What are you Listening to Right Now? Febus XIV - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Unit Wail - Retort

Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive
Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Megadeth - Rust in Peace

"A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag is fast and bulbous. Got me?"

Now:

“Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov

Now:

My own review of this album from Amazon:

For the last 9 or 10 years, I have listened to an incredible amount music everything from jazz to classical, but don't let my numerous reviews of these two genres fool you, I still love Eric Johnson's music. He was an important influence on me and my own development as a guitarist. That said, "Venus Isle," is my favorite EJ recording for reasons I'm about to detail in the following paragraphs.

Most of us were bit by the EJ bug when hearing him perform "Cliffs of Dover" from his best-selling recording "Ah Via Musicom." Looking back on "Ah Via Musicom," I'm somewhat disenchanted with it from an emotional point-of-view. Don't get wrong it had some fantastic songs besides "Cliffs" like "Desert Rose," "Trademark," "Nothing Can Keep Me From You," and "Forty Mile Town," but there just seemed to be something missing. Was it those incredible chord voicings that he would later overdub into songs on "Venus Isle" like "Battle We Have Won" or "When the Sun Meets the Sky"? There just wasn't enough texture or depth on "Ah Via Musicom" and listening to it again years later I have to say that it sounds rather empty and the songs just don't seem to be that mature. He still was in his "Tones" phase when he recorded "Ah Via Musicom." His lead tone, which has always been a focal point for guitarists, seemed to not have enough resonance to it. His clean tone improved also by the time "Venus Isle" came out. I still have fond memories of "Ah Via Musicom," but I feel "Venus Isle" delivers on a more cohesive and emotional level.

There was much speculation surrounding the six year wait for "Venus Isle." Many people said he was out of ideas. Others said his perfectionism was getting the better of him. But the reality is Eric had a lot on his plate during this time, he had a record label (Capitol) that was breathing down his neck to produce another blockbuster like "Ah Via," his girlfriend died, so he was grieving her loss, and his own perfectionism was getting in the way of finishing the record. If I'm mistaken he had created enough songs for a new album, but scrapped those songs, and started to work on a completely different album. So looking back, it's probably a miracle this record even came out given the turmoil that had surrounded it's inception.

Everybody, through the years, has complained about EJ's singing, but I never have had any kind of problem with it. I also don't have a problem with the way he structures a lot of his music around the vocals. Whether he's singing or not, his guitar playing and his consistent high level of musicianship never took a backseat. He always found creative ways to interject his guitar style with his vocals. One of the things I've admired about "Venus Isle" is the fact that it seemed to not cater to the more guitar loving crowd, but, rather it simply appealed to people who enjoyed creative music. This is, of course, not to say that he doesn't have some amazing guitar improvisations on this recording, but he seemed to quiet down that aspect of his music to focus on something much more artistic.

The songs on "Venus Isle" range from very good to outstanding. The ones that I would say are very good are the title track, "SRV," and "Camel's Night Out." These are my least favorite tracks on the record. Highlights for me were "Battle We Have Won," "Lonely in the Night," "Manhattan," "When the Sun Meets the Sky," "Pavilion," and "Venus Reprise." I believe these are this recording's saving grace. Those beautiful, impressionistic chord voicings really rear their head in "Battle We Have Won" and "When the Sun Meets the Sky." It seems that his musical language had greatly matured during these six years between albums. His style became a lot more refined, but this was not without moments of intensity.

"Venus Isle" has given me a lot joy and happiness through the years. Even though I've moved on to other things, this recording holds a special place in my heart. Many thanks to Eric for making this brave record and following his muse. Nobody said the journey was going to be easy, but the hard work paid off: he made a lifelong fan out of me.

Edited by Mirror Image - August 27 2014 at 22:48

“Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov

Quidam: Alone Together (Poland-2007).
(17/20)
http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=16841
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob78WSJ_yFA

GG - IAGH

Dig me...But don't...Bury me
I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive
Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

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Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 16:40
	Panzerpappa's latest
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 17:14
	Unit Wail - Retort
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 18:31
	Opeth - PC
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Dayvenkirq Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 25 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Status: Offline Points: 10970	Posted: August 27 2014 at 18:52


Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 18:59
	ASMZ - f**k Off...
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

PrognosticMind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 02 2014 Location: New Hampshire Status: Offline Points: 1195	Posted: August 27 2014 at 19:23
	Megadeth - Rust in Peace
	"A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag is fast and bulbous. Got me?"

