I don't "get" Eric Clapton

[tbz]

To be honest his post Cream fame is really due to his singing.

Specifically, if he didn't sing he would have been forced to either join a band, a la Page, or be an instrumental artist, like say Manring. Look at the career of Page outside of Zep, and at any instrumental artist; neither path would have lead to this level of success. Especially since he's not that good of a guitarist.

Instead, since he had sung on Cream songs, he was always able to get a record deal to write and sing guitar based music that he received sole credit for.

In many cases the general public gives him credit for the work of a band when he deserves little credit.

Layla is a great example. Clapton wrote little of it, the riff is Allman's, the ending section was written by the drummer (Carl Radle iirc) but he sings it so it's "his" song.

When the uninformed hear it they listen to the riff and think "Clapton is good", I think "Damn Duane Allman was a bad ass".

Put it all together and you end up with a good, but not ground breaking guitarist/singer that people call god.

That all being said, he does seem like a very nice guy, he supports musical charities, etc. Not trying to knock him.

 

[StayLow]

Phil Keaggy! Wow, don't see that name often. Wonderfully expressive, unfortunately virtually unknown player.

No comment on who's better as I'm not into the contest thing. McLaughlin, Townshend, Dale and Iommi are my fave cats from decades ago. Just wanted to add props for Keaggy.

 

[RedMoses]

Derrick and the Dominoes! the "Slow Hand" Album! Teers in Heaven/Change the World (you may not liek the song but people do)! Hes done some great stuff.

Clapton was the first of his time to do a lot of the stuff we now take for granted , that said I saw him live and he is one of the most BORING live shows ive ever seen!

 

[chuck norriss]

how about "bell bottom blues" that's a nice song. or wonderful tonight

 

[RedMoses]

McLaughlin, Townshend, Dale and Iommi are my fave cats from decades ago. Just wanted to add props for Keaggy.

Typing the name John McLaughlin on the same line as any of those other d00ds is Blasphemous, that man is truly a Guitar GOD.

 

[chuck norriss]

Phil Keaggy! Wow, don't see that name often. Wonderfully expressive, unfortunately virtually unknown player.

No comment on who's better as I'm not into the contest thing. McLaughlin, Townshend, Dale and Iommi are my fave cats from decades ago. Just wanted to add props for Keaggy.

Do you remember on the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson asked Hendrix how's it feel to be the greatest guitar player in the world? or was it the hendrix documentary.

 

[tangentmusic]

Clapton is God.... or so it said on a London wall circa '67.
Eric is one of the greats. Not the greatest. I was watching Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scotts on DVD recently (the one with Tal on bass). Amazing. Jeff introduced Eric and they did a blues tune together, trading off leads.
Beck blows Clapton away!

 

[callofcthulhu]

Typing the name John McLaughlin on the same line as any of those other d00ds is Blasphemous, that man is truly a Guitar GOD.

Truth.

Beck blows Clapton away!

Lies and slander!

 

[chuck norriss]

Clapton is God.... or so it said on a London wall circa '67.
Eric is one of the greats. Not the greatest. I was watching Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scotts on DVD recently (the one with Tal on bass). Amazing. Jeff introduced Eric and they did a blues tune together, trading off leads.
Beck blows Clapton away!

that was a typo. was supposed to read, CLAPTON IS GOOD

 

[tangentmusic]

that was a typo. was supposed to read, CLAPTON IS GOOD

He's very good... just not the goodest. IMHO of course.

 

[StayLow]

Typing the name John McLaughlin on the same line as any of those other d00ds is Blasphemous, that man is truly a Guitar GOD.

Yes, so too composer, visionary, and ascended being. Dude truly changed the world, influenced and blew the minds of so many legendary cats that we in turn consider mind-blowing, from Miles Davis on down.

Just stating my fave guitarists / influences, musically and compositionally.

 

[vasilio]

Don't believe I've ever heard a bad note from Clapton - same for George Harrison.
Neither are total dazzlers tech wise. their feelings for the song is what I dig the most.

 

[StayLow]

Do you remember on the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson asked Hendrix how's it feel to be the greatest guitar player in the world? or was it the hendrix documentary.

Before my time, and no I've not seen this. I won't be the least bit surprised if you tell me Jimi corrected Carson by stating that title belongs to JM. Or he should have.

