I discovered guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson on one of the G3 concerts that I own. He is featured on G3: Live in Concert, and from there, I also discovered his project Alien Love Child. It was an easy choice to make, picking up this copy of Eric Johnson Live in Austin, Texas. Johnson was born and raised in Texas, so this was a coming home concert for this guitar prodigy. This December 14th, 1988 concert was released both on DVD and CD with the same set list. This review covers the CD. Johnson is accompanied on stage by Tommy Taylor on drums and Kyle Brock on bass.

The concert begins well enough with a guitar extravaganza of Righteous which is just a showcase for Johnson's considerable talent. On the second song Love or Confusion, Johnson sings lead vocals as well as guitar. My one major fault with Eric Johnson is that he cannot sing. I don't mean that he sings out of tune, it's just that he has a weak voice that isn't suited to singing. It lacks depth, and I believe he would do better to let someone else sing vocals.

Steve's Boogie is a jaunty country like song with fast paced country sounding guitar licks. Trail of Tears travels to an almost eastern mystical place, and has an ethereal dream like quality to it. Lots of harmonics can be heard in this song, and it sounds great, until Johnson starts to sing again. I would have liked this better if it was left as an instrumental.

Western Flyer a jazz like instrumental with more of Johnson's guitar abilities on display. East Wes continues in the instrumental vein with a decidedly jazz like feel to it. Both are mellow songs.

C.W. is a quick country western flavored guitar solo. I was expecting to hear Hoss and Little Joe.

Camel's Night Out returns to extended guitar soloing. My problem at this point is that the songs are beginning to blend together in a similar manner, with no one song sounding significantly different from another.

Emerald Eyes continues in the mellow jazz rock vein, but Johnson sings again, and I just don't like his voice. Cliffs of Dover is another instrumental. Desert Rose continues with more mellow but great playing accompanied by Johnson's lackluster vocals. Zap is a five and half minute guitar jam, my problem is that by now, I am really rather bored because although Johnson is technically proficient, the songs just don't seem very creative. (All the songs here are written by Eric Johnson)

He ends the show with a cover of Jimi Hendrix's Are You Experienced? I missed Hendrix's raspy voice over his magical Stratocaster. Johnson plays the song in a more mellow fashion with his mellow vocals. It is a competent cover, it just isn't a very exciting cover.

I do enjoy listening to this concert when I just want to relax or mellow out, but when I really want to listen to Johnson's more exciting guitar stuff, I listen to his concerts with G3 or Alien Love Child

Summary I really like Eric Johnson as a guitar god, he is quite talented and easily stands besides the company of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. However, music has to be more than just guitar sometimes, and I did feel this show was lacking in really great songs, and Johnson's weak vocals distract from his excellent playing. Although Johnson's guitar playing skills are an easy five stars, this concert is really on the average side.

For a review of this concert on DVD
Eric Johnson Live from Austin, TX - DVD

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