slowhand Digest Volume 01 : Issue 284
Today's Topics:
EC now & then
Slow Digest
RES: Which Beatles Song ...
Clapton Dallas Bootleg
Re: Clapton Losing it
RE: Royal Albert Hall Question
RE: The Hit
Weeping Guitar
AOL - Amerika Off Line?
Somewhere...
PBS - Sun Records + John Mayall
RE: EC framed art gallery photo
RE: The Hit
Radio broadcast in Brazil
Reply to the DeltaNick Blues
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "David Dell"
Subject: EC now & then
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I've already posted several of my comments on some of the topics
DeltaNick mentioned, but just to answer a few of his provocative
inquiries : )
Yes, Eric can make bad music...just a couple of examples for me: Broken
Hearted from Pilgrim, or Don't Blame Me from There's One in Every Crowd.
(or how about Roll It which comes just after Don't Blame Me on TOIEC : )
Yes, I listen & like Reptile a lot. It has enough guitar on it to keep
me interested and many of the songs and Eric's interpretive take on the
covers make for interesting listening...and then as you mention the
tremendous growth in Eric's singing. The Reptile concert I saw was a
huge leap in that department, imo. My only disappointment with the
Reptile tour is that we didn't get the RAH version of the set list which
included a lot more of the new album (or actually a combination of the
US list & RAH would've been even better). Eric believes that all his
fans want are the hits, but I disagree. I certainly always want to hear
Layla & Badge live, but beyond that he has so much material to draw on
that it's a shame that we don't get to hear more of it live. Of course it
sounds like we
may be hearing very little of anything live in the future.
Finally, I definitely consider Eric a better player now than he was in
the past. Sure he's not as "innovative" now, because hardly anyone was
playing guitar like he can back then, but I'd rate the guitar playing in
the Reptile show I saw (in LA) as superior to any other Eric concert
I've attended over the years (which dates back to the Cream days). For
a very long time Eric has been devoted to presentation of the song in
it's entirety and not just guitar pyrotechnics....which he still
demonstrates in every show from the 80s on up that I've heard.
Personally, I'm much more moved by his current emotional and intense
playing on live versions of "River of Tears" or "Old Love" than D&D at
the Fillmore, or Cream's Spoonful or Steppin' Out.
Of course it's all a matter of one's own preferences and taste on all of
this.
Enjoy,
Dave
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "JOHN B ROE"
Cc: "DeltaNick"
Subject: Slow Digest
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Nick poses some interesting conversation points. I think we need to
distinguish between the studio Clapton and the live Clapton. Pilgrim and
Reptile are really very unlistenable; I probably haven't listened to either
twice since the first week I purchased them (which in both cases were the
week they were released). Now, on the other hand, live versions of many
songs on these 2 releases are excellent. I have seen EC live, at least
twice, in every decade since 1970 (when I saw him with Derek & the Dominos).
I firmly believe the only way to appreciate Eric Clapton's music and
virtuoso talent on the guitar, is seeing or hearing his live performances;
not through studio efforts. Although there are exceptions - From The Cradle
was great and I have seen him live where he has been close to terrible. In
comparison, 1970 and forward, I believe his guitar playing on the 2001 tour
equals, if not betters, his playing over the past 30 years. His voice is
definately better.
All this aside, it sounds like where Nick is coming from is that pre-1970
Clapton is far and away more exciting than post 1970 Clapton. In looking at
pre-1970 videos and listening to pre-1970 boots, I am not sure that ole St.
Nick is off base. That is not to say that post 1970 EC isn't great either.
JR
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Marissom Roso"
Cc: "Slowhand-digest"
Subject: RES: Which Beatles Song ...
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>>How about "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"?
yes, it's the best one!
killer
they call me Killer ICQ 5119927
www.gpsnet.com.br/ericclapton_killer
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Tim Schroeder"
Subject: Clapton Dallas Bootleg
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I saw the Dallas show I taped has been bootlegged on the Yokozuna site under
the title of God Bless You ( 6 cd set with several other Reptile shows. I
know it`s my DAT because it`s only 19 songs ( unless of course someone else
also missed Key To The Highway!) I just thought it was interesting that both
shows I taped have been now been bootlegged ( the Houston show is out as
Texas Blood) .
