wife bought tickets on a visit and I didn’t know who he was. I was shocked when he started playing. It was like listening to one of the classical guitarists I heard as a kid. The venue was filled with guitarists. It was experience I won’t forget.

O.K. If you like this, YOU HAVE TO DO A REACTION TO JEFF BECK live at the Crossroads Festival doing "Big Block"! Not only is Jeff's playing incredible, but there is off-the-charts awesome drumming and bass on the track as well. The man is a fucking magician!!

I don't think I have ever said this about rock & roll guitar before. In the purest sense of the word, this was pretty. So clean, so immaculate...

My introduction to Eric Johnson was the Guitar Gods Concert at the Hollywood Bowl many years ago (1996). Concert had Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, & Steve Vai. Had not heard of him prior to concert. I was so impressed with Eric's playing and the sounds he got out of his guitar that I bought his "Battles We Have Won" album the next day and played the hell out of it!

To me Eric Johnson and Tina S. have the two deadliest right hands in guitar. The precision and speed of their pick hands is just supernatural. And their left hands are pretty spectacular also!

IMHO, the best rock guitar instrumental of all time. His use of melody is incredible, things you just don't hear from other guitarist....very out of the box. And his tone....His TONE!!! My favorite over driven tone!

Eric is so committed to his "sound" that he even developed his own line of batteries for all of his pedals. Hit Steve Vai next Correction on the batteries, he prefers Duracell for the sound.

Very cool in the freedom shack today. That's the only tune I'm familiar with of his, but really enjoyed it. Congrats on the subs and sponsor!😊

Love Eric Johnson, first time was on Austin City Limits. So many artists came to me on that show. It was so good in the old days.

I was blessed to see Eric play when this album came out. Third row Tampa Theater One of the best shows I've ever experienced

This guy is awesome. Very overlooked, he puts out music that is refreshing and just outright fun to listen to.

Eric Johnson is the best tone I have ever heard. So clean.

Really glad you all reacted to EJ. This video is from over 30 years ago, but Eric is still producing music. This video is from Austin City Limits on PBS, the longest running music show on American television. Being from Austin I've been fortunate to see Eric many times over the years, both in concert and record store appearances. For your next reaction I highly recommend the studio version of "Desert Rose"!!!! Two phenomenal solos by Eric on that, and it actually follows "Cliffs of Dover" as the next track on the Au Via Musicom album.

I've seen Eric Johnson 4 times and he's always incredible. The last time in 2019 he played a solo acoustic set with 4 song on the grand piano. Some of his best songs are: 'SRV', 'Manhattan', 'Desert Rose', 'Zap', 'Trademark', 'Friends', 'Pavilion', and 'Venus Isle', plus many more.

An amazing performance. I'm living at my 34th address in places all over the world, but I lived over a third of my life in the Great State of Texas. For those not familiar with Texas, and Austin in particular, they'd probably miss how wonderful it was to see both the State Capitol of Texas and the Texas Tower on the campus of the University of Texas in the background of this video. Gave me goosebumps.

So I'm a 62 year old who also first heard this on Guitar Hero, playing with my kids, just wishing I could have been this guy or at least been able to play like him. Just amazing, so fun to see him play and listen to his music!

I bought this this album (Ah Via Musicom) 32 years ago when it came out after my guitar teacher recommended it. I've been recommending since, but it wasn't until Guitar Hero before everyone "suddenly" realized Eric is a damn virtuoso genius. Great reaction guys. 🤘

Great performance! Very smooth, precise and innovative. Thanks for showing this.😊👏👍😎🎸

First time I heard this song it was echoing through downtown Houston during a live performance, Epic Epic !

I saw Eric play a whole set live, including cliffs of Dover in a small club in North Little Rock a few years back. I was transfixed on him, couldn't take my eyes off of him and his playing, phenomenal! And the kicker was he was only 15 feet in front of me the whole time. The club was Juanita's Cantina.

