A touch of the guitar genius tonight, as we are back at one of my favourite venues, the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, to catch Eric Johnson on his Texaphonic UK tour. I’ve seen Satriani & Vai a few times over the years, but this is the first time I’ve managed to catch Eric, which might be because he has not been here in over 10 years, and it did not disappoint. I would not expect any less from a Grammy Award winner and a man who has done the G3 tours alongside Satriani & Vai. This quiet man from Texas plays a different game to the two other genius guitarists mentioned.

There is a totally different vibe from Eric, as you hear right away when he launches into the groove-laden “Righteous” from the fabulous Ah Via Musicom, featuring Tal Bergman on drums and Daniel Kimbro on bass – a killer rhythm section who more than keep the head going and the feet tapping. A killer start for tonight before he launches into seductive guitar tones on “S.R.V.” from Venus Isle. Eric’s playing, I think, has more feeling than his aforementioned two guitar compadres; there is no flash, no flare, just an obvious feel for the guitar as you watch him play. Just fabulous.

We actually get to hear the voice now on “40 Mile Town”, a song that plays about in my mind with its gentle guitar playing and the subtle drums from Tal, along with those bass tones from Daniel. I have to say this song reminds me a bit of Dan Reed, who has a similar vocal style with that laid-back guitar – just tremendous. There are some interesting covers in the first set tonight, with the likes of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan”, which was sublime, and the fabulous “Stella by Starlight” from Victor Young, where the Fender goes away as the Gibson comes out for that dirtier tone. That dirty tone stays for “Eb Blues” and “True Heart Blues”.

Eric Johnson (c) Gary Cooper

I have to admit my favourite from the first set was “No Name” – just fabulous guitar work. We had another singing outing in the set with “Friends” (and no, not that one); Eric has a fabulous voice and should use it more. A great song from his Tones album, he ends the first half with a Jimi Hendrix cover in the form of “Axis: Bold As Love”, which I thought was good, but the audience loved it – especially one very vocal fan upstairs along from me who loved everything.

The second set was about half-acoustic, featuring the likes of “Resolution”, “Abelia”, and “Chester”, a fabulous tribute to Chet Atkins. I thought “Song for George” was tremendous; Eric has a fabulous style with the acoustic. Thus endeth the lesson, as the Fender is back out while we head back to the ’50s with that fast-picking “Steve’s Boogie” – absolutely stunning.

We have another reinterpretation in the form of “On Green Dolphin Street”, with both Daniel and Tal letting loose. The vocals come out again with “Desert Rose”, and as I’ve mentioned, he needs to sing more with that voice – another great tune. We close the second set with what else but the Grammy winner “Cliffs of Dover”, and you can see why it’s a winner as the crowd shout their approval when the first notes ring out. A fabulous tune that gets the feet and head going along with Tal’s steady beat and Daniel’s rhythmic bass playing, just fabulous.

We have a short stop off stage before the boys come back for the encore of the fun-packed “Zap”. Tonight was a masterclass in understated guitar playing, delivered with skill and overwhelming feeling – don’t stay away too long next time, Eric. There was only one downside for me tonight, and I might be in the minority: I thought the drums were way too high in the mix and the guitar should have been more prominent, but it did not detract from a fabulous night with a man at the top of his game, and the crowd most definitely loved the whole show.

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Photos by Gary Cooper

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