Tim Schroeder
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2001 2:23 PM
Subject: slowhand Digest V01 #282
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Keith Bode
Subject: Re: Clapton Losing it
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I was at both of Clapton's shows in Los Angeles. I couldn't believe
this was the same man who recorded "From the Cradle". From my
perspective, Clapton really became the bluesman he said he had wanted to
be since his days in the Yardbirds. His Show's that I saw, Just the Los
Angeles Forum live, and the Scorcese film, were the finest work Clapton
had ever done. Clapton had his voice roaring like a Chess Records
artist, and his guitar, well it was beyond the bellief of anyone who had
ever been a blues fan. Clapton just set the bar, and set it on a notch
that I believe even the greats, Albert King, Freddie King, SRV, Hendrix
could have ever reached. Duanne Allman may have reached that Bar, had
he lived, and a few others may yet reach it, Derek Trucks and Kid Ramos,
to name a couple. But that bar is still there. Clapton walked away
from the mark he set. His LA shows in August, were not musically
serious shows. Clapton could do it again, but he may not. I met a guy
at a show, who said he was a Rock Journalist from SF in about 95, and
was discussing with him the Clapton Fillmore shows of 94. The
Journalist said Clapton said "Why should I write another song again?
There is so much great blues left, I want to play, that's been around
for a long time. I can't come up with any music to match it." I don't
know what happened to Clapton, but after his tour in 94, he all but
abandoned the music that made that tour so great. Seeing Clapton
towards the end of the Scorcese film with the entire front of his
t-shirt drenched in sweat, well that tells the story.
Keith
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Jon Maclean
Subject: RE: Royal Albert Hall Question
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Marc Roberty's books list Winwood and Sting as guesting on the 8th, but I
don't know what song(s) they contributed to.
I have not heard of a boot of that show either, to answer your next
question!
Cheers,
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: LukeLinus [mailto:lukelinus@yahoo.com]
Sent: None
Subject: Royal Albert Hall Question
Is it possible that Sting and Steve Winwood joined
EC during a show at RAH in 1987 (might be on 1/8)?
regards
Peter K/ Germany
eMail only to: joecool@bigfoot.de
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Jon Maclean
Cc: "'slowhand@planet-torque.com'"
Subject: RE: The Hit
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I think this has now expired on eBay, but it was a movie circa 1984 starring
John Hurt as a hitman, and featuring a title theme composed and played by
Clapton with Roger Waters. The theme is quite a nice instrumental piece, but
is Eric's sole contribution. It is a reasonably good movie, violent in
places, but presumably was not a box office smash (it didn't star Julia
Roberts or Australia's own Nicole Kidman.........)
Cheers,
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: DeltaNick [mailto:deltanick@home.com]
Sent: None
Subject: The Hit
Anyone know anything about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1486570372
DeltaNick
End of slowhand Digest V01 Issue #281
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Bill Robinson
Subject: Weeping Guitar
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Hey Gang,
I couldn't agree more with Delta Nick's suggestion of "While My Guitar
Gently Weeps" for the Beatle's song he'd most like EC to play. What
passion, sadness, reality, poignancy and truth that song contains! The
first EC solo in Abbey Road that day was brilliant enough, but the
second ... Wow! Soaring!!
A few years ago, I was introduced to a guy over here in England who is a
longtime Abbey Road engineer. I had so many questions for him, but the
absolute first was about the recording of the White Album and the EC
solo on WMGGW. He said that it was "one of the most electrifying
moments" he'd witnessed in all his years of recording the Beatles. He
described EC's guitar work as "emotion-filled and blistering."
Oh, to have been there!
Keep On Rockin'
Bill
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Gerd Klaassen
Subject: AOL - Amerika Off Line?
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Dave - can you include your "AOL tips" page URL into the digest header
so that we can point those poor AOL users to the right point?
I know it's AOL, but is there a way to post a "simple" info message
to all AOL digest users (something like *@aol.com -> please use
another provider you can't get it because it' AOL etc.)?
I get plenty of these messages and the digest seems to shrink...
Keep on,
Gerd
http://www.12bar.de
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Slowhand digest
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 00:18:08 EST
From: ChucklesIV@aol.com
To: klaassen@coastweb.de
Hello,
I have been subscribed to the slowhand digest for years. A few months ago, I
noticed that I stopped getting the digest in my email account (I havent
changed email addresses). Can you please let me know if the digest is still
going on? Thanks!
Bill
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Gerd Klaassen
Subject: Somewhere...
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Hi,
like "EC uncovered" I could offer a (european) download mirror for
the new slowhand tribute CD - is there already someone offering it
online (I don't have the CD)?
Gerd
http://www.12bar.de
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: greg delaney
Subject: PBS - Sun Records + John Mayall
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Greetings fellow slowhanders
REMINDER
PBS is broadcasting the Tribute to Sun Records Nov
28,01 this WED.
Also would anybody have a copy of the John Mayall
program with Mick Taylor ( formally w/ the Rolling
Stones)
Thanks
GREG
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Kevin Wilson"
Cc: "Slowhand Digest (E-mail)"
Subject: RE: EC framed art gallery photo
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I have the Smokin' Blues poster in my office. It fitted quite nicely
into a frame, over a picture of the country-side in the middle of
nowhere. Surprise, surprise, most people walk into the office and say,
"Isn't that Eric Clapton?" or "Hah, old Slowhand. He can play a guitar,
hey!"
My other framed poster is of a Sandman Mystery Theatre photograph - and
I wonder why they've given me a smaller office in our new building.
Kevin
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Lebow [mailto:mlebow@mindspring.com]
Sent: None
Subject: EC framed art gallery photo
An art gallery at a suburban Chicago mall had a
Clapton framed black and white photo (looked very
much like the August album cover), for about
$4,000. Has anyone paid this much for a framed
photo of EC? I have a Smokin' Blues framed
poster, which was much less expensive, that is
enough for me, but I wonder if anyone owns framed
EC photos from an art gallery.
Mark
End of slowhand Digest V01 Issue #283
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Kevin Wilson"
Cc: "Slowhand Digest (E-mail)"
Subject: RE: The Hit
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The Hit is a movie (rather boring, starring John Hurt and Terence
Stamp). I had to sit through the whole thing only to find out that
Clapton does a typical EC movie theme, slight return doodle cum strum
along with the opening titles.
At best EC's playing can be described as an Edge of Darkness / Lethal
Weapon(s) low grade outtake.
Kevin
-----Original Message-----
From: DeltaNick [mailto:deltanick@home.com]
Sent: None
Subject: The Hit
Anyone know anything about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1486570372
DeltaNick
End of slowhand Digest V01 Issue #281
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "andresalles@br.inter.net"
cc:
Subject: Radio broadcast in Brazil
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Hi all,
Yesterday the "Radio Cidade" broadcasted one hour of the Sao Paulo gig, not the entire concert, but nice;
As far as I know, it is the first truly SB recording of the Reptile tour;
Cheers,
Andre
http://www.geocities.com/andre224.geo/andre.htm
--=_dfcb93d9f76c4bf60f03e588773d23a1--
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Kevin Wilson"
Cc: "Slowhand Digest (E-mail)"
Subject: Reply to the DeltaNick Blues
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The only predictable thing about EC is that you should expect him to
change direction. There are aspects of his overall career that I find
boring. To be specific: Much of the Yardbirds. Most of Fresh Cream. The
extra tracks on Blind Faith Deluxe Edition. Almost all of Delaney &
Bonnie & Friends & Eric Clapton. Half of Eric Clapton. The first half of
There's One in Every Crowd. Lots of No Reason to Cry. Most of Slowhand
(I do not like this album - he was losing it, along with his band) and
Backless (the band were just about gone at this stage). Just One Night
was an interesting "guitar" experiment, but not a wonderwork. Another
Ticket is a write-off. Money & Cigarettes is a good attempt at a
recovery, which does not stand the test of (1.) time and (2.) comparison
to his other works. Behind the Sun & August were in the vein of "Hi
Phil, I've come in to add some licks 'n' vocals to the songs you've
prepared for me." Journeyman - nothing boring. 24 Nights - Absolutely
not boring - Don't care if it's not one concert really. Unplugged -
Get's tedious, but the selection is well spread. From the Cradle -
Tiresome in the middle. Reptile - Some 20s/30s sounding tracks.
