Eric Johnson - Spanish Castle Magic

[@monkey1504]

Kinda looks like a kid who has borrowed his dad's suit to go to a wedding, then the groom finds out he plays guitar and asks him to and play one of his favourite songs with the band. Then he steps up and does THAT! Amazing stuff, that tone is from another planet. EJ is something else entirely.

[@deebee9917]

Agree!!!! then he just murders it

[@agustin3710]

That is oddly specific but accurate as hell

[@Oeooeoeeoledee]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@elmud]

Looks more like Damon Albarn learned to play the instrument.

[@Gameang123acdc]

To all those saying his version does not sound like Jimi's: *That's the point* Thank you

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Spot on Vick. It’s called interpretation. Artists do it in tribute to those they respect and admire. Peace.

[@cbwinslow]

Yea I hate how people complain that a cover doesn't sound 100% like the original. It defeats the purpose imo.

[@Strotophonic]

Agreed my freind, same way Jimi's version of Killing Floor didn't sound like Howiling Wolf!!! 😍

[@jscordoba3]

​@cbwinslow Not to mention many artist themselves (including Jimi) never played their own songs the same way twice.

[@runreilly]

Eric Johnson's tone is a gift to us all.

[@noahfella9312]

Your mom is a gift to us all😊

[@runreilly]

@@noahfella9312 clever...

[@noahfella9312]

i had to. i’m sorry

[@noahfella9312]

when an opportunity presents itself i must follow thru

[@toomanygittars]

I actually think the guitar tone Eric had at this point in his career is the best one he's had ever.

[@chowler]

I really love Eric's tone and playing, but I think the one thing Jimi had here was the ability to let go and tip over into Chaos. Where as Eric's playing is really precise and controlled, Hendrix often seems like he was on the verge of melting down (and melting his gear down). Both players are incredibly awesome, and it's really interesting to listen (again) to Eric's take on Jimi's tunes.

[@cachicalamazon6418]

right

[@cachicalamazon6418]

the solo sound like cliffs of dover...

[@homoerectussemenallyretent6638]

Good word.ilke this dude though& I'm a Jimi fan but it rocked me this Sunday morn outta the blue.

[@hb15577]

100%, Jimis voice and playing is so gritty and raw, combined with the loose, wild drumming in the original, I don't think anyone who attempts to cover it is ever going to get close.

[@omithehomi8568]

check out philip sayce cover

[@jsamc8420]

At 2:30 he saids "I'm going to play this song" and damn if he does !! So many negative comments too white, too fast it rather nauseating. I guess since you can't be a world class guitar player, you try to be a world class critic. Anyway that riff at @ 2:47 is just wild.

[@rickeymitchell8303]

Yessir

[@taurushamilton2739]

That lick is bananas!🤘🏾

[@gregorycarll]

I first saw Eric play 50 years ago at a house/club in Montrose, Damian's. His group was the Electromagnets and everyone there was Magnetized!! He was unbelievable great back then and he is still awesome!

[@Mtns14000]

Wow. Amazing you saw the Electromagnets in Houston. What year was that?

[@mcafee1971]

DAMN ! The Arpeggios at the end Slay me. This was Back in 1984?? WOW!

[@aliensporebomb]

And basically done off the cuff like "oh? I gotta end the song, I'll just go nuts and see where it ends!"

[@jeffbalagna9259]

I think he did justice to the whacky timing of the song. It's a very chaotic, and noisy tune, actually. I love it.

[@ardeleansvengali4437]

It's like Uncle Rogers on guitar 😂 Eric is an absolutely magical player, so inspirational, wonderful playing 👏

[@danward7306]

Great performance!!

[@davexxx5175]

Historical song of Jimi...great version! Both magical guitarists!

[@JAMEYSIMMS]

Such an incredible guitar player. This is magical.

[@andyfadillah]

in that era, he already got the amazing tone. superb legend.

[@smoothheadjohnny4719]

Sweet & very near the pinnacle of his greatness. A total Strat tone beast - in '84 & '14...

