Eric Johnson Review of "Alien Love Child: Live And Beyond" @ iTunes By: Robert Silverstein or his first release on the Steve Vai run Favored Nations imprint, guitar-slinger Eric Johnson has chosen to release a recent live set with his Alien Love Child combo. According to Johnson, "This album and band have been a real cathartic experience for me. It's taught me to see the big picture and appreciate the magic that happens as it happens." The first thing the strikes you upon listening to Live And Beyond is Johnson's total mastery of the fretboard, at times echoing Eric Clapton's guitar work on those classic live Cream albums from the late '60s. Anchored by the tight rhythm section of Bill Maddox (drums) and Chris Maresh (bass), Alien Love Child quickly settles into an entirely solid and satisfying blues rock groove. The mostly instrumental CD adds in three vocal numbers featuring Johnson (on "Shape I'm In") and blues belter Malford Milligan. The vocal tracks are impressive enough, but Johnson's effortlessly executed and fluid guitar leads really come to life on the album's atmospheric instrumentals, especially the lead off cut "Zenland" and "Rain". The guitarist adds, "It was a lot of fun, we took things a little bit farther than normal and broadened the sound by playing a wider selection of material. Mostly it was about having a good time with some great music and some of my favorite musicians." Recorded live in the guitarist's hometown of Austin, Texas, the 10 track CD features futuristic artwork and, perhaps hinting at the good music to come, Johnson & Co. close out Live And Beyond with a bonus studio track entitled "World Of Trouble". © Robert Silverstein / MusicWeb Express 3000 Zenland Last House On The Block Rain Enzo Shuffle Once A Part Of Me