[Slowhand] Popularity and other Issues

[Hillary Todd]

There's been much discussion lately about ticket sales
reflecting a decline in Clapton's popularity and
somehow equating that with the quality of his music. 
I think we need to decide if we're going to use ticket
and/or album sales as a measure of quality, because if
low sales indicate poor quality, surely big numbers
must indicate the best quality. So, if you use poor
sales of "Back Home" to support your opinion that the
album isn't very good, then you must admit that the
current top selling record "Do I Make You Proud" by
Taylor Hicks is the best record out right now.  I've
also heard that the American Idol tour is selling out
across America, so according to the ticket sales =
musical quality theory, they must be the best
musicians ever!  Seriously, marketing drives ticket
sales.  The average casual fan probably isn't even
aware of the Clapton fall tour.

The recent discussion which began with a comment about
the mix on a DVD and quickly degenerated into the
usual Debbie Downer like opinions of Clapton's overall
lack of talent, skills and motivation, is exactly why
accusations of bashing occur. It's all negative. 
Anything positive is ultimately dismissed or ignored. 

I will say that DeltaNick has presented his case in
great detail, very technical guitar playing detail. 
It may be that the disappointed fans are more into the
technical aspect of guitar playing and the satisfied
fans are more into emotional nature of music in
general.  Not that there's a right or wrong way to be
a fan, but that might explain some of our differences.


And, although we may have different perspectives and
appreciate (or not) different aspects of Clapton's
music, this is after all, a place for fans. I'm sure
everyone agrees that all opinions are welcome.  But
those who offer nothing but Debbie Downer observations
shouldn't be surprised if their comments are construed
as bashing.  



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