Hendrix was heavily influenced, or perhaps enabled is a more appropriate term, by Dale too (mostly his pushing the volume/feedback envelope at the time and causing Fender to build louder amps), which too few are aware of when giving credit where due.

God bless them all.

 

[Ric5]

What makes EC good is note choice. He has a way of placing notes in a good place in a lead. Very melodic and pretty.

He has written some really lame songs. ie "Wonderful Tonoght", and "Lay Down Sally"

Remember is a blues player first and then he plays other music

 

[HolmeBass]

I like his post-Cream songs. And how he really helped JJ Cale out with some fantastic royalty checks. One of his later albums, done with JJ Cale, "The Road To Escondido" is one of my faves anywhere. When Clapton sings the blues "Hard To Thrill" it's completely believable, touching, and deep.

I saw him in concert a few years ago, maybe 5 or 6 or so, and he was masterful in how he lead that powerhouse band (Steve Jordan, Willie Weeks, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II and others). And while he might not be "the best" guitarist ever, he more than held his own that night! I certainly didn't get bored listening to him play or sing. So I guess I disagree- while I'd never call him the best guitarist, or even my favorite guitarist, I do think he is one of the greats.

 

[delta7fred]

I really liked his playing on a lot of the Cream stuff, especially some of the live recordings. Most of his work after Cream does little or nothing for me whatsoever, far too smooth,safe and polished.

The second solo on Crossroads still makes the hairs on my neck stand up after all these years.

I bought his Robert Johnson tribute CD hoping for better things, I don't think I made it to the end before I took it out of the player and threw it in a cupboard, what a load of lifeless junk (IMO, IME, YMMV of course).

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I know that Clapton is widely considered one of the greatest guitarists ever, and I will probably get lots of flak for this, but I don't think he's all that.

IMHO, other guitarists of his generation are better, Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Page, Phil Keaggy, etc.

As far as his musical output and songwriting, I don't think he's done anything of quality since Cream.

So, let me have it! Tear me up! Or, let me know if you agree with me.

Oh, he's done some good work... Layla and Other Love Songs could stand alone as one man's work and be worthy of high praise - but he was hardly alone on that album. Eric's best work has always been with others, if you ask me. I've owned several EC albums and ended up getting rid of them - each album had a few good tunes, but that's it.

So I agree - he is no Jeff Beck and in the Blues world, he's no Sonny Landreth. But he has his place.

What Clapton HAS done is really been a fine figurehead & representative of "The Blues" around the world. That's worth something.

 

[Nashrakh]

I think of Clapton the same as I do Carlos Santana - the early stuff was mind-blowing, but the latter is seriously watered down. So I'm gonna pretend it's still 1969. Works with most stuff.

 

[rydin4lifebass]

I suppose I somewhat agree. I certainly can't knock his skill or abilities but his music just isn't my cup of tea. I don't get the big deal either and also agree that I'll take his stuff with Cream over the solo material any day of the week. Since you brought up that "generation", I've never been a Hendrix fan. I know every regards him as one of, if not the best guitar players of all time but I just don't get it. Sure, he's got some good songs and he's talented but you're not gonna find me listening to a Hendrix album anytime soon..it's all in personal preference and taste...

 

[Jeff K]

Wow. I'm amazed at what little respect most of you guys have for him. (Not all of you of course, but a seemingly large majority.) The guy is a flat-out phenomenal guitar player. I appreciate talent wherever I see it; and it's true that there are a TON of talented guitarists out there. But he is definitely one of them. Yes, I love Gary Moore, Jeff Beck, McLaughlin, and so many more. But to say that Clapton has shown nothing after Cream is just absurd. As previously mentioned, the "Layla" album was fantastic. Clapton and Duane Allman inspired each other throughout. I think "From The Cradle" is fantastic. Even if you don't like blues, how could you possibly listen to that and say he's not a great guitar player??!! And every time I've seen him pop-up for guest spots with other artists, he has played fantastically.

I'm not a big fan of his vocals, but his guitar-playing?? This is one tough crowd. I'm aware that everybody has their own opinions and their own favorites. I'm just surprised to see so little appreciation for this guy's abilities and body of work.