[@Mtns14000]

Thanks for uploading Morel. One of the best versions of Spanish Castle Magic played, besides Jimi of course. EJ is a master of the Stratocaster for sure.

[@chrissoule7338]

Jimi used a 8 string bass for this song

[@EADGBESTRAT]

Excellent version.

[@TheBoondoggler]

I love EJ, he is a true original. Personally, however, I prefer his unaccompanied noodling over anything else. It's very clean and Zen-like.

[@chefjameso]

insane talent

[@GJSsongsmith]

Just amazing ...marvellous eric ..god bless you xx

[@mauromeglii493]

Great sound!!

[@RunplaysinHD]

Spanish Castle Magic + Cliffs of Dover = I like it

[@jazzram_]

spanish castle + ej* because almost all of ej's songs sound the same, so...

[@smirkitysmirksmirk]

@@jazzram_ no they dont

[@wentkat]

Too few hits - how sad. Eric Johnson is just amazing and a true musical inspiration.

[@thetruthchannel349]

They tried to put him with a band as they always do but he always stayed true to himself. Nothing sad about that.

[@sickb2200]

He's 30 year old here. He looks much younger.

[@honawikeepa5813]

Mean bro! Love from New Zealand.

[@johnsonater8491]

so even in 84 he was a virtuoso...

[@ArminSolo]

Check him out with The Electromagnets.

[@stingraybeach572]

Are you kidding? He was a guitar god in the 80s, but the corporate king makers didn't let him have his due - he wasn't the cookie cutter image they wanted. Happens a lot!

[@mck1972]

The first mention of E.J. I recall was in, ' Guitar Player ', magazine from 1982, when Steve Morse from the Dregs briefly stated how good he was. But of course few others outside of the Austin Texas others knew of him back then...

[@jsamc]

oh yeah !!

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

This show was Eric’s Monterey!!!!

[@DragonnHendrix]

I love Jimi Hendrix....I love Eric Johnson...

[@willyecharte]

great!

[@daedrmr2dae]

I like this version. EJ is obviously a virtuoso and it shows here. I think with covers like this-- especially JH covers-- there's a fine line between being true to your own style, and just cloning the original in an affected way. I think EJ walked that line pretty well here.

[@gerald9549]

2:15 wow, el es un verdadero mago de la guitarra.

[@ginggerlee]

Should be entitled "Spanish Castle Cliffs of Dover Magic". I'm juss sayin. Big fan of Eric. C'mon. I know I'm not the only one who hears "Cliffs" in the improvisations. 🎶🎵 Eric always satisfies. Great work.

[@morbidbreath]

Great version,Thanks for this video

[@davidallen346]

Let it Burn Eric , Let it Burn !!

[@Ledprostate]

If Hendrix is within earshot, he must be proud and completely blown away

[@sempezeshki3718]

Nicely done.

[@patrickcrabtree3162]

Always liked Eric Johnson some killer links epic one of a kind tone very talented. As for criticism is the box he never seemed to escape and was always so rigid. Still. Goes down in history as one of the best. I can jam him off the stage with only 1 hand and 4 toes and my left ear. Said nobody ever in existence

[@sempezeshki3718]

Your vocals are perfect.

[@ranabirgahir462]

So NATURALLY KOOL 😄

[@SuperBluesboy]

very good!!!!classic!!!!

[@krumabon1903]

Totaly underrated guitarist

[@bruceboome]

One thing I've always known is the difference between art and science. In science, everything can be measured, but art is all about perception- and everyone's is different. That makes it pointless to compare Eric and Slash. They both play to a high level, but have different takes, some people will like one, some the other. Oh and Mr. Johnson has Jimi's voice down - in my opinion. ;-)

[@jordankilburn3758]

very, very well said.

[@blainashmoore4387]

I love how he's a progressive experimental 80s guitar virtuoso because though it is a little faint, he actually sounds 80s with whatever modes or scales he uses, it's really cool, one of my favorite experimental progressive guitarists even though I wonder how that works with him being from the 80s, how progressive is it?

