Eric Clapton and his music

BOSTON— Eric Clapton’s last few albums have disproved the “Clapton is God” theory. But Clapton remains a high priest of guitar, and on his current tour he has invited the acolytes to the altar for some heavenly jamming.

Clapton’s road band of the moment includes Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II, two younger guitar greats who no doubt studied EC’s essential works from The Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos and assorted solo efforts on their respective trails to six-string glory.

So with Trucks, arguably the best guitar player to emerge in the past 10 years, and Bramhall, a stunning player who made people forget about David Gilmour when he toured with Roger Waters a few years bank, to his right on stage all night at the TD Banknorth Garden on Tuesday in the first of two concerts there, Clapton had two choices: be great or look foolish.

Clapton was great.

Crafting his most gritty concert in years, Clapton stormed the gates early with fiery versions of “Pretending” and “I Shot the Sheriff” that saw all three guitarists peeling off inspired solos. Clapton basically unleashed his protégés, and likewise cut loose the dazzling rhythm section of drummer Steve Jordan and bass player Willie Weeks and the keyboard team of Tim Camron and Chris Stainton.

The show started boiling early with the inclusion of such inspired set-list choices as “Got to Get Better in a Little While” and a pairing of “Everybody Ought to Make a Change” with “Motherless Children.” Such selections brought Clapton back to his blues-rock best, exchanging the nearly academic approach to the blues he has taken in recent years for the more rollicking brand of blues he specialized in during his fertile playing years of the 1960s and ’70s.

Clapton’s lyrical solos played well against Truck’s explosive slide work and Bramhall’s slow-burn solo-building style. Clapton’s maturity was best put to use in the way he kept everyone focused on the songs; yes, there was plenty of jamming, but none of it meandered.

At one point early in the show, opener Robert Cray joined the fray, adding a fourth, and equally poignant, guitar voice to “Old Love.” Rarely does one see four standout guitarists sharing the stage in such a meaningful way, each bringing a distinct brand of playing to the mix.

Befitting of the nature of this tour, which has pretty much featured the same set list each night, Clapton let some of the gruffness seep back into his singing after years of trying to burnish it away. Letting the bruises show once more was especially nice during a sit-down mini-set that featured the Derek and the Dominos’ deep-cut “I Am Yours” and a majestic “Running on Faith.” The acoustic-oriented sit-down set also tapped Clapton’s last album for the tender “Back Home,” a song that Trucks made sparkle with some delicate picking at acoustic guitar.

Once everyone was standing and plugged back in again, Clapton the Crafty turned Robert Johnson’s “Little Queen of Spades” into a superlative blowout that ranked right up there with his best from any era.

In aiming to please a fan base with many desires, Clapton included a fair number of greatest hits. In the cases of “Cocaine” and “Layla,” the muscled-up guitar attack pushed those old warhorses into some fresh directions.

As for “Wonderful Tonight,” Clapton simply laid it out plain and simple, not bothering to dress it up with a flashy solo of any sort. Yet the sold-out house cheered as loudly for that as anything else, so give Clapton credit for properly reading his audience.

But at the moment, Clapton seems more interested in the electrified primordial blues of the sort he played in all the years before he became well-mannered and stately. So when it came time for an encore, Clapton had a choice: play a tasteful big hit such as “Tears in Heaven” or plunge headlong into the guitar frenzy of his definitive arrangement of “Crossroads.”

Again, Clapton made the right choice.

Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton [Deluxe Edition] [Original recording remastered]
Audio CD (30 Oct 2006)

Disc: 1
1. All Your Love
2. Hideaway
3. Little Girl
4. Another Man
5. Double Crossin' Time
6. What'd I Say
7. Key To Love
8. Parchman Farm
9. Have You Heard
10. Rambling On My Mind
11. Stepping Out
12. It Ain't Right
13. All Your Love
14. Hideaway
15. Little Girl
16. Another Man
17. Double Crossin' Time
18. What'd I Say
19. Key To Love
20. Parchman Farm
21. Have You Heard
22. Rambling On My Mind
23. Stepping Out
24. It Ain't Right

Disc: 2
1. Crawling Up A Hill
2. Crocodile Walk
3. Bye Bye Bird
4. I'm Your Witchdoctor
5. Telephone Blues
6. Bernard Jenkins
7. Lonely Years
8. Cheatin' Woman
9. Nowhere To Turn
10. I'm Your Witchdoctor
11. On Top Of The World
12. Key To Love
13. On Top Of The World
14. They Call It Stormy Monday
15. Intro/Maudie
16. It Hurts To Be In Love
17. Have You Ever Loved A Woman
18. Bye Bye Bird
19. Hoochie Coochie Man

2Primal Scream:
>Disc: 1
Там 2 варианта - моно и стерео, а на втором оч интересные вещи. Придется брать (занося в длинный список)...

On 31 October, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the documentary film "The Passing Show: The Life & Music of Ronnie Lane" on DVD. The film tells the story of his rise to fame with the Small Faces and later the Faces, his experiments with a rural life and the touring musical circus that he dubbed The Passing Show. Finally it charts his latter days once he developed Multiple Sclerosis. Featuring numerous musical clips and interviews with family, friends and colleagues

Additionally, Ronnie worked with Pete Townshend (The Who) on the album "Rough Mix". Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance supported Eric Clapton's 1977 UK tour. Eric appeared with Ronnie Lane and many others during a series of concerts (The A.R.M.S. Tour) in 1983 which raised funds for multiple sclerosis research. The DVD includes film of all these events.

The film was shot on location in London, Wales, Texas, California, and Colorado, and features many of Lane's fellow musicians and friends including Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Kenney Jones, Ian McLagan, Glyn Johns and more. A staggering amount of rare live and television performances by Small Faces, The Faces, and various line-ups of Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance.

"The Passing Show: The LIfe & Music of Ronnie Lane" includes clips from:
April Fool, Debris, Whatcha Gonna Do About It?, Tin Soldier, Lazy Sunday, Itchycoo Park, Stay With Me, How Come, The Poacher, Tell Everyone, Annie, Kushty Rye, Ooh La La and many more...

Eric Clapton and his band continued the trend of multiple concerts in cities throughout the northeastern United States. The first night set list from Mogehan Sun Casino on 6 October included songs from Eric's back catalog, such as "Pretending", "I Shot The Sheriff", "Anyday", and "Further On Up The Road". Blistering guitar work from Eric, Doyle and Derek thrilled concert-goers on numbers like "Little Queen of Spades" and "Cocaine". Robert Cray joined the band for "Old Love" and the encore, "Crossroads". The band returns to the venue on Saturday, 7 October.

Setlist Mohegan Sun Casino Night One:

Pretending
I Shot The Sheriff
Got To Get Better In A Little While
Old Love (with Robert Cray)
Anyday
Motherless Children

sit down set
Back Home
I Am Yours
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Running On Faith

After Midnight
Little Queen Of Spades
Further On Up The Road
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine

Encore
Crossroads (with Robert Cray)

Review #1

I just got back from the show at Mohegan Sun and I have to say that this is the best I have been to. Last week I saw EC in NYC at MSG for two nites (Thurs and Fri) but tonite the show was on fire from the start. Eric seemed to be on his A game and in very good spirits. Pretending was right on and Eric displayed some different solos all nite, My highlight was Got to Get Better In A Little While and a surprise with Anyday!!! Doyle did a great accompaniment on Anyday with Eric. As usual Derek Truck was right there with his slide mastery. I thought the three guitars really blended well. Just when I thought the band was going to play Let It Rain like it did in Boston , you could see Eric turn to the band and say something which resulted in them playing Further on Up the Road which was no disappointment at all. I have seen EC since Yale Bowl 1974 thru the 80's, 90's the Crossroads Festival and tonite was right up there. I think that nothing could replicate the show at The Crossroads but tonite sure came close. I left with a big smile on my face.

Review #2

Super Show! For me, the highlight was "Anyday"...that and "I Am Yours" are probably two of my favorites...there was not a dull moment from the opening of Robert Cray's set (who I think is a monster talent)..."Phone Booth" and "Bad Influence" (which Eric covered on "August") as well as "20" were highlights. Eric was loose and obviously having a good time, his band locked in to every move. Derek and Doyle are perfect for Eric...they keep him on his toes and you can see Eric enjoys their playing, as well as Robert's, immensely. Excellent rhythm section and Chris Stainton is another phenom...definitely underrated. Eric was probably at his best, solo wise, on "Little Queen of Spades"...vocals and guitar on fire. I hope Eric doesn't wait another 12 years to come to Connecticut.