Glad y'all got a sponsor. I'll definitely check out Unbound Merino!

bugger - took me about two months to get this tune out of my head after watching this over and over again - and now its back in ! thanks

Oh, I enjoyed his shows at 120 Portland, Houston. With his band, the Electromagnets. Marvelous.

Austin City Limits ruled in the day. So many good moments and memories from that show. Thanks for sharing.

Love that you guys have sponsors! Over 120k subs! Great reaction today. One I had never seen. So amazing and made my day❤️

Super nice guy too. If you look at his current Eric Johnson Mini Lesson he is as nice and real as he was when I was fortunate to meet him. I got to see Eric in 1984 for 2 nights at the Avalon Ballroom in Manhattan, KS. He is the best guitarist in my opinion, his tone, chops and presence. He touches a guitar and beauty falls out or the speakers. I heard snippets of his future works in his solos and songs at that time. He and I would have been your ages now A&A, and he sounded incredible then. Billy Gibbons was talking about this Austin Texas boy who could play when everyone was into Eddie VH and Mick, Waters, you name it. If Eric is not the best, he is easily one of the best. Just search for his mini lessons. That is the guy and how he works tones, keys, scales, and attack. THANK YOU for covering this one guys!

I saw EJ years ago in a small club in SF. BLEW. MY. FRIGGIN’. MIND!!

This song is beautiful. No wonder he won an award got this performance 🔥🔥

My guitar teacher turned me on to a live album of his from the early 2000’s called “Alien Love Child”. Great album, I’ve been a fan ever since.

November 16, 1991. University of Toledo. Eric Johnson opened for Rush. I will never forget that concert

Amazing guitar player, he is so underrated and most people don't even know who he is. He is a multi-instrumentalist so guitar is not the only instrument he excels at. He is also an excellent vocalist. Please react to more of his body of work. Thank you.

Eric Johnson - Nice! Check out his 'Tones' album - not a bad song on that record. Start with 'Off My Mind', 'Soulful Terrain' or 'Zap'. RIP Burke Shelley

Eric is so good and has one of the most unique tones in the business. Instantly recognizable as soon as you hear a note. If you want a great one with a good mix of him on vocals and guitar then “Lonely in the Night” is a must. You will thank me for the guitar run around 4:38 alone that brings you up and back down. Incredible. Disclaimer: I will say it took me a few listens to get used to his voice, also unique, so be prepared for that. Also, if you want to be blown away by the work of Allan Holdsworth check out “Soft Machine - Hazard Profile Part 1”. You won’t regret it one bit. Edit: Not sure why the time is hyperlinked but disregard that. That’s a reference to the EJ song I mentioned (album version). You’ll know it when you hear it anyway.

I was at a small club in st louis and saw him. Stood right on a small dance floor dead center and was mesmerized.

Roy Buchanan's The Messiah Will Come Again is another iconic guitar instrumental...

Had the great pleasure to see him live many years ago in Houston. Beato also has great videos with him. Your some pretty great kids. Keep it up.

Austin Texas Legend. Zap is another good jam by Eric Johnson. This song and Zap had heavy rotation here in Austin on the local rock stations. Another thing that makes Eric great.....He's a primo example of a cool Texan.....Very laid back and super cool to talk to. Very humbled fella

Sure wish you guys would revisit EJ! His cover of "Are you experienced " from the same concert is SPECTACULAR to say the least!

OMG You guys got a sponsor!! I'm so proud! And it's a quality company! GJ!! ♥♥♥ Fun video - Eric is F'ing incredible.... and so cute!

Tasteful guitarist with so much tone and clarity on any electric or acoustic... easily my favorite player due how many styles and genres he can cross and sound right at home in it. Desert Rose, Trademark, Song For George, Zap, A Song For Life, Lonely In The Night, Venus Isle, When the Sun Meets The Sky, Winter Came just to name a few heck I even suggest his cover of Simon and Garfunkle's 'April Come She Will'.

Absolute banger. Looking forward to hearing your review!

This is what guitarists aspire to be.... Thanks guys for the reaction!!