[Slowhand] Kamen / soundtracks

[James Fox]

  It must have been 1986 when I was walking through a
record store & that "Edge Of Darkness"  EP almost
jumped out of the bin into my hands.  I had never
heard of it before & was very surprised to find
something related to Clapton in a "chain" type store
that wasn't known for carrying rare or imported items.
 So I bought it on the spot & have never seen it in a
store again, though I don't do much looking.  This is
the studio version which I think is more inspired as
far as the phrases Eric plays.  From my first listen
to the title track I've been impressed with the blend
of blues / jazz & the dynamics & tension expressed but
thought it was difficult to determine how much of that
feeling was from the song structure & how much was due
to the performance & recording with all the fancy
equipment.  When Kevin Winn started the Clapton
Tribute I thought it would be a good chance to try an
acoustic version.  With that recording I was able to
sit back & observe that the song structure had a good
amount of those qualities and as I suspected, the
quality of the Clapton/Kamen performance was a
combination of everything that can go into a good
song/performance/recording.  I know my recording is
not nearly as inspiring as the original but if anybody
is moved to listen to the acoustic version take the
opportunity to enjoy the song itself.  Notice how well
it was written, I get the feeling Michael probably did
the basic chord progression & Eric composed in real
time as it was recorded.  I've also thought that Eric
became interested in soundtrack work after talking
with Ry Cooder.  The "Homeboy" soundtrack has parts
that remind me of Ry's approach.  
  So it was one of those chance encounters that
brought me into contact with that EP many years ago. 
Probably one of very few available off-the-racks in
the U.S., I think it was $6.00 , back then.  This past
Tuesday afternoon I got together with somebody to talk
about a music project & I finally remembered to pass
along the address to the site where he could hear that
track.  We talked about Michael Kamen & Eric & the
next day I found out Michael had passed away.  
 - James 


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