Review #3

I have seen Mr. Clapton on three seperate occasions and each time has been a different yet exciting experience. From his solo tour in 2004 to Cream in 2005 to yet another solo tour in 2006, Eric appears to be at his finest at the present date. His setlist at Mohegan Sun captured the emotion and the roller coaster of his entire career and it was an awesome experience. It was a second coming of Derek & the Dominos as yet another Allman Brothers member allowed Clapton to expand his setlist, his power and gave him the motivation to make this the best I've seen Mr. Clapton ever play. The emotion in the acoustic set along with the freshness to the Dominos numbers allowed Clapton to touch on every stage of his solo career and express it with a new perspective, viewpoint and motivation. I strongly hope that they will capture THIS concert on CD and allow me to cherish the memories over and over again because it was shock and awe the entire evening. He is a superb performer, musician !
and man that has led an extrordinary life. As a 19-year-old fan of wonderful music, Mr. Clapton has shaped my life, my viewpoint and my world and I can do nothing but thank him over and over again. I wish he could understand the power his music has had over my life and I wish there were words to express how much his life has meant to mine. From "Anyday" to "I Am Yours" to "Pretending" and "Further On Up The Road", Mr. Clapton is a master of his trade and remains a man that must be seen by anyone who wishes to see the guitar and to hear the guitar at a level of volume that brings the emotion and the intensity of the notes into your mind and across the inside of your eyes to show you the true meaning of the music. Thank You, Mr. Clapton.

In the second concert at Mohegan Sun, Eric Clapton and his band presented 17 songs in the 2 hour concert. It featured several songs from Eric's 1989 album, "Journeyman": "Pretending", "Old Love" and "Running On Faith". Many fans in attendance were pleased with the extensive nod given to Derek & The Dominos material with "Got To Get Better In A LIttle While", "Anyday", "I Am Yours", "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" and "Layla" all being included in the night's set. As with previous shows on the tour, "I Shot The Sheriff" and "Little Queen of Spades" had some of the finest guitar solos of the evening.

The band now heads south to Philadelphia PA for one concert.

Setlist Mohegan Sun Casino Night Two (7 October 2006):

Pretending
I Shot The Sheriff
Got To Get Better In A Little While
Old Love (with Robert Cray)
Anyday
Motherless Children

sit down set
Back Home
I Am Yours
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
Running On Faith

After Midnight
Little Queen Of Spades
Let It Rain
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine

Encore
Crossroads (with Robert Cray)

Review #1

Tonite was my last nite of four seeing the band... and I was not disappointed for one second. Right from the start you could see the fire in Eric's playing as he really attacked his solos all nite. Motherless Children was played to perfection! Where else are you ever going to see a song played with three slide guitars during the whole song! And tonite Anyday was a total pleasure. Took me back to the Layla Album! People really responded to Running on Faith during the sit down set. But I knew my hunch was right when the band played one of my all time favorites - Let It Rain - I actually jumped out of my seat and it was a very intense version of it. The Little Queen of Spades is such a great Robert Johnson tune and EC and the band did it a great homage. Layla really rocked the house and I thought it was the best version of the four nites I have seen the band on this tour. If anyone has seen Eric on this tour, I suggest that you really read up on the life and playing of this man because at the age of 61 he is truly playing the best I have ever seen him play. I have seen him since 1974 when I was 19. Now at 51 I have the utmost respect for him and everyone that is in his band. A truly professional concert. Thank you Eric and thank you for letting my voice be heard.

Review #2

Up until tonight, the best musicianship I'd ever seen in any of the 200+ concerts I've seen was EC and band in 1990 on the Journeyman tour. His new band blew that show away. Everyone soloed early and often, which seemed to really inspire Eric to play better himself.

Highlights from tonight (and there were many) included all 5 Derek & the Dominos songs (Got to Get Better, Anyday, I Am Yours, Nobody Knows You, Layla), 3 slide guitar players on Motherless Children, all the solos on Little Queen of Spades, and the reappearance of Let It Rain in the set list. The spirit of Carl Radle must have surely been smiling down...

Speaking of which, Willie Weeks just kicked butt. Best bass solo (Got to Get Better) I've heard since his solo on Donny Hathaway's Voices Inside. He was also cranking on Let It Rain. His rythym section partner Steve Jordan is easily the best I've heard play with EC, and really pushed the band along. His evening's highlights are too many to mention, but I loved his brushwork on the sitdown set (Back Home and Nobody Knows You) and dijembe playing on I Am Yours.

