SAN ANTONIO - The venue filled with a wide array of music fans ready to see Johnson and supporting act Michael landau take the stage and perform songs from their respective catalogs. Billed as Tone-A-Rama the four date tour took place in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Aptly named, the bands put on a show that was rich in tones. Every musician had a finesse on their respective instruments that added a clarity and richness to the evening.
The Michael Landau group started the evening and were met with a warm welcome. The group was very tight and in the pocket throughout the show.
Drummer Keith Carlock deserves a special mention for playing double duty as drummer for Landau and Eric Johnson. With solid timing and highly impressive jazz stylings Carlock kept things upbeat was technically, well, a beast of a musician.
As Johnson took the stage the audience was ready to hear the blistering clarity of his signature guitar tone and were not disappointed. Playing through an array of songs including Jazz standards such as Caravan, an amazing performance of Desert Rose, and the acclaimed classic Cliffs of Dover; Johnson put on a clinic for guitar players and musicians in general.
The audience was filled with a diverse array of fans including a gentleman named Bicheng all the way from Shanghai China. Having traveled to Texas and hearing of Johnsons performance Bicheng told us that seeing the performance was "unreal."
A long time fan, the musician and guitarist told us "I listened for many years but this is the first time seeing him live." It was great to see a fan get to finally see a musician they admire, and so close no less.
"This is a passion," Bicheng told us. "I will always listen to the song and video."
At the end of the performance fans left light hearted having been treated to a night of musicianship and guitar licks that rang out like cathedral bells.
Johnson is well known for his guitar tone and having been playing for decades, the truth is the musician has not lost a step. His tone and chops are just as good as they ever were and his distinctive chord work in his songs can't help but catch your ear.
Should Johnson be making a stop near you, we recommend checking it out as you will be treated to an amazing evening.
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