[@diegocarvalho8461]

Every time he tried to improvise on this song it always comes out a "cliffs of dover" 😅

[@tapiomakelainen]

He is good!

[@joshuajkoplin]

First Solo: Here’s Jimi Second Solo: Here’s my take. Fucking awesome. He really nailed the subtleties of Jimi’s DNA

[@charronsikorovsky8375]

A virtuoso from the start😆😍😘😊😃❤️💙😊

[@piotr.leniec-lincow5209]

FRESH

[@bootlegapples]

Eric seemed to get lost, forgetting parts...certainly a rare thing for him.

[@Idkchangethislater]

🚬🌱

[@tkn2597]

Lmfao​@@Idkchangethislater

[@Luckyj714]

Maybe it's just my deep obsession with Eric's playing speaking here, but I'd argue this is the best version of Spanish Castle Magic. Really the perfect blend of (softer) shredding and beautiful tones.

[@YamFZR93]

You're totally right. I have a lot of Hendrix's music and EJ's as well. But after seeing him live in concert last year I have to agree. He did this song and blew everyones minds, utterly.

[@Otis-Isom]

Nah, this is awesome but Jimi Hendrix has the more chaotic tone making his playing lend itself to this song. But, both are brilliant in different ways

[@Punttipate62]

Have you heard yngwie malmsteen's version?

[@SLP-eb1wp]

Love Eric's version of Hendrix's music

[@Unclemoparman]

Bridge pickup please

[@PachoMoncadaM]

It's all bridge pickup my guy

[@anthonybenavides720]

Does anyone know what key he's playing this in?

[@jasonkeith9317]

I think it's in C# minor the relative minor of E major.

[@davedavidson9996]

Cool. Now I would like to hear him play Machine Gun

[@anitavassar1]

i have watched this video for 4 yrs. & I never noticed Christopher Cross playing bass until today. I said 3 yrs. ago I hear you. Doubt I would have noticed him today if it had not been for his bright red shirt that he wore in your ALL I NEED song. Not meant to be rude in the slightest. Just the facts.

[@cypherotic]

Anita Vassar ou should watch prince Singing Spanish Magic Castle at Montreux 2009 you will like it ,,,

[@larryoram7597]

That be Rob Alexander on bass

[@larryoram7597]

Steve Meador on drums

[@bigelile07]

First time I've ever seen EJ play guitar is Spanish.

[@ronfrey5327]

So 2023 see this tune up see if my afx fx SSS D patch cuts the mustard through a teeny solid state speaker... guess what.. Turns out my ears are still good less volume. but not for trying.. the proof would be a short demonstration of listening......

[@jimiguitar100]

Wohow

[@dr.manhattan6278]

Hendrix will always be the bar.

[@320parks8]

bold as all get out.

[@ronfrey5327]

ITS ABOUT FUCKING TIME... IM THE GUY TAPPING HIS BUDDY ON THE ARM AND DOING HENDRIX SAYING AH THERE AINT NO LIFE NOWHERE IN THE STANDS...AND THIS WAS THE GREATEST TONE ON THE PLANET THEN AND STILL IS AND I FIGURED THIS OUT.. SO ERIC DUDLEY DO RIGHT. GETS HIS MAN..................CALL ME WHAT EVER YA DO JUST CALL ME WHENEVER AND ILL BE AROUND........

[@Critterspal]

to bad the crowd did not realize they were in the presence of greatness.Eric Johnson was in G3 for a reason,He beats the hell out of Yngvie the pretentious

[@g00d34]

Had no idea Damon Albarn was this good at guitar

[@SteveLourenço_Official]

I prefer this far more than the Hendrix version.

[@doozerace]

TONE-LOC...(the actual one)

[@clutchgolf]

I wish someone would put up Prince's cover of this song. He tears it up.

[@obxtasy626]

clutchgolf Right?! It used to be up, but Prince hates the internet and always has his lawyers take any vid of him down pronto. Sucks.

