Texas blues legend Eric Johnson brings “An Evening of Acoustic Guitar & Piano” to the Cohoes Music Hall, Saturday, Oct. 22 in celebration of the release of his new album “EJ.”
Thirty years after his breakthrough solo release “Tones” brought him national recognition, Texas guitar legend Eric Johnson is releasing his first all-acoustic album. Showcasing nine original compositions and four covers, “EJ” is easily Johnson’s most intimate album to date. “Ever since I was young, I’ve played piano and acoustic guitar in my private life,” Johnson says. “This type of music has always been a part of me, but I never showcased it on any kind of bigger level, like a full acoustic record. With ‘EJ,’ I just decided to be more honest with myself and everybody, and show more of my personal side.” “EJ” brings listeners as close as possible to hearing Johnson in his own living room, performing songs on piano and steel-string and nylon-string acoustic guitars.
Johnson, long known for his painstaking approach to making records, used a much more immediate approach for the self-produced “EJ.” “Almost all of that material was cut live,” Johnson explains. “Some of the songs I actually sang and played at the same time – just live in the studio. Recording this way gave it more of an honest realism and organic emotion. Especially on the acoustic, you just have to get in there and play.” Throughout his career, Johnson has approached music as a healing force, a way to enhance a listener’s consciousness and conjure joy and inspiration. “That’s what I’ve always appreciated most about other artists,” he says. “Some artists inspire us to wake up and get back to the clarity of consciousness. With this record, I’m trying to do that too, because I appreciate it so much in other people.”
Tickets are on sale at the Cohoes Music Hall Box Office (58 Remsen St. Cohoes, NY). Cohoes Music Hall Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Palace Theatre Box Office (located at 19 Clinton Ave), via Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 800-745-3000 online at ticketmaster.com.
For more information call 953-0630 or visit thecohoesmusichall.com or palacealbany.com.