Eric Johnson - Desert Rose
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Eric Johnson with Kyle Brock and Tommy Taylor performing "Desert Rose" on December 14th, 1988 . This performance is available on the New West records CD and DVD entitled "Eric Johnson Live from Austin Texas". Original studio version is available on the Capitol Records CD entitled "Ah Via Musicom". Check out ericjohnson.com and officialericjohnson for Merchandise, Tour Information, Music and More!
it is a pity that one of the greatest guitarists of the last decades is unknown to many people
Agreed! I guess it is our job to spread the word.
Set some guitars on fire 🔥 that might help.. I agree the guys phenomenal
Last decades? No, of all time
Agree
@@Jaco4e IMO, it's between Eric and SRV. Most underrated guitarist ever is Eric, although he wrote and played the greatest guitar solo ever...It makes no sense.
I hate to add the obvious, but what is so impressive and amazing about EJ’s playing is not simply the accuracy and endurance of his long fast runs, but that he uses all those blazing notes musically. So many hacks try to impress with fast shredding, but it’s rarely musical. Eric’s phrasing and slight pauses and slow downs in between the fast runs is his genius and is rarely matched. Almost no other player can deliver that many notes so fast and actually produce a beautiful song, even those that try to copy him. EJ’s melodies subtly emerge from like every 5 or 10 notes, and he knows our ears will catch it, while still being pleased from the decoration of the rest of them.
Beautifully put, I think you are on point about his hummingbird quick lightning lines being so musical and enchanting. Yes it's true magic what he does, I'm not really sure if I've heard any other guitarist pull off what he plays. Yes, the phrasing is lights out genius and thank you for the comment on the pauses/rests and slight ritards. I hadn't really realized just how important they are to sort of "framing" the melodies for our ears to catch, yes yes! The ear can't assimilate notes in a constant barrage, he has taken that into account beautifully. We all have heard them, the virtuoso speed merchants, who at times sound like they are playing nothing but scales/modes nonsensically noodling. Even when they are attempting to copy him, the head and heart are sometimes disengaged from the hands. Really love your idea of subtle emergence of the melodies in 5-10 notes, truly I tend to just enjoy the musical bliss and haven't analyzed him in that much detail. I now hear those nice motifs interspersed between the lightning runs. Hmmm, I'm now thinking of hummingbirds again, the way they feed, then fly off is much like this. Thanks for insights-EJ is such a legend!
Simply put, EJ is the king of sweeps. I've been trying to play guitar for 30 something years. (translation: I hardly ever play, but this guy inspires me to pick up my acoustic just for fun.) I don't know where this guy comes from but GD, so fucking inspired. EJ, I saw you open for Rush on the Presto tour circa '90 at the Rochester War Memmorial. Still in awe 34 years later.
Wait this guy can sing AS WELL?!?!? Seriously one of the most talented musicians
also he's originally a piano player i think
@@bazzmx like eddie :O
The Best!! Love Eric's Positive And Bright sounding Music! Seen Eric Several times! Epic Showman and So Humble and Soft Spoken! Absolutely Fantastic!
Eric's singing is no where near the level of his guitar chops.
@@AlexZander688 Not many people's singing is.
The talent. The hair. This man truly has God on his side and he's a gift for us all.
funny he says the same thing about himself. He says that he can't take credit for writing songs like cliffs of dover cause it came from a divine power.
Amen
As a kid growing up in the 80’s and "feathering” my hair back I totally agree his hair is on another level here...and his playing isn’t too bad either 🤪
Eric Johnson’s emotive guitar style is beautiful,very violin like......His hair is very similar to Johnny Rzeznik’s- from the goo goo dolls.. around the late 90’s.....
Broke Dick Dawg lol
His clean tone is unmatched. His dirty tone is incredibly clean. His style and technique are recognizable after a single note. His songwritting talent is immense. He has a great voice as well. And as if all that isn't enough - he owns that glorious jacket and that glorious hair.
Eric Johnson is a gift from universe that we didn't deserve, but boy oh boy, am I glad we got him!
Can't agree with you more!! EJ is G.O.A.T. guitarist. There are many great guitarists but the sheer quality, talent and brilliance without resorting to too much of pedals and gizmos is the hallmark of Eric's style. He is truly God's gift to humanity.
White cliffs of dover just floored me. Incredible and quite a sultry voice too.
I thought Cliffs of Dover was the most difficult song by Eric, until I started learning this one. My Gosh how was he able to play like this in between singing and switching pedals? Absolutely amazing.
Pingshan Luan because of his freak spider fingers. Lol
how does he do it for 2 hours straight !
uh trail of tears and lonely in the night rank up very high as well.
