I am a 13 year old guitarist, and this makes me almost cry. His arpeggios are so amazing, and the chords he uses are just mind blowing. I hope to be able to play like this when I get to his age. My mind is just blown...
Eric Johnson is the highest master of all that is guitar and tone. He is the most technical, most innovative, most precise, most fluid, and he is the most clean guitar player to ever dawn the instrument. His guitar tone is only unmatched by his virtuoso guitar playing. He developed a new science of playing the guitar and the making of the guitar itself. His singing ability is second to none, it is very soulful and effortless, his singing like his guitar playing grabs a hold of you and takes you on an amazing journey. Eric Johnson is to guitar as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Da Vinci are to the arts.
You are so right. I've known Eric for over 20 years now, and most of the world still doesn't know what an amazingly talented guitar player he is. Still the best in my book. Lance in Brenham, TX.
To me, Eric is the great hope for American music, that one day we'll grow out of the foolishness of childhood and grow up, embracing music that is challenging, mature, and soulful at the same time.
One time I saw him live and the intro was twice as long. I heard he was playing 11 hours a day at the time. This is such a great version, might be the greatest for the intro. 3:00 to 3:30 is next level. 3:30 to 4:00 is next next level!! He is definitely channeling John McLaughlin at points. Totally amazing improv mixed with tasteful EJ melodies and licks. If someone can notify me if there is a better guitar intro to a song PLEASE do!!! Eric Johnson is the ultimate in clean melodic solos with speed. Hope this hits 1 million views soon!!
Don't hate on someone who just has his own way of expressing himself. From any objective point of view, Eric Johnson has a very in depth understanding of the guitar, the way HE plays it.
1st heard EJ at a small outdoor stage at the cotton bowl, for the texas world music festival in th late 70s.. walking through the crowds, we heard this incredible guitar .. when we got to the stage, this guy, who looked like a high school kid, was playing it fast and smooth and loud. everyone was mesmerized...he played almost nonstop for an hour...soooo clean.. and still awesome.
He never plays a music the same way live.. That's something I like so much about him.. He's always improvisating, wich means he's taking these notes right from his heart and showing to us what he feels.. :)
If I had to choose my favorite guitarist of all time, for flexibility, tasty note choice, pristine, melodic tone and effortless agility in multiple genres - it'd be Eric Johnson, without hesitation. I hope to, someday, meet this amazing player.
seriously.. his songs is like.. more than just music.. it's some serious emotion just radiating from his instrument... it's absolutely beautiful... And really. Does it really matter how people find songs? Just spread the love any way you can bro.
You got it jmsbk Beck & Johnson would make a fantastic combination together.the 2 masters of beautiful tone putting a super group together, fabulous!!!
The great ones always have a distinct sound of their own. Eric has a smooth way of blending notes that never sounds choppy, even on the fastest runs. This is one of those songs that always seems to stay in my head.
No Soul? No Passion? Are you even listening to the same song as everyone else is? I mean it's Eric Johnson. He put everything in every note he played. If you can't hear the soul, the love in his songs, then I have pity for you.
Amazing guitarist, this guy plays the blues with the best, he must have enormous heart to be able to just improvise and do it so beautifully that it sounds that much better live. I've always wanted to go to one of his concerts but I've never had the money. He's an amazing man, I wish he could touch my guitar, maybe his amazingness could rub off on me :D
When i hear Eric i hear passion, technique, incredible knoweledge of harmony... he's just incredible, it's hard do find the right words, but i think you can be a better guitarist just even watching him playing
E. Johnson est l'un des guitaristes dont je ne me lasse pas d'écouter. Tout simplement magnifique. Super son, choix des notes, technique au service de la musique, feeling... Plus qu'un guitariste: un musicien !
Eric Johnson took my appreciation of guitar to another level with his tastful phrasing and technique. To this day, I can never cease to admire and find inspiration in one of his albums "Venus Isle".Hhis musical spirit is palpable everytime his songs are played from that album.
he has an extraordinary talent for music and a very melodic approach .. I think He is a true master that are sometimes forgotten whn mentioning the best of the best :)
Pardon my ignorance but I didn't even know about Eric Johnson until a friend gave me this link. Now I know why he recommended him, the guy is simply amazing!
