Country Guitarist Reacts to Eric Johnson, "Cliffs of Dover" LIVE | FIRST TIME - AMAZING!

[@ChasingAnthems]

Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe 🙏😎

[@jonlennon3348]

Check out Matteo Mancuso from palermo Italy. The piece is Drop D !

[@cumfartchuglord]

Cliffs Over Dover.

[@DavidToyzan]

Fake reaction video.

[@61sgcust]

I don't know what I liked more: Eric's playing or you enjoying it.

[@UnboundOdysseus]

This particular recording and performance has been scientifically proven to be the greatest electric guitar tone ever produced and recorded by humanity. It cannot be surpassed without causing the Space-Time Continuum to collapse on itself. It’s science. Eric Johnson exists in some other, superior dimension of reality.

[@TunesandTales]

way to steal my comment. LOL 😉

[@blackberryjamchicago]

For this style of music it's a beautiful tone but very subjective. It's all apples to oranges. Of course this wouldn't be a very sought after tone say in a southern rock/or rock blues band. Just sayin!

[@UnboundOdysseus]

@@blackberryjamchicago Idk man, Eric Clapton used a very similar tone when he was with Cream and that’s blues rock. It worked quite well there.

[@blackberryjamchicago]

@@UnboundOdysseus It wasn't as processed with delay. It was more raw!

[@UnboundOdysseus]

@@blackberryjamchicago For sure. It was similar, not identical.

[@ColAlbSmi]

How does a guitarist live into their middle age without ever hearing this song?

[@JoeSmith-ok5qu]

I was thinking the same thing...this is the holy grail for a guitar player.

[@gahangore111]

Honestly I find this really musically uninteresting and mechanical

[@mikesimonian484]

@@JoeSmith-ok5qu he's lying. Purposely messes up the song title to feign ignorance of the song.

[@richardpowell1772]

@@gahangore111 I was thinking the same thing about your comment.

[@sandyhanson6082]

Right?!

[@skoon002]

Some people focus on his speed. But to me, it's his articulation and absolute mastery. Each and every note rings true and is played precisely. Plus that tone, that TONE. There are only a few guitarists who you can always pick out just by their sound. EVH is one, Eric Johnson is another.

[@mistralwinds4715]

It's also the string skips in his runs. He's the master.

[@balltud]

I saw Eric in this era an a couple years ago. Amazing tone. Richie Kotzen has similar tones sometimes.

[@bigperm3853]

For me it's shirt

[@eponine_scheherezade318]

It's also all the unique chord voicings, even when he's playing relatively simple rhythm parts. Stunning.

[@justinmassey2833]

What’s cool is that both EVH and EJ approached articulation and economy on the neck in to completely unique ways.

[@DJClassicAuto]

His technique is absolutely flawless.

[@riffmeisterkl]

There’s a reason he won a Grammy for this. He was my influence as a young guitar player

[@gttim]

Back in the early 80s, I walked into a bar in Columbia, SC and saw this kid named Eric Johnson. The bass player was from Weather Report. Unsure who the drummer was. There were about 5 people in there on an early Thursday night. I was blown away. Back then bands did three nights on the club circuit. I was back for his 2nd and 3rd nights. Place was packed on his last night. Blew me away. He tossed in a Robin Trower cover, and nobody covered Robin Trower back then. Still amazed I happened to catch him that early in his career.

[@williamsporing1500]

That’s awesome! I hear he’s the nicest guy in the world too. I have a similar story. Was working out of town and asked the girl at the hotel desk where I could go see some live music. It was a Tuesday evening. She sent me to a little place, can’t remember the name for the life of me, and there was this very young guy named Joe bonamassa playing. Cost me 5 bucks to get in.

[@garrettgillian1072]

Where? I saw Eric Gales and Robin Trower there in the late 80's/ early 90's

[@gttim]

@@garrettgillian1072 It was at the old Greenstreets, which burned down in the early/mid 80s. A new version operated until '91ish?

[@rondanakamura2655]

Lucky you!

[@murray1246]

Jaco

[@stoicnotsad]

You don't have to be a guitarist or a trained musician to say that this sounds heavenly

[@jamesmynes4756]

Eric Johnson is a master of his craft. One of my favorites.

[@stickmanmusic5840]

That blank stare of amazement when a musician sees such a stellar performance beyond recognition ....

[@chuckdriver8269]

Every note Eric Johnson plays blooms into existence.🎸🇺🇸

[@tommasoarmuzzi5957]

So clean man wow

[@Viper_75th_RR]

Eric Johnson is the consummate virtuoso. He can play anything on guitar (electric or acoustic). Plus, he has no problem playing Beethoven or Chopin on piano. He’s also the nicest and most humble man you will ever meet.

