[Slowhand] DVD Review: Crossroads - Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007 Part-1

[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.