[Slowhand] DVD Review: Crossroads - Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007

[John Mills]

http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004012.html
Modern Guitars Magazine
DVD Review: Crossroads - Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007

by Brian D. Holland.

Crossroads: Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007 DVD

Crossroads: Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007 (Rhino/WEA), the benefit
concert that took place in Chicago on July 28, 2007, will be released
November 20 on DVD. Similar to its predecessor (performed in Austin, Texas,
in 2004), the concert to benefit Clapton's substance abuse rehabilitation
center in Antigua is jam-packed with diverse music, prominent guitar players
being the primary appeal and general theme, of course.
I'm a huge fan of the previous festival DVD, so I didn't expect this one to
have the same impact on me; however, I found it to be quite interesting and
wonderfully entertaining throughout. In comparison to the first one as well,
the audio and video quality were top notch. The Stereo PCM and DTS 5.1
choices were more than adequate for excellent sound, and the HD video was
amazing. The detailing, stage-angle shots, and all-around film capturing
quality were remarkable. The backstage conversations and behind-the-scenes
activities, though often just for split seconds, were wonderful additions to
the film. But as before, we must take into account that in reality it was an
11-hour show, so the content is limited to highlights. Nevertheless, there
are over four hours of great music on the two included DVDs.
Comedian Bill Murray co-hosted the show for Eric. The humorous manner in
which he interacted with both the audience and those involved were
delightfully displayed in the onstage and offstage footage.

Disc I
Murray opened the show by walking onstage with a Fender Stratocaster in hand
and blowing kisses to the crowd. He then broke into a cover of Van Morrison'
s "Gloria." With vocal and guitar playing abilities that were pretty
comical, to say the least, the objective was certainly met. He managed to
delight the crowd and spread a lighthearted atmosphere throughout Chicago's
Toyota Park Stadium almost immediately. Clapton, the actual host, jogged
onstage to Murray's rescue. After picking up his own Strat, Clapton then
brought the song to a charming close.
In an additional moment of hilarity, Murray later introduced John McLaughlin
as being "best known for his work with the Mahi-Mahi Orchestra." The
brilliant fusion player came out and did an amazing improvisational jazz
number called "Maharina." The McLaughlin set featured drummer Vinnie
Colaiuta (who later tore it up in a set with Jeff Beck).
Clapton began the show by introducing Sonny Landreth, whose flashy fretwork
and slide playing in "Uberesso" awed the crowd instantly. Clapton, as he
often did throughout the festive event, came out to join Landreth on guitar
for "Hell At Home." When not onstage, Clapton sat in the left wing appearing
totally relaxed yet thrilled at the opportunity to view each performer do
their thing. He often played the part of the definitive spectator, and
appeared as delighted as everyone else by the array of exceptional
performers filling the day's schedule.
Doyle Bramhall II: What can anyone say to refute such a performer? Besides
Clapton and Derek Trucks, and some others who held multiple onstage tasks
for the day's festivities, Bramhall's constructive duties began with his own
set, which was performed from a seated position. "Rosie" and "Outside Woman
Blues" are what made it onto the DVD. The dark and bluesy "Rosie" started
with the left handed performer playing Hendrix-like licks on his Strat. His
wah-wah pedal usage was ideally atmospheric for the song.
Susan Tedeschi and The Derek Trucks Band got downright bluesy with a
rendition of Junior Wells and Mel London's "Little By Little." Susan stole
the show with amazing licks and incredible vocal ability. Finally posing the
question to her husband, "Derek, how do you feel?", he answers as only Derek
Trucks would, by enthralling 28,000 viewers with a killer slide guitar solo
that did all the talking for him. Next is a cover of "Anyday," the old Derek
and the Dominos song from the Layla sessions. With Susan still sitting in
with the Trucks Band, and sharing vocals with Mike Mattison, the song
possesses an interesting Delaney and Bonnie atmosphere to it. That said,
Trucks' slide work has a modest Duane Allman ambiance, yet original as well,
making the song quite varied and particularly interesting. Clapton beams
with approval from the wing.
Following a short but sweet Johnny Winter interview, the Texas blues icon
comes onstage with the Derek Trucks Band for a cover of Dylan's "Highway 61
Revisited," the song he's as known for performing as Dylan is. Though seated
in a chair, Winter still slides and fingers the frets along his Gibson
Firebird like no other, proving the fire still exists in his playing.
Additional highlights on the first disc include The Robert Cray Band with
Hubert Sumlin and Jimmie Vaughan, doing a cover of "Sitting On Top Of The
World." Add B. B. King into the mix and you get "Paying The Cost To Be The
Boss" and "Rock Me Baby." Albert Lee and Vince Gill, in my opinion, two of
the most gifted players at the show, rip it up in "Country Boy." Plenty of
fiery licks and speed picking transpire in this one. Sheryl Crow comes
onstage with the aforementioned two to make everyone extremely happy to hear
a wonderful, guitar crammed version of "If It Makes You Happy." Willie
Nelson closes the first disc with "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" and "On The
Road Again." Some old, vintage, beat up Stratocasters, and other guitars are
displayed throughout the concert, but nothing beats the weathered look of
Willie's acoustic. Though it looks about as dated as guitars can get, it
still sounds great, and it exerts that natural Willie vibe nicely.

