Yes.
There is an episode of MASH the TV series wherein Charles is conversing about being a musician. He said something like: "I can play the notes, but I can't make the music." that is what phrasing and expression is, "Making the Music" This is what Clapton excels at.
That is exactly right. Phrasing is what separates the men from the boys musically speaking. All the greats have genius phrasing — Albert King, Albert Collins, Freddie King. Same way with the rock guys — Jimmy Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Slash. All had something to say and could say it just right. Hard to wrap words around it because it’s such a taste thing, but the greats have got it. Clapton is among the finest of the fine in his sense of phrasing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3RYvO2X0Oo