{"id":27219,"date":"2018-10-20T09:37:16","date_gmt":"2018-10-20T13:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=27219"},"modified":"2018-10-20T09:37:21","modified_gmt":"2018-10-20T13:37:21","slug":"on-stage-eric-johnson-brings-it-back-to-philly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=27219","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Eric Johnson brings it back to Philly"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Eric Johnson<\/p><\/div>\n

Texas guitar ace Eric Johnson played the area back in the spring on the first leg of his \u201cAh Via Musicom Tour.\u201d Now, he is returning to Philly on the second leg for a show on October 22 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400<\/a>, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Johnson is a highly-acclaimed guitarist from the Lone Star State. His 1990 album \u201cAh Via Musicom\u201d was certified platinum by the RIAA, and the single \u201cCliffs of Dover\u201d won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.<\/p>\n

While Johnson is most famous for his electric guitar skills, he is also a highly proficient acoustic, lap steel, resonator, and bass guitarist, as well as an accomplished pianist and vocalist.<\/p>\n

He is also extremely versatile in the genres he plays including rock, blues, jazz fusion, soul, folk, new-age, classical, and country. Guitar Player magazine has called him \u201cone of the most respected guitarists on the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the end of 2017, Johnson released a new album, \u201cCollage,\u201d that combines five new original songs with five covers that reflect both his inspirations and range. It features an acoustic version of Jimi Hendrix\u2019s \u201cOne Rainy Wish,\u201d The Beatles classic \u201cWe Can Work It Out\u201d in a Caribbean groove, B.B. King\u2019s \u201cRock Me Baby,\u201d the surf rock classic \u201cPipeline\u201d and Stevie Wonder\u2019s 1966 hit \u201cUptight (Everything\u2019s Alright).\u201d<\/p>\n

Then, Johnson announced plans to perform \u201cAh Via Musicom\u201d in its entirety at dates across America in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never planned on doing a tour like this,\u201d said Johnson, during a phone interview from his home in Austin, Texas. \u201cI really never even planned a tour for \u2018Collage.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople were talking about artists touring old albums that were fan favorites. I said \u2013 well, mine would have to be \u2018Ah Via Musicom.\u2019 Then, I thought about doing a tour for \u2018Ah Via Musicom.\u201d I called Tommy and Kyle and they were available. We all thought it would be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Johnson recorded \u2018Ah Via Musicom\u201d in Austin in 1988 and 1989, Tommy Taylor was his drummer and Kyle Brock was his bass player.<\/p>\n

According to Johnson, \u201cI listen to the fan feedback and comments as I plan my projects and tours.\u00a0That\u2019s how I got into the recording and subsequent tour with Mike Stern. Same thing with the acoustic recording and tour because I kept hearing \u2018Hey when are you gonna do that acoustic record you\u2019ve been talking about for years\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut by far, the most feedback I\u2019ve been getting from fans is to play the entire \u2018Ah Via Musicom\u2019 record live so I figured I\u2019ve put this off for too long.\u00a0 The time is now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson will also be in the present with live performances of songs from \u201cCollage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent six months recording \u2018Collage\u2019 at my studio here in Austin and finished it in October,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m writing, usually the melody and the chords come concurrently and then I keep working on it. Most of the time, the lyrics come last \u2013 but not always. If it\u2019s a vocal tune, lyrics are really important. When I was making the album, I actually sang and played at the same time. I played live in the studio. I just tried to keep it as organic and natural as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to cut \u2018Collage\u2019 more live. We did a lot of songs in three takes. I didn\u2019t want to make an album that was pieced together. I wanted to make everything more soulful. I wanted to create a human experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecording it live made a difference. We just went in and did whatever felt like it would be fun \u2013to see what was working and what wasn\u2019t. We recorded twice as much as was on the record. And, there is a jazz track that is a bonus track on the Japanese release.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Eric Johnson \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/safVhk-Jnkg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $55.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Wilderado<\/p><\/div>\n

Another show in Philadelphia on October 22 will feature another guitar-driven act with its roots in Texas.<\/p>\n

Wilderado, who will co-headline a show with Sure Sure on October 22 at the Foundry at Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150<\/a>, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/a>), haven\u2019t always been Wilderado. And, the music the band made when it became Wilderado is different than what the band is cranking out in autumn 2018.<\/p>\n

Wilderado — lead singer\/guitarist Max Rainer, bassist\/vocalist Colton Dearing, guitarist\/vocalist Tyler Wimpee, and drummer Justin Kila \u2013 is touring in support of its new EP \u201cFavors,\u201d which was released in May on Bright Antenna Records. The group released two EPs in 2016 and several singles in 2017. \u201cFavors\u201d takes the band\u2019s music up to another level.<\/p>\n