I have many favorite guitarists, in different genres, but Johnson is probably in the top five of mine. Brilliant player, and from what I've heard of others who had the peasure of meeting him in person, the most down to earth guy you coud imagine.
Its amazing how I can feel happy and yet sad at the same time . Amazing how he can say much without ever saying a single word . Simply amazing , One of my favorite versions of this song . I also like Satch , "Cryin'"
Wish I could make mistakes and still sound so good. He's one of the few guitar players that set my ass back when I first caught him on the tube around twenty some odd years ago. No doubt among the best.
Eric is an astounding guitarist, and the improvisation at the beginning is simply wonderful. His depth of chordal and tonal understanding is phenomenal.
tihs guy holds the true spirit of guitar. It"s not about shredding its about feeling, soul. this man makes it worth playing. btw i love the strat they're my favorites.
No matter how many times I've heard him or how many times I've seen him...I am always amazed and overwhelmed at the sheer genius of his playing!!!! I am always at a loss of should I scream or should I cry...I do both and with good reason! What an enormous talent and all the accolades in the world will never do him justice! The combination of his heart and his skills and his technical virtuosity blend so well together! I hope he makes magic for another 100 years! We all should be so blessed!
when I see eric johnson, I see a lot more besides a guitarist. I see a great musician and an great composer who is known for his melodic phrase, by his guitar tone but the most important of all, this gentleman is a perfectionist.
I play 'cliffs' on sax (the notes of the studio version at least - see clip) and every once in a while I watch/listen to this version to hear the variation around 5.23.. some spontanious sounding music making..loving it!
never boring or dull. i love EJ's playing and cliffs of dover (anyone know why he chose this name for this) is always good to listen to. great improv here esp at start one or two smalll mistakes but hey everyones human and at least his live versions differ from the studio ones which is alway a sign of a good player, make it recognisable but still be original and spontaneous. pure listening joy = EJ
Good news, everyone! Eric is about to release a new live DVD (in november 11th) It's called Live in "Anahein" and contemplates bonus tracks in acoustic guitar and piano (like "song for lynette" and "song for george")
this guy does something you just can't put your finger on. he is not playing as fast as yngwie or MAB, or as fututistic as vai or satch, but there's just something about him that makes you dig this more than them. he's got so much feeling in his tunes it just touches you deep down in your soul. this man is indeed not yngwie, vai or satch. he is erick johnson, and thank god for that
this is an amazing blues guitarist! It's totally breathtaking. His performance is just so hillaroous to watch, because it's almost as perfect as it can be. Long live EJ ;)
This version is just to amazing. Im learning this song even as i type this, and it aint that hard to play, but to get the same feeling he does there...hard as hell. Eric Johnson has mastered every aspect of guitar playing in my opinion. He nails every damn tone with accuracy i've never seen live. Simply amazing.
That tone is just remarkable. There is not another soul on the earth that can play those phrases with such clarity. I would have been sure to bring a change of pants if I were in the audience.
It's a pleasure, man! Beeing an Eric Johnson super-fan, I just couldn't keep this for myself! I'm glad Eric's got so many fans and that there are people who know how to apreciate his talent.
that guy moves peoples head with such curisma, and feeling, it stuns them with his great skill, and If you been to one of his conserts, you will now what im talking about.
Apart from being amazing technically, this guy really writes a great song/tune. That is why I can listen to his albums over and over and it never gets old.
I love the fact that Eric plays the intro differently every time. He's one of the greatest improvisers of our generation.
It's a joy to hear Eric just playing.Everything about him is just perfect:his speed,his tone,his phrasing...
I am a 13 year old guitarist, and this makes me almost cry. His arpeggios are so amazing, and the chords he uses are just mind blowing. I hope to be able to play like this when I get to his age. My mind is just blown...
Brake McGaughey I'm 3 and definitely agree.
I’m an embryo and I hope my mommy doesn’t abort me so I can know what y’all are talking about.
Well Brake...it's been 6 years. Are you still a guitarist?
