Just got into Clapton

[organ]

Man, can't believe what kind of great music I've been missing out on.

I love Eagles and have been listening to them for about a year. Now I started listening to Eric Clapton. "Tears in Heaven" was one of the first songs I heard and fell in love with it. I also started listening to Bread. I really like their music.

So far I have "Clapton Chronicles, the best of Eric Clapton" and "Clapton Unplugged". Which album should I get next? I like his mellow stuff.

[wingnut4772]

Man, can't believe what kind of great music I've been missing out on.

I love Eagles and have been listening to them for about a year. Now I started listening to Eric Clapton. "Tears in Heaven" was one of the first songs I heard and fell in love with it. I also started listening to Bread. I really like their music.

So far I have "Clapton Chronicles, the best of Eric Clapton" and "Clapton Unplugged". Which album should I get next? I like his mellow stuff.


I have spent 30 minutes with my ear up to a bag of Wonder Bread now and nothing!:confused:

[organ]

You've been checking out the wrong Bread LOL. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E6G1QW/sr=8-2/qid=1153976625/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-1531984-3004963?ie=UTF8

[wingnut4772]

You've been checking out the wrong Bread LOL. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E6G1QW/sr=8-2/qid=1153976625/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-1531984-3004963?ie=UTF8


OOHH! Well now I feel just plain silly.

[Zero]

If you wanna get down - down on the ground, Cocaine...

Great stuff.

[shack]

It's a bit on the "pop" side but I really like Journeyman.

[Rick88]

My favorites are:

461 Ocean Boulevard (especially on SACD!)
Just One Night - Recorded live at the Budokan in 1979
Slowhand

[BlueMDPicker]

These are the cherry picks I'd suggest from a rather extensive discography:

Cream - Disraeli Gears

Blind Faith - S/T

John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers - with Eric Clapton (the "Beano" album)

Eric Clapton - From the Cradle

A Tribute to SRV - DVD, with Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Vaughn, Clapton

B.B. King - Riding with the King

John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers - 70th Birthday Concert. Clapton shines when "confronted" by other world-class blues guitarist like Buddy Whittington, Mick Taylor

[BlueMDPicker]

If you wanna get down - down on the ground, Cocaine...

Great stuff.
J.J. Cale's original version from Troubador has a slower groove and darker mood than Clapton's rocked-up cover. Give it a listen sometime (the whole album is excellent.)

[read-alot]

The Eric Clapton Crossroads DVD has JJ doing Cocaine. ( Singing the Song )
It's a pretty good video DVD of the legends laying it down.

[cfrizz]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! A little before your time Darla?:D Although it's understandable since they split up eons ago.

I have spent 30 minutes with my ear up to a bag of Wonder Bread now and nothing!:confused:

[Zero]

Blue,

Thanks for the rec.! I will check it out!

[wingnut4772]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! A little before your time Darla?:D Although it's understandable since they split up eons ago.


Maybe a bit???I think I was just a kid....?

[heiney9]

Maybe a bit???I think I was just a kid....?

Atleast you're not sitting at the table trying to listen to your slice of Meatloaf :p

H9

[wingnut4772]

Atleast you're not sitting at the table trying to listen to your slice of Meatloaf :p

H9


No....but I was just staring at a bag of black eyed peas wondering what the big deal was all about.

[heiney9]

No....but I was just staring at a bag of black eyed peas wondering what the big deal was all about.

The big deal is you should always eat your vegetables!

[Holydoc]

If you are in the mood for Clapton, you have to be in the mood for Bob Segar.

[Hvrnaut]

Clapton was strongly influenced by American Blues and R&B. It shows!

[shack]

I have spent 30 minutes with my ear up to a bag of Wonder Bread now and nothing!

No....but I was just staring at a bag of black eyed peas wondering what the big deal was all about.


Please don't tell her there is a group by the name Butthole Surfers.....

[cfrizz]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!:D :D :D :D :D

Atleast you're not sitting at the table trying to listen to your slice of Meatloaf :p

H9

[univera]

Bob Seager can't touch Clapton. Going to see Clapton live in a couple of months with another guitar stud, Robert Cray. I highly recommend the Clapton box set Live in the 70's. Awesoeme live stuff from all over the U.S. and the world. Sounds very good. If you like his true, blues roots and the Tulsa sound, you will love it. Also, the Tribute to George Harrison DVD sounds incredible. Ravi Shankar's daughter plays amazing Sitar accompanied by a huge Indian orchestra. Petty, Clapton, Jeff Lynn, Billy Preston (rest his soul) Ringo, and McCartney all play on this one. Ringo and Paul are actually onstage together. There are others I can't recall at the moment. Billy Preston does My Sweet Lord. That is worth the price of admission. Awesome lineup and sound!

In case new Clapton devotees are unaware, Clapton was hooked up with Harrison's at-the-time wife, Linda. Clapton and Harrison remained friends thru it all.

[heiney9]

I have respect for everyone's musical tastes, but I've never understood why Clapton is considered a guitiar god. He's good, but certainly doesn't stand out to be worshipped like so many apparently do, JMHO.

