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keefriffhards
Old Love. Italy 27th May
I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say at 80 that's one of Claptons best ever solos on Old Love.

[youtu.be]

Sunshine Of Your Love.
Haven’t seen Clapton react to the audience with pleasure like this in years, and the fans are very vocal about witnessing something special these past few shows.

Renewed energy from Eric.
[youtu.be]

This is great to see. He still makes playing in that Sunshine Of Your Love clip look so damn easy. I can barely get up to pee in the middle of the night and he's still up there at 80 soloing effortlessly the way I feel I've always seen him do. Its inspiring and its really nice. Clapton, above so many others, was NOT an inevitability to still be going as good as he is now. So many close calls with him in his life, addictions and whatnot. Certainly feels like around 1990 he turned it around and has lived a clean good life since then, but anything from his past could have come back to get him. I'm glad it seems it never really did. Grateful we still have him playing at a high level at this age.

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RollingFreak

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keefriffhards
Old Love. Italy 27th May
I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say at 80 that's one of Claptons best ever solos on Old Love.

[youtu.be]

Sunshine Of Your Love.
Haven’t seen Clapton react to the audience with pleasure like this in years, and the fans are very vocal about witnessing something special these past few shows.

Renewed energy from Eric.
[youtu.be]

This is great to see. He still makes playing in that Sunshine Of Your Love clip look so damn easy. I can barely get up to pee in the middle of the night and he's still up there at 80 soloing effortlessly the way I feel I've always seen him do. Its inspiring and its really nice. Clapton, above so many others, was NOT an inevitability to still be going as good as he is now. So many close calls with him in his life, addictions and whatnot. Certainly feels like around 1990 he turned it around and has lived a clean good life since then, but anything from his past could have come back to get him. I'm glad it seems it never really did. Grateful we still have him playing at a high level at this age.

Yeah it's heartening to see, he's had a tough time over the past 4 to 8 years with pneumonia and the shot etc, hope he keeps it at this momentum for another few dates for selfish reasons

Honestly didn't know he had American dates later this year. Glad he's really making a go of this, hopefully at his own comfortable pace. Only time I ever really saw him was with Cream which was crazily 20 years ago at this point, besides the guest appearance at Robbie Robertson's tribute last year.

Going down the Eric rabbit hole of now rewatching the full Cream reunion. So glad some of this stuff has happened over the years to tie up loose ends. Lucky to be alive in the same time as Eric, which has reminded me (again, of the not inevitable) that he's the only one left from Cream. Would love to see that tribute show to Ginger Baker released at some point as well. That looked pretty epic:

Full Cream reunion at Royal Albert Hall - [www.youtube.com]

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RollingFreak
Honestly didn't know he had American dates later this year. Glad he's really making a go of this, hopefully at his own comfortable pace. Only time I ever really saw him was with Cream which was crazily 20 years ago at this point, besides the guest appearance at Robbie Robertson's tribute last year.

Going down the Eric rabbit hole of now rewatching the full Cream reunion. So glad some of this stuff has happened over the years to tie up loose ends. Lucky to be alive in the same time as Eric, which has reminded me (again, of the not inevitable) that he's the only one left from Cream. Would love to see that tribute show to Ginger Baker released at some point as well. That looked pretty epic:

Full Cream reunion at Royal Albert Hall - [www.youtube.com]

Yes he's on a roll, who knows when it's the last time so just had to see him while he's on form again after, how shall i put it, a tired few years.
Long may he continue to improve for the American dates.

Yeah the Cream shows were amazing, as was the shows with Steve Winwood.
Eric has always delivered live, but he has had some laid back periods with albums where i kind of lost interest, and the acoustic sit down Layla always pisses me off, it is what it is.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-30 09:20 by keefriffhards.

Clapton was killing it last night, very enthusiastic Paris audience i thought, especially on numbers like Badge/ Little Queen Of Spades and Cocaine, he really seemed to be enjoying the crowds reaction, not the grumpy old man i saw last time out..
After the middle slightly boring sit down acoustic bit he let rip with his playing, really on it, stronger vocally than I've heard him for years, and to my ears successfully trying a different approach to some of the solo's.