The band was initially called Bird Dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cBird Dog is what we called ourselves when we first started writing songs together,\u201d said Rainer, during a phone interview last week. \u2018Then, a Brooklyn band called Bird Dog sent us a cease-and-desist notice. So, we changed our name.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a smart move \u2013 especially since an internet search for \u201cWilderado\u201d yields better results than a search for \u201cBird Dog.\u201d And, unless the name \u201cWilderado\u201d has already been claimed by a strip club in Denver, the rock quartet from Texas should be fine with its second choice for a name.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur first two EPs \u2013 \u2018Misty Shrubs\u2019 and \u2018Latigo\u2019 — were recorded at the same time in May 2015,\u201d said Rainer, during a phone interview last week. \u201cWe released \u2018Misty Shrubs\u2019 in early 2016 and then put out \u2018Latigo\u2019 in July of that year. After that, we put out a group of singles in 2017. Ever since we started, we haven\u2019t gone more than six months without putting out music.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe first got together in 2015 and started touring in January 2016. Three of us \u2013 Tyler, Colton and me — met in Texas and moved to L.A. We were the only ones we knew out there. Then, we got our friend Justin Kila to play drums. Now, two of us live in L.A. \u2013 Tyler and Colton \u2013 and the other two live in Tulsa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFavors\u201d was recorded with production mastermind Phil Ek (Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes). The songs herald a new era for the L.A.\/Okla. rockers as they take their epic sound into a more mature territory. The album was recorded at two legendary Seattle Studios \u2013 Hall of Justice and Avast!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made the EP in Seattle and it shows how the band is evolving,\u201d said Rainer. \u201cIt\u2019s like rock and roll with bigger guitar, drums and vocals. It\u2019s the way we like our live shows to be.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a very natural evolution. We just shaped it to a higher level of energy. It\u2019s definitely more bombastic. And, we\u2019re releasing an acoustic version of the EP in December. The first single from the EP \u2013 \u2018Siren\u2019 \u2013 is out now. Then, we\u2019ll have something new out in the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilderado has already built a fan base in Philly with two previous shows in the city \u2013 including a gig at the Theater of the Living Arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a pretty large demographic,\u201d said Rainer. \u201cThe strongest is the college-age group. We gained a lot of fans from touring with Lindsey Buckingham. People seem to really connect with our harmonies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Wilderado \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/UneycLzuU1A<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The Foundry, which also features Sure Sure, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at The Foundry are ALO on October 20, \u201cCounterparts & Being As An Ocean – Private Room Tour,\u201d on October 21, Big Data on October 23, and Elise Trouw on October 24.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Keller Williams<\/p><\/div>\n

Keller Williams has built a large fan base in the Philadelphia area over the course of a career that has spanned a quarter-century.<\/p>\n

After a prolific career of 22 studio albums, Williams recently announced his first-ever, all-instrumental album \u2013 \u201cSans.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new album was officially released on October 19. One day later, Williams is introducing the songs to his Philly audience with a show at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389<\/a>,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Williams released his first album in 1994 \u2013 an album titled \u201cFreek.\u201d He has since given each of his albums a single syllable title \u2013<\/p>\n

\u201cBuzz\u201d (1995), \u201cSpun\u201d (1999), \u201cBreathe (1999), \u201cLoop\u201d (2001), \u201cLaugh\u201d (2002), \u201cDance\u201d (2003), \u201cHome\u201d (2003), \u201cStage\u201d (2004), \u201cGrass\u201d (2006), \u201cDream\u201d (2007), \u201c12\u201d (2007), \u201cRex\u201d (2008), \u201cOdd\u201d (2009), \u201cThief\u201d (2010), \u201cKids\u201d (2010), \u201cBass\u201d (2011), \u201cPick\u201d (2012), \u00a0\u201cKeys\u201d (2013), \u201cFunk\u201d (2013), \u201cDos\u201d (2014), \u201cVape\u201d (2015), and \u201cRaw\u201d (2017).<\/p>\n

Each title serves as a concise summation of the concept guiding each project. \u201cGrass,\u201d for example, is a bluegrass recording cut with the husband-wife duo The Keels. \u201cStage\u201d is a live album, and \u201cThief\u201d is a set of unexpected cover songs. \u201cRaw\u201d is a solo acoustic album. Throughout his long and highly successful career, Williams has been able to seamlessly crosses genre boundaries.<\/p>\n

According to Williams, \u201cEach record is a little snapshot of history. I like to think of it as a period piece for an artist. Each record is a little bit different but all of them have some kind of common thread, which is my musical ability as far as I can take it. I enjoy making records. In some people\u2019s eyes, they\u2019re a dying breed, but I\u2019m very passionate about it. They document where my head is at that time in my career and where I am in my songwriting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSans,\u201d which means \u201cwithout\u201d in French, offers a fresh take on his previous work with a collection of eight re-imagined tracks plus one new song. Williams injects new life into some of his favorite songs that were once presented as solo acoustic guitar pieces. These invigorated renditions have been enhanced with bold acoustic bass and live and sampled drums, woven through futuristic soundscapes to create what Williams has dubbed \u201cacoustic dance music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Keller Williams \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/5JwL_qRQGG4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Ardmore Music Hall on October 20 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $35.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the venue are Anderson East with special guest Savannah Conley on October 21 and Parsonsfield and Sawyer Fredericks on October 24.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Texas guitar ace Eric Johnson played the area back in the spring on the first leg of his \u201cAh Via Musicom Tour.\u201d Now, he is returning to Philly on the second leg for a show on October 22 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27221,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7441],"tags":[8067,6269,10990,10991],"class_list":["post-27219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-eric-johnson","tag-featured","tag-keller-williams","tag-wilderado"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27219"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27220,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27219\/revisions\/27220"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}