H9

[mrmusicman]

I hate to say it but Clapton was at his best when he was slammin' dope....but if he didn't quit he'd probally look alot like Keith Richards.:eek:

[univera]

I don't know about worship, but he is smooth as silk. He isn't my favorite guitar player, nor do I feel he is the best. But he does make some nice music, the best of which when he was stoned. In my mind, SRV was the best that ever lived. Clapton is almost too good. Too smooth. It is so effortless it sometimes lacks emotion. SRV could be smooth but he could also be oh so wicked. He made sounds come out of a guitar that were gut wrenching. No one can make the gut level sounds he produced. Had he lived a full lifetime, I don't think there would be a doubt about his true greatness. For the record, I think Robert Cray is a better player than Clapton. Santana, is his drug days, made some sweet sounds himself. Mark Knoffler is the smoothest of them all.

[heiney9]

I don't know about worship, but he is smooth as silk. He isn't my favorite guitar player, nor do I feel he is the best. But he does make some nice music, the best of which when he was stoned. In my mind, SRV was the best that ever lived. Clapton is almost too good. Too smooth. It is so effortless it sometimes lacks emotion. SRV could be smooth but he could also be oh so wicked. He made sounds come out of a guitar that were gut wrenching. No one can make the gut level sounds he produced. Had he lived a full lifetime, I don't think there would be a doubt about his true greatness. For the record, I think Robert Cray is a better player than Clapton. Santana, is his drug days, made some sweet sounds himself. Mark Knoffler is the smoothest of them all.

Uni, seems like I'm busting on ya, but I'm not! I really like SRV, but all he did was copy others. Listen to Johnny Winter and add a piece of Jimi Hendrix and viola! you have SRV's style. He was a great player but he wasn't innovative at all. He is in my top 10 however! If he had a better drummer it would be killer stuff.

Page
Hendrix
Beck
Winter
Allison
O. Rush
B.B. King
A. King
Guy
and some others are my faves.

Clapton doesn't make my top 10.n

[F1nut]

Univera nailed it, Clapton makes nice music. He, Knoffler and Steely Dan are always in my heavy rotation. What makes these guys so great is how refined their skills are.

Add Layla and Eric Clapton S/T to the buy list.

[heiney9]

I do thoroughly enjoy Unplugged both the performance and the recording are top notch. Clapton certainly can get the essence of the blues across and he is clean and technical, perhaps that's why I feel he's a bit overrated. I'd listen to Jeff Beck or Johnny Winter over Clapton anytime. Don't even get me started on black blues players like Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Albert King, B.B. King or Luther Allison or many many other great blues players who are barely even recognized.

[heiney9]

Another Clapton I enjoy and recommend if you are looking for a good cross section of his work is a 2-cd set called Blues. Disc 1 is studio stuff from his entire career. Disc 2 is where it's at however, because it's all live during different stages of his career. Disc 2 is mostly taken from Crossroads 1 & 2. But it's the most enjoyable Clapton I own. It's really focused on his blues songs and less on his commercial songs.

H9

[univera]

Good stuff. Yea, I am a big blues fan myself. The older, unknown guys are way underappreciated. I saw Deacon John in N.O. at Jazz Fest this year (actaully at a night, club show) and this guy can play any style with aplomb. I had never seen him but he was great.

Albert King is a great one. He was a big influence on SRV and Clapton. You can say SRV was a copycat, but no one can pull the sounds out a guitar that he did. He isn't someone who is considered "smooth" but he could play some quiet, smooth stuff. Riviera Paradise beautiful work.

When Clapton called him an open channel, I would agree. It was like lighting came down from the sky. He never got stuck. He just kept playing. How he's not in your top ten, I don't know. Buddy Guy is great. I've seen him live. Do some good listening to Cray's bluesy stuff. He is fast as lightning. And, I feel Lindsey Buckingham is way underrated. That guy is unreal. If you haven't watched/listened to The Dance DVD, I highly recommend it. He has a unique style and is just amazing. You definitely lean towards the blues and I'm there with ya. Give Carlos a good listen. Smooth.

[organ]

Thanks a lot for the reccommendations, guys! You just gave me a huge "to buy" list;).

I'm 24 and it's amazing how many good bands/performers are out there that started way before my time. Queen was the first for me, then Eagles and now Clapton.

[cfrizz]

Nice going Organ! Without meaning to you just labeled a whole bunch of us as old!:rolleyes: ;) :D

[adam2434]

Big fan of Clapton's blues stuff, so +1 on the aforementioned Blues, From the Cradle, Bluesbreakers, and Riding with the King CDs.

He's also got some great DVDs: Sessions for Robert J., One More Car One More Rider, Cream Royal Albert Hall.

And if you want to hear where he got a lot of his blues guitar style, pick up some Freddy King. Freddy was a tremendous player and singer - definitely in my top 10 (probably more like top 5) blues guitar players in terms of originality, virtuosity, and influence on other players.

[audiobliss]

I somehow just ran across this, but I'm glad I did, as I'm bookmarking it and making a long to-buy list for artists I've never heard of before!