Check out this interview...th-cam.com/video/iRg13KGb-28/w-d-xo.html
You're not 13 anymore
I love how he changes this song each and every time. You cannot get bored of Eric Johnson, it's a practical impossibility!
Eric Johnson is the highest master of all that is guitar and tone. He is the most technical, most innovative, most precise, most fluid, and he is the most clean guitar player to ever dawn the instrument. His guitar tone is only unmatched by his virtuoso guitar playing. He developed a new science of playing the guitar and the making of the guitar itself. His singing ability is second to none, it is very soulful and effortless, his singing like his guitar playing grabs a hold of you and takes you on an amazing journey. Eric Johnson is to guitar as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Da Vinci are to the arts.
this song will never get old, its even more amazing every time i listen to it. eric johnson has got to be by far the best guitarist ever
what I love about Eric Johnson he has such a warm sound, and he features it well during the Improv. at the beginning.
You are so right. I've known Eric for over 20 years now, and most of the world still doesn't know what an amazingly talented guitar player he is. Still the best in my book. Lance in Brenham, TX.
To me, Eric is the great hope for American music, that one day we'll grow out of the foolishness of childhood and grow up, embracing music that is challenging, mature, and soulful at the same time.
Eric Johnson is awsome. Quite possibly one of the greatest guitarists ever.
I like how he mixed it up a bit in there.
One time I saw him live and the intro was twice as long. I heard he was playing 11 hours a day at the time. This is such a great version, might be the greatest for the intro. 3:00 to 3:30 is next level. 3:30 to 4:00 is next next level!! He is definitely channeling John McLaughlin at points. Totally amazing improv mixed with tasteful EJ melodies and licks. If someone can notify me if there is a better guitar intro to a song PLEASE do!!! Eric Johnson is the ultimate in clean melodic solos with speed. Hope this hits 1 million views soon!!
Don't hate on someone who just has his own way of expressing himself.
From any objective point of view, Eric Johnson has a very in depth understanding of the guitar, the way HE plays it.
How does anyone give this a dislike? They don't deserve to listen to the master.
1:40 is my favorite run. So melodic and warm. A true wizard of his craft.
1st heard EJ at a small outdoor stage at the cotton bowl, for the texas world music festival in th late 70s.. walking through the crowds, we heard this incredible guitar .. when we got to the stage, this guy, who looked like a high school kid, was playing it fast and smooth and loud. everyone was mesmerized...he played almost nonstop for an hour...soooo clean.. and still awesome.
Eric's sound during the intro is quite possibly the best clean tone I've ever heard on TH-cam!
One of the top ten guitarists in the world, right here!
He never plays a music the same way live.. That's something I like so much about him.. He's always improvisating, wich means he's taking these notes right from his heart and showing to us what he feels.. :)
The intro is magical. I wish I was 1/3 as talented as Eric Johnson is. This is medicine for your soul.
That intro was insane!!!!!!!!!!! This is a dedicated musician in every respect.
This is like listening to an angel play a Stratocaster instead of a harp/lyre
If I had to choose my favorite guitarist of all time, for flexibility, tasty note choice, pristine, melodic tone and effortless agility in multiple genres - it'd be Eric Johnson, without hesitation. I hope to, someday, meet this amazing player.
i love the intro. and he is just so smooth. he is picking like a knife through warm butter. god i love it.
seriously..
his songs is like.. more than just music..
it's some serious emotion just radiating from his instrument...
it's absolutely beautiful...
And really. Does it really matter how people find songs?
Just spread the love any way you can bro.
You got it jmsbk Beck & Johnson would make a fantastic combination together.the 2 masters of beautiful tone putting a super group together, fabulous!!!
The great ones always have a distinct sound of their own. Eric has a smooth way of blending notes that never sounds choppy, even on the fastest runs. This is one of those songs that always seems to stay in my head.
man its such a beauty to watch his fingers glide over the fret. such a clean touch visually and awesome voicings.
The master of string skipping ! A very big inspiration in my life . Very few guitarist have soul with their playing . He has it !! Blessed by God !
No Soul? No Passion? Are you even listening to the same song as everyone else is? I mean it's Eric Johnson. He put everything in every note he played. If you can't hear the soul, the love in his songs, then I have pity for you.
this the best blues i ever heard, groovy, i think you can know by hearing the music and the beat that can make the audience groove ..