[@MongoSolo]

Hicks loved this guy.

[@damountelefoni151]

A big spider on the guitar

[@RNicolasRuvalcaba]

It's cool that he's paying homage to Jimi but to be honest it sounds like he's soloing to an entirely different song 2:50

[@pieterjanoddens]

Jimmi used LSD to get this thing going, Eric uses a vega diet. Love his playing!

[@Atomic1710]

Sounds like it too

[@guitaromontalban6841]

you never gonna bees are real critics , eh???

[@leonidyevseyev888]

- why the f* is this soo fast?? Eric is certainly the greatest guitar player - but WHY so fast?

[@makeshiftvirus6494]

It’s the drummer

[@PachoMoncadaM]

Because they want to

[@thedoorsforever256]

Sometimes hearing covers gives you a new perspective on Hendrix. No offense to Eric Johnson, but it seems like he has some trouble sometimes singing and playing. Which is totally fair, because I think anyone would with this level of complexity in guitar playing. But it gives you new insight as to what Hendrix did because he made it seem so easy, not only to play, but to sing and play at the same time. That being said, Eric Johnson killed the guitar parts!

[@pigsrock93]

Hendrix had lots of trouble singing and playing depending on his mood

[@xthatghomiex2939]

Pigsrock93 Hendrix had a lot of trouble singing in general.

[@jsamc8420]

thedoorsforever256 i agree he was having some trouble. i think that may have been a complex part , but otherwise he killed it.

[@michaeloconnor6683]

I have 30 versions of bootlegs of this song, not one is the same. You listen to this and all I can think is -- well, someone knows the importance of the song and remembers it. But Good God, mechanics is not the idea of the song.

[@mwooly1]

EJ, is unique, even Joe Bonamassa, copied him, well, this just shows you how good Jimi Hendrix was,

[@jaimemunoz8513]

I didn't know Clapton could play drums

[@vagelisdiamandis7565]

Nice one..but Yngwies 1989 version is on another level

[@JaredGonzales-gv9yh]

I saw him play this live recently. Still has it

[@doozerace]

The Spin Doctors did a mother fucker of a version of this jam........

[@jsamc8420]

yeap on the tribute cd

[@laureanorosales3648]

Admiró su tecnica, pero no transmite.... Es asi, además melódica y armónicamente ese solo no dice nada, son solo escalas y arpegios tocados con exelente técnica y velocidad. Si tengo que ver un cover de Hendrix de este tema, me quedo con el de Prince montreax 2009. Feliz cumple Jimmy.

[@ericdreese9145]

No es que no transmita, es que no lo percibes tu, que es un asunto diferente. No habria llegado a ser lo que es si no transmitiera y cualquier guitarrista (los cuales tienen opiniones mucho más válidas que la gran mayoría) que ha llegado alto en este mundo se lo ocurriría decir lo contrario.

[@jkbearhunter]

Jimi is the only one to do this song justice

[@bbqchickenrobot3]

POor bassist. Just getting totally drowned out lol. I guess in the 80s rock bassist weren't quite considered cool yet. Flea and Les Claypool had just entered scene lol

[@cbwinslow]

Ewwww him trying to rock out @2:52 is so goofy lol. Not hating he is one the best guitarist I've ever heard. His left hand technique is perfect

[@billm6988]

Damn Eric ??? Not one of your best performances. Too damn fast !

[@dannyhood66]

Between eric johnson and SLosh, You would believe if both of em showed up in your living playin guitar' You would still like SlosHes playing, To understand be corrected seeing a virtuoso, Not that sloSH isnt good enough but he needs to be in bluesrock setting eric johnson will take you somewhere else period on his worst day he would play things sLoSh cannot comprehend because he didnt take learning other styles as much as eric johnson, Put this way Eric can play anything sLosH thur him different

[@tyroncline5978]

Good but Prince’s version is better. Selection of notes is much better

[@Navoza]