At any rate, it's about time you discovered Eric Clapton! He's awesome, and I definitely agree with the sentiments regarding Unplugged; awesome stuff!

I wouldn't recommend if for recording quality, but The Cream of Clapton seems to have a lot of good songs on it, and I always enjoy rocking out to it. Definitely something you should get just to have some fun.

Do NOT buy Pilgrim. When I was blindly 'infatuated' with him (after discovering Unplugged, The Cream of Clapton, and The Clapton Chronicles, how can you not be??), I ran out and spent good money on Pilgrim. Man, don't do that. That CD killed about half my enthusiasm for Clapton (though there's still plenty left!). All the songs on that CD are 'un-Clapton' in my opinion, and they all have the same, stupid, redundant bass beat. Almost techno-like.

So, anyhoo....

[organ]

Cathy,
You know I dind't mean that:). Hell, it's not necessarilly bad either. I only like older women.

Bliss,
Man, I've been listening to Clapton a lot. I love his music. So dreamy and moves my soul.

So far my favorite tracks are 'blue eyes blue', 'change the world', 'tears in heaven', 'layla' and 'river of tears'. The recordings are superb too. I smiled when I saw the HDCD light on my cd player light up on blue eyes blue.

Thanks for the warning on Pilgrim. I think I know what you're talking about. The last song on 'the best of clap ton' entitled '(I) get lost' got all technoey and stuff. I didn't like it.

If you like Clapton, you should check out Eagles and Queen too.

[univera]

Cathy,
You know I dind't mean that:). Hell, it's not necessarilly bad either. I only like older women.

Bliss,
Man, I've been listening to Clapton a lot. I love his music. So dreamy and moves my soul.

So far my favorite tracks are 'blue eyes blue', 'change the world', 'tears in heaven', 'layla' and 'river of tears'. The recordings are superb too. I smiled when I saw the HDCD light on my cd player light up on blue eyes blue.

Thanks for the warning on Pilgrim. I think I know what you're talking about. The last song on 'the best of clap ton' entitled '(I) get lost' got all technoey and stuff. I didn't like it.

If you like Clapton, you should check out Eagles and Queen too.


M, FYI, River of Tears is on the Pilgrim album. While not my favorite, after listening several times through, it grew on me. I'm not a fan of the drum machine beats, but the guitar work itself on several tracks is pretty good. Tears in heaven is one of two or threee vocal tracks on the [I]Rush soundtrack. Great movie that is really enhanced by Clapton's depressive mood over the death of his son. That mood is perfect for the movie's theme as well. Very mellow, well done guitar and a killer bluesy tune I believe with Buddy Guy. One of my favorite blues tunes of all time.

I previewed the new album and it sucked. Going to see the man in October in Charlotte. Can't guarantee, but I may have some extra seats...Good ones...

[mikesd]

Two of my favorites, Derek and the Dominos and the 24 Nights DVD concert.

[cfrizz]

While the redone Layla is nice, the original Layla ROCKS!!!!

[sda2mike]

river of tears from clapton's dvd...concert for....his drug rehab center...that's one of my favorites period. if the playing and singing in that cut doesn't raise goose bumps, get yer pulse checked!:D

[cmy330go]

....Billy Preston (rest his soul)....

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT HIM PASSING AWAY! That sucks!

Anyway back on subject. I've been a Clapton fan for quite a few years now, and also have a few suggestions.

First. Even though it gets mediocre ratings I really enjoyed his "Reptile" album from 2001.

Second. "Slowhand" is a must have.

Third. "Sessions for Robert J" CD/DVD set. You have GOT TO check this one out. The DVD has 5.1 mixes of the studio recording sessions. Some of which are recorded with the amazing (and late:( )Billy Preston, and Steve Gadd. This set is one of my all time favorites! CHECK IT OUT!:D

Everyone else has already emphasized a number of his other "must haves", so I'll stop there.

[BottomFeeder]

Late to the party...but what AMAZES me about Clapton is his staying power! The guy has been cooking for so long, putting out excellent music since the 60's! I can't think of another great who's been around, putting out great new music, for as long as he has. And he can do it all and do it all really well. Yeah, maybe there's better, but, IMHO, no one has kept on keepin' on like Clapton. I just watched a pbs special on him doing Robert Johnson's stuff and it was terrific. Clapton's still got so much passion for music - pretty amazing.

[cmy330go]

...I just watched a pbs special on him doing Robert Johnson's stuff and it was terrific. Clapton's still got so much passion for music - pretty amazing.

You should really check out his "Sessions for Robert J" if you haven't already. It is a two disc set (1 CD & 1 DVD). The DVD is one of my all-time favorites. It is a 5.1 (Dolby Digital & DTS) mix of the recording sessions in the studio. GREAT STUFF.

[solidclub]

The Eagles sound fantastic, but BOY do they hate eachother!

Kinda spoils it a bit for me.

[cfrizz]

They used to hate each other. But they have since matured & gotten their egos in check. Now they just put on terrific concerts for thousands of people all over the world.