Amazing guitarist, this guy plays the blues with the best, he must have enormous heart to be able to just improvise and do it so beautifully that it sounds that much better live. I've always wanted to go to one of his concerts but I've never had the money. He's an amazing man, I wish he could touch my guitar, maybe his amazingness could rub off on me :D
When i hear Eric i hear passion, technique, incredible knoweledge of harmony... he's just incredible, it's hard do find the right words, but i think you can be a better guitarist just even watching him playing
Fresh as the first time I heard it, brings tears to my eyes everytime . . .
Eric's not a guitar player, he's an artist!
coming back to this after a break -oh yeah! memorable evry time
The intro was a soothing slow piece, difficult to make you jump in joy.
i met eric he's one in a million! ! fantastic fret work he lays it down solid! !!
OMG - the "indian" notes in the intro after he kicks in the OD.... I just melted away...
Thx for posting!
Paul
This is the best verision of Cliffs of Dover!! EJ's a genius, reinventing his songs from time to time! I love his music and his hand (^^')
E. Johnson est l'un des guitaristes dont je ne me lasse pas d'écouter. Tout simplement magnifique. Super son, choix des notes, technique au service de la musique, feeling...
Plus qu'un guitariste: un musicien !
Eric Johnson took my appreciation of guitar to another level with his tastful phrasing and technique. To this day, I can never cease to admire and find inspiration in one of his albums "Venus Isle".Hhis musical spirit is palpable everytime his songs are played from that album.
he has an extraordinary talent for music and a very melodic approach .. I think He is a true master that are sometimes forgotten whn mentioning the best of the best
:)
Its been 10 years since i last heard this. I was just starting to play guitar back then. I guess it is time to pick the pace up again. Thank you Eric
The intro is simply amazing. Every single note is so distinct. He plays every single note and you can feel it.
Pardon my ignorance but I didn't even know about Eric Johnson until a friend gave me this link. Now I know why he recommended him, the guy is simply amazing!
I have many favorite guitarists, in different genres, but Johnson is probably in the top five of mine. Brilliant player, and from what I've heard of others who had the peasure of meeting him in person, the most down to earth guy you coud imagine.
Its amazing how I can feel happy and yet sad at the same time . Amazing how he can say much without ever saying a single word . Simply amazing , One of my favorite versions of this song . I also like Satch , "Cryin'"
the best guitarist playing the best song with the best guitar
this video is the best
EJ has brought a new dimension to the guitar. Such a great sound and excellent technique. I really like the way he plays!
Unbelieivably good. This video gets better every time I watch it
Wish I could make mistakes and still sound so good. He's one of the few guitar players that set my ass back when I first caught him on the tube around twenty some odd years ago. No doubt among the best.
Absolutley gorgeous tone. The guy has taken the art of tone and acheived such levels of excellence with it's mind blowing. Truly one of the greats!
I have seen Eric Live in Concert, and have heard many versions of this song Cliffs of Dover.
I beleive this is by far his best Rendition.... : )
Eric is an astounding guitarist, and the improvisation at the beginning is simply wonderful. His depth of chordal and tonal understanding is phenomenal.
tihs guy holds the true spirit of guitar. It"s not about shredding its about feeling, soul. this man makes it worth playing. btw i love the strat they're my favorites.
No matter how many times I've heard him or how many times I've seen him...I am always amazed and overwhelmed at the sheer genius of his playing!!!! I am always at a loss of should I scream or should I cry...I do both and with good reason! What an enormous talent and all the accolades in the world will never do him justice! The combination of his heart and his skills and his technical virtuosity blend so well together! I hope he makes magic for another 100 years! We all should be so blessed!
He makes the music just fly.I couldnt believe my ears back in 1990 when I first heard this .
when I see eric johnson, I see a lot more besides a guitarist. I see a great musician and an great composer who is known for his melodic phrase, by his guitar tone but the most important of all, this gentleman is a perfectionist.
