Eric Clapton & Friends: Live 1986

Product Description The early days as `Slowhand' and the guitarist with the Yardbirds may seem a long way off but Eric Clapton's love of the blues has never left him. Eric left the Yardbirds band as they became commercially acceptable to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. That led to the formation of the legendary Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. Following his time with Mayall, Eric began to change bands regularly spending time with Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie and Derek And The Dominoes. Eric Clapton has endured, growing with every new musical experience. He has stayed true to the blues and has become one of the greatest loved musicians in Britain and indeed the World. This DVD was filmed at the Birmingham NEC on July 15 1986, shortly after the completion, but before the release of, the August album. The concert was the last date of a short tour featuring the line up who had played on the recording sessions for August. Musicians include: Eric Clapton - Guitar, Vocals, Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards, Nathan East - Bass, and Phil Collins - Drums and Vocals. Eric Clapton & Friends Live, 1986 provides a great look into Eric Clapton's constant changing styles. The set list includes four songs from the August album along with a combination of old and new (at the time) from Cream, Derek And The Dominoes and subsequent solo material. "Layla" is the full version that includes the beautiful Thorn Tree In The Garden second section. The show also features Phil Collins singing the inevitable "In The Air Tonight", a song prompts Eric to quip, "Now's your chance to hear that song again, the one you've all been waiting for..." The concert ends in a rousing rendition of Sunshine Of Your Love as the finale and there's a rare and delightful moment at the beginning of the guitar solo where Eric loses his concentration much to the audience's (and the video producer's) amusement. The concert was edited for TV and represents an hour of musical history and delight. Track Listing: 1) Crossroads 2) White Room 3) Run 4) Miss You 5) Tearing Us Apart 6) Holy Mother 7) In The Air Tonight 8) Layla 9) Sunshine Of Your Love Amazon.com It's a given that any Eric Clapton performance will be impressive, but Eric Clapton & Friends Live 1986 exceeds all expectations. "Slowhand" had been recording August with session regulars Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), Nathan East (bass), and album producer Phil Collins on drums, and the idea of live performance seemed eminently appealing. The final gig in that brief, spectacular tour--July 15, 1986, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England--was recorded for British television, and editing to one-hour length doesn't stop it from being a full-on stunner. Perhaps at his finest in a small-band setting, Clapton appears loose, happy, and ready to rip into bluesy riffs and solos as if his trusty Fender Stratocasters were vital organs tapped into his bloodstream. While the reliable oldies "Crossroads," "White Room," "Layla" (including the rarely heard "Thorn Tree in the Garden" section), and "Sunshine of Your Love" will satisfy Cream and Yardbirds fans, the fresh cuts from August are equally dazzling, with the beautiful "Holy Mother" serving as the night's pulse-calming ballad. Collins' hit "In the Air Tonight" is clearly an obligatory inclusion (his solo debut was still high on the charts), but in terms of energy, precision, and audience appeal, it's easily on par with the rest of the gig. Visuals are only adequate--the videotaped colors have faded a bit--but sonically this show's a keeper, especially if you're equipped to use the DTS option. And just to prove that nobody's perfect, Clapton fudges a note on "Sunshine" and a word-balloon reading "Sorry!" appears above his head--all in the happy spirit of a rockin' good evening. --Jeff Shannon
ASIN: B0000C2IUJ
VSKU: DBV.B0000C2IUJ.N
Condition: New
Author/Artist:Eric Clapton|Phil Collins|Nathan East
Binding: Dvd
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