''Tones'' is the first studio album by guitarist Eric Johnson, released in 1986 through Reprise Records; a remastered edition was reissued on February 23, 2010 through

Wounded Bird Records Wounded Bird Records is an American compact disc only re-issue record label that was founded in 1998 in Guilderland, New York. They re-release lesser known albums from popular and lesser known artists, including Paul Butterfield, Cactus, Herb ...

. Both "Zap" and "Emerald Eyes" are re-recordings from Johnson's then-unreleased 1978 debut album '' Seven Worlds'', which eventually saw an official release in 1998. The instrumental "Zap", released as a B-side to the single "Off My Mind", was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the

1987 Grammy Awards The 29th Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 24, 1987, at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Paul Simon won Album of the Year for ''Graceland'', and Burt Bac ...

."29th Grammy Awards - 1987"
Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2014-03-27.

Critical reception

Daniel Gioffre at

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

gave ''Tones'' four stars out of five, calling it "an exceptionally strong debut" and "a beautiful and important album by one of the greatest electric guitarists ever to pick up the instrument." He also noted "Trail of Tears" and "Bristol Shore" as highlights.

Track listing

Personnel

* Eric Johnson – guitar, lead vocals, keyboard * Stephen Barber –

Fairlight CMI The Fairlight CMI (short for Computer Musical Instrument) is a digital synthesizer, sampler, and digital audio workstation introduced in 1979 by Fairlight. — with links to some Fairlight history and photos It was based on a commercial lic ...

, piano * David Tickle – Fairlight CMI, programming, percussion, producer, engineer * Roscoe Beck – bass guitar *

Tommy Taylor Thomas Taylor (29 January 1932 – 6 February 1958) was an English footballer, who was known for his aerial ability. He was one of the eight Manchester United players who died in the Munich air disaster. Career Taylor was born in Smithies, ...

– drums, percussion, backing vocals *

Jerry Marotta Jerome David Marotta (born February 6, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American drummer who resides in Woodstock, New York. He is the younger brother of Rick Marotta, who is also a drummer and composer. Career Marotta was a member of the bands ...

– percussion, backing vocals *

Jennifer Warnes Jennifer Jean Warnes (born March 3, 1947) is an American singer and songwriter. She has performed as a vocalist on a number of film soundtracks. She has won two Grammy Awards, in 1983 for the Joe Cocker duet "Up Where We Belong" and in 1987 for ...

– backing vocals

Awards

References

External links

In Review: Eric Johnson "Tones"
at Guitar Nine Records {{Authority control Eric Johnson albums 1986 albums Reprise Records albums Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance Albums produced by David Tickle