You've heard him - one of the best session guitarists of this generation. He's mostly in the background, but he started playing solo about ten years ago.
When there's SO much over-stating and over-playing these days, it's so nice to hear a cat who likes to leave lots of space, and isn't afraid to let the groove predominate. Nice.
Too much shred and infinite notes,sweeps, and arpeggios abd not enough taste, phrasing, and tone...there needs to be space and dynamics...you wouldn't want a vocalist scatting and blowing notes throughout the whole tune!
I just found Johnny A when I was drooling over his Gibson signature guitar. I worked for Gibson USA from Oct, 1993 to July, 1995. I built acoustic guitars when I was in high school here in Nashville, TN (1965-67). I was inspired to play guitar for the same reasons as this great guitarist, but never reached his level of proficiency. Very glad to have discovered his music. I have one of his CDs on my wishlist and am trying to figure out how to afford one of those incredible guitars. Rock on Johnny A!
I came across Johnny A. by mistake. So I decided to listen to his hit single you don't love me and I was taken in by it. I'm a fan of Johnny's. A huge fan. I love his style and I love how he puts his heart into it. He kind of reminds me of Stewart Copeland the drummer for The Police. His band mates are also phenomenal. The drummer is kick ass and the bass player is thundurus and throaty which I love so much. Johnny A. you are now in my top five a favorite guitarist. I am very glad I come across you by mistake. I'm having a ear orgasm because of your playing. Keep up the great work Johnny.
First saw Johnny A. about 35 years ago in a bar in Boston playing with his rock band called Hearts on Fire. I noticed him because as I was drinking my beer, I heard the band doing justice to a Hendrix tune. This was rare because almost no one dared to try and cover Hendrix, and I had never heard anyone get his tone right. I immediately asked someone who he was. Of the hundreds of bands I heard in Boston venues in the '80s, his stood out. His style has evolved, but he is still a monster talent.
I agree, this arrangement also caught me off guard. Pretty sure I'm gonna have to find one of his signature Gibson and give it a test drive, a very interesting instrument, sort of a solid/hollow-body sporting a Fender scale length!
Johnny- You are my favorite guitar player. No one can lay it down with your style, tone and finesse. Your "Get Inside" album is fantastic and the sound quality is audiophile quality incredible. Thanks for showing us your talent.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NAYSAYERS (yeah, there's a small handful of ya) At first hearing, as a new Johnny A. fan, and as a longtime Jimi Hendrix fan, I was not particularly taken with this song. Not sure why....I almost expected something grittier, or maybe more heartfelt. But after several listenings, I have come to appreciate Johnny's take on it much more. I mean, what can ya do with Hendrix, right?...his music is rightfully cemented in our collective subconscious mind. Here, Johnny, perhaps paying homage to the great one, inserts much of the tone and vibe, if you will, and some of the trademark riffs found in Jimi's originals. (I say originals, because Jimi always played a song a little different each time) Jimi began with soul and chittlin', found his way to blues and rock, and near the end of his life began to search out more expressive jazz directions; an area never fully realized before his tragic and sudden death. Johnny A., an inventive guitarist unwilling to simply copy Jimi's song "verbatim" (which I am certain he could) instead throws a jazzy feel onto it and maybe, just maybe, takes it somewhere Jimi would have loved to have gone. Good on ya, Mr. Antonopoulos.
Bad Blues Dad as music is a subjective Art and your opinions respected fully; yet, the objectiveness is there to remain which tells us this man has a great musicianship from the beginning to end with his band. The fact you did not catch this from the beginning, proof caught you eventually, is that, to appreciate Art and Music, one must be free and openminded without any prejudgements and recognize the art for itself. That is all. You proved it yourself.
I think you nailed it right on the head. Some purists might say you're disrespecting Jimi, yadax3 but to me a cover is something you take and make it your own yet not forgetting the basic form of the song. I guess to put it simply, he jazzed it up but that's OK....
Love that guitar of his. The Gibson Johnny A model hollow body, powered by humbuckers, is one of the absolute coolest guitar model design that is available. It is a big deal to be sponsored by a guitar company. It is a whole other universe to have them design a model for you and name that model after you. I love mine.