I don't know what health programme he's on since i last saw him but EC is back and delivering a great show, perhaps a shorter set list than im used to, about fifteen or sixteen songs but I'd rather that than 20 tired songs.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-01 18:55 by keefriffhards.

in Paris yesterday night

I don't have much love for Clapton after the 1970's, not as a musician nor as a person. But I do think that the Fillmore gigs he did with the Dominoes are one of the best concerts any band has ever played, with Clapton\s playing truly beyond believe.

Mathijs

If Jimi Hendrix was "God", then the Crossroads Festival, founded by Clapton, came 29 years too late.

I think what's amazing about EC at 80 is the fact that these European shows sold out, Paris certainly was.
If you look at the US dates the majority of shows are already sold out and limited tickets remaining for Boston / Nashville/ Madison Square Garden. If anyone wants to see him in the US time is running out i guess.

Eric walks his own line, sticks to it and doesn't sell out as a human being.
Not many in this business pull that off, especially at his age, brave man.

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TheflyingDutchman
If Jimi Hendrix was "God", then the Crossroads Festival, founded by Clapton, came 29 years too late.

You know, I'll take 'prime Clapton' over Hendrix, any day: Blues Breakers; Cream; Bind Faith; Derek & The Dominos. He was utterly supreme. Even his Yardbirds work was monstrously good for 1964: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; I Ain't Got You; Got To Hurry.

Don't get me entirely wrong, I like Hendrix; Hey Joe and Purple Haze were great singles; Little Wing, etc. I just far prefer Eric.

Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

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windmelody
Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

Yes, I agree with all you've said. I do find that some of his music is somewhat 'dated', or at least, really tied to that era; a bit like how I feel about the Doors. Mind you, even some of Cream's recordings sound a little too '1967' Strange Brew, etc. I guess we'll never really know how Hendrix would've developed. Some of his later recordings, like Dolly Dagger, are quite good.

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windmelody
Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

What do you mean with Clapton having more time to develop? Both him and Hendrix reached their peak in 1970. Hendrix died, and since his comeback at the Rainbow concert Clapton did not develop anymore. Not in his playing and not with his music.

And I agree Hendrix sounds a bit dated, but one can say the same about Cream. Great band, but not all of their output has aged well. Then again, the 1960's is 60 years ago, what has aged well?

Mathijs

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Mathijs

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windmelody
Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

What do you mean with Clapton having more time to develop? Both him and Hendrix reached their peak in 1970. Hendrix died, and since his comeback at the Rainbow concert Clapton did not develop anymore. Not in his playing and not with his music.

And I agree Hendrix sounds a bit dated, but one can say the same about Cream. Great band, but not all of their output has aged well. Then again, the 1960's is 60 years ago, what has aged well?

Mathijs

Fair enough; and I agree about Hendrix and Cream ageing. However, I think Beggars Banquet; Let it Bleed; Abbey Road, even, still sound fresh and not tied to the era they were recorded. I think the production and stereo-effects on those Hendrix and Cream recordings don't particularly help.

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Big Al

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Mathijs

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windmelody
Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

What do you mean with Clapton having more time to develop? Both him and Hendrix reached their peak in 1970. Hendrix died, and since his comeback at the Rainbow concert Clapton did not develop anymore. Not in his playing and not with his music.

And I agree Hendrix sounds a bit dated, but one can say the same about Cream. Great band, but not all of their output has aged well. Then again, the 1960's is 60 years ago, what has aged well?

Mathijs

Fair enough; and I agree about Hendrix and Cream ageing. However, I think Beggars Banquet; Let it Bleed; Abbey Road, even, still sound fresh and not tied to the era they were recorded. I think the production and stereo-effects on those Hendrix and Cream recordings don't particularly help.

Indeed I believe that the Albums Al mentioned sound fresh. I agree that some records by Cream sound not so good today. Concerning the question "What has aged well?": There countless pieces of art who do not loose their magic: Films, recordings, books, paintings, compositions...
My impression is, that the music of the Beatles and the Sones stands the test of time better than the music by most artists in the world of pop and rock.

-----

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Mathijs

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windmelody
Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

What do you mean with Clapton having more time to develop? Both him and Hendrix reached their peak in 1970. Hendrix died, and since his comeback at the Rainbow concert Clapton did not develop anymore. Not in his playing and not with his music.

And I agree Hendrix sounds a bit dated, but one can say the same about Cream. Great band, but not all of their output has aged well. Then again, the 1960's is 60 years ago, what has aged well?

