slowhand Digest Volume 02 : Issue 15
Today's Topics:
Overrated Rock Critics
My two bits on EC's being "washed up"
Re: Buddy Guy and EC
My apologies
Re: overrated?
Golden Jubilee
Re:
Re: Thank God..
Re: Thank God...
more on Clapton Overrated
more on Clapton Overrated (fwd)
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?F=E1bio_&_Patricia?="
Subject: Overrated Rock Critics
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Just a few cents about this topic:
-Who is Greg Kot? You guys told me that he's a critic from Chicago Tribune,
I think, but since I don't live in Chicago, what this guy can do to make my
life (and other people's lives) more beautiful, to bring me some joy and
happiness? I really don't need anyone to tell me what is good for me to
listen to. I think, not only Clapton, but probably many others who he
criticizes brought me something, but this Greg fella didn't add anything to
the existence of rock music... I really believe most music critics (not
all, since some still have some commitment with journalism, with
information, not only personal opinion) are parasites who make their
livings over other people's carreer. Is that really a profession? "Today
I'm gonna eat my breakfast, then I'll go to the newspaper and write
something bad about someonelse's work, and maybe something good about an
unknown indie band, cause if they become sucessful someday, although I
don't like their music either, I'll can say to the world I'm a rock critic
who discovered some talent, and maybe I can get a raise in my sallary". I'm
not against music journalists, who inform about new releases, interview
musicians about their carreers, recommend some show to check. But, yes, as
a musician myself, I'm totally against this watchers who make a living
trying to damage other people's reputation.
-BTW, what's wrong with packing up arenas and bringing pleasure to millions
of fans over 30 years? Is that wrong? Keep your name updated for over 3
decades in the mainstream of rock music sounds like being and easy task for
lazy people? Not to me. Ask Mr.Peter Frampton about it. Clapton, or Stones,
or Floyd, they don't need the obligation to do a revolution in music every
record; they already did their share, now they have the right to sow what
they seed in the past. I had lots of fun with the 2 Reptile concerts I
attended last year, it doesn't mind if music critics say it's bad, no
matter if it was not the all-Cream set. We're not in the 60's anymore (oh,
sorry if I hurt someone). What I think it's great is to see is that Eric is
still able to drop all the pop-rock stardom from the late 80's for the
acoustic music of unplugged, then he goes to work with sountracks, then a
great blues record followed by a mamoth blues tour (whoelse besides him and
BB could do that), then an incursion into jazz with the great Legends, then
all the tecnho stuff (which I don't like but maybe brought more feeling to
this style-and I admire him for trying), than another blues record with the
great BB, and then a record which summarizes some his works lately. Some
call this "Eric on a cruise control". If the people who said that were just
sharing their opinion, great, I shared mine above too, but if this people
are making money with their suspiciously trained opinions, all I can say is
that I really consider them parasites in the music business.
Get a life of your own, Mr.Greg Kot of Chicago, because Mr.Fabio Dwyer of
Rio de Janeiro (who probably spent much more time on stages playing AND has
a journalism degree just like yours) is telling you to shut up.You're way
overrated as a critic. Your opinion doesn't worth a nikel more than any
music fan in this list, we share our opinions for fun and love for music,
not to make profit.
If anyone meet this guy, please send a copy to him. I just need to share a
bit of anger against him with someone, thanks for reading that slowhanders!
F.Dwyer
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Sean Cox"
Subject: My two bits on EC's being "washed up"
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What the man should do is work out a whole album work of new songs... and
then play a run at the RAH where he plays 5 or 6 new songs each night, and
then just release an album of the live recordings of the new songs (leaving
out all the one's we've heard before) new material in a live setting would
certainly prove he's not washed up.
Plus... think of the possibilities for releasing "Wonderful Tonight" bonus
tracks on all the singles....
-Sean
_________________________________________________________________
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: Bryan Reid
Subject: Re: Buddy Guy and EC
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Or, perhaps he was aware that Buddy and Eric are friends, and, quite
possibly he realized that if he bad-mouthed Eric to Buddy he might get his
(_!_) kicked right then and there.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marissom Roso"
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Buddy Guy and EC
> Who is Greg Kot? Critical of Rock? Ohhhhhh, I thought he was the new God!
>
> Because this insignificant man didn't talk the same nonsenses about
Clapton
> in front of Buddy Guy? Doesn't he have conviction or courage? Or because
he
> can't make his theatrical number without rehersal (LOL)
>
> Thank you for your post, Dale.
> Killer
>
> they call me Killer ICQ 5119927
> www.gpsnet.com.br/ericclapton_killer
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 11:30 PM
> Subject: Buddy Guy and EC
>
>
> > Last Night on "Sound Opinions", a weekly radio talk show on WXRT hosted
by
> > Greg Kot and Jim Derogadis, rock critics for the Chicago Tribune and
> > Chicago Sun Times, respectively, Buddy Guy was the live, in-studio gust.