I am a fan of the Beatles,Jimmy Hendrix,the Stones etc..I am 70 and until yesterday I had never heard you playing.Wow,blowing me away is an understatement and I am glad I found you,totally by accident.I think you belong in the same firmament as Eric Clapton,SRV,Michael Landau,Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana,Jimmy Page,Philippe Catherine,Birelli Lagrene,Kenny Burell,Eddy Van Halen and Django Reinhart.I am curious to know where were you playing and with whom,when you were younger?
I bought the tablature book of his album "Get inside". I gave up after trying one or two tunes. That was like 2-3yrs ago. Think I'm going to give it another try.
I have been looking to buy my next ES style guitar and I see the Epi Johhny A getting rave reviews and anyone who isn't a guitar snob know Epi makes some fine instruments these days. Some much better than there Gibby counterparts and at a fraction of the cost. Anyway I have seen Johnny A name associated with guitars for a while and I had never heard him play so I came to You Tube a half hour ago and WOW, he is phenomenal! Add me to his growing list of fans!
he carved a niche in the music world for sure Hendrix meets Chet. I mean Johnny a your envelope filter and Bobby weir was sweet brother!! I hope your doing well, come to Roanoke va and play at the blue 5
It´s cool! But a little bit I miss the feeling and the soul of this tune. It is so clear. In german: Es ist so sauber. Es ist technisch perfekt, aber es fehlt die Seele. Sorry for my bad english.
Great playin'! But that is the funniest version of that song I have ever heard, maybe next to the hilarious solo John McLaughlin plays on his version with Sting. Poor Jimi! Lol.
Just now discovered this sensational guitarist . I must have been living under a rock....
You've heard him - one of the best session guitarists of this generation. He's mostly in the background, but he started playing solo about ten years ago.
Amazing 3 piece band. So tight
When there's SO much over-stating and over-playing these days, it's so nice to hear a cat who likes to leave lots of space, and isn't afraid to let the groove predominate. Nice.
Agreed!
Too much shred and infinite notes,sweeps, and arpeggios abd not enough taste, phrasing, and tone...there needs to be space and dynamics...you wouldn't want a vocalist scatting and blowing notes throughout the whole tune!
I just found Johnny A when I was drooling over his Gibson signature guitar. I worked for Gibson USA from Oct, 1993 to July, 1995. I built acoustic guitars when I was in high school here in Nashville, TN (1965-67). I was inspired to play guitar for the same reasons as this great guitarist, but never reached his level of proficiency. Very glad to have discovered his music. I have one of his CDs on my wishlist and am trying to figure out how to afford one of those incredible guitars. Rock on Johnny A!
I don't know how, but you have torn apart the complexity and soul of Jimi I have never quite heard before.
I came across Johnny A. by mistake. So I decided to listen to his hit single you don't love me and I was taken in by it. I'm a fan of Johnny's. A huge fan. I love his style and I love how he puts his heart into it. He kind of reminds me of Stewart Copeland the drummer for The Police. His band mates are also phenomenal. The drummer is kick ass and the bass player is thundurus and throaty which I love so much. Johnny A. you are now in my top five a favorite guitarist. I am very glad I come across you by mistake. I'm having a ear orgasm because of your playing. Keep up the great work Johnny.
Wow. Not at all what I was expecting. I'm really, truly impressed and even floored by these three musicians. Top shelf stuff right here.
nicely done. uber-talented guitarist not to mention flawless bass & drums. Thx.
Nicely done from the beginning....musicianship!!!
That was amazing
Lookin' good Johnny... and, as always, sounding spectacular!
Thanks for this awesome video. Johnny is one of my favorite players and arrangers. Really fantastic.
First saw Johnny A. about 35 years ago in a bar in Boston playing with his rock band called Hearts on Fire. I noticed him because as I was drinking my beer, I heard the band doing justice to a Hendrix tune. This was rare because almost no one dared to try and cover Hendrix, and I had never heard anyone get his tone right. I immediately asked someone who he was. Of the hundreds of bands I heard in Boston venues in the '80s, his stood out. His style has evolved, but he is still a monster talent.