I completely agree and thats one of the reasons I love this so much.
easily my favorite guitarist- or better said virtuoso. This is my favorite of his live shows
I play 'cliffs' on sax (the notes of the studio version at least - see clip) and every once in a while I watch/listen to this version to hear the variation around 5.23.. some spontanious sounding music making..loving it!
DAMN!! His tone is incredible. It never ceases to amaze me
This is seriously the most musical music ever musiced.
I sure would love to see him play in person , this is just fantastic !!!
ERIC JOHNSON ROCKS!!!!!! whooo! saw him in concert!!!!! GO EJ!!
I never get tired of EJ!
thank you for posting this... can you say... tingly spine feeling for a full 10 minutes?
I love Eric Johnson sooooo much
Thanks again
never boring or dull. i love EJ's playing and cliffs of dover (anyone know why he chose this name for this) is always good to listen to. great improv here esp at start one or two smalll mistakes but hey everyones human and at least his live versions differ from the studio ones which is alway a sign of a good player, make it recognisable but still be original and spontaneous. pure listening joy = EJ
Very Hot Virtuoso on the Guitar !
Thanks Eric !
Good news, everyone! Eric is about to release a new live DVD (in november 11th) It's called Live in "Anahein" and contemplates bonus tracks in acoustic guitar and piano (like "song for lynette" and "song for george")
this guy does something you just can't put your finger on. he is not playing as fast as yngwie or MAB, or as fututistic as vai or satch, but there's just something about him that makes you dig this more than them. he's got so much feeling in his tunes it just touches you deep down in your soul. this man is indeed not yngwie, vai or satch. he is erick johnson, and thank god for that
this is an amazing blues guitarist! It's totally breathtaking. His performance is just so hillaroous to watch, because it's almost as perfect as it can be. Long live EJ ;)
This version is just to amazing.
Im learning this song even as i type this, and it aint that hard to play, but to get the same feeling he does there...hard as hell. Eric Johnson has mastered every aspect of guitar playing in my opinion. He nails every damn tone with accuracy i've never seen live. Simply amazing.
He's playing better than ever. He seems to be more relaxed and loose nowadays. EJ 's one of the best.
I would look like that too if i were standing listening to Eric johnson playing magic with his guitar ;-)
That tone is just remarkable. There is not another soul on the earth that can play those phrases with such clarity. I would have been sure to bring a change of pants if I were in the audience.
you're right.
i always loved the sound of eric johnson, makes me feel free
eric johnson has an amazing tone, nothing else like on earth, god bless
I love the way this man plays the guitar... He makes it sound so freakin' beautiful!
the feeling is pure bliss unlike any other player can make
He is one of the true greats of guitar. Incredible!
Yes he is one of the best in techno and inovative. Have seen him several times-not as many as I would have liked to. A humble artist.
Cant believe you have "beef" with this.
Absolutely outstanding.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhh the best intro for that song i have ever heard!
Yea, I can agree with that. They all are truly amazing in their own respect!
It's a pleasure, man! Beeing an Eric Johnson super-fan, I just couldn't keep this for myself! I'm glad Eric's got so many fans and that there are people who know how to apreciate his talent.
untouchable, no one even comes close to the way johnson plays
Holy crap this song just sends a rush straight through me! Awesome!
hi thanks for reply - yes cliffs of dover are on the south coast of england - its where we get the ferry to france :-)
one of my all favorites guitar player of all time, with Paul Gilbert, Jason becker and Jose Feliciano!
Thanks for this post, its the best video of this song on youtube. Eric is absolutely amazing in this version 2:28 gives me goosebumps
Eric is a TONE MONSTER! Killer video!
i'm amazed at all those notes he remembers not to mention his superb playing
that guy moves peoples head with such curisma, and feeling, it stuns them with his great skill, and If you been to one of his conserts, you will now what im talking about.
This guy inspires me so much. Watching him play gets rid of those playing blahs for me. :)
Stunning, simply stunning.
Eric Johnson is truly a GUITAR LEGEND!!!!
That introduction is like an elegy or requiem, haunting and ghostly. Unbelievable. I've got goosebumps.
I absolutely love this video!!!
a beautiful song hands down awesome intro
Apart from being amazing technically, this guy really writes a great song/tune. That is why I can listen to his albums over and over and it never gets old.