| | Eric Johnson Tones CD Eric Johnson Discography of CDs
 (4 Customer Reviews)
Tones, Eric Johnson's first solo album, is an exceptionally strong debut, and a record that is just as good as the guitarist's breakthrough 1990 release Ah Via Musicom. Grouped with long-time compatriots Roscoe Beck and Tommy Taylor, Johnson's trademark composing voice and so-sweet electric guitar are already on full display. True to the album's title, Johnson showcases many different guitar tones, from the violin-like sustain of his trademark distortion to the bell-like timbre of his clean-toned rhythm work. Johnson also sings on five of the nine songs on Tones, and his voice is as competently expressive as ever. The second half of this record is really where it moves from being simply "good" to "great." Emerging from Stephen Barber's almost new-agey Fairlight CMI vamp, "Trail of Tears" kicks into a driving groove punctuated by Johnson's chordal stabs and arpeggios and carried by one of the guitarist's best vocal melodies. The multi-tiered arrangement is also one of the high marks of Johnson's catalog. This track segues in turn into the wonderful "Bristol Shore." This song features Johnson making his guitar sound like a koto as well as throwing in some impossibly in-tune upper-register licks that are played so sweetly they seem to threaten to fly off into the stratosphere (pun intended). The lack of a "Cliffs of Dover," a catchy, driving instrumental showcase for Johnson's chops, does not cheapen Tones in any way. It is a beautiful and important album by one of the greatest electric guitarists ever to pick up the instrument. ~ Daniel Gioffre
Debut album features 9 tracks written or co-written by Johnson, including the blistering instrumentals 'Victory', 'Zap', 'Desert Song' and 'Soulful Terrain'. Tones Music Review Average Rating: (4.8 out of 5 stars)   5/4
4 stars because I didn't like recording quality,but Eric deserves 5 + stars.
Submitted by a reviewer (Maplewood,NJ,USA) 
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a true master piece
He is one of the last, real full scale musicians, Eric Johnson's Tones album is timeless, he mixes his influences with his unusual chord proggressions, time signatures, unapproachable tone and tasteful solos. It's a rare kind of honest music takes the listener to new places in the rocking sonic universe.
Submitted by a reviewer (Minnesota, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Eric Johnson's first solo record
Tones is Eric Johnson's first solo record. Released back in 1986. Tones features nine original cuts written or co-written by Johnson, including the blistering instrumentals "Victory", "Zap", "Desert Song" and "Soulful Terrain." Eric Johnson recorded Tones in 1985. His band was Electromagnets for about 11-years before Eric Johnson worked on his first solo record. Tones was nominated for a 1987 Grammy Award.
Submitted by vpoko (Sharon, MA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Excellent Memories
I've seen hundreds of rock artists over the past thirty years. The list would go on and on. Eric Johnson is at the very top of this list. The list would include such as Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Robin Trower, Budy Guy, the late Stevie Ray Vaughn and Roy Buchanan. Again Eric Johnson is among these if not leading them. You might say I'm exagerating, go see him one time. His album Tones has special meaning to me and it is definatly my favorite.
Submitted by a reviewer (Baltimore, Maryland)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No | Have you heard this album? |  |
Purchase Tones CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Eric Johnson Ah Via Musicom CD (1990)
Tones album
 $11.39   
After being overlooked on his debut, Tones, guitarist Eric Johnson burst onto the airwaves with the surprising hit "Cliffs of Dover." Armed with excellent chops and a clear tone, Johnson took a tired formula and made it sound fresh again. Despite his talents on the fret board, he plays with great restraint and chose to explore ...
| | Eric Johnson Venus Isle CD (1996)
Tones CD music
$11.69
"Pavilion" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. "S.R.V." was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
VENUS ISLE heralds the return of Zippo-waving, head-bobbing AOR and the larger-than-life guitar god. Eric Johnson is fully capable of accepting that lofty mantle. He combines dizzying dexterity with a harmonically advanced compositional style that encompasses progressive rock, blues and jazz fusion.
Disdaining the shred-and-burn approach favored by many of his peers, Johnson opts instead for an atmospheric, delicately textured sound on VENUS ISLE. This sonic featherbed is realized with the help of synth player Steve Barber, whose keyboard washes and arpeggios shadow Johnson's guitar throughout the album. Johnson himself contributes a fair amount of synth (triggered by both guitar and keyboards), a testament to the fact that he is a texturalist first and a chopsmeister second--though his storied axemanship is featured prominently on tunes like "Camel's Night Out" and "All About You." Johnson has put as much care into his arrangements, lyrics and composition as his guitar playing on VENUS ISLE. For ...
| | Eric Johnson Seven Worlds CD (1998)
Tones music CDs
$16.29
SEVEN WORLDS is Eric Johnson's previously unreleased first solo album.