Pingshan Luan how “was he?” He still does it lmfao! He’s 65 and a badass!
MAÏTÉ MILLER I couldn’t believe for his age how awesome he is still, saw him live earlier this month and it was still unreal!
The two solos on this song are two reasons to go on living, all by themselves. We love you, Eric.
He plays the first one and you think "WHOA!" and then he drops the outro solo like a bomb.
@@tiktokyt yup. Itʻs almost like that first solo is an appetizer.
Got Jesus for that, but I know exactly what you mean. Go on living . . . large, if permissible.
Absolutely nobody plays like him. He’s the tone master. 🎶
Eric gales is The new Eric Johnson
His style is utterly unique, period.
@@mvhax2ftw352 how tf is he the ‘new’ Eric Johnson? Stupidest comment I’ve read today for sure.
EJ is alive btw…
@@SwingCritic141 Listen to eric gales, he revolutionized eric johnsons sound.
So, f**kin' clean... impossibly clean
One thing unique to EJ is how he pops in an effect or amp for just a measure or two, sometimes just for a note or two. Crazy skill and concentration. It is amazing.
P Frank I think Santana does the same thing
That's why many of us are into his music I like to think so
The Tone Poet!
3:06 ~3:09
When this song hits you, it feels like you're touring back in time. Thank you, Eric, for your existence in the guitar world.
This is the peak of Eric johnson.
Good Forever he was on fire
When you see his 1984 Austin City Limits compared to this it’s like he’s ten times better!
Check out him in the Electromagnets, he was amazing in the late 70's.
@@Michaelgracon took my g/f [rip theresa] summer '83 ej opened for srv..it was an off-world guitar battle..insane. best of times
Eric ( like EVH) has his own immediately recognizable tone and sound. Nobody else sounds like Eric. Seen him twice in concert and blew me away.
I remember the first time I heard an Eric Johnson song, trademark ,the reason I've been playing guitar for 10 years. changed my life
Fuck yes. He changed my life too. Desert Rose and Lonely in the Night still give me full on goosebumps!!
Fuck yes to the fuck yes.
:)
First time I heard Cliffs of Dover it made me buy a guitar. Been playing about 7 years now. Best decision ever. EJ is my musical hero.
Dave - that's awesome man!! I was already playing when I came across Cliffs, but I immediately got a hold of all of his stuff and kind of never stopped listening. I was 14 at the time, and I'm 26 now. More in love than ever!!
Man oh man that bend at 3:20 is so. freaking. sweet.
Man, I know! I got genuinely chills up my neck when he hit that bend. What a guitarist.
David gilmour love that bend
You ain't lyin! A true master...
The guitar on the chorus is just beautiful, what a great, underrated song.
There's a guitarist who never thought, "that's good enough".
I think his perfectionism was his biggest setback. You can see in his first solo break how a slight mistake or tone issue throws him off a little. I think he has spoken about how his obsessiveness resulted in taking ages to release new music.
@@david34802 spot on
@theburningfield Plus why his tones are so unique when he switches signal chains.
I read where Jeff Beck called up George Martin to do a retake on one of the tunes on "Blow by Blow" after the record was already pressed. Same perfectionism.
My memory back to 1989 when first time to found his Ah Via Mucicom cassette on local music store..That was a beautiful day!
1990.
same!!! but for me was around late '93ish. Played it on my Sanyo m9935k boombox in my truck (6-D batteries) as I could not afford a car stereo. Memories
@@gregtoolson1606 Yup, 1990 thx for your correction
Can you imagine having that much focus? Singing, playing and knowing exactly when to stomp your pedals. Outstanding!
Bar bands do it every night across America.
@@davidb1973 I take it you don’t play music. Musicians use muscle memory while ‘thinking’ about the song. We don’t consider each and every move separately like a machine.
That guitar will need CPR after that. Totally shredded.
I really want to draw attention to how spot-on Eric's pitch is. All this time I thought he only played guitar but it's blowing my mind how awesome his voice is too.
There's not been a truly unique, one-of-a-kind guitar player like EJ since. All other "shredders" sound the same. But no one sounds like EJ.
dude has not heard of marty friedman or jason becker
The first solo on the album version of Desert Rose is probably for me the most impressive EJ solo. It's just so eclectic and obviously his playing is impossibly proficient. But with this live version it's the second solo that stands out. That bebop jazz run at 4:05 is immaculate. And the perfect wah accentuation at 4:39. And of course he nails the last note pinch harmonic.
Couldn’t agree more
I saw his show opening for Joe Satriani in '96, A powerhouse of talent presented 👏🏻
Perhaps Eric is the guitarist with the most unique sound and style. He's so underrated!
