ERIC JOHNSON – Up Close ; Another Look (2013)

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Guitar wonder ERIC JOHNSON last album Up Close was on the streets two years ago but only in America. Now, coinciding with Johnson’s nationwide UK tour, he presents a custom European version re-entitled “Up Close – Another Look”, as it’s been revised and remixed from its original release, including a refreshed artwork.

Johnson re-worked 6 of the songs with some new arrangements and remixed 7 others. For the casual listener I’m not sure how relevant this new special edition will be (let’s face it, the original was damn fine in its own right), but for completists and loyal fans, some of the new touches the guitarist has added here are truly worth hearing.
For those outside of the US who didn’t pick up an import copy, this will no doubt be your first exposure to the CD.
Most of these songs are sparkling, brimming with Johnson’s spectacular guitar tone and fluid dexterity, yet just as impressive are the guest appearances who help elevate some of these compositions.

Malford Milligan puts in a great vocal performance on the catchy “Brilliant Room”, as does Steve Miller on the Electric Flag blues classic “Texas”, which also features guitar from Jimmy Vaughan. Blues upstart Johnny Lang rips it up on “Austin”, and the great Sonny Landreth duels with Johnson on the sultry “Your Book”.
Otherwise, it’s the stellar instrumentals that feature Johnson’s virtuoso guitar skills that really are the highlight here, like the bluesy-rocker “Fatdaddy”, the AOR-tinged “Gem”, and the gritty, bluesy, rocky conglomerate “Vortexan” that seems to capture Johnson and his guitar at his best.
All are great, but my favorite is “Soul Surprise”, a master class of building sound but there is the nagging feeling that some of these power riffs have already been laid down 20 years ago, hence, there is almost an ’80s feel about this track.

This album sounded like one of the coolest guitar-focused rock records around when it was originally released two years ago. The passage of time and the new remix / added parts has only served to reinforce the fact that this record is an incredible journey through rockin’ blues, classic rock and AOR related sounds.
“Up Close ; Another Look” it’s available all over Europe on CD and Vinyl.
Stupendous.

01 – Awaken
02 – Fatdaddy
03 – Brilliant Room
04 – Texas
05 – Gem
06 – Austin
07 – Soul Surprise
08 – On The Way
09 – Arithmetic
10 – The Sea And The Mountain
11 – Vortexan
12 – A Change Has Come To Me
13 – Your Book

Eric Johnson – Vocals, Guitars, 6-String Bass, Sitar, Hammond B3
Roscoe Beck, Kyle Brock, Chris Maresh – Bass
Kevin Hall, Frosty Smith, Tommy Taylor – Drums
Tom Burritt, Brad Evilsizer, James Fenner – Percussion
Sonny Landreth – Guitar
Jimmie Vaughan – Guitar
Red Young – Keyboards
Jonny Lang, Steve Miller, Malford Milligan – guest Vocals
and many more…

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