Mathijs

How do you know Hendrix peaked in 1970 when he died in 1970? Maybe he’d have continued to progress. Clapton didn’t, but if he were alive, Hendrix may have. Pretty sure that’s what windmelody was saying.

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Big Al

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TheflyingDutchman
If Jimi Hendrix was "God", then the Crossroads Festival, founded by Clapton, came 29 years too late.

You know, I'll take 'prime Clapton' over Hendrix, any day: Blues Breakers; Cream; Bind Faith; Derek & The Dominos. He was utterly supreme. Even his Yardbirds work was monstrously good for 1964: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; I Ain't Got You; Got To Hurry.

Don't get me entirely wrong, I like Hendrix; Hey Joe and Purple Haze were great singles; Little Wing, etc. I just far prefer Eric.

Maybe I was bit too cryptic: All I wanted to point out is that Hendrix died much too young due to substance abuse. He probably left us the biggest vacuum in rock history.

Just like Fischer did in chess.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-03 15:57 by TheflyingDutchman.

We have no idea where Hendrix would have gone. He did a remarkable amount in that short time frame, though so did Eric. From 64-71, Eric was unstoppable. Plus 461 Ocean Boulevard in 74 and Slowhand in 77. After that, it gets much spottier, but that's a hell of a 15ish years. Eric going from Cream to Blind Faith to Derek And The Dominoes is a run of albums I'd pit against anyone. He arguably didn't have to do anything after that and would still be a legend.

I also kinda disagree that Cream hasn't aged well. I just listened to their discography the other day and yes its quintessentially 60s, but I don't think it sounds too dated. Maybe just me. Disraeli Gears is maybe the epitome of that 60s sound but I'm way younger than when it came out and I still totally relate to it. There's an air to all those songs, but it never becomes overwhelming to me. I think stuff like Dance The Night Away are a perfect example of that. Very of that time, but doesn't date it to me. Similarly Fresh Cream is very 60s but I think it still absolutely holds up. Wheels Of Fire probably aged the best and has the most universal sound, at least the studio side. Its not a hill I'll die on, but I don't think anything on those albums are ruined by them being dated.

Clapton in Nice last night.
Good audio, this takes me back 40 years to Live Aid, can't believe he's still delivering comparable performances.

WHITE ROOM
[youtu.be]

SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE
[youtu.be]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-04 00:08 by keefriffhards.

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TheflyingDutchman

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Big Al

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TheflyingDutchman
If Jimi Hendrix was "God", then the Crossroads Festival, founded by Clapton, came 29 years too late.

You know, I'll take 'prime Clapton' over Hendrix, any day: Blues Breakers; Cream; Bind Faith; Derek & The Dominos. He was utterly supreme. Even his Yardbirds work was monstrously good for 1964: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; I Ain't Got You; Got To Hurry.

Don't get me entirely wrong, I like Hendrix; Hey Joe and Purple Haze were great singles; Little Wing, etc. I just far prefer Eric.

Maybe I was bit too cryptic: All I wanted to point out is that Hendrix died much too young due to substance abuse. He probably left us the biggest vacuum in rock history.

Just like Fischer did in chess.

Kurt Cobain left the biggest vacuum.

Rock'n'roll continued after Hendrix died.

Way different after Cobain died.

Unless Swayed1967 says otherwise - the pillar of truth.

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GasLightStreet

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TheflyingDutchman

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Big Al

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TheflyingDutchman
If Jimi Hendrix was "God", then the Crossroads Festival, founded by Clapton, came 29 years too late.

You know, I'll take 'prime Clapton' over Hendrix, any day: Blues Breakers; Cream; Bind Faith; Derek & The Dominos. He was utterly supreme. Even his Yardbirds work was monstrously good for 1964: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; I Ain't Got You; Got To Hurry.

Don't get me entirely wrong, I like Hendrix; Hey Joe and Purple Haze were great singles; Little Wing, etc. I just far prefer Eric.

Maybe I was bit too cryptic: All I wanted to point out is that Hendrix died much too young due to substance abuse. He probably left us the biggest vacuum in rock history.

Just like Fischer did in chess.

Kurt Cobain left the biggest vacuum.

Rock'n'roll continued after Hendrix died.

Way different after Cobain died.

Unless Swayed1967 says otherwise - the pillar of truth.