A rare find for fans of this acclaimed guitarist/songwriter, Seven Worlds is the long-lost solo debut from Eric Johnson. Cut in the late '70s, this album is far more than a promising collection of demos; it's a full length, fully-produced album that showcases all of Johnson's awesome talent -- not only as a guitar virtuoso, but as a talented pop/rock songwriter. Tunes such as "Showdown" clearly indicate the talent that Johnson had, even at this early stage. A classy false start to a great career, and a must for fans of Eric Johnson. ~ Matthew Greenwald
Originally Release '98. Eric Johnson's previously unreleased first solo album. Recorded in the late Seventies.
Recorded at Odyssey Sound and Pecan Street Studios, Austin, Texas. Includes Liner notes by Jay Aaron Podolnick.
Personnel: ...
| | Eric Johnson Live And Beyond CD (2000)
Tones songs
$14.29
Eric Johnson & Alien Love Child: Eric Johnson (vocals, guitar, piano); Malford Milligan (vocals); Steve Barber (Hammond B-3 organ); Chris Maresh (keyboards, bass, background vocals); Bill Maddox (drums, percussion, samples).
"Rain" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
Recorded during a three-date stand at Austin institution Antone's blues club, LIVE AND BEYOND finds Eric Johnson playing with a much warmer tone than the more sterile work that's plagued some of his '90s studio work. Accompanied by bassist Chris Maresh and drummer Bill Marsh, the Texas-born guitar virtuoso flexes his considerable talents on instrumentals that contain ethereal phrasing and high-flying fretwork within a few bars of each other ("Zenland"), chugging blues-rock ("Enzo Shuffle"), and a slightly jazz-inflected workout ("Rain").
Storyville frontman Milford Milligan guests, in the process adding some grit to the proceedings via a sizzling cover ...
| | Eric Johnson Bloom CD (2005)
Tones album
$10.69
It's no secret that the time gap between albums by guitarist Eric Johnson is on par with such notorious 'hibernators' as Boston. And the arrival of his fourth all-new studio release, Bloom, was no different, as it appeared nearly nine years after the release of 1996's Venus Isle. Whereas most guitar heroes of the late '80s and early '90s were all about reeling off a zillion notes per second, Johnson was the exception, as he penned songs that saw his guitar supplying the melody where a voice could have been. This 16-track release (his second for Steve Vai's Favored Nations label) is split into three separate sections -- 'Prelude,' 'Courante,' and 'Allemande' -- which are supposedly "grouped together in terms of vibe and style." Highlights include "Summer Jam" (which does a splendid job of showcasing his guitar tone), the chicken'-pickin' ditty "Tribute to Jerry Reed," and the almost Steely Dan-esque "Magnetized." If you like your sounds raw and gritty and music off-the-cuff, Bloom isn't the place for you. But for die-hard fans, Johnson delivers once more, as all his trademarks are well represented -- chops, tone, and extremely fluid playing. ~ Greg Prato
Live Recording
Recording information: No Favors; One Good Ear; Saucer Sound; Studio B; Surfland.
Photographer: ...
| | Deke Dickerson In 3-Dimensions! CD (2003)
Tones CD music
$13.69
Feat.Earl Palmer,Carl Sonny Leyland,Biller+Wakefield+
Audio Mixer: ...
| | Lionel Hampton Jivin' Blues: The Small Bands CD (2003)
Tones music CDs
$9.79
With the enormous success Hampton enjoyed with The Benny Goodman Quartet he was able to secure recording sessions of his own. Utilising the cream of Jazz musicians he laid down an extraordinary body of small group recordings between 1937 and 1940, 25 of which are featured on this collection. Tracks include 'Jivin' The Vibes', 'Jack The Bellboy', '12th Street Rag', 'Wizzin' The Wiz' and 'Ring Dem Bells'. Acrobat. 2003.
Arrangers: Edgar ...
| | UAKTI Mulungu Do Cerrado CD (2004) (Import) Brazil
Tones songs
$14.35
| | Kane Hodder Pleasure To Remain So Heartless CD (2004)
Tones album
$10.79
| | Karaoke: Gospel Hymns 7 CD (2005)
$10.19 | | Absolute Artistry CD (1996)
Tones CD music
$7.09
| | Martina Almgren Open Book CD (2008) (Import) Import
Tones music CDs
$39.39
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