[@GregPirker]

Heard this song a thousand times and I still get goosebumps when he starts. The shuffle of the rhythm edition is infectious too.

[@jeanniebell9493]

I have played for almost 60 years- and couldn't shine his shoes !!!! That tone !!!!

[@citadel9611]

Absolutely love "Cliffs of Dover". Such a melodic masterpiece.

[@adolfogonzalez5477]

...mean cliffs OVER Dover?

[@dgv646]

Love how the guy's reaction is just paralysis 🥶

[@rkwjunior2298]

Man his fingers move so smooth and quick, and awkward positions. Unbeleiveable

[@davelouis4004]

Eric Johnson is an incredible guitarist !

[@tobiasjohnsen3184]

He's a brilliant guitarist

[@richardturk7162]

I love how every time he plays that song its never exactly the same. The feeling just flows out.

[@LightWingStudios]

Incredible Bass Player and Drummer don't forget folks. Eric is in a A League Of His Own Making.

[@paulbingham_Creative]

This version of Cliffs of Dover is just sublime! It literally has every style incorporated into the piece and it’s absolutely flawless! I’ve seen Eric Johnson many times in concert and he is amazing and his tone is out of this world! Great song choice.

[@shemphoward999]

the epitome of pentatonic phrasing combined with tone and the musicality of a savant...THE strat master...

[@permanentwaves4621]

I watched this performance on PBS when it came out. Never seen or heard of EJ before that. A buddy and me were sitting out on the trampoline, both of us guitar players, and his dad called us inside to watch what he found while channel surfing. We were mind blown. It was at Austin City Limits, which is surprisingly small. Only a handful of people get to attend a performance. Tickets went on sale ( at least back then), and were announced on the radio the same day of the show. Camera tricks make the place look huge. If you're ever in Austin, at least do the "tour" of set if not a show.

[@mmonroe1025]

listen to him sing also. Great voice as well. This entire album is a one of a kind piece of work.

[@lylesmith3506]

Eric reminds me of Roy Clark. Just precise. What a master.

[@nickowchar2001]

Just beautiful.

[@marcavus1]

Fast, lots of notes yet expressive and not at all over played. One of my all time favorites. No such thing as a better electric guitar performance than this one.

[@maxwellshammer5283]

The tone! Omg, the tone!

[@chesterwilberforce9832]

In a little club in college station tx one night this kid with an electric guitar played a set. It was mostly a folky place and I don't remember much other than he was really young looking. It was Eric Johnson. He was in his 20s but looked like 16.

[@mobilesolutionsfl]

His playing is SO CLEAN. I got to see Eric play with Satriani and Vai at a G3 show in Orlando, around 97. Was an amazing show. Been a Vai fan since Zappa, and if you like Vai, you'll like Satriani. These guys have been at the top of the game for the past 30+ years. All virtuoso

[@TDAWG23]

He's so precise and clean but his tone is beautiful and unique. He's in a class by himself.

[@robertdicarlo4490]

You smiled at all the right places

[@awesomeness7434]

So grateful for this man eric Johnson for putting out my favorite song of all time cliffs of dover

[@patrickwhite4151]

Insanely talented

[@timwhite5562]

I build amps, but prior to that I repaired guitars. I ended up buying an Eric Johnson Strat having never heard any of his songs.* I bought it because I had three or four come in for setups and fret levelings, and Besides them being perfectly spec'd, exactly as I'd have one made (though I preferred rosewood and they wouldn't come out with one for a year or two after I might it) they were hands down the best designed and executed production Strat they were making. I remember having a couple John Mayer models come in and not being impressed. These were great though: quarter sawn necks, super light bodies, thin finish and absurdly resonant. *Later I realized that I had heard Cliffs of Dover before but had never associated it with him.

[@christophersimpson9245]

Eric Johnson is also a very talented piano player, a fine singer and as you can see, a brilliant guitarist, you will never hear a more beautiful tone coming out of a Strat!

[@skymarbles7953]

I love EJ and respect him Immensely , but his singing is really not good.

[@KD-nb3mp]

@@skymarbles7953 Its good just not amazing or anything special in my opinion.

[@jt2112able]

I first heard Cliffs of Dover in the early nineties and I'm still stunned and amazed and my hair stands on and every time I hear it

[@andybroer651]

Eric spent all his spare time with his guitar... and it gently weeps with love back at him :-)

[@dontmakemelaugh01]

Saw him for the first time when he was touring for Ah Via Musicom. Small club in San Francisco. What a talent. He definitely doesn't let any of the fretboard stay idle.

