Customer Reviews

Venus Isle

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love Eric Johnson's guitar playing (he's got that 'impossible' tone). Eric also has a great voice. I noticed some people commented that they wish he wouldn't sing, but I think he does a wonderful job of it.

This is my favorite out of all the EJ recordings I own. Some would probably argue that the album seems over-produced compared to things he done in the past, but I don't care. "Venus Isle" is beautifully recorded--it's a pleasure to listen to. It progresses very nicely--the songs sound like they were meant to go in the order they're in. They all meld together to form one long song. Very soothing...especially tracks like "Song for Lynette" and "When the Sun Meets the Sky."

In reading other reviews, I found out that the person this album is tributed to was Johnson's girlfriend, who was unfortunately killed in a burglary. The general mood of this album makes more sense now knowing that.

I highly recommend you check out this recording.

Eric Johnson performed in Boston during his Venus Isle tour in the fall of 1996; and before his band took the stage, an emcee took the microphone to apologize for Johnson's condition: He was recovering from an illness and wouldn't be able to sing, so the concert would be entirely instrumental. The audience erupted into a simultaneous cheer.

The fact is, Eric Johnson could guarantee himself better sales by positioning himself as a "guitar hero" and recording instrumental albums. Instead he continues to record thoughtful, cohesive music where lyrics and guitar solos collaborate to serve compositional function. He's a perfectionist with an artistic vision. You've got to respect that.

I think "Venus Isle" stands as one of the best rock albums of the Nineties. If you're hoping for pyrotechnic solos, with sweep picking and finger tapping on every track, then you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're willing to set aside your expectations and judge the music on its merits, then I would suggest you listen with a good pair of headphones. There's a lot to hear, made possible by first-rate engineering and production. Each song stands solidly on its own -- and collectively, the program comprises a hell of an album.

After Johnson's hit "Cliffs of Dover," there was a lot of pressure for him to follow up with an album quickly to capitalize on his popularity. Instead of dashing off a few quick instrumentals and selling a million CDs, he spent six years planning his next work. (This infuriated his record label.) He allegedly recorded at least one other full album, which got as far as the mastering stage before he decided to discard it and start over from scratch. "Venus Isle" was the work he finally deemed worthy of release. I think it was worth the wait.

When I first heard "Manhattan" on the G3 Cd, I bought Ah Via and this album. Impeccable tone, jaw-dropping speed, and deep lyrics, make this one of the most precious albums I owe. Some notable songs are: Battle We Have Won, All About You, SRV, and Pavilion. But the best track in my opinion is Manhattan. It gives me tingles listening to it. I love playing along with it on my guitar as well as SRV. Buy it and you won't be dissapointed.

The first song/instrumental I ever heard by Eric Johnson was 'Cliffs of Dover' from the 'Ah Via Musicom' album. I knew I would keep on loving this guy ever after that hearing.
One of the most (if not the best) melodious rock instrumental guitarists of his genre, Eric Johnson is amazingly talented, extremely versatile and immaculately accurate with melody nursing. And he does all this through his distinctive guitar tone (which helped in identifying him in the G3 suite of songs), fluent playing style and frequent refreshing and magical vocals.
'Venus Isle' is a beautiful album. I personally think its a tiny notch above 'Ah Via Musicom', which is sheer brilliance in itself.
The title track starts off with a vocal chant from a guy called 'Amit Chatterjee'...very pleasurable introduction that gives generous way to Eric, when he's done. Followed by 'Battle we have won'(again with an Indianish intro), with Eric still on vocals, you get a taste of most of what this album is centered around. Fine melody, great percussion and magical guitaring. There's an ode (and a compelling one at that) to Stevie Ray Vaughan on 'S.R.V.' (brilliant!) with guest guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, but otherwise this album mostly speaks volumes in magical fantasy land.
Melody is pronounced in tracks like 'Lonely in the night'(love the chorus after the intro!), 'song for lynette'(beautiful and soulful acoustic piano composition, with classical guitar accompaniment and string arrangements and a serene trumpet interlude),'pavillion' and 'when the sun meets the sky'. The latter is what possibly comes closest (although a bit louder) to 'Forty mile town' from the 'Ah Via Musicom' album. A lilting melody thats bound to make you want to listen to it again and again. And as the CD inlay card says, "Nothing bolder, nothing grander, than tuning into love".

