[Slowhand] clapton's turning point: an "optical" remark

[Frank Haas]

> I think that DeltaNick is absolutely right! I don't know what
> happend since the year 2000 but since then Erics playing has
> dramatically changed. He is not on fire anymore.

That´s also right, Mike. The turning point came probably after "Pilgrim":
"Riding" was useless. "Reptile" was trivial. The quality of his live
perfomances was continously declining. (Don't get me wrong, Slowhanders.
He's still a great perfomer, but there were better times. Bobfest, Hyde
Park.., for example.)  And it's not just his playing, which has changed.
Let's have a look at some optical things: There was a time, when Clapton
said he is "italophil" - when he was wearing Armani suits and used these
famous "24 nights" guitar straps. That was the glamour Clapton. Nowadays he
does everything to disturb his former image. When he enters the stage,
wearing these short-sleeved shirts, white socks and ugly boots, you get the
impression he just left a barbecue. (As you can see on "Concert for
George".) Another example for that change is the "art-work" of "One more
car": Embarrassing cover, trivial photos. I don't know why Clapton tries to
be a "Doug Heffenan" (if you know that tv show). Perhaps it's  because he's
tired? older? married? happy?

Cheers

Frank