Watching im 2020
King Edward.
3:50 this part made my heart melt, so fricking good!
All I got to say is we should be grateful we are alive at the same time as EJ and able to see and hear him play.
Blistering tone ! Incredible version !
For me it's utterly real that so many people mention God in relation to his playing. He is tight and nervous in the first solo but you can feel the energy building, and in the second solo it's like he tunes into the Divine after 3:00 and I can never listen to it without being reduced to tears and an actual memory of heaven.
His first manager was from his home neighborhood and told me that sometimes other bands would be practicing when he started to do his own practice routine, and that they would stop playing to listen to him. That really says it all.
Dear Eric I am 64yrs old and I hope you know JC. so you will be in paradise to play for us you are the best player I have ever heard bar none you have been blessed to have a talent like you have and your humility is great people please give this man a listen God bless keep on playing
@@davidbrothers8504 Amen brother! I want to listen to him on the other side!🙏
This is hands down my favorite live guitar solos video ! As if the first solo isn't crazy......the second one is insane ! Best live performance ever in my book !
Mine's Cliffs of Dover.
There is nothing more badass than a lead singing lead guitarist
Also David Gilnour, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Rik Emmett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Prince, Steve Miller etc etc etc..........
@@joeblow4785 James Hetfield
Why thank you.
ua-cam.com/channels/MgevEkujQUerxvNqYNJ8PQ.html
@@Abenson1983he's a rythme guitarist most of the time
@@uvuvwevwevweonyetenyevweug2953 yes
The most amazing guitar player this world has seen....ej you're amazing...
Check out 9 year old yoyo doing cliffs of dover!! Incredible!!!
Out of this world. GENIUS.
How can such a beautiful song kick so much ass?! Love how he gets on his tip toes!
I love this man also ... I'm 70 years old this past June. Such a beautiful expression this man is in this dark dismal world ....Born to fly .....I wish I had heard him sooner....I don't have the words to express the effect of his music on my spirit. K.R.
And he parks the effing song on a harmonic hand brake...last note, astounding. To get through the whole song with vocals and crazy guitar and then just park it. Makes me think he's really nutted this out and knows where every note must be, when it comes in, when it changes and when it stops, all in time and all live. Eric Johnson.
The master class has begun.
Eric is just so amazing. He's in my top four favourite guitarists list along with Steve Hackett, Alex Lifeson, and David Gilmour.
Same... perfect list
top Electric guitarists : Holdsworth, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse, Shawn Lane, Brett Garsed, Reb Beach. Wtf “Hackett”? Technique isnt everything but Dude has the dexterity of an arthritic nonagenarian
Jani Liimatainen
Your selection of players goes to show that more isn't necessarily better. Thanx. I must say my all time favorite was Clarence White, he was taken from us way too soon.
Ummmmm, Stevie Ray?
Always awesome! Fantastic!!
This still amazes me- now 2 years later and I am still watching Eric performance
Eric and Jeff Beck are in a class by themselves. Tone masters.
Eric Johnson would have blown Jimi Hendrix mind.
Totally agree!
No doubt Jimi blew his!!!
2 different styles
💯🎸
@@nathanclaflin4352 2 different styles but both innovators with magic that flows from those fingers onto 6 strings that can be hypnotic and intoxicating. Can you imagine if Hendrix was still with us today....WOW!!!
Absolutely loved this album when it came out. What a gifted player and a nice voice as well!!!
Highly underrated and in fact almost forgotten...but never an another Eric there will be
I don't think you can call someone"forgotten"when his recent albums/videos have over 1 mil views.
When I listen to Eric Johnson ........so does my whole neighborhood !
NAILED IT!!!!
The first time I heard this I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing. After probably a couple thousand listens, it still is a revelation.
Such an iconic musician. Truly a genius
Raw talent ❤
This we see once every 50 years if we're lucky 😊
That Austin dvd is a classic. Great sound and energy. Fine performances all around. My favorite version of Cliffs.
This is a work of art, a lesson in using tone changes, and an outstanding solo. Oh. My.
Eric Johnson, Please Return to Las Vegas NV! You are Awesome!!
Where do I start with EJ, ive been playing guitar for around 15 years and ive always known about EJ but its only in recent years that ive properly got into listening to his music. I started listening to his live performances and I couldnt get my head around his feel. This is clearly a guy who has serious technical ability but its not just that, just listen to that sound. He would play a fast phrase and then hit a note with a feel that very closely mimics that of a violin which i think is such a cool feature. Then theres his use of chord voicings within his lead playing which is very oftenly overlooked by lead guitarists. I could go on for days about the amazing things this guy does but i remember when i first watched this live version of desert rose. When that final came, my jaw dropped omg, i replayed the performance many times over. Just an amazing player and is definitely one of my absolute favourite players
This and High Landrons are my absolute favorite songs from Ah Via Musicom
I love the way Tommy Taylor tastefully fills when Eric keeps time with that guitar ostinato during verses.