[@philserna3581]

I saw that same show. I had seen him open up for Satriani not long before that. I love his TONE.

[@davep8221]

Eric Johnson is in Guitar Player Magazine's Hall of Fame*. You need to win the best overall guitarist award 5 years in a row. There are only two other members: Steve Morse and Steve Howe. They actually created it for Steve Howe to kind of give other players a chance ;-> * I've also heard it called The Hall of Greats.

[@nathanielsanti752]

That was by far the best reaction I've seen yet by anybody. You literally never spoke, let it play, and showed your reactions with your facial expressions! Subscribing!!!

[@dess8287]

Great guitarist and he's quite the singer also! You should check out *Desert Rose* or *High Landrons, Steve's Boogie, Zap* and *Are You Experienced (Jimi Hendrix cover).* By the way if you didn't notice *Cliff's Of Dover* is all written in utilizing the Pentatonic scale as well as his other songs, he happens to play them combined with his string stretching and skipping. *Love ❤️ Peace ✌️ and Happiness 😃 Y'all !!*

[@buisyman]

I love that look on your face while you watch him, lol

[@jettechdonatkins]

Eric's Cliffs Of Dover is a great instrumental for sure.Another strat master! Thanks Travis for this one!

[@peleger1]

I've never seen this but know the song very well. That intro is off the hook! Goosebumps throughout this entire tune. Masterful to sat the least!!

[@kevinsmith4429]

So sad he never made it big but he stuck to his convictions. He never cared about the fame,just the deserved respect & Recognition. You can still catch him in small clubs around Austin. Used to see play happy hour at Steamboat on 6'th. street. Insanely good live.

[@tonysmith7702]

What do you mean never made it big?. What is big in your book?.

[@kevinsmith4429]

@@tonysmith7702 I guess I phrased that wrong. Personally I like the way he wasn't as well known as some of the others who came out of Austin at the time,Stevie Ray for one. I lived in Austin from '70 to '92 & was lucky to have seen both of them,sometimes the same day,in bars all over town mostly at happy hour.I truly believe him to be as talented as Stevie & liked him better live. I guess it's kind of like the Dead,took them over 40 years to have a hit record simply because they didn't care enough to. And they are one of the most widely followed bands ever.Didn't mean to sound flippant,ABSOLUTELY love the guy. As far as I know,he still plays clubs down there. Hippie Redneck Fort Worth,Tejas 🏜⭐

[@jhnstn1]

@@kevinsmith4429 Sounds a like Monte Montgomery from around that same time.

[@artguy7992]

He is big , literally every guitarist knows cliff of dover

[@davidlawrence5]

I'm very happy you gave yourself the gift of listening to EJ and now that you have, there are a plethora of players you may want to give a listen to. Have fun!!

[@senecaturnpike9179]

The beauty of guys like EJ is that he’s playing pentatonics most of the time. He’s so insane with it that it sounds like some scale you’ve never heard, it’s pentatonics, he’s a master of them!

[@evilervcowart6234]

I have this entire Austin City Limits show on dvd. All I can say is 1988 was one hellfire 'n brimstone of an excellent year for music 🤘

[@3lullabies]

I can tell by his expression...the old "how does someone play so damned good" face. It happens to us all.

[@rosesutton4424]

I've already got my tickets to see him in March at least there is someone who prices their tickets so us poor folks can go too... I'm going to be close to the stage and only paid 47.50 per ticket... I've always loved how versatile he is... Can't wait to go see him...

[@rosesutton4424]

He took guitar classes from Chet Atkins... And Chet Atkins said he actually only taught him for 2 weeks then Eric Johnson took over his class ... 😂😂😂

[@Troutflies71]

In addition to the sheer musicianship of this song, it being played on a Strat which can fight you from time to time is truly amazing

[@trumpetplayerdude9838]

Strats are known as some of the most comfortable guitars of all time ?

[@randallwilliamson3838]

The first 30 seconds is almost like a newer guitarist practicing scales, then the song "starts" and you see what you can do with those scales.

[@henryboyle4295]

Its great that he can hear this for what is being played.He plays what he wants to, Eric does as well..

[@SGIABC]

This fella could tell you what brand battery a pick up was using just based on the tone. And that's not a joke.

