The Many Faces Of Eric Clapton

[winston]

I am pleased to welcome Diane Vasco. She is a long time forum member and avid reader of the forum. Diane has kindly offered to provide us with some thoughts and insights on some of her favorite artists.

This will be the first of I hope many posts, starting with “The Many Faces of Eric Clapton”. Since she is based in Los Angeles Diane will also be conducting artist and music industry interviews that I would otherwise not be able to attend to.

I look forward to her valued contribution to this section and to her participation on the forum in general.

Please welcome Diane as she takes us on a journey from time to time and looks at the often interesting lives of world famous and not so famous artists.

[annabella]

I’d like to thank Brian for inviting me to participate in this section of the forum.
I am in no way an expert on Eric Clapton, however, I find him to be one the most significant icons in rock and roll.

Eric Clapton is a true survivor who has undergone changes (including his appearance) and overcome many obstacles and problems in his life. From the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, to his solo career, he’s given us many years of great music and memories.

What are some of your favorite works or groups that he has been a part of?
Mine would include the Yardbirds, Cream and some of his solo projects.
I sure wish Blind Faith would have made more music.

I look forward to discussing his talent, and hearing your feedback on the many faces of Eric Clapton.

[kenposurf]

For me....Best of EC...would be... The Beano Lp, The first three Cream Lp's, The Derek and the Dominos Layla Lp and the video Nothin' But The Blues...

[kiramdear]

HI, Diane, and welcome!!

I always heard that Hendrix' emergence on the scene sent Eric into a tailspin, emotionally. I know I should read a book (so many, so little time), but I'm wondering if that's true, and if so what he did to get out of it?

I'm with you on Blind Faith!

[sloop_john_b]

My favorite Clapton stuff was always his George Harrison/The Band-influenced stuff, circa '68-'71. Was never into the straight white boy blues.

"Bell Bottom Blues" is by far his greatest song, for me.

[paologregorio]

Only what he played in Cream for me. I know he was in the Yardbirds, but I like Beck-era Yardbirds better.

[ozover50]

Hey, Diane...... way to go!! Looking forward to some very interesting stuff here.

So you're in cahoots with Mr. Medway, eh? A word of advice, my dear........ he's a shiftly little bugger, so be very, very careful!!

Pretty much any Clapton will do me......early years, recent and pretty much everything in between. Of recent times I can't go past all the goodies on both Crossroads DVDs.

I agree with you on Blind Faith, too. A 'supergroup' that fizzled like a catherine wheel in a downpour!! They could have been something very special.

[rickenbrother]

So you're in cahoots with Mr. Medway, eh? A word of advice, my dear........ he's a shiftly little bugger, so be very, very careful!! (

Alright, how long as this been going on?!?

I love almost anything with Clapton, but when I hear some of his newer stuff, I can't help but think to myself, "Is this the same guy that gave us those cool Cream tunes?"

[winston]

I am going to ignore Aitch and Joey you guys are sooooooooo bad.

Diane the period I probably liked best was when he was with Cream. Cream of course consisted of Eric, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. This was a period when Eric was really stretched as a musician. Somewhat because he was playing in a trio which in itself is no mean feat, but also because he was also playing with two trained jazz musicians who liked to deliver a free form jazz feel to their pop and blues based compositions.

Eric was at first challenged by this new form of musical expression and he delivered some of his best recorded and live performances ever with these two very talented musicians who unfortunately did not have much time at all for each other off stage.

Eric was and still is a loner. He has never truly understood why he is so revered. He left Cream more times than he actually stayed because he likes to move on. Boredom sets in easily for this man who loves to play but does not love to stay. I am privy to the fact that his record label Polydor at one time conducted a world wide search for a replacement.

Still even now, when you listen to songs from the Cream era you have to admit that in that day and given the state of recording technology that Eric's guitar work was both magical and easily recognisable. His voice was filled with the promise that only youth can provide and he looked like a star.

That's the Eric Clapton that is etched in my mind.

[scotty]

Welcome Diane,im looking forward to reading your posts and hope you feel most welcome in the R`N`R

[longboard_ric]

Hi Diane

Welcome to the forum.

As for Eric Clapton, I can listen to anything he has done, time and time again, and not get sick of it. You would not call him a "quality vocalist" but I enjoy his husky, smokey singing as well.

[johneek]

+1 on almost everything Brian said above. While I like most of what he's done, his Cream, Blind Faith work is amazing. I recall hearing somewhere that listening to "Crossroads" carefully is a week long guitar lesson in almost every measure. I agree.

Diane, welcome to your new role. I can't wait to read what you'll offer. See you later this Fall...I hope!

[paul_yan]

Welcome, Diane. Good to have you here!

My favorite Clapton albums are the Beano album, the Cream albums and the Blind Faith album . He just had that young man's fire then.

I was reading Clapton's autobiography when vacationing in Bali this past May. It's one of the best music autobiographies, IMHO. Highly recommended for music lovers and Clapton fans!





Kira, according to the autobiography, on October 1, 1966, just when Cream was hanging out backstage waiting to go on stage at the Central London Polytechnic, Chas Chandler visited them, accompanied by a young black American guy whom he introduced as Jimi Hendrix. Chandler said Jimi would like to sit in with Cream on a couple of tunes. Clapton thought Jimi looked cool. He was all for it after a chat with Jimi. Jimi blew Eric away when he sat in, playing Howling Wolf's "Killing Floor". Eric loved it( as well as the audience) but was scared too as he knew that Jimi was clearly going to be a huge star. Jimi and Eric became very good friends.

Clapton wrote: "On return visits to New York, I used to go to the Village with Jimi Hendrix, and we'd go from one club to another, just the two of us, and play with whoever was on stage that night. We'd get up and jam and just wipe everybody out."

Like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton is a true legend. May he lives very long.

[longhouse]

Agreed with John Biscuti on this one -and wholeheartedly.

[shamustwin]

His autobiography is a fascinating read. Amazing he spent most of his career in an alcoholic haze.
Living quite happily now with young wife and children.

What can one say about his playing that hasn't been said?