Disc II
John Mayer opens the second disc. In an interview, he states: "It's a lot
more relaxing this time because I really feel like I belong. Whether or not
I actually do [sounding quite amused], I'll let the guys on the message
boards duke that one out ..." He makes it quite clear that he's aware of the
fact that people on the internet are disputing his current guitar playing
abilities, a style that seemed to develop and blossom through what began as
an illustrious pop music career; the moral of the story being, you never
know who's lurking in the music forums these days. Once onstage, he
performed "Belief" and "Gravity" from his latest album, Continuum, proving
to guitar lovers everywhere that his fluid and creamy licks are superb, and
are without a doubt on a level with the best of them.
The second disc is comparable to the first in great music, in excellent
photography as well. Steve Winwood does an inspiring set following Los Lobos
and Robbie Robertson. Chicago's own Buddy Guy is phenomenal near the show's
end, performing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and "Damn Right I've Got The
Blues." "Sweet Home Chicago" puts an end to the festivities, of course,
featuring Guy and Clapton, along with Robert Cray, John Mayer, Hubert
Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughan, and Johnny Winter.
Before closing, I must mention a couple of important items. Not only was I
pleased to see that Jeff Beck had finally made it onto the Crossroads 2007
footage, as they neglected to include him on the 2004 DVD, his playing was
incredible on "Cause We've Ended As Lovers." I'm sure everyone who attended
the show took notice of his band: drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, keyboardist Jason
Rebello, and especially bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, whose enthusiasm and passion
for the music was in no way hidden from the audience. It's easily understood
why she's one of the most sought after and accomplished bass players on the
scene today. She's absolutely incredible.
Eric Clapton and his band followed Jeff Beck's amazing set. As brilliant as
Beck and his band were, and as exceptional as the previous performers were
as well, there's certainly sound basis for the Clapton reputation and
opinions of expertise, and it isn't hype. Though it wasn't the end of the
festival, as more great music was to occur, when Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II,
Derek Trucks, and the others broke into "Tell The Truth," Toyota Park was
bursting with sonic energy and showmanship. In an interesting tribute to
George Harrison, Derek Trucks got a triumphant opportunity in "Isn't It A
Pity" to display his versatility as a slide guitarist. This version of the
Eric Clapton Band has the ability to cover the bases of most of the eras
throughout the career of the iconic guitar genius, especially when getting
into material that invokes the styles of Derek and the Dominos, Blind Faith,
Delaney and Bonnie, and especially his solo material. The sound and the
atmosphere exerted in this Clapton performance was purely excellent.
Whatever you do, though, don't ignore the bonus features taken from the
Crossroads Village Stage. There are some spectacular performances (though
incomplete) from the likes of Tab Benoit, Orianthi, Todd Wolfe, Jeff "Skunk"
Baxter, Harvey Mandel, and Jedd Hughes. I just wish the performance by
Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas made it to the DVD. Some of the good stuff
had to be left on the editing floor I suppose.
Just like the Crossroads Festival DVD set of 2004, there's a lot of great
guitar oriented music to be seen and heard on Crossroads Guitar Festival
2007 From Chicago. It's another guitar player's dream and another music
enthusiast's much loved timepiece and desired anthology. It leaves me
waiting particularly for the next Crossroads Festival and DVD set to happen.
I'd love to see some more of Clapton's friends, acquaintances, and just
all-around great guitar players included. There are many great players out
there deserving of a spot on the Crossroad's stage. Keep them coming, Eric.
Track Listing
Disc 1
1. Introduction and MC: Bill Murray
2. Uberesso - Sonny Landreth
3. Hell At Home - Sonny Landreth with Eric Clapton
4. Maharina - John McLaughlin
5. Rosie - Doyle Bramhall II
6. Outside Woman Blues - Doyle Bramhall II
7. Little By Little - Susan Tedeschi with The Derek Trucks Band
8. Anyday - The Derek Trucks Band
9. Highway 61 Revisited - Johnny Winter with The Derek Trucks Band
10. Nobodysoul - Robert Randolph & The Family Band
11. Poor Johnny - The Robert Cray Band
12. Dirty Work At The Crossroads - Jimmie Vaughan with The Robert Cray Band
13. Sitting On Top Of The World - Hubert Sumlin with The Robert Cray Band &
Jimmie Vaughan
14. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss - B.B. King with The Robert Cray Band
with Jimmie Vaughan and Hubert Sumlin
15. Rock Me Baby - B.B. King with The Robert Cray Band with Jimmie Vaughan &
Hubert Sumlin
16. Sweet Thing - Vince Gill
17. Country Boy - Albert Lee with Vince Gill
18. If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow with Vince Gill, and Albert Lee
19. Tulsa Time - Sheryl Crow with Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, and Albert Lee
20. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain - Willie Nelson with Vince Gill, and Albert
Lee
21. On The Road Again - Willie Nelson with Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, and
Albert Lee
Disc II
1. Belief - John Mayer
2. Gravity - John Mayer
3. Don't Worry Baby - Los Lobos
4. Mas Y Mas - Los Lobos
5. Cause We've Ended As Lovers - Jeff Beck
6. Big Block - Jeff Beck
7. Tell The Truth - Eric Clapton
8. Isn't It A Pity - Eric Clapton
9. Little Queen Of Spades - Eric Clapton
10. Who Do You Love - Robbie Robertson with Eric Clapton
11. Presence Of The Lord - Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton
12. Can't Find My Way Home - Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton
13. Had To Cry Today - Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton
14. Dear Mr. Fantasy - Steve Winwood
15. Crossroads - Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood
16. Mary Had A Little Lamb - Buddy Guy
17. Damn Right I've Got The Blues - Buddy Guy
18. Sweet Home Chicago - Buddy Guy with Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, John
Mayer, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughan, and Johnny Winter