[@jeffsaginaw1769]

SCREW PLAYING IT. That he CONCIEVED the song & intro part is mindboggling. First saw it in Chicago after a gig at 2am on Austin City Limits. 8 months later I opened for him in a Raleigh, NC club and got to see him do it live, different but the same. Those aren't scales they're melodies he wrote. He studied violin approach, very different from blues. Every time it hear or see it I tear up. He is that good live. 150% is EJ low point of gig performance.

[@mikepillittere7486]

Literally pentatonic scales on steroids. And, he's a really nice guy. Met him a while back, standing next to me in line at Starbucks. Humble, soft-spoken, and very approachable.

[@hunterkarr]

Yes he seems to have turned into a normal person.

[@shlebmo]

He kind of created a technique with the cascading pentatonics in groups. He does vary from them but his quintessential licks are pentatonic groupings of 7 6 and 6 note runs. It’s that whole Bonamassa thing and of course nobody does it better than Eric Gales

[@Viper_75th_RR]

What’s really scary about EJ is that his rhythm and chord usage is as otherworldly as his lead playing. That’s why both Steve Vai and Joe Satriani both say he’s the greatest guitarist living today. Tommy Emanuel has said the same thing. It’s a shame that he’s never included in the Top 100 guitarist lists, while guys like Jack White and Slash are.

[@jamesskeen3392]

THE BLOWING OF MINDS ! 😱👍

[@alanmehan7938]

I’ve watched lots of ‘first time reaction videos’, your Sir was a pleasure…no stopping and talking the video every 30 seconds like other people. You watched then commented, will definitely subscribe and watch more of your stuff, thanks once again.

[@Mr10usdad]

Eric is the man!

[@g.a.7527]

He's a TX treasure. Had the pleasure of seeing several times around Austin over the years. So great every time.

[@sengle1013]

it is just so clean and perfect

[@leonardlogan9889]

When I listen to Eric Johnson, I consider turning my guitar into a coffeetable, or maybe a end table.

[@scottjohnson2256]

I don’t hear this song often, but as soon as he was done with his improvisation intro I knew what he was going to play.

[@piscator57]

Check out Rick Beato's interview with Eric

[@celesteorrantia]

Saw the G3 tour with Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Satriani back in the 80s. I was in HEAVEN! Eric is the Guitar God!

[@JimVincent]

G3 developed as a concept in 1995 and they did four dates in 1996 with Johnson, Vai, and Satch.

[@Souldoubtrocks]

Amazing what Eric Johnson can do with a 5 note scale. Blows me away

[@RuledByMars]

Saw him in the mid 90's after Ah Via Musicom was released, at the Beacon Theater in NYC. A M A Z I N G guitarist! Gifted. I'll never forget it.

[@stevenchilders272]

Good song to practice

[@MisterWondrous]

He has about the cleanest style I can remember.

[@paisteplayer1040]

Seen EJ last night at house of blue in Myrtle beach.. He still got it.

[@sassypatty2666]

If you see him live, he is iconic. ❤🎉

[@permanentwaves4621]

02:09 Tingles and chills.

[@johncook2466]

I was lucky enough to be living in Austin when Eric & Stevie Ray came up through the ranks at the same time. Even went to Stevie's birthday bash at the Colliseum in '82, where they shared the stage. Two great 3-piece bands, and two guitar gods-to-be.

[@PFTome]

A few years later in the 90's he created, in my opinion, one of the few perfect albums in Venus Isle. Oddly enough, one of my favorite songs of his is a piano piece called Song for Lynette on that album.

[@NS1.]

He didn't miss a note. Such a difficult song to play too.

[@Drk-oz8tn]

No doubt a strat Master and his tone is beyond compare, a bell-like quality, ethereal! ❤❤❤

[@booshting3520]

Great tone from the bridge pickup of a strat. Usually sounds very brittle, but that was nice

[@roderickgful]

The “white cliffs of Dover” represented so much to British Sailors & Airmen as they returned from battle sorties,missions, etc. During WWII I believe there was a famous song “Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover”? Can’t say for sure, before my time! Lol

[@brucec8348]

In addition to his obvious talent with a guitar, he's one of the most humble artists you'll ever meet. Speaking of "humble"...May I suggest Steve Morse? Live in New York. The song is called "Jammin'". Jaw-dropping mastery of techniques and voicings. Beautiful composition not found on any of his albums that I'm aware of. Enjoy!

[@48mastadon]

His lead playing is top shelf, but his chord usage is just insane. No power chords here.

[@waynebush7953]

I saw him at a small club in deep ellum in Dallas when either this album or the next had been released and stood 15 feet away. Wow! That was a night! The band was awesome , but Eric was incredible and I almost feel guilty for using such a pedestrian word to describe his talent. I've been a fan ever since. That tone, I love that tone and you instantly know who it is upon hearing it!

