Talk about a transfixing opener. Delicately plucked guitar notes rise up like little serpent heads. They move to and fro…there’s a hint of echo and feedback, amidst an undercurrent of barely heard background noise and conversation. A subtle Indian influence informs this mesmerizing transporter.

Eric Johnson says:

“There’s three little segue pieces on the record. I didn’t plan on having them - things just sort of worked out that way. But I like a bit of a musical interlude between songs, so when I was fooling around with what I thought was going to be one larger atmospheric piece, the idea came over me to break it up.

“Awaken works really well as an intro for the album. It’s got a bit of an Indian feeling; in fact, there’s some Indian stringed instruments on it. I didn’t want to use synthesizers or anything like that; I wanted to see if I could get the whole vibe with just my guitar and the Indian instruments. I think it’s got a really cool, mysterious quality to it.”