I love this arrangement - caught me off guard when I first heard the album, but definitely in a good way. Bravo!
I agree, this arrangement also caught me off guard.
Pretty sure I'm gonna have to find one of his signature Gibson and give it a test drive, a very interesting instrument, sort of a solid/hollow-body sporting a Fender scale length!
The more I listened the more I understood the arrangement, I love it. Great Chops too.
Thanks very much. Tasteful, swings.
Johnny- You are my favorite guitar player.
No one can lay it down with your style, tone and finesse. Your "Get Inside" album is fantastic and the sound quality is audiophile quality incredible.
Thanks for showing us your talent.
Awesome🤩
One of my top three favorite guitarists, I love Johnny!
This guy swings so hard. In the pocket band all around. Tasty licks - pure heaven.
Fantastic
My mom's cousin was the bassist of this band! :D We've been going over their songs today and we both reminisced with this song.
There's a live concert somewhere out there from Rockpalast in Germany 2011. Different rhythm section but Johnny is who I came to listen to....🎼🎵🎶🎙🎸🎸🥁
This is the best version I have ever heard and also the only version I will listen to.
Such a strong groove, just found this guy!
wow simply phenomenal!
Hi Johnny, really enjoyed your show at #mim last night, especially the Can’t find my way home piece. Thank you and regards, karly
Never heard of this guy before, but I believe I'll have to check him out some more. Great sound!
He's excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO check him out.
Start with the "Get Inside" CD. Then check out the "Sometime Tuesday Morning" disc.
Delightful Johnny
Great cover! Great guitar playing!!
Thank you for posting. I really enjoyed to hear this and see the performance on this video.
Inspiring and just plane cool
Cool and great playin`!
Love this guy and his talent. I'm a new fan. Keep the good work coming!
Pure class masterpiece
So good Johnny!Happines..
the whole band is great!
Beautiful rendition!
Man, the drums sound especially good. JA is great.
The greatest guitarist I've never heard before.
Incredible Talent!
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NAYSAYERS (yeah, there's a small handful of ya)
At first hearing, as a new Johnny A. fan, and as a longtime Jimi Hendrix fan, I was not particularly taken with this song. Not sure why....I almost expected something grittier, or maybe more heartfelt. But after several listenings, I have come to appreciate Johnny's take on it much more. I mean, what can ya do with Hendrix, right?...his music is rightfully cemented in our collective subconscious mind.
Here, Johnny, perhaps paying homage to the great one, inserts much of the tone and vibe, if you will, and some of the trademark riffs found in Jimi's originals. (I say originals, because Jimi always played a song a little different each time) Jimi began with soul and chittlin', found his way to blues and rock, and near the end of his life began to search out more expressive jazz directions; an area never fully realized before his tragic and sudden death.
Johnny A., an inventive guitarist unwilling to simply copy Jimi's song "verbatim" (which I am certain he could) instead throws a jazzy feel onto it and maybe, just maybe, takes it somewhere Jimi would have loved to have gone. Good on ya, Mr. Antonopoulos.
Bad Blues Dad as music is a subjective Art and your opinions respected fully; yet, the objectiveness is there to remain which tells us this man has a great musicianship from the beginning to end with his band. The fact you did not catch this from the beginning, proof caught you eventually, is that, to appreciate Art and Music, one must be free and openminded without any prejudgements and recognize the art for itself. That is all. You proved it yourself.
I think you nailed it right on the head. Some purists might say you're disrespecting Jimi, yadax3 but to me a cover is something you take and make it your own yet not forgetting the basic
form of the song. I guess to put it simply, he jazzed it up but that's OK....
Saw him open for B.B King years ago, excellent show!
Cool Version!
Didn’t see that coming!! Cool!!
Love that guitar of his. The Gibson Johnny A model hollow body, powered by humbuckers, is one of the absolute coolest guitar model design that is available. It is a big deal to be sponsored by a guitar company. It is a whole other universe to have them design a model for you and name that model after you. I love mine.
Tasty! Nobody has better feel than Johnny A! I hope they're paying him enough to be comfortable, because he deserves it.
SOOOOO TASTY!!! I had to mull this one over, initially, but once it clicked, I was convinced,
What a beautiful guitar..
