After listening to Eric Johnson, we'd worship him for his tone mastery. It's not about how much drive he could conjure from his veiled effects line up but it's all about his unrivaled cleans. To me, it conjures serenity. It makes me appreciate the instrument for what it is, free from any need for effects.
I was looking forward to Up Close in search of another Manhattan but there was none. The spirit of Up Close drew its parallel to Ah Via Musicom with some very bluesy moments. I prefer Mr. Johnson's instrumentals more than his singing. However, in Up Close, some of the vocal-laden numbers, not sung by Mr. Johnson, wasn't free from his shackles. Take Brilliant Room for instance- the pitching, twists & turns were in the mould of Eric Johnson despite him not doing the vocals. Maybe that's the most disturbing aspect of this release to me.
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