[Slowhand] Re: '70th Birthday Concert"

[Sébastien JEGOU]

Well, considering that everything in art is about sensibility, let's say
that there's another opinion witch is Eric plays better since 1993 than he
did in his all carreer.

And this opinion is shared by many people (of my generation ?).

He could have smoked anybody at the Crossroad festival. Actually he even
smoked Jeff Beck for the first time of his life.

I confess that highlights as Don't Think Twice (Bob fest), From the cradle
(album + tour), St James Infirmary with Doc John, All along the watchtower
(with Lenny Kravitz in '99) to name just a few , mooved me much more than
any Cream or Derek D tapes.

The main difference with the early days is that guitar is not influencing
the course of modern Music anymore.



PS : I bought Mayall DVD and was quite desapointed at a first look (his
guitar sound was "weak" and he didn't seem very inspired that night). But
after watching 2 or 3 times I was surprised to fully appreciate the
performance. It is definitely different ... but unique. Guess Eric wanted to
play "roots".

Surprised not to hear anybody complaining about Mayall himself. His voice is
still terrible as it was in the 60's ! (just a personnal opinion of course
....).


Sebastien



-----Message d'origine-----
De : DeltaNick [mailto:deltanick at comcast.net]
Envoyé : lundi 26 juin 2006 05:11
À : Slowhand Digest
Objet : [Slowhand] Re: '70th Birthday Concert"


The truth is, John Mayall simply LOVED Eric Clapton's guitar playing. He
didn't think of Clapton's guitar playing as "outshining" him, but as the
passionate expression of a guitarist, an expression of blues. The more
passionate, the more Mayall loved it. And Clapton was the ONLY one to whom
top and equal billing went. The artists on the album "Blues Breakers" are
listed as "John Mayall With Eric Clapton." Mayall did that. Mayall never did
that again.

Now, Fast Forward to 2003. Does anyone REALLY believe that had Clapton
played passionate, expressive guitar, on the "70th Birthday Concert," Mayall
would have been offended? I SERIOUSLY doubt it. I believe that Mayall would
have considered it the HIGHEST, the ULTIMATE compliment.

Clapton pretty much downplays guitar nowadays. Yes, there are exceptions,
but they are few and far between. As I've written several times before. I
don't think that Clapton puts as much of himself into his guitar playing
nowadays, and he hasn't done so much in the past 35+ years as he did
earlier. He just doesn't do his best at all, in that department. I feel
shortchanged and cheated. And yes, I "know" that Clapton is "bigger" than
just guitar. But as a guitarist, he's simply "smaller" today, in my opinion.
And my opinion is shared by many, many people who are no longer interested
in Eric Clapton. NOBODY can play guitar like Eric Clapton once did,
including Eric Clapton.

                DeltaNick