First of all Eric Johnson didn't come on until very late, it was 45 min after the first band finished, half the house was asleep by the time he started! The gear was already there, they just had to clear out the first bands stuff. Eric Johnson's performance was amazing as ever, but the volume in the intimate House of Blues was excruciating! Even with earplugs my ears were ringing the next day. I hate to wear ear plugs because that muffles the highs, but I had no choice if I wanted to survive this show. What is up!? I know HOB is capable of good sound, I've heard it. I just don't get it. I also would have liked to have heard more of Eric's stuff featuring his finesse and creative progressions, but he chose to make this more of a blues night with several covers as well...I understand an artist's choice, but wasn't my favorite. The opening act should have been something other than a SRV starter kit. This crowd came to see an awesome player in Eric Johnson and was geared for that, so starting with another guitarist was not what I wanted to see...maybe a singer or keyboardist or even something acoustic? I will go to see Eric next time he is in town, providing it is not HOB.