[@phillipward937]

That was Tommy's they turned the club into a parking lot. I was on the balcony that night.

[@waynebush7953]

@@phillipward937 I actually saw him at Tree's, was that the same place?

[@bobespirit2112]

I say that EJ is the “finest” guitarist that ever lived. There are only a few guitarist of his caliber but I don’t think any of those guys or gals can write as beautiful songs as Eric. Listen to “When the Sun, Meets the Sky” for a taste of sublime beauty. Rock On 🤘🏼

[@kevinmiller5786]

Imagine opening for B.B.King and then having the King call you back to the stage to play with him....Happened to Eric Johnson.Not for a song or two.The whole set.He's that good. G3 with Satriani and Vai.This could be a rabbit hole for you.Dive in! 🙂✌🤘👍🤙

[@AntithesisDCLXVI]

Their Red House cover... So good.

[@andrewmize823]

I'm an LP/SG man myself, but no one should EVER underestimate the tonal capabilities of a Stratocaster. The guitar tone on this track alone is like butter, and combined with Johnson's playing, the overall effect is magnificent.

[@ChasingAnthems]

Agreed!

[@Marcus_C51]

I hear you on that! I was more of an LP then Charvel guy then I got my first good Strat. Then Strats were basically all I've played from then on. Such a versatile instrument. Tonal Capabilities up the ying-yang. And they are pretty much limitless in Johnson's hands. God that rig he put together back then gave him a palette of gorgeous tones to work his magic with too. Like butter indeed!

[@guyfyffe5920]

Him, Gilmore and SRV. JESUS

[@andrewmize823]

@@guyfyffe5920 I'm more in the Gilmore school of players. I'm not especially fast or acrobatic on the fretboard, but I can wring a lot of juice out of long, sustained notes and bends.

[@tadracket448]

Growing up in WV, we only got a few headline shows a year back in the day. My first experience with Eric was the national anthem on MTV when the did the all star baseball game I believe it was. Love it. Immediately went out and bought his album.

[@johndardi1334]

What part of WV are you from? I’m from Logan.

[@tadracket448]

@@johndardi1334 lol, same bro. Born in Boone, raise in Blair. 21 years.

[@johndardi1334]

@@tadracket448 Ya know it’s crazy that there’s over 800 million videos on KZbin. Over 1 billion are watched a day. There’s over 6 billion people in the world and I run into someone from the same place I’m from on a random video that has nothing to do with southern WV. Yet I can never win a scratch off lotto ticket no matter how many times I try. Haha.. good talking to ya bro.

[@tadracket448]

@@johndardi1334 I know right? Stupid lottery, lol. Good talking to you. Maybe catch you on the next video ☺️

[@SkullLeader001]

I worked with a guy who is a really good player. He said he went and saw Eric live and when it was done he wanted to go back to his hotel room and make a bonfire out of all his guitars.

[@DaveDorgan]

Pentatonics and spread triads. Video from Austin City Limits within a year of the album. He and SRV were roommates in Austin for a time before they “made it”

[@davidkoblentz]

I have seen this probably 1000 times, and yet I keep watching it, going to see EJ in a couple of months for probably the 100th time, if he played NYC every night I would be there every single night... he is much more relaxed now or at least looks like he is having fun... check out some of his newer stuff... Strategem is pretty awesome, I find most of his songs have an inherent "joy" in them... also amazing when EJ is out with the Jimi Hedrix experience tour (with Doug Pinnick was the best)... three piece bands.... King's X.... and The Jelly Jam (dream theater/king's x/dixie dregs)

[@leolovell6218]

He'll be at the House of blues that's right by where I live. I've got to go see him live.

[@michaelscott8845]

Ah Via Musicom is my favorite album, it covers a lot of ground. Definitely give it a listen in its entirety.

[@n0tk0sher]

For sure. I wore out the CD. Well if it were possible to do that I would have.

[@wraith1117]

Aside from all the shredding. That is such a beautiful melody.

[@meecob]

I had the same expression as you when I first watch Manhattan. haha

[@gokublack4211]

I love how your hat is holding on for dear life😂😂

[@glenkepic3208]

Nice revisit. I recall seeing this on PBS. Already a fan. Thing is, EJ owned every solo here. It could be anyone like Joe B copping lines and "It sounds like EJ" . No one played like this (yes, i saw EVH, YJM and more)

[@lukesmusic]

That TONE!