The only pillar of truth, my dear GasLightStreet, is the one who states that we are all mortal.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-04 22:15 by TheflyingDutchman.

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TheflyingDutchman

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GasLightStreet

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TheflyingDutchman

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Big Al

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TheflyingDutchman
If Jimi Hendrix was "God", then the Crossroads Festival, founded by Clapton, came 29 years too late.

You know, I'll take 'prime Clapton' over Hendrix, any day: Blues Breakers; Cream; Bind Faith; Derek & The Dominos. He was utterly supreme. Even his Yardbirds work was monstrously good for 1964: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; I Ain't Got You; Got To Hurry.

Don't get me entirely wrong, I like Hendrix; Hey Joe and Purple Haze were great singles; Little Wing, etc. I just far prefer Eric.

Maybe I was bit too cryptic: All I wanted to point out is that Hendrix died much too young due to substance abuse. He probably left us the biggest vacuum in rock history.

Just like Fischer did in chess.

Kurt Cobain left the biggest vacuum.

Rock'n'roll continued after Hendrix died.

Way different after Cobain died.

Unless Swayed1967 says otherwise - the pillar of truth.

The only pillar of truth, my dear GasLightStreet, is the one who states that we are all mortal.

No idea who you are talking about. I've never heard anyone say such a thing.

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NashvilleBlues

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Mathijs

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windmelody
Jimi Hendrix fit into his time perfectly: His great looks, his protest agaist war, his way of performing had something very theatrical. Yet not all of his music aged well. His excessive use of effects sounds overblown by now. Of course he did some good recordings. To be fair, one has to say that Clapton had much more time to develope. Hendrix certainly had potential for more to come.

What do you mean with Clapton having more time to develop? Both him and Hendrix reached their peak in 1970. Hendrix died, and since his comeback at the Rainbow concert Clapton did not develop anymore. Not in his playing and not with his music.

And I agree Hendrix sounds a bit dated, but one can say the same about Cream. Great band, but not all of their output has aged well. Then again, the 1960's is 60 years ago, what has aged well?

Mathijs

How do you know Hendrix peaked in 1970 when he died in 1970? Maybe he’d have continued to progress. Clapton didn’t, but if he were alive, Hendrix may have. Pretty sure that’s what windmelody was saying.

In his carreer, Hendrix peaked in 1970. Incidentilly just as Clapton did.

Mathijs

This is a quote from the internet,"Quora", on which I agree:


I have been playing since 1968. Crossroads, from Wheels of Fire, is the song that made me want to play lead guitar. After 50 years of playing, I could probably play anything Clapton ever played, because his playing isn’t particularly challenging.

There are still many things that Hendrix did that I find challenging.

So, here is my evaluation:

Clapton had great tone, but he wasn’t particularly creative. He had limited ideas, mostly based around blues boxes. Because of that, the last 45 years of his playing has been mundane. He has been unable to break out of the style he first developed.

Hendrix knew his way around a chord far better than Clapton. He would add a 9th, flat a 5th, use a substitution and hit a passing chord, and would finger a melody while he was chording.

Hendrix saw the electric guitar as a wholly different instrument. You can play a Clapton solo on an acoustic guitar, and it will sound, more or less, like Clapton. Hendrix created a synthesis of guitar, amp and talent that was new.

The use of whammy bar swoops, feedback, hammer-ons, legato runs and all the things later developed by more technical guitarists were all first used by Hendrix.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a personal note:

Hendrix caught the attention of players like Miles Davis, John McLaughlin and Frank Zappa, who all stated: "If Hendrix only could read music", he might have become an innovator in prog or jazz rock. Unfortunately he passed away too early.





I have no intention to compare Hendrix and Clapton as guitarists. Just my musical take on Hendrix in particular.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-06 14:55 by TheflyingDutchman.

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keefriffhards
Clapton in Nice last night.
Good audio, this takes me back 40 years to Live Aid, can't believe he's still delivering comparable performances.

WHITE ROOM
[youtu.be]

SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE
[youtu.be]

Nice (pun not intended) stuff. But Cream had 3 on stage, Eric needs 8. Just sayin' :-)

Captain Corella

I know I'm very drunk tonight but does it get better than this.


[youtu.be]

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keefriffhards
I know I'm very drunk tonight but does it get better than this.


[youtu.be]

Eric was probably drunk, too!