> > He played a few tunes and talked about the blues in general, his career,
> > and various other topics. He dropped Eric's name numerous times during
> the
> > show.
> >
> > He mentioned that for the benefit concert in New York (where he appeared
> > with Clapton), EC's folks contacted him and asked him to rehearse the
> tunes
> > with Paul Schaeffer's band, since he knew them well. Eric apparently
> > showed up at the last minute to perform at the show, without rehearsing.
> >
> > As you may recall from my post on Monday, Greg Kot had recently written
> > that Clapton was one of the most overrated musicians. During the
> > interview, with Buddy mentioning Clapton frequently and questions being
> > asked about Buddy being the idol to many guitarist (Page and Clapton in
> > particular), not once did Mr. Kot have anything disparaging about
Clapton
> > in the presence of Buddy Guy.
> >
> > Dale
> >
>
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: olli oksala
Cc: gwornex@yahoo.com
Subject: My apologies
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Hi all,
And this time I must ask you to forgive me for a couple of things.
I did send the (almost) same message twice to SD.
The other thing is more serious: I've never intended to disparage
anybody. I don't even know, what disparage means, I quess it's
something very rude.
I never have written about potheads or mother's basements.
The thing is,that I get carried away when talking about Clapton's
unbelievable career and how I've enjoyed almost every turn.
My english is quite bad and maybe somebody has misunderstood my
choice of words.
I sometimes tried to be funny, but it seems it isn't possible with my
poor english. I think listening to music and talking about it
should be fun.
If people get hurt for me just disagreeing with them, maybe I should
shut my face up.
And Cream was a great band.
Keep on growin'
Humble (but brave) Olli
...............................................
Oma sähköposti aina käytössä! http://luukku.com
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: jbroh1@netscape.net (John Broholm)
Subject: Re: overrated?
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While I agree that just about everybody in the music biz wants commercial success, bringing up Jorma Kaukonen's name is interesting. Basically, once the Airplane folded, Hot Tuna found a very nice, thank you, cult audience. Jorma returned to the club circuit and played some blistering solo shows in Boulder that I attended. His last couple of solo CDs have been excellent, and he's currently working on an album with two bluegrass gods, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas, which is probably a creative heaven for him. He spends much of his time running a guitar retreat in Ohio and, while he's not the most outgoing type, he enjoys handing something on to others. I'd guess (not having talked to him about it) that he's probably in about as comfortable an artistic setting as he's ever been in. And, here's his lyric about the '60s: "Burst in flames, played the game, almost tried to go insane." You can't go on forever in the old mode, but having top bill at 26 arenas in a row isn't necessarily!
everybody's idea of fulfillment.
John Broholm
Lawrence, KS
> Maybe Clapton should think about doing what he wants to like some of his
contemporaries. I would rather listen to the post-'60s offerings of Jorma
Kaukonen, Steve Winwood, Alvin Lee, Peter Green and David Gilmour (outside
of the Floyd). <<
Then what are you doing here? Nobody's stopping you from joining the Hot
Tuna or Steve Winwood digests. I receive the Steve Winwood "Smiling Phases"
digest, and there is virtually NOTHING going on in Winwood's career right
now: nada, zip. I really like Winwood, but he no longer even has a recording
contract. It's a shame, but his recordings simply have not sold much of
late. I am 99.99% sure that the artists you mention above, some of whom I
respect greatly, desire greater commercial success than they currently
enjoy
--
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--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "DeltaNick"
Subject: Golden Jubilee
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McCartney, Clapton For Golden Jubilee?
When Queen Elizabeth and her fellow citizens celebrate her 50th year as
monarch this June, the Queen's Golden Jubilee will be rocking. A number of
Britain's top rockers, including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Mick
Jagger, have already signed on to take part in an evening of rock'n'roll
that will take place on the lawn of Buckingham Palace, according to sources.
Tickets will be doled out by raffle. Among the American musical royalty
tentatively slated to participate are Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Sir
George Martin is musical director of the overall event, which also includes
a classical evening, while Phil Ramone and Michael Kamen are also expected
to have musical responsibilities. The concerts will be broadcast on the BBC.
DeltaNick
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "DeltaNick"
Subject: Re:
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>> Maybe Eric should release a live concert. Everyone raves about the live
sound of the concert, so why not release an album of live sound rather than
the disappointment of the sterilized studio album of Pilgrim and Reptile? <<
Jim,
"24 Nights" is a "live" album, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in
1990 and 1991. And "From The Cradle" is a "live in the studio" album,
recorded in 1994. There are two insignificant overdubs on "FTC," described
in detail in the liner notes.
DeltaNick
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "DeltaNick"
Subject: Re: Thank God..
