Spotlight – Alain Johannes
Chet August 14th, 2007
Every time I buy a new album the the first thing I do (after listening) is read the liner notes. Call it musical research or mild obsession, but over the years I’ve amassed quite a bit of trivia in my mind.
I don’t actively seek the opportunity to contribute such knowledge unless specifically queried about such facts. I got the hint when my fiancee gave me a Rock Snob’s Dictionary for Christmas a few years back. The question “Who co-wrote, recorded, and played guitar on Chris Cornell’s first solo album?” rarely comes up in daily life, let’s just say I like to know, you know?
I really did like the sound of Chris Cornell’s “Euphoria Morning”. After reading the liner notes I discovered that Alain Johannes of Eleven had a lot to do that sound. It appeared he carried a lot of creative weight on the recording/mixing side and the writing/playing side as well. Alain has also worked with another of my favorite groups, Queens of the Stone Age, and recorded and toured for Lullabies to Paralyze.
Here’s a clip of Johannes from his tour supporting Euphoria Morning. I like the “space guitar” sound he gets by using a lot of effects and wide intervallic stretches. Sounds like he’s using some type of synth as well. Different and creative. While it seems Alain is happiest using his talent to play a supporting role in the efforts of others, I’d really like to hear him record a solo album in the near future.