One of the greatest outros to a song ever. I've rewinded it way too many times now. When he hits that wah it sounds like what perfection would sound like
For the most part I quit listening to rock music almost 50 years ago. In my opinion Eric Johnson is best rock guitarist of all time. He has a wicked tone and his solos are the most musical and lyrical of any rock guitarist I ever heard.
I agree
How does this not have more likes?
Absolutely breathtaking performance. It's good to know that SRV wasn't the only giant at Austin City Limts performances.
beautiful song
Waiting For Erick Jhonson in Tucson 2022.
Gotta appreciate his charisma, self-confidence and just how calm and collected John is while playing these hard songs live. Wish John all the best in life, he deserves it!
Got to see him live what a treat
I asked for this song and he starting singing it and saying sting owes him money.
Growing up ...with this song..eric J...guitar technique far different from others....one of a kind
Superhuman, wow.
I love how much of a tone freak Eric Johnson is, it feels as if there is like 5 different guitars going at it. He sure can sing and make that guitar sing!
God given talent of true artistry and composition style. Anyone can learn to play quickly. Not everyone can write music like this.
Great song and Eric is incredible on guitar. His guitar skills are absolutely world class!
His humility and soft-spokenness are as beautiful and impressive as his talent and chops.
When I've seen him in person, he's always like, "I'm not really where I wanna be with this next piece; hopefully next time I see you I'll have it more where I'd like it to be...but I hope this gives you an idea." (then he launches into something spellbinding)
There aren't many guitarists that provide blistering shred and emotional musicality like Johnson for me.
This is unreal.
Man, this was why. Trully, a new brilliant voice in virtuosic guitar-based pop music.
that sustained bend at 3:20 is unreal
I was just replaying the same note!! That bend must be like 3 steps!!WTF!?
He would have to use light but strong gauge strings.
My first strat hero 🔥🔥🔥
this is an absolute masterpiece
I'll have to confess I've never been a Jimi Hendrix fan... although I appreciate his talent. But Eric Johnson... wow.
the pentatonic genius !
This look like a early 90/2000s song
Its ahead of its time
this is a master in his element.. the timing. the tone. the phrasing. I mean he's hitting every tone in his rig on this one.. the twins, the dumble sss with fuzz and without fuzz his tube driver into the marshalls with the wah.. damn bad ass!
Always come back to this when we want to remember why we started playing
Very clean picking,speeding and smooth soft sound through output in to our hear,you are amazing ej,..best regards from your fan from 1994 in 2018👍😎👍
Soooo clean.
Incredible
Masterful!
Superb🎉And the vocal work is incredible! 🤹♂️
One of my favorite songs of all time!
Eric is such an artist, and such a humble human being,
What a gift to humanity, my friend, Eric Johnson.
I'm so glad I stumbled on this. I cannot believe a young lady has old men leaving the type of comments I've seen. I watch mimi because I get a kick out of seeing young people loving guitar. I have a daughter roughly the same age, and this terrifies me. Don't let it get to you, if you enjoy doing what you are doing and you make a living from it, then you have already accomplished more than many ever will in their whole life's. 👍
the chorus and the supporting melody is something i could listen to all day and never get tired
I recall doing a Masters degree listening to this album, I put a dedication in my dissertation to Eric Johnson.
The solo section at the end of this is amazing! It sounds like two or three great guitarists trading licks…
Absolute legend!
We love you ERIC your are so talented you and your music brings so much joy and happyness to our lives thank you god bless .ZORBA NJ
One of the greatest performances of all time.
God was showing off when he created this Talented Man. Not only gorgeous bus so good. Love him
saw eric n colorado springs co 1990 ....played 3 hrs straight....walked out of club n a daze....lik i just had very real heaven on earth experience....20 yrs later this video brings back the heavenly feeling n chill bumps...im 70 now...play guitar daily ...my life n spirit was reborn witnessing this godly talent lend his talent to us earthies. tks eric!
Do yourself a favor, if you can. He is still touring and just as awesome. He is older now and has to break up his sets but still a great experience.
Saw eric at the backroom when I was 13 years old. Changed my life forever. 🗽
Not only is Eric amazing on the guitar, he has an outstanding voice!
in grade school, I received a cassette of ah via musicom album from my brother. I have been a fan ever since.
the balls to go for that harmonic on the last note. eric u play with precision and care that is unmatched. thank you for what youve done for guitar