What can you say about Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall that hasn't already been said? I love the duet Doyle sings with EC on Anyday - you NEED to check out the live video on YouTube from a European show - this is the definitive version of the song. Derek's work on the Dominos tunes bore eerie resemblance to Duane Allman's, and if you didn't look too carefully you'd swear it was Duane himself jamming with EC once again.

Robert Cray's opening set clocked in at 33 minutes, and just 6 songs (Phone Booth, Poor Johnny, 12 Year Old Boy, Bad Influence, Twenty, and I'm Walkin'), but was very well received, as were his two guest performances with EC on Old Love and the evening's encore Crossroads.

Review #3

After seeing the incomparable Cream at MSG last October, I thought that the next time I saw Eric solo it would be a letdown, and while the anticipation wasn't as great, Eric's ability as a master showman has not diminshed. The setlist was a surprise all the way through with Domino gems such as "Got to get better in a little while" and "Anyday" along side solo greats such as "Motherless Children" and "Running on faith" with a very nice acoustic set including a wonderfully played new song "Back Home". Eric was on fire from the start playing ferociously and fluid. The highlight apart from Eric was Derek Trucks who seems to channel the late great Duane Allman when he plays his signature slide sound picking notes and sounds out that you didn't think were there.The band itself sounded great all the way through complementing Eric wonderfully. This was my 11th Eric Clapton concert, and the 15th time overalll that I've seen him, and he never disappoints.

Review #4

Well, I just got back from the Eric Clapton show at Mohegan Sun. This was my third time seeing Eric. I first saw him on June 28, 2004 at Madison Square Garden and the first show at Mohegan Sun (October 6th, 2006.) Tonight was the best of them all, though, no doubt in my mind. My seat in row G of section 115 (seat 15) gave me a perfect view of the entire place while the band just blew the roof off the Arena. With the volume up a notch from the night before, Clapton, Trucks and Bramhall were mesmerizing with their solos tonight. Clapton was playing a lot faster tonight than he was on the first night (I was at both shows) and it was really great. Pretending started it off with that great riff and some fabulous slide playing from Derek Trucks. "Got To Get Better In A Little While" was very strong tonight as was "Old Love" and the entire acoustic set. The song that blew me away, though, was "Let It Rain." This has always been my favorite song and when Clapton hit the opening notes, I just fell into the music. The highlight of the song was Eric and Derek dueling each other during the solo to see who could play the best. They both played at the same time and they always seemed to be trying to top each other, it really was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and heard! "Wonderful Tonight," "Layla," and "Cocaine" were played beautifully including a good recovery by Eric when he seemed to run out of breath during one of the lines. He backed away from the microphone, took a breath, and pulled back in and finished the lyric. The jamming on the solos on "Cocaine" was fabulous. Then the encore, "Crossroads" was another highlight of the night. I feel that it was definitely stronger than the performance from Night One at Mohegan Sun. Overall, the best concert I've ever been to in my life. Thank you so much to everyone in the band and also everyone who worked behind the scenes. If there was a night to release a DVD of the tour, it surely was this night. I still can't get over how amazing the show was, overall, one of the best nights of my life.

Смешной отчет одного моего старого друга о посещении концерта Клэптона в казино Mohegan Sun 7 октября.

===================

Игра Дерека Тракса очень понравилось. Особенно впечатляет выражение его лица, когда он играет. Абсолютная невозмутимость на грани с инфантильностью - ни один мускул не дрогнет. Крис Стейнтон тоже понравился.

А почему Клэптон не поет на концертах Tears in Heaven? Это то же самое, как если бы Маккартни не пел Yesterday. И Change the World не было. И когда он бороду сбрить успел? Вообще общее впечатление от концерта у меня не самое лучшее. Никакого общения Клэптона со зрителями - пришли, отработали-отыграли и ушли.

Сидел я в партере, но в хвосте. Головы впереди сидящих заслоняли сцену, а хуже всего - звук в этой точке был очень громким. У меня при громком звуке в ушах возникают искажения на средне-высоких частотах. Голоса звучат со скрежетанием. Стоит слегка прикрыть уши, и качество восстанавливается. Лучше сидеть в первых рядах переднего сектора - и видимость лучше, и звук.

Еще достала публика, в окружении которой я сидел. Какие-то бритоголовые юнцы и девицы, постоянно снующие туда сюда, хлещущие пиво из горла, целующиеся взасос и разве что сексом не занимающиеся. Не помню, чтобы я такое видел на других концертах.

===================

И это всё :)))

2The Word:
Этому другу надо на прогеров ходить.
Кстати, хотелось бы услышать от друга... когда это Клэптон общался с публикой?