'Lonely in the night' finishes off with a great solo...God! Eric's excellent! The way he swoops down to pick up a run and then down again to weave it into another, from the same depths, but longer this time with an additional note, is just superb. (figure that one!)
'All about you' has some commendable guitar runs amidst all the comparitively overbearing drumming. The song does get into instrumental mode mid-way and gives that much more room for Eric to dazzle...electrifying runs and woven into the rhythm perfectly. There's an almost 2 minute solo that will make you go. "Gosh! I love this guy".
'Camel's night out' and 'Pavillion' showcase Eric's talent, enough to extol his style and recognize him as one of the best guitar melody conjurors. 'Manhattan' is a nice steady cool track...instrumental and cozy.
The album ends with 'Venus reprise', an instrumental rejuvenation of sorts.

'Venus Isle' is a great melody album, with Eric Johnson really reaching out for magical strings that tug at your heart. I'd seriously recommend a buy, if you have a heart that is :)

Venus Isle represents a logical progression in Eric Johnson's evolution as one of the handful of true guitar virtuosos, players who have shaped the sound, style and purpose of the guitar. If Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover" from Ah Via Musicom represented a shining star in the vast dark sky of guitar mediocrity, then Venus Isle is a veritable constellation. Johnson's prior work has earned him rightful recognition for masterful technique, an unparalleled tonal quality, and a melodic sixth sense. Now Venus Isle validates his credentials as a brilliant composer, combining soulful textural moods and adrenaline-pumping sonic runs in works as symmetrical in structure as they are erotic in their presentation. While Johnson has once again (as he had on Musicom) chosen the first cut to introduce what can best be described as a collection of self-indulgent and annoying sound affectations, "All About You" emerges as the first classic from this work. The mesmerizing guitar riffs are woven brilliantly into a screeching solo. The Stevie Ray tribute "SRV", which immediately follows, once again displays Johnson's musical diversity. Having Stevie's brother Jimmy play the solo at the first break was a touching gesture, but only reinforces the chasm that exists between Johnson and other guitarists. The pinnacle of this album is the three successive cuts, "Song For Lynette", "When The Sun Meets The Sky", and "Pavilion" that personify Johnson's range as stylist, instrumentalist, and composer. From the simple elegance of the piano/acoustic guitar arrangement on "Song For Lynette", to the introspective, soul searching melody on "When The Sun Meets The Sky", to the explosive "Pavilion", the listener is whisked away on a musical excursion to a remote corner of Johnson's musical soul.

Commercial viability and media hype notwithstanding, Eric Johnson seems poised to join the exclusive club of Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, and Van Halen. Satriani and Vai have been denied application. Page misplaced his along the way. Metheny and DiMeola have long ago chosen fretboard gymnastics above memorable music. Unlike so many guitarist on the scene today, Eric Johnson is not content to play the notes he can reach. He plays the notes that reach listeners.

There is no sound on Earth like the voice of Eric Johnson's guitar. A voice searching for a song to chasten darkness and rising like a prayer to Heaven. Close your eyes and surrender to the waves of spirit that spill from this artists soul and fingers. How many albums seek to envelop and heal you with sound like the concern of a trusted friend? Eric will show you a side that most of us are afraid to admit even exists let alone put on display. If his voice is too pure for this day and age let it at least be a vision of what music was meant to be...from the heart. Thank you Eric for the depth drawn from the fire of a fearless artist. This is very near the masterpiece that will change the world. Keep searching and never compromise.

