Eric Johnson - Cliffs Of Dover - Live From Austin Texas (1984)

On writing cliffs of Dover Johnson said “ I don’t even know if I can take credit for writing cliffs of Dover it was just there for me one day.. I literally wrote in 5 minutes . It was kind of a gift from a higher place that all of us are eligible for we just have to listen to it and be available to receive it “

First saw Eric Johnson in '84, before this was taped. Unknown, unsigned. Did three sets in a half-empty club. First set was just him by himself, acoustic. He's become a good friend since then. But, that was one of those shows that changed my life forever. Hell, I was only 13 when I first saw him. We were all so thrilled when "Tones" came out. And THE NICEST GUY you could ever meet. The kind of guy you just automatically wish the best for. Way to go, Eric.

Love the nervous, raw energy of this performance. Playing it "busting from the seams". Just going for it.

he was nervous... thus the crazy rapid tempo... I know I'd be nervous too....Trying to play Eric's licks!

I will never back of my contention that this is the greatest version of this song. Later versions sound like a walk in the park for Eric, but this here his still raw, still working it all out, you can subtlety here the struggle and him reaching for the notes and that tension is what makes this version so incredibly badass. Kind of like listening to Hendrix vs Vai.

I’ve never seen him play so reckless, I actually like it.

How many of you remember this version was released in a plastic vinyl attached to the inside of Guitar Player magazine? It was the first time I heard of Eric and it just blew me away. I'm really glad I found this version again after 35 odd years. And on video too!!!

you can tell he really locked in towards the end of the song

It's like the scene with Michael J Fox in Back to the Future...everyone just tripping out over this ridiculously incredible work of art with the guitar.

That "raw" , "authentic", electric guitar tone. Amazing!

his austin city limits performance in 1988 had a much more polished version of cliffs of dover, but this is interesting to see how the composition evolved between 1984 and 1990 when he won a grammy for au via musicom

Didn't know this was in his repertoire all the way back in '84. I remember skipping work to see him do a guitar clinic at "Lightning Music and Sound" sometime in the 80s, probably not long after "Tones" came out. His music was almost a soundtrack for Austin in the late 80s and early 90s. What an amazing talent who produced some great music!

Ahhh ... The energy of youth. That finger speed is insane. I love how this song just keeps evolving every time Eric plays it. This song is perfection. 🏆

eric and stevie ray. texas cornered the market on guitarists back in the day. glad i got to see eric do his thing back in 88.

Just...wow......this was like finding the Holy Grail....I remember wearing out the Guitar Player magazine FlexiDisc with this and Steve Morse on another track...buying Tones immediately afterwards...and being slightly disappointed that this Austin City Limits version was not the one on the album....best overdriven Strat tone I've ever heard...still to this day it makes the hairs on my neck stand on end...every incredible vibrato sounds like it was crafted on another world....simply stunning!

Anyone who’s ever tried to learn and play this song, know that’s is a marathon for your fingers and forearms. Nailing this song live on the tail end of a 45 min set is insane. Also, the live atmosphere really does a number on your guitar set up. 😅 He was a vet and still hit his main licks.

And thus a guitar legend was born. Absolutely amazing.

Amazing performance! Eric looks so focussed, you could fire a gun next to him and he wouldn't notice. And the other two look so happy to be playing this song. Guitar music at its best, people.

I recall reading about Eric in Guitar Player Magazine before this performance. I read about a kid from Texas that had an amazing tone and gifted runs. Later, I was perusing through the old TV Guide and I saw that he was going to be featured on Austin City Limits. (This performance). I set the old VHS to record it. Remember...this was 1984 and NOBODY sounded like Eric! I was blown away by this performance. One could tell that this kid was as nervous as hell but, the raw, audacious talent was evident. I agree that this isn't the best rendition of this song. However, I was hooked! That tone is vocal, dramatically throaty and forcefully raspy. I added another guitar hero to my list that day in 1984.

4 years latter, and more controlled. He's worked out the timing, and has now relaxed into it. You can also hear his tone has improved, and it's nowhere near as over-taxed as the tone in the '84 vid. He's smoothed it out and man is it awsome! You can tell he really got control over the piece. I think he really made this version ('88) his best ever performance really, love the intro stuff from another song.