Eric Johnson - Bloom
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Eric JohnsonEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2005-06-14
Music Label: Favored Nations
Soundtracks:
- Bloom
- Summer Jam
- My Back Pages
- Good To Me
- Columbia
- 12 To 12 Vibe
- Sea Secret
- Sad Legacy
- From My Heart
- Cruise The Nile
- Tribute To Jerry Reed
- Your Sweet Eyes
- Hesitant
- Sunnaround You
- Magnetized
- Ciel
Free Music Notes for Bloom
Free Music Review: Worth the wait =)
Hit: 5 Stars
Bloom is divided into 3 sections using classical terms. Yeah, pretty anomalous for a Texas Guitar Slinger but keep in mind this is the first official Eric Johnson solo release since Venus Isle in 1996. And well -- it's EJ.
Anomaly might as well be his middle name.
First -- the definitions of the terms:
Allemande
A dance in moderate duple meter first appearing in the early 16th century and was frequently followed by a more lively dance in triple meter or, in the 17th century, by the courante. In the 17th century it became a stylized dance type that was regularly used as the first movement of a dance suite. These allemandes are in a very moderate 4/4 time.
Courante
A lively French Baroque dance in triple meter; the courante is the second number of the old Suites de Danses.
Prelude
1. An instrumental composition intended to introduce a larger composition or a set of compositions.
2. A short compositions for piano.
3. A composition which establishes the key for a composition that immediately follows.
The Prelude section includes "Bloom", "Summer Jam", "Good to Me", "Columbia", and "12 by 12 Vibe". These are all strictly speaking instrumental compositions that do indeed introduce a larger set of compositions. "My Back Pages" is slipped in there as the third track on the album and if it does not precisely adhere to the strictest sense of form by being a song, it DOES fit into the tone of the group by being a vibrant and refreshing rock and roll version of the tune best known as a Bob Dylan ballad covered in the lush and stately harmonies of The Byrds in the mid 60s. Quite simply, the Prelude section encompasses the main CRUNCH of the recording -- it rocks, rolls and dances all over the place!
The Courante section could have just as well been called "While y'all're catching your breath here's a few tunes for the soul, maybe they'll cleanse the ol' palate.." or some other aw shucks folks understatement.
This section consists of 6 pieces: 3 songs and 3 instrumentals, each one a gem of diversity, nuance, and mastery -- if the first section showcased EJ's skills as a rock composer, the Courante showcases the man's skills as a Composer and Songwriter with a range from Far Eastern motifs and eclectic instrumentation ("Sea Secret", and "Cruise the Nile") Country Picking on an utterly god-like level ("Tribute to Jerry Reed" -- which features the bouyant and magical Adrian Legg in a guest appearance) and three exemplary original songs that show facets of EJ in a clear light where they were barely a tantalizing glimpse before.
"Sad Legacy " is a deft examination of society's taste for mayhem as a Value -- and the effects of this de-sensitivity as a role model for the next generation; "From My Heart" is for me the most unexpected piece: strategically placed in the fold as the 9th track of 16 is this R & B soulful ballad.
Which brings us to the song that closes out the Courante section, "Your Sweet Eyes". Ever hear a little tune called "40 Mile Town"?... This is rather like that, except for the fact it's about.. oh.. qualitively speaking:
a whole lot MORE.
It's been exaustively (and swoonily) written about elsewhere.
BTW -- I love "40 Mile Town", I've always thought it just doesn't get better than that.
Trust me. It does.
The Allemande section, rather than proceding the Courante gifts yet another surprise by closing out the album with four of the most sophisticated compositions yet to appear on an Eric Johnson record: the key to the musical term's application as the third sett being temperance: that is; eloquent, elegant, moderation.
There are two jazz instrumentals ("Hesitant" and "Magetized") the former featuring an acoustic bass and some of the fattest and smoothest guitar work I've ever heard out of EJ: the latter, a progressive homage to The Electromagnets, which in my mind seems to bring around the refrain from "My Back Pages" with a grin and glint in the eye.
The tune sandwiched between these two works is the last song of the record: a jazz ballad showing a leap in maturity and understanding of vocalise called "Sunnaround You".
The very last track is a straight classical guitar turn called "Ciel", which is the French word for heaven.
And it is a tone poem of whatever your hope of that place might be.
One other thing -- You Have to listen to this recording through headphones.
I am little Miss Curl-Up-And-Unspool-In-The-Headphones.
Audio Immersion: my drug of choice.
As terrific as Bloom is cranked through the house system: there are incredible, intimate vocal effects and drop ins, layers of textures, sound stratas and channel swirl stuff you are only going to pick up with direct injection via headphones.
It is acutely nuanced.
sheesh. Musical Pointillism. =)
Bloom Poster
Eric Johnson returns with the worldwide release of 'Bloom'. Special guests include Grammy Award-winning vocalist Shawn Colvin and guitarist Adrian Legg. The sixteen songs on 'Bloom' are carefully sequenced into three different sections, grouped together in terms of vibe and style. The prelude section features 'Bloom', 'Summer Jam', the Bob Dylan cover 'My Back Pages', 'Good to Me', 'Columbia', and '12 to 12 Vibe'. The courante section features 'Sea Secret', 'Sad Legacy', 'From My Heart', 'Cruise the Nile', 'Tribute to Jerry Reed', 'Your Sweet Eyes', and 'Hesitant'. The allemande section rounds out the CD with 'Sunnaround You', 'Magnetized', and 'Ciel'. Favored Nations. 2005.Texas guitar prodigy Eric Johnson returns to recording after a near-decade absence with a lush, typically restrained collection that eschews flash for fluid cool. Arranging the album's 16 songs into a musical triptych whose sections are labeled "Prelude," "Courante" and "Allemande," Johnson aims at creating a landscape of shifting moods that's as subtle as it is mature. The guitarist's trademark lyrical style is immediately showcased on the title track, "Summer Jam" and the stately fallen astronaut tribute, "Columbia." The first section is also energized by the funked-up "Good to Me," before Johnson turns to fare that's variously more impressionistic (the instrumental "Sea Secret"), conscience-driven (the pop-savvy ballad "Sad Legacy") and smooth-groove, r&b sultry ("From My Heart"). The infectious finger-pickin' "Tribute to Jerry Reed" segues into a final act that includes the romance of "Your Sweet Eyes" (with guest Shawn Colvin adding her distinctive harmonies), "Hesistant"'s tasteful Wes Montgomery-isms and the 70's charged, acid-jazz of "Magnetized." His fusion-lite cover of Dylan's "My Back Pages" and saccharine "Sunnaround You" withstanding, it's another fine tribute to Johnson's tasteful, often introspective muse. -- Jerry McCulley
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