Posted on 03/21/2017 8:16:13 PM PDT by Mariner
Last year, Eric Clapton revealed that he is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, a condition which affects nerves in the bodys extremities and can cause numbness, shooting pain and loss of co-ordination; he said that it was making it hard to play guitar anymore. Fans feared that it might spell the end of his career.
Judging by his show at New Yorks Madison Square Garden last night (March 19) his first since discussing his condition fans need not worry. Over the course of an hour and a half show, Claptons guitar playing was as lyrical and soulful as it has ever been. Notably, there were no other guitarists in his band (he has toured with as many as two extra six-stringers in recent years). Clapton handled all lead and rhythm parts himself. And his vocals always underrated, probably due to his guitar hero status sounded great as well.
He seemed to be pacing himself a bit: he shared solos with his keyboardists, Chris Stainton and Walt Richmond. Although, on the other hand, he may have been graciously sharing the spotlight with lesser known, but extremely talented musicians. Whatever his reasoning, every solo served the song, and the fact that he played less solos made each of them all the much sweeter.
(Excerpt) Read more at radio.com ...
Then he will no longer perform in public.
The retirement of a truly great musician.
Jack Bruce is dead, Ginger Baker racked with arthritis and now Eric Clapton unable to keep up.
What a drag it is growing old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJefbp-s9LA
Off topic. Eric Clapton has an awesome gun collection.
At least “we have the music.”
So What?
It’s cool!!!
Yes, the work with Blind Faith was amazing.
But his work with Cream, the greatest collection of three musicians in history, was definitive.
See my link above.
History’s best drummer and best base player backing history’s second best guitar player.
I have a similar condition. I don’t know how to express my gratitude for Clapton doing these shows. He’s an inspiration in more ways than one.
I got to see him perform a few years back. An absolute master, no doubt.
L
That's for sure. I've seen Clapton at least 3 times, including, in my youth, at the Omni in Atlanta for his "Forever Man" tour in 1985 (IIRC).
I was 20, attending Georgia Tech, and me and my buddy decided to go to the Clapton show at the last minute. We hopped on the MARTA subway for a few blocks, and when we hopped off, a business-minded local inner city youth walked right up to us and offered 2 tickets for $5 over face value. The pair cost us $50, and they were in Section 2, row E.
So we waltzed into the Omni, and made the long trek to our seats, waving at friends as we passed each in turn, and arrived at our 5th row center seats to see Eric Clapton!
Best concert tickets I ever had, and probably the best concert either me or my buddy have ever seen, to this day! In particular, I recall the long blues number "Same Old Blues" wherein Clapton just pwned the pentatonic blues, shredding them into oblivion.
Afterwards, we walked out in awe. "Megajam!", was the only term that we thought did the show justice at the time.
When Clapton is in top form, he is absolutely incredible.
To see a good example of Clapton's well-polished skills from that era, I recommend the "Live in '85" video from the aforementioned "Forever Man" tour...
You beat me to it. That is the best version ever.
The ultimate Winwood-Clapton collaboration.
I like the Tears in Heaven tune. I heard that he wrote that song for his young boy who fell from their balcony in London and died.
I think I wore out a vinyl copy of “Slowhand.”
Okay, I'll bite. In your view who's history's best guitar player? Hendrix?
Yeah, I think Hendrix was both a better technician and more soulful/musical. But not by much.
His work on Band of Gypsies, and multiple other live recordings is often exhilarating.
And he would have killed for that rhythm section of equals.
Saw Cream approx 68-69, after WofF but before the Farewell album. Good concert, but not as good as Hendrix.
Great tune. And an amazing performance of it.
I bid you peace.
L
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