Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium

ERIC JOHNSON: Bloom

Release

Style

Eric Johnson is a great composer and musician. The most appealing to me is the way he plays the guitar. No mistakes whatsoever and always intriguing, whatever type of music he’s playing. “Bloom” is a perfect example of his versatility. It is divided into three parts, each representing a totally different genre.

First part is Prelude, which starts with the title track, a very powerful, instrumental song that reminds a lot of Pat Travers. “Summer Jam” is  very up tempo with a very fast drum and is a bit less accessible. “My Back Pages”, written by Bob Dylan in 1964 has been given the energy of everlasting youth. It’s a swinging, classic rock song and the first on this album to be sung. Johnson’s singing is alright, but I miss some power in it. His voice resembles that of Al Stewart a bit, friendly and pure, but not really rocking. “Good to me” is very strong, up tempo again with some blues elements. “Columbia” has a very straight and simple melody and offers Johnson lots of opportunity to demonstrate his guitar playing skills. “12 to 12 Vibe” is the last song of the first part, full of very fast guitar solos.

Courante is the second part and one notices the difference immediately on the first track “Sea Secret”. Restrained guitar floating on smooth synthesizer sounds, this very short song (less than two minutes) is more like an interlude to announce this part of the cd that is more easy listening pop-rock. “Sad Legacy” is very representative for that matter. Johnson’s soft voice invites you to sit down and relax while listening to some high quality pop rock. Worth mentioning on “From my Heart” is the fretless bass guitar that produces a slow, sultry rhythm. The sound of Johnson’s voice fits in much better here. The guitar solo in the end is lovely. If you’re in to country music, you might enjoy “Tribute to Jerry Reed” with its merry melody. “Your Sweet Eyes” is very sunny and is just the kind of music one expects to hear from bands like Prefab Sprout.

Allemande is the part that may contain the most “arty” songs on the album. Strongly jazz influenced songs that demand guitar virtuosity. “Hesitant” is an extremely beautiful slow jazz instrumental in which the guitar as well as all other instruments are magnificent. “Sunnaround you” is a ballad that reminds me a bit of some former Bozz Scags songs. The jazz becomes more funky in “Magnetized” and I couldn’t help imagining All Jarreau to start singing any moment on this instrumental track. Bass and guitar are just marvellous. The album ends with “Ciel” a composition for classical guitar, synthesizer and acoustic piano, all instruments played by Johnson himself. The song breathes a very Spanish atmosphere with eastern influences.

Briefly, if you want to buy some high quality music, perfectly performed and never exaggerated, I can recommend this album very strongly. Bloom will be a flower in your cd collection…

Musicians

Eric Johnson and guests

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Last updated: 09 juli 2005 .
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