Last week, Eric Clapton said he would consider playing his song, “Cocaine” in concert again. He stopped playing the song after a rehab stint because he thought playing it would be hypocritical. He now says it is an anti-drug song and said from a purely musical stance he has missed playing the guitar riffs.

Well Clapton, I am here to warn you. Once you play that first riff there is no going back. After that first riff, you are going to feel great. You will be on a musical high like no other. You will wonder why you ever stopped playing the song, but soon the high will fade and you will come crashing down.

The second time won’t feel quite as good as the first time and you will begin playing two or three guitar riffs at a time just to relive that original riff. But, you will never feel the power of that original riff again. Which puts you in an endless cycle. First it is just a few riffs a day. Then three or four. Then it will become an all day affair.

Your energy level will drop and your propensity for munchies will rise.

Before you know it, it will be time to move on to something harder. Maybe you plug in a few more amps or tie on some new guitar strings, but it just isn’t the same.

During this period, you need to remember that it is never a good idea to share guitars with anyone. Sure it might be more convenient, but you don’t know where those others have been. If you must play, please get a sterile guitar from a local music store. Trust me, they will be glad to help.

Soon you will have to find something new. “Cocaine” just isn’t what you thought it would be, so you begin mixing all sorts of things in search of that elusive guitar high. Will it be “Tears in Heaven” combined with “Layla,” or perhaps “After Midnight” with “I Shot the Sheriff?” No matter what it is, it won’t be enough.

To feed your need, you will probably have to sell your body, playing your guitar for money. And the whole time you are performing, you will just be thinking and dreaming about that wonderful “Cocaine” riff.

Soon the riff will take total control of your body. You might twitch. Your hair will grow back out, you hippie. I am telling you, Eric, stay away from “Cocaine.”

2 SergeK

А вот еще немного (в ответ на мое недоумение).

======================

Крей играет очень круто. Но когда он пел песню про Ирак, сидящие рядом реднеки начали кричать "буу".

Дойл как гитарист явно слабее Тракса. Зато рисуется перед публикой по полной программе, рожи корчит и вообще, судя по всему, считает себя красавцем-мужчиной.

Layla как-то очень быстро игралась и грязно. А вот I Shot The Sheriff звучала идеально, как в студии. Еще мне показалось, что Wonderful Tonight он исполнял как-то нехотя, вроде как кость публике бросает, но если бы мог, он бы ее исключил из концерта, как типичную попсу.

Никто на этом концерте не танцевал и огоньков не зажигал, и по партеру постоянно таскались туда-сюда козлы с пивом. Думаю, Клэптон остался недоволен публикой. Вообще, наше казино приличные музыканты объезжают стороной. Это не Atlantic City.

Анкор был с совершенно диким временем ожидания. Наверное, минут 10 не выходили. Работники сцены вышли, стали барабаны уносить.. Часть толпы просто ушла домой, остальная как-то не очень сильно свистела. Наверное, Клэптон решил наказать публику за плохое поведение. Потом вышли вместе с Креем, сыграли Crossroads, и все. Пока все стояли и свистели, я почуствовал, что у меня ноги в чем-то липком. Пригляделся - стою в огромной луже - то ли мочи, то ли пива. И в эту лужу свисает рукав моей куртки, лежащей на сиденье. Потрогал - весь рукав мокрый. Как ты понимаешь, после этого я не мог с полной отдачей оценивать убойность гитарных соло в анкоре.

======================

А кто такие "прогеры"?

2The Word:
Значит не только у нас "левая публика" :)))

>А кто такие "прогеры"?
Прогрессив-рок. Верх музыкального занудства. Траксу туда и дорога :)

... Jack wrote and sang most of the songs, including "I Feel Free", "White Room", "Politician" and perhaps the world's most performed guitar riff, in "Sunshine Of Your Love". ...

http://www.jackbruce.com/biography.htm

Только не говорите мне, что это тоже русские журналисты написали

2SergeK:

>Значит не только у нас "левая публика" :)))

Где же её нет на крупного музыканта всегда ходит пол зала левой публики, просто она в отличии от нашей другая, там люди приходят оторваться под пару знакомых с детства песен, а остальное время пьют пиво, тусуются, но ведут себя адекватно. У нас же сидят с унылым видом, придя показать себя и на рожах написано мы заплатили большие деньги ты музыкант давай играй а мы может похлопаем… Вся разница.