[Slowhand] Halcyon Days

[Richard Batty]

Grant,

This is a great topic.  Off the top of my head, some of my favorites:

1. Don't Think Twice (from the Dylan Tribute - maybe not a guest appearance
but unbelievable solos)
2. Mr. Bluesman - Ritchie Sambora (great story, possibly in a Roberty book
about how nervous EC was)
3. City Streets - Carole King (just that incredibly sweet tone and sense of
melody that EC has)
4. Wonderful World - Zucchero (the EC tone - there's a story about someone
picking up his guitar in the studio but they couldn't replicate the tone)
5. Love Her With A Feeling - Taj Mahal (another great solo)
6. Oh Lord, Dear Lord - Jim Capaldi
7. Go Back Home - Stephen Stills (great quote from Stills how the solo was
EC warming up and Tom Dows knew enough to roll tape!)
8. That's The Way God Planned It - Billy Preston (when my FM station in
Montreal played the extended version in about 1970-71, I was buying
everything I could that had EC on it.  I heard this and didn't have it
confirmed for years but was sure it was EC).
9. Saturday Night  - Elton John (I forget which Prince's Trust show but EC
just goes into the stratosphere on the outro).
10. All Along the Watchtower - Lenny Kravitz (the Concert for the Century -
EC on lead)
11. I Think I Love You Too Much - Dire Straits (Knebworth 1990, the
interplay between EC and Knopfler is sublime)
12. Cause We've Ended As Lovers - Jeff Beck (Crossroads Festival 2004, ok
it's Jeff guesting with EC but it's a Jeff song but the way EC comes in on
the solo!)
13. Little Red Rooster - Rolling Stones (1990?  EC guests and even has Keith
shaking his head at the solo)

Now I'll go look at my collection for others!

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: Abt, Grant [mailto:g.abt at ucsm.ac.uk]
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 9:39 AM
To: 'slowhand at planet-torque.com'
Subject: [Slowhand] Halcyon Days

Evening viewers,

Just bought Bruce Hornsby's "Halcyon Days" with EC playing on the title
track. It's a very good CD overall and well worth the price, but EC's solo
on the title track is superb. The track itself is a slow to mid tempo,
keyboard number, vaguely similar i think to Jerry-Lyn Williams "Sending Me
Angels". An "atmospheric" feel to it. As usual, EC adds just the right
amount of tasty guitar. It sounds as though he's playing with his fingers,
as opposed to a pick. This gives a beautiful tone. Anyway, i recommend this
track.

It also got me thinking about what would be EC's best guest appearances. For
me, these are the best ones i have:

1. Every Strangers Eyes - Pros and Cons of Hitch-Hiking - Roger Waters
2. I Wish It Would Rain Down - But Seriously - Phil Collins
3. Runaway Train - The One - Elton John
4. Halcyon Days
5. Sending Me Angels - Jerry Lyn Williams

I'd like to add to my list of EC's guest sessions, so can anyone recommend
others?

Grant.

Lancaster, UK.