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 20:00
	Goblin - Roller
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Dayvenkirq Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: May 25 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Status: Offline Points: 10970	Posted: August 27 2014 at 20:36


HolyMoly Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Retired Admin Joined: April 01 2009 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 26138	Posted: August 27 2014 at 20:39
	INTERPOL - "Turn on the Bright Lights" (2002)
	My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran

Imperial Zeppelin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 14 2013 Location: Kuwait Status: Offline Points: 6116	Posted: August 27 2014 at 20:51


Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 20:54
	PH - In Camera
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Mirror Image Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 13 2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2111	Posted: August 27 2014 at 21:15
	Now:
	“Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 21:39
	HC - Unrest
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

TheProgtologist Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: May 23 2005 Location: Baltimore,Md US Status: Offline Points: 27802	Posted: August 27 2014 at 21:44



HolyMoly Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Retired Admin Joined: April 01 2009 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 26138	Posted: August 27 2014 at 21:49
	GREEN ROOM - "Live Trajectories" (1996)
	My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran

Mirror Image Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 13 2011 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2111	Posted: August 27 2014 at 22:41
	Now: My own review of this album from Amazon: For the last 9 or 10 years, I have listened to an incredible amount music everything from jazz to classical, but don't let my numerous reviews of these two genres fool you, I still love Eric Johnson's music. He was an important influence on me and my own development as a guitarist. That said, "Venus Isle," is my favorite EJ recording for reasons I'm about to detail in the following paragraphs. Most of us were bit by the EJ bug when hearing him perform "Cliffs of Dover" from his best-selling recording "Ah Via Musicom." Looking back on "Ah Via Musicom," I'm somewhat disenchanted with it from an emotional point-of-view. Don't get wrong it had some fantastic songs besides "Cliffs" like "Desert Rose," "Trademark," "Nothing Can Keep Me From You," and "Forty Mile Town," but there just seemed to be something missing. Was it those incredible chord voicings that he would later overdub into songs on "Venus Isle" like "Battle We Have Won" or "When the Sun Meets the Sky"? There just wasn't enough texture or depth on "Ah Via Musicom" and listening to it again years later I have to say that it sounds rather empty and the songs just don't seem to be that mature. He still was in his "Tones" phase when he recorded "Ah Via Musicom." His lead tone, which has always been a focal point for guitarists, seemed to not have enough resonance to it. His clean tone improved also by the time "Venus Isle" came out. I still have fond memories of "Ah Via Musicom," but I feel "Venus Isle" delivers on a more cohesive and emotional level. There was much speculation surrounding the six year wait for "Venus Isle." Many people said he was out of ideas. Others said his perfectionism was getting the better of him. But the reality is Eric had a lot on his plate during this time, he had a record label (Capitol) that was breathing down his neck to produce another blockbuster like "Ah Via," his girlfriend died, so he was grieving her loss, and his own perfectionism was getting in the way of finishing the record. If I'm mistaken he had created enough songs for a new album, but scrapped those songs, and started to work on a completely different album. So looking back, it's probably a miracle this record even came out given the turmoil that had surrounded it's inception. Everybody, through the years, has complained about EJ's singing, but I never have had any kind of problem with it. I also don't have a problem with the way he structures a lot of his music around the vocals. Whether he's singing or not, his guitar playing and his consistent high level of musicianship never took a backseat. He always found creative ways to interject his guitar style with his vocals. One of the things I've admired about "Venus Isle" is the fact that it seemed to not cater to the more guitar loving crowd, but, rather it simply appealed to people who enjoyed creative music. This is, of course, not to say that he doesn't have some amazing guitar improvisations on this recording, but he seemed to quiet down that aspect of his music to focus on something much more artistic. The songs on "Venus Isle" range from very good to outstanding. The ones that I would say are very good are the title track, "SRV," and "Camel's Night Out." These are my least favorite tracks on the record. Highlights for me were "Battle We Have Won," "Lonely in the Night," "Manhattan," "When the Sun Meets the Sky," "Pavilion," and "Venus Reprise." I believe these are this recording's saving grace. Those beautiful, impressionistic chord voicings really rear their head in "Battle We Have Won" and "When the Sun Meets the Sky." It seems that his musical language had greatly matured during these six years between albums. His style became a lot more refined, but this was not without moments of intensity. "Venus Isle" has given me a lot joy and happiness through the years. Even though I've moved on to other things, this recording holds a special place in my heart. Many thanks to Eric for making this brave record and following his muse. Nobody said the journey was going to be easy, but the hard work paid off: he made a lifelong fan out of me. Edited by Mirror Image - August 27 2014 at 22:48
	“Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.” - Sergei Rachmaninov

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 22:43
	Isis - WR
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

PhideauxFan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 14 2007 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 4579	Posted: August 27 2014 at 23:26
	Quidam: Alone Together (Poland-2007). (17/20) http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=16841 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob78WSJ_yFA

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 27 2014 at 23:45
	Yoshi - Improvisations II (disac 2)
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166178	Posted: August 28 2014 at 00:09
	GG - IAGH
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.