That bass is sick
He is an amazing player
Wow I never heard him till someone put a video on facebook. Cool playing and love how different it is but very clever.
Bring it on Johnny with an A hope to see ya.
Great show at mim last night!
True Talent, a blissfull tone to your sound
Lovely played.
I saw you a long time ago here in germany. it was brillant.
..with the great john scofield the best i saw on stage guitar playing....😎🎸
Thank You Sir Johnny
Tight Band, Great Playing & Tone.
I am a fan of the Beatles,Jimmy Hendrix,the Stones etc..I am 70 and until yesterday I had never heard you playing.Wow,blowing me away is an understatement and I am glad I found you,totally by accident.I think you belong in the same firmament as Eric Clapton,SRV,Michael Landau,Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana,Jimmy Page,Philippe Catherine,Birelli Lagrene,Kenny Burell,Eddy Van Halen and Django Reinhart.I am curious to know where were you playing and with whom,when you were younger?
I bought the tablature book of his album "Get inside". I gave up after trying one or two tunes. That was like 2-3yrs ago. Think I'm going to give it another try.
check out that bass player at 2:20 - tasty active bass, and the drummer at 3:00 and beyond, so fine.
He's got his schtick, but man he has super clean chops, and creativity.
Evan Bradley qqaqaw
Dig the snap he gets with the hybrid picking. Tastee!
They are all great, but that drummer knows what's going on for sure
smooth jazz with a twist it was a cool arrangement
I commend him for what he does and he has great tone.... not really my cup of tea but I appreciate it....
Awesome
If Jimi switched to jazzy style ...sounds great !
sensacional
By the time the apple falls from the tree, mothers breaths her last breath
A nice player......puts me in mind of Wout Steenhuis..
❤❤❤
I have been looking to buy my next ES style guitar and I see the Epi Johhny A getting rave reviews and anyone who isn't a guitar snob know Epi makes some fine instruments these days. Some much better than there Gibby counterparts and at a fraction of the cost. Anyway I have seen Johnny A name associated with guitars for a while and I had never heard him play so I came to You Tube a half hour ago and WOW, he is phenomenal! Add me to his growing list of fans!
Anyone know what effect he is using from 2:24 ?
+Jason Fajardo Cusack it's been months... but here, it's either a standard wah pedal, or a auto-wah pedal thing.
+Eduardo Cassiano thanks man! if it's normal wah it's a great control of it, that's why i was wondering!
gibson johnny A signature :)
Makin it his own...indeed.
In the pocket
Wow that's awesome O_O
he carved a niche in the music world for sure Hendrix meets Chet. I mean Johnny a your envelope filter and Bobby weir was sweet brother!! I hope your doing well, come to Roanoke va and play at the blue 5
If Jimi Hendrix was Jazz
Amazing playing, love listening to you. Can I ask what make of guitar you have?
curious what brand/model pedal you're using for the auto-wah section? (2:20-3:00)
John "Birds of Fire" McLaughlin,still doing it.
-LordZguitarist-
Que bersiin tan mas ectraña
Was that a wah pedal with just more wah? What do you call it?
Auto wah. Triggered by the attack of the picking.
I know it's a cover version but there is a way of playing those opening chords and rather surprisingly Johnny, that ain't it.
0:50
That aint the way I remember "The wind cries Mary". Sometimes crossing genre' lines doesnt translate. With all due respect, this is one of them.
It´s cool! But a little bit I miss the feeling and the soul of this tune. It is so clear. In german: Es ist so sauber. Es ist technisch perfekt, aber es fehlt die Seele. Sorry for my bad english.
Pretty cool version, but i still prefer the original & Jimi's groove.
Great playin'! But that is the funniest version of that song I have ever heard, maybe next to the hilarious solo John McLaughlin plays on his version with Sting. Poor Jimi! Lol.
why?
solo got eva3t
You don't deserve to play the J-man, sir.
That would be Mr Hendrix you, douche boy.
STFU. You got nothing.
You stehfu, turd boy.
and he still makes this great song sound lame.
WHAT A STINKER ! ...................................... PHEW !
Most boring version ever