Since Cream, he has had a tendency to coast. Some of the live material
(originally on Live Cream & Live Cream Volume II & Goodbye) is
repetitive and no attempt to take the lead. Examples: NSU, White Room,
I'm So Glad, Sweet Wine, even Steppin' Out. If you listen to the jams on
the BF Deluxe Edition, it seems as though EC was making a conscious
effort of restrict his playing to rhythms, not extending beyond the
structure of any number. Derek & the Dominos Live or In Concert had many
long long solos, some of which never really went anywhere. Many concerts
during EC's solo career follow a structured approach: Hit them at the
start, slow to cruise speed and thrill them at the end. In recent (the
last 8) years, EC has hooked on a "required" acoustic set at the
beginning. This shows he cares to entertain. In his life it's sort of
happenstance that he is also an excellent guitarist that needs to give
fuel to his aggression from time to time. The one song to me that
typifies EC is She's Gone. It comes alive during the solos. I Shot the
Sheriff is long and protracted, but is transformed and over far too
quickly once the solos take-off.
Some of the solos on Reptile are a revisit to the 70s - the underpinned
guitar that is part of the band. I listen to Reptile mostly for the
vocals. They are exceptional. I love songs that others do not seem to
like. My favourites in order to choice are: Broken Down, Modern Girl, I
Want a Little Girl, Travelling Light & Second Nature. What's the big
whoop about after Come Back Baby. We heard that kind of playing all
throughout 1994. Losing Hand would have been more fit on the album than
as an outtake. I would not have complained if it broke the subdued aura
of the album.
Albums I really listen to are: The first 2 and a half discs of
Crossroads II. Derek & the Dominos Live at the Fillmore. 24 Nights.
Disraeli Gears. Wheels of Fire. Bluesbreakers. Riding with the King (the
last album on which he really rocked). Pilgrim. Then I love the videos
and - for obvious reasons - I do not close my eyes when "listening". I
like to see what EC is doing when playing, whether it be switching to
the "place" or inspiring his fellow musicians. On the rare occasions you
actually see him on a Cream video, he and the other two seem to be
outside of the music, doing their own thing. The only boring EC live
concert is Live '85, which starts off well and fizzles into the same
solos on each song mode after I Shot the Sheriff. I have a CD of the
concert the day afterwards, which is vibrant by comparison.
I think EC's guitar playing has only changed in that he does not do the
Live Cream thing. I would love to see Spoonful played as a full-out jam
or Crossroads at top-speed. I believe there is room for this even today.
The musicians EC surrounds himself with have proved their worth
elsewhere, if not while working with him throughout the years. It seems
like EC has always had "the gift" in terms of guitar playing. Perhaps
one day he'll make an album showcasing his guitar playing, but the few
and far between live albums and recent spate of videos are testimony
enough of this talent.
EC a musical fat cat? Could be. He knows how to work a crowd. They'll be
back the next time he's in town. Herein lies the sadness. He has so much
past material to rework and grow, but he chooses the same 20 or so songs
for a year-long tour, instead of pulling a few dozen from his hat.
Yes, Clapton's music still excites. If I were to put on an evening of EC
(studio or live) material for, say, 200 interested people, I could have
a night of fun tinged with rarities you might never hear in your
lifetime. He also has the knack of irritating, when he does not come out
with surprises at concerts. The negative press he generally gets is also
infectious.
I've never done drugs or been excessively drunk, so I've always looked
at Clapton from a clear perspective. I think his music is honest and
that his career has been well planned, irrespective of the state of mind
he has been in. Layla is thoroughly entertaining and the angst
(apparently drug drenched) vocals enhance, rather than detract from the
mood of the recording. The only song I don't like on the set is Little
Wing, which is overdone, when compared to the Hendrix original and
subsequent Clapton renditions. EC gave away as many solos (and allowed
himself to be outshone) by George Terry, while drunk, just as much as by
Tim Renwick, while sober. On his own commercial recordings, One Chance
is a prime example of his recent talent. I thing praise for his "blues"
solos by many who have seen his concerts this past year is confirmation
that he still has it.
Clapton is an entertainer, with a limited vocal range and an aptitude
for playing that thing strapped to his neck, although (for the most part
it seems) forcefully subdued.
I wouldn't mind if he burps on an album, as long as it's imbued with a
great guitar solo (whether truncated or extended).
Finally, I think EC needs to do something to revive interest in his
career. Reptile is probably an all-time 10 year low, irrespective of
what I or the next long-time fan might think.
I have looked at many negatives, but I, like you and Mark (I think) a
few weeks back and probably others too, sometime feel this way about
Eric. We know him too well - or is it that he knows us and others too
well.
Kevin
End of slowhand Digest V01 Issue #284
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
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