Ehhhh haha

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Yeah … no. Awesome song, awesome player, awesome playing, but SOMETHING is missing. You can tell this is Eric Johnson from the classic Cliffs Of Dover tone, but for me, it's a bit like Joe Bonamassa's playing, a bit too clinical, not raw enough (tone a bit too mellow for this song, like an LP neck pickup) and lacking some of Jimi's groove and air of spontaneity. This feels more like Eric Johnson covering Eric Clapton trying to cover Hendrix, but with better playing than Clapton could ever manage. Feel the same about SRV when he covers Hendrix too - brilliant, but SOMETHING lacking. IMO, Uli Jon Roth and Frank Marino are the best Hendrix clones out there when they want to be.

[@Geminywwerocks]

And Robin trower too. Great voice and guitar playing . I got LP records from my older brothers. Treasures..

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

You have no clue what you’re talking about just a bunch of rubbish you’re spewing out our rear

[@lucguenette7534]

not the best, but extremely hard to beat.

[@cosmic687]

to the haters: he's better than you

[@Telewanger]

@helpdonate1 Slash is a Kindergarten Joke, Please!

[@smoothheadjohnny4719]

And I agree with helpdonate1 - slash blows Eric Johnson & in NO WAY out of the water...

[@FatCitySaint]

EJ is a good player, but he butchered that song. Whitest version of Jimi I ever heard! lol

[@JgHaverty]

Eric was VERY VERY VERY VERY shy playing when he first start getting bigger gigs. He butchered his OWN songs. He's very lucky his studio stuff was so good, because his early live stuff was (obviously) terrible. He didn't start getting good live until the early 90s

[@JgHaverty]

***** Hmm, its pretty clear EJ wasn't playing to his own level. What's that have to do with his own playing? Lay off you troll.

[@02DZ]

The jealousy some a--holes like yourself display is pathetic... Eric Johnson is is guitar god of the highest magnitude, most worthy to play Hendrix or any of his other mentors as he sees fit... Now run along and practice "Mary had a little lamb" on your ukulele...

[@02DZ]

The jealousy some a--holes like yourself display is pathetic... Eric Johnson is is guitar god of the highest magnitude, most worthy to play Hendrix or any of his other mentors as he sees fit... Now run along and practice "Mary had a little lamb" on your ukulele...

[@02DZ]

The jealousy some a--holes like yourself display is pathetic... Eric Johnson is is guitar god of the highest magnitude, most worthy to play Hendrix or any of his other mentors as he sees fit... Now run along and practice "Mary had a little lamb" on your ukulele...

[@luiz7607]

Spanish Castle Magic is a song that touches our very soul...EJ's good, but the feeling of the song is lost...they're playing a little faster, which is already bad...the solo is ok, but a little emotionless imo

[@rrguitar1]

Great guitarist but this sucks. Too fast and no feeling at all. Wtf were they thinking? "Let's be different" doesn't always work as seen here.

[@Cotramjoxxx]

rrguitar1 "Let's be different" or "More is better" is the stupid ideology of a lot jazz players like him. Im agree with you.

[@sz5876]

Having enjoyed the Yngwie and Hendrix (original) versions of this song since 1990, I just didn't think it was possible to F this song up. Wow, was I ever wrong. It's worse than Lenny's qualude induced American Woman. No soul, no anything.

[@jamessorey5687]

Too fast not as blues attitude as Hendrix. Blues are never to be rushed.

[@knightfall9394]

I love how melodramatic hendrix fans are especially considering eric is one of the few guys who does hendrix songs well

[@robwarren4425]

Rushed. Not much feel. Nah

[@esquibelle]

I don't think so ---- nice try but ----ummmmm just no ------ not even close ... there was only one JImi Hendrix & y'all can try to imitate him but .... just no. The only one who came close was SRV RIP --- PS Just NO NO No nO noNO nn NO STOP STOP stop

[@smirkitysmirksmirk]

shut up

[@hesch-tag]

I like EJ but this is horrible. I prefer his Are you experienced? cover. I even prefer Yngwie Malmsteen's Spanish castle magic to this version.