In 2008, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood teamed up for a series of three concerts at Madison Square Garden after not playing together for close to four decades when their revolutionary and yet ill fated band Blind Faith lasted a mere six months or so in 1969. Both artists had just come off of enormous waves of success with their respective powerhouse bands. Clapton led Cream while Winwood led the band Traffic which eventually (albeit briefly) reformed. Blind Faith was made up of Clapton on guitar, Winwood on keys, Rick Grech on bass and Cream drummer, Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker.
The band was intended to be a super group and never really panned out with Winwood and Clapton later on, both pursuing solo careers. But, in 2008, the two got back together for a series of three gigs at Madison Square Garden and then, in 2009 and 2010, subsequent summer tours of the U.S. and Europe, as well as Japan. Your humble music blogger, did attend the St. Paul show in June 2009 and it didn't disappoint. The set list was different than the album being blogged here (slightly). But, the show was still inspiring.
For the MSG dates, the band was:
Eric Clapton: guitar & vocals
Steve Winwood: Hammond B3 organ, piano, guitar, vocals
Willie Weeks: bass
Chris Stainton: keyboards (electric piano & Hammond B3 organ)
Ian Thomas: drums
For the 2009/2010 tours, the band was similar, except, featuring Abraham Laboriel Jr. on drums and Clapton's regular backing vocalists (Michelle John, and Sharon White). By the way, info on this lineup and other info on Clapton's entire career (bands, recent shows etc.), can be found on his website at www.whereseric.com. Fans may already know. But, just a heads up.
This album showcases a very tight sounding band that can also jam much like Cream and Traffic both did in their heyday. Being a smaller ensemble (a quintet), there is more room for each instrument, even if Winwood is playing guitar. His forte is the B3, however, much like Clapton is well, "God" in terms of the guitar. Some people may not care for Winwood's high tenor voice. But, his B3 playing is a hallmark of this recording. He should be another high ranking master of the B3 along with people mentioned here such as Gregg Allman, Billy Preston and Booker T. Jones. But, lists of the best musicians are well, futile and more of than not, meaningless.
There are definite songs on this album that shine through including the Blind Faith material like "Had To Cry Today" and "Presence of the Lord" (which Clapton wrote soon after moving into a house in England where he still lives, called Hurtwood Edge). The jams come out in Traffic's instrumental "Glad" which bleeds into the Buddy Holly track, "Well All Right". Other highlights of the first disc are the vibrant Otis Rush cover "Double Trouble" and Traffic's "Pearly Queen". The only weak spot is the dirge-like ballad "No Face, No Name, No Number" which is a Traffic number. But, it's a love or hate type tune in my book.
On the second disc, there are some more rousing cuts. Clapton's cover of J.J. Cale's "After Midnight" is set towards it's original, rollicking, swinging pace, as it was on Clapton's eponymous debut record in 1970. More cover tracks abound on the second disc including "Split Decision" (a Winwood number he penned with Joe Walsh of Eagles and James Gang fame), as well as some more interesting song choices that Eric and Steve came up with for this, and some of their other shows.
Those are, two Jimi Hendrix classics ("Little Wing" which was performed by Derek & The Dominoes and here, is set to their arrangement, with the lyrics), and "Voodoo Chile" (the bluesy number that Hendrix recorded with Winwood on B3 and NOT the rollicking "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", that is more familiar. They are totally different songs. Rounding out the set are three more well known tracks.
These include "Can't Find My Way Home" (another Blind Faith number), Traffic's jam "Dear Mr. Fantasy" (written for and about band member Jim Capaldi, with psychedelic imagery and references in the lyrics), and the finale, J.J. Cale's "Cocaine". "Cocaine" is a cliche number because of Clapton really overusing it in his concert sets over the years. But, Cale is still a brilliant songwriter and the tune (which is jammed on by the whole band, with a "Flight of the Bumblebee"-esque piano solo by Chris Stainton), still works.
This is an interesting album and should satisfy people who do like live recordings or maybe those who have probably heard only a few songs by either Clapton or by Steve Winwood.
Track listing:
Disc 1
1. Had To Cry Today (Steve Winwood) *Blind Faith
2. Low Down (J.J. Cale)
3. Them Changes (Buddy Miles)
4. Forever Man (Jerry Williams)
5. Sleeping In The Ground (Sam Myers) *Blind Faith
6. Presence Of The Lord (Eric Clapton) *Blind Faith
7. Glad (Steve Winwood) -Traffic
8. Well All Right (Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, Joe Mauldin & Norman Petty)
9. Double Trouble (Otis Rush)
10. Pearly Queen (Jim Capaldi & Steve Winwood) -Traffic
11. Tell The Truth (Eric Clapton & Robert Whitlock) #Derek & The Dominos
12. No Face, No Name, No Number (Jim Capaldi & Steve Winwood) -Traffic
Disc 2
1. After Midnight (J.J. Cale)
2. Split Decision (Steve Winwood & Joe Walsh)
3. Rambling On My Mind (Robert Johnson) EC solo (acoustic)
4. Georgia On My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell) SW solo (B3)
5. Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix)
6. Voodoo Chile (Jimi Hendrix)
7. Can't Find My Way Home (Steve Winwood) *Blind Faith
8. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood & Chris Wood) -Traffic
9. Cocaine (J.J. Cale)
*Note: I should also point out that some people may be indifferent about Eric Clapton's guitar tone. But, this would only be noticeable to guitar aficionados. Clapton's signature Fender Stratocaster has "noiseless" single coil pickups in it and, a +25 decibel mid boost tone circuit in it, and that's what he uses to shape a lot of his modern tones. A lot of his older records that he played on his original "Brownie" and "Blackie" Strats and when he played Gibson Les Paul's, a custom painted Gibson SG, or a Gibson ES335 with Cream, sound more authentic. This does not detract from his playing talent, though. He always has had an ability to play very lyrically and light fires in the souls of his fans, guitarists, or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment