[Slowhand] RE: auto-pilot

[Abt, Grant]

	DeltaNick/Noah,

	When you say that EC doesn't take an interest in guitar anymore,
what you appear to be saying is that he doesn't solo with the same fire or
creativity he used to 30 odd years ago? I have a number of points:

	1. What evidence do you/we have? Faded memories of gigs you attended
in the late 60's and early 70's. Well, most of us weren't there, so WE don't
have the opportunity to compare/contradict your recollections. So, we are
left with the recorded output from the Cream era and Live at the Fillmore. I
love LATF, but you can't tell me that his guitar playing on a track like
"Watch Yourself" from 24 Nights is not as electrifying (solo's especially)
as anything on Live at the Fillmore. What about Tore Down/Have You Ever
Loved A Women or Everyday I Have The Blues from the Hyde Park gig? For me,
what this shows is that he CAN still play with fire and passion, but either
chooses consciously not to (your argument, which i don't believe), or he
DOES try every night but simply gets it right only so often, which is my
argument, that he can't be "on" every night.

	2. People change. Are you the same person now as in 1970? No, of
course you're not, none of us are, including EC. In 1970, and as recorded on
Live at the Fillmore, 19 minute versions of Let it Rain were great, but
today would probably not go down as well. Times change, we move on. It seems
clear that EC does not WANT to play 19 minute versions of songs because he's
done it before. That is why his guitar playing has changed, not because he's
lazy. I think his ventures into electronic music like TDF demonstrate that
EC (like most people) get bored with doing the same stuff over and over and
NEED to experience different styles of music. 

	3. Screeching guitar does not always maketh a great solo. There
seems to be a perception that a great solo HAS to be volumous, heavy and
fast. This is just bollox! This is one of the areas where EC has changed for
the better and one of the reasons i love his playing. EC can play firey
solos when he wants to but he knows when to play the RIGHT solo, which may
be more melodic. A case in point is the Bob Dylan tribute from '92. On Don't
Think Twice, he played, in my opinion, one of the greatest solos of his
career - firey, cutting. On Love Minus Zero, he plays a beatifully melodic
solo that fits the song like a glove - equally as great. So, my point is
that EC's guitar playing is not 1 dimentional, which is what sets him apart
from other guitar players and is what makes him NOT just another guitar
player. 

	By the way, i don't think everything EC does is great....does
anybody? I'm sure we can all list many songs that we don't particularly like
and gigs we've been too where it's been an "off" night. However, what's crap
to one person is not so to someone else. Noah, I'm very surprised that you
think "Tears in Heaven" is crap? I think musically, from a guitarists point
of view AND from the listening experience, that it's one of his best. Is it
just because it's popular? 

	Anyway, i think i've had my share of bandwidth.

	Grant. 



*****  CONFIDENTIALITY & SECURITY DISCLAIMER  ***** 
Please note the contents of this e-mail do not necessarily represent the
policies or views of St Martins College. This e-mail message and any
attachments may contain confidential information and should only be accessed
by the intended recipient. If they have come to you in error please advise
the sender by replying to this email and copy your reply to
postmaster at ucsm.ac.uk. In this circumstance you must not disclose, copy,
distribute, use or rely on this email and you should permanently delete it. 
Security Warning: Please note that this e-mail has been created in the
knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a 100% secure communications medium.
It is advised that you understand and observe this lack of security when
emailing us. 
Viruses: Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email and
attachments are free from any virus, we cannot accept responsibility for
email once it has left us. You should ensure that you have a suitable anti
virus system in place and check the email upon receipt.