Search - Electromagnets :: Electromagnets

30 years and holding

E. Weed | Houston, TX | 01/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Writing in 2005--has it really been 30 years? In 1975, I was a 19 year-old guitar player in what might have been the only other fusion band in Texas (Denton, that is). When I heard Eric Johnson and the Electromagnets, I almost deep-sixed my axe...except it was so inspiring. Johnson had such sparkling agility--and not just in terms of speed, but variations of sound, melodic contour, feedback control. He could get such a light, woody, singing tone (out of what I think was his Gibson 335), like no one else we'd heard.



Somehow, we got ahold of dubs not long after the sessions were recorded, and I listened until the music, and particularly Johnson's playing, was burned into my brain (though my fingers couldn't catch up). But I hadn't heard this music since I more or less retired my turntable. Then I found the CD. I wondered: How would it hold up?



Magnificently. This really was one of the best fusion records from that time, and I can't say I've heard much since then that matches it in youthful exuberence, a glowing sense of excited discovery, yet a modest grace. I suppose one could criticize some of the writing as being overly episodic, not quite convincing. And surely there is better-sounding live material out there than the two additions to the original LP. But those are quibbles. I played the first cut for a 71-year old artist buddy of mine, and he said, "Wow!" You will, too."

What Might Have Been ...

Steven P Tidwell | Orlando, Florida United States | 01/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Had this album been on a large label when it was first released, there's no doubt jazz/rock/fusion fans would have been talking since then about the Electromagnets in the same breath as Return To Forever, Weather Report, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jeff Beck, Brand X, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, and Steve Morse and the Dregs. And it's not Eric Johnson's incredible playing that makes this great music. All four band members are highly skilled players AND excellent composers and arrangers; indeed, it's the strength of the compositions that truly impresses me and makes me wish I had had this album 25 years ago. I believe this is simply one of the very finest albums of the genre ever released. And even if the sound quality of the live cuts leaves something to be desired, I would love to hear anything else the 'Magnets might have recorded live."

5 stars times ten!

Michael L. Swan | houston | 02/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't imagine a review of this CD getting less than 5 stars. One reviewer quibbled about the recording quality of the live bonus tracts - but they are of significant interest to guitarists, because Eric usually goes even wilder live than on record, and that's the case here. If anyone reading this review has not heard this work, simply order it now - you can't be disappointed - the music is too good. If you're a guitarist - you should already have it! - An Eric fan since'75"