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>> After reading Tony's message on last SD I was quite amazed: Here was a
really sincere message, from a nice guy and content was (I think), that
Clapton would be better if he had stayed in his 60's trousers. <<
I find that most readers can visualize only two views: (A) Clapton "stuck"
in the '60s, or (B) the route that EC has taken over the years.
It's over; it's done; EC chose B.
However, solely for logic and argumentation's sake, I ask that y'all open
your minds a bit and consider the following:
There is no other point of view envisioned or possible in the minds of some
readers of this digest. An "in between" point of view has been expressed (C)
by several subscribers, but it is interpreted incorrectly--perhaps on
purpose--as (A) "being stuck in the '60s," when it clearly is not.
This "third way" way that EC could have traversed the years, which includes
"growth," goes like this: the basic directions that EC has taken PLUS a bit
more concentration on the guitar ... cutting edge guitar.
When I write that I like EC's concentration on the guitar, the way he
concentrated on guitar in the '60s, in no way do I envision Clapton playing
20-minute versions of "Spoonful" and "Steppin' Out" for the remainder of his
life. I can think of a few things more boring, but not too many. New albums
mean new music; new music means different songs and different music:
"growth" and creativity, if you will.
If you read "stuck in the '60s" in what I write above, I suggest you seek
therapy for being narrow minded. Tarring someone with this "stuck in the
'60s" label, when he or she clearly expresses something different, is both
unfair and dishonest, and calls your judgment into serious question. If Joe
says X, and Joe also says Y, it does NOT necessarily follow that Joe means
Z. But this happens often in responses here on the digest. I have been
accused, several times, of supporting positions that I do not hold.
Read carefully, think, and write what YOU mean, but don't attempt to explain
to the rest of us what someone else means. Express YOUR opinion, but do not
attempt to express mine. You'll be wrong nearly every time.
DeltaNick
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: "Pat Toth"
Subject: Re: Thank God...
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> Clapton has made his money years ago. This last mammoth tour wasn't
> about money.
I simply have to open my mouth about what Olli has to say below. I agree except
for the above................If it wasn't for the money then why the hell did I shell out $150 bucks
for a couple of seats? The Pilgram Tour wasn't that expensive and he carried along a small
orchestra!
Just my opine
Busterrrrrrrrrr
----- Original Message -----
From: olli oksala
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 8:40 PM
Subject: Thank God...
> Hi all,
> I read a very sincere message from a very nice guy Tony, but once
> again I must disagree.
> Tony thought, that EC would've been much better and happy if he had
> stayed in his 60's trousers.
> If you read Clapton's comments on his past, you'll notice, that one
> of the most unhappy eras were his days with Cream.
> If he had stayed there, I think he would've been destroyed.
> Tony gave us some examples of musicians staying true to the 60's.
> I'm not quite sure, if these guys have chosen to be unsucceesful,
> maybe they couldn't do better.
> Anyway, I must thank God (not you, Eric), that he (Eric, I mean)chose
> another and more creative path.
> Trying to recreate your youth isn't that creative.
> It's great there's still people, who enjoy Clapton playing and
> singing the music he wants to play.
> Clapton has made his money years ago. This last mammoth tour wasn't
> about money.
> It was a farewell and thank you to those real friends of EC's music.
> Hopefully someday we can see him once again playing the way he
> himself choses and not the way these critics think he should.
> Cheers,
> Olli
>
>
> ...............................................
> Oma sähköposti aina käytössä! http://luukku.com
>
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: fpcorazza@ig.com.br
Subject: more on Clapton Overrated
Below is your form's result. It was submitted by
Fabio Corazza fpcorazza@ig.com.br on Sat Jan 19 09:54:53 2002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
message: Hi all! (Long time lurker, first time poster)
submit value=: Enviar consulta
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMOTE_ADDR: 200.158.28.116
--=_--SlowhandDigest--
From: David Hillman
Subject: more on Clapton Overrated (fwd)
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 06:58:14 -0500
From: F. Corazza
To: slowhand@planet-torque.com
Subject: more on Clapton Overrated
Hi all! (Long time lurker, first time poster)
Here's my humble opinion about the recent discussions:
Just to make a comparison here: Louis Armstrong's work around the late
50s / 60s was dismissed by many jazz fans and critics. At the time, it was
said that his repertoire had become too "pop-oriented", that he put too much
emphasis on singing, that he didn't play enough trumpet, etc. Thirty years
after his passing, he is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the
20th century. And, when people talk about his legacy, they often mention his
most important recordings, from the late 20s.
Point is, it doesn't really matter if critics think EC's recent efforts
aren't as good as his early material: after he is gone, people will put
things in perspective, and by the result of re-evaluating his complete work
he will be acknowledged as a great musician, perhaps one of the finest and
most influential ever to pick an electric guitar; His weakest material will
be forgotten, and his best work will be given the necessary attention and
respect.
Thanks for the space,
Fabio
fpcorazza@ig.com.br
End of slowhand Digest V02 Issue #15