[Rick and Roll]

We agree on more than we don't - I just usually operate on the "management by exception" process.

Toss his stuff on, let's see what some others think!

Seeing someone live, if they're good, is always a sure-fire way to increase the likelihood of liking the artist. I saw Richard Barone open up for the Smithereens a while ago, and he impressed me in a way his studio output would never do. (When I saw Marillion perform "The Univited Guest", I thought it would be a powerhouse sone on vinyl. Boy was I wrong!). Maybe if I had the Eric Johnson live experience, I would feel differently.

Another factor is that I would rather not initially be told how great someone is technically before I hear it. That happened to me with Mr. Johnson when he first started.

Any guitarist who starts his career not singing, and then does, should be whacked over the head with their guitar. Joe Satriani really confirmed my theory.