Absolutely no one beats Eric Johnson's guitar playing for making my skin tingle and compelling me keep playing his CDs over and over.
Venu Isle is truly beautiful, soul-soaring music - created for those chill-out moments sitting on the sand-dunes on a windy day and watching the breakers...or just cruising that Pacific coastal road that leads up into the mountains.
The opening bars of 'Song for Lynette' are so poignant they make me want to cry/laugh out aloud/simply kiss someone...for bringing back memories of loves known and lost.
God bless you Eric Johnson for bringing a mellow autumnal sunshine into my heart with your gorgeous music. Intense and intelligent rock music for everyone.

When I first read about Eric Johnson,in 1996, when I was in the USA (I'm from Brazil), I read a magazine that was spreading the news about G3 tour. The magazine was saying great things about him and this Venus Isle, so I thought "Who's this guy ? But why not, since he's playing with this guitar legends ?" And I bought Venus Isle, just released at that time. I heard it once, twice, on and on. I couldn't believe in what I was listening to, so much techinique and passion, but most of all, beauty. I felt funny. How come I didn't know that guy before ? And I kept hearing and buying everything I could of EJ. Tones, Ah Via Musicom, and recently Seven Worlds. Every song in Venus Isle, as well as his other CD's, has a new meaning, own life. But Venus Isle is his master piece. It took 6 years to record and release. It made worth every second. "When The Sun Meets The Sky" is perfect. Its melody, arrangement, passion and every single note are unique and perfect. Untouchable. Sacred. "Song for Lynette" Combines grace, peace and melody. I could write pages and pages about Venus Isle, but I wouldn't find words to describe what I feel when I hear it. I learned to admire EJ by this record, and every time I hear it I learn to admire him even more. A must buy.

I love everything about this CD! From the awesome cover art, gorgeous music, thought-provoking lyrics, incredible singing, unbelievable instrumentals to the passionate emotions Eric expresses. Wow!

I bought this CD after listening to the "G-3 Live In Concert" VHS Eric did with Satriani and Vai. I noticed that Eric's songs "MANHATTAN" and "SRV" (two of the three songs Eric played on G-3) were BOTH on this CD so I had to buy it--simply magnificent instrumental blues songs! These two songs alone are worth the purchase price to me! I listened to them almost entirely at first. They are STILL my top two favorites.

Later, I found myself listening to the entire CD straight through and enjoying it ALL.

"VENUS ISLE": Eric's voice is remarkable; it doesn't overbear the music rather he blends with and adds to the music! Same thing goes for "ALL ABOUT YOU" and "LONELY IN THE NIGHT". Simply beautiful in every way!

"BATTLE WE HAVE WON" has phenomenal lyrics, an amazing achievement with the synthesizers and guitar plus again, Eric's voice fits perfectly! I really love this song; it's very inspirational to me.

"CAMEL'S NIGHT OUT" is a great instrumental song (what is the deal with the camel? Hmmmm. I like a musician who puts a question mark in his music!)

I adore the gorgeous instrumental song titled "SONG FOR LYNETTE." Every woman should have a special song dedicated to her (and every man for that matter!) No words needed here! WOW!

Listening to "WHEN THE SUN MEETS THE SKY" I feel like I am actually watching it happen! I wish he had an instrumental reprise on the CD of it also!

"PAVILLION" and "VENUS REPRISE" are great ending songs!

I highly recommend this CD! VENUS ISLE isn't just music; it is art! It speaks to my heart; I feel strong emotions. I personally love to see an artist express himself so purely that the music reaches out and grabs my heart like this! If you do also, then this is the CD for you!

Thanks Eric! I will cherish this one always! Love your style!

I got hooked on Eric Johnson when I heard Ah Via Musicom, and I waited most impatiently for this followup album. Now, 2 years since I bought it, it is still my favorite album of all time. I listen to it at least twice a week, and sometimes twice a day. It's just impossible to get tired of Venus Isle. Eric's melody writing and technical playing have always been firstrate, but his vocal talents really get a chance to shine here. Once again, I look forward to his next masterpiece. But how do you top perfection? Best tracks: Venus Isle, Manhattan, When the Sun Meets the Sky.