ERIC CLAPTON – COMPLETE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HALL OF FAME APPEARANCES 1993-2005: SOUNDBOARD MASTER (2 CD)

Description

This compilation features Eric Clapton’s complete performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recorded on stereo soundboards. A must-have for rock fans!　
　The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is America’s most prestigious honor, comparable to the Academy Awards in the film industry. Winners are selected by a vote of over 1,200 artists, music industry insiders, and experts on the music industry, in addition to fan voting on the Hall of Fame’s official website. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor for any musician, signifying that their career has been recognized and celebrated by the entire music industry. While many musicians have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, Eric Clapton holds a special place in Western music history as the only artist to have been inducted three times (with the Yardbirds, Cream, and solo). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony is held annually between January and March, and select artists are awarded this honor. While the inductees naturally perform a demonstration performance at the ceremony, there is also typically a celebratory performance by presenters and fellow artists who have come to celebrate.

　This time, the master, brought to us by Taper, a veteran of Clapton’s archives in the UK, covers all of Clapton’s performances at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from 1993 to 2005, all in stereo soundboard recordings. While the recordings include the reunion performances with Cream, for which Clapton was awarded, what’s interesting is that it also includes all of his performances at the celebratory performances of Hall of Fame inductees, some of whom he would never normally perform with. Compiling this kind of sound source data is a significant undertaking, so this is a must-listen for fans of Clapton and his fellow artists.

　Notable artists include The Band, Paul McCartney, Robbie Robertson, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and D’Angelo, who passed away last year at a young age. It’s hard not to wonder what a Clapton-Paul, or Clapton-Springsteen, collaboration would sound like. The audio quality is of official quality, thanks to the stereo soundboard recording, so you can enjoy it with peace of mind. Given Clapton’s humble nature, he’s not one to step forward and play solos like a boss. However, thanks to the brilliant direction of the awards ceremony’s musical director, Paul Shaffer, the performance doesn’t become disorganized or disorganized, and Clapton’s solos are well-placed, making this a truly compelling compilation.

　Please enjoy this miraculous collaboration between major artists who have contributed to the development of Western music.

[Main listening points]
　First up is Cream’s performance in 1993. That year, Cream’s achievements were recognized and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was their first reunion in 25 years, counting from their breakup in 1968. They rehearsed the day before and decided on the three songs they would perform for the commemorative performance before going onstage. It makes sense, in a way, that they chose these three songs from their extensive repertoire. Ginger’s drumming is a bit sluggish during “Crossroads,” but their performance is impressive considering they’d only just reunited after 25 years.

　The following year, in 1994, the award went to The Band. It would have been ideal if all the original members had gathered, but the feud between Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm, which was the cause of the band’s breakup, continued, and Levon did not appear onstage. The other members had left, and Anton Fig was on drums. Clapton, who admired The Band, was determined to join in. Clapton also provided vocals along with the guitar solo. Rick Danko’s vocals have clearly deteriorated, but this collaboration, their first in 18 years since “The Last Waltz” in 1976, is truly moving.

　In 1999, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen won the award. The concert featured a joint performance of songs related to each of them. That same year, Clapton’s beloved late friend, Curtis Mayfield, also won the award, so Clapton rushed to congratulate him. This explains his involvement with D’Angelo and his participation in “People Get Ready.” Clapton also joined the joint performance, achieving a collaboration with Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen. Paul always performs “Let It Be” at these events, and this performance by this lineup is definitely worth a listen.

　In 2000, Eric Clapton won the award as a solo artist, and Bonnie Raitt also won. Since the award was given to a blues musician, many classic blues numbers were played. Clapton’s collaboration with Robbie Robertson here is also worth listening to, and his collaboration with the famous black singer Natalie Cole on Route 66 is also elegant and brilliant.

　In 2005, the award went to Buddy Guy, a black blues guitarist whom Clapton admires. Clapton would have been delighted. He has performed with B.B. King on numerous occasions in the past, but this collaboration with B.B. King must have been a memorable one. It was also noteworthy that Bo Diddley and Jerry Lee Lewis were also in attendance, demonstrating that rock ‘n’ roll and blues share the same musical roots.

　This 2-CD compilation features recordings of Clapton’s historic collaborations with major artists. While this is well worth listening to, it also highlights Clapton’s unobtrusive, precise playing style. This release promises to be a treasured discovery, so be sure to order it now.

Disc:1 (45:43)
Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles 12th January 1993
1. Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream
2. Born Under A Bad Sign – Cream
3. Crossroads – Cream

Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York 19th January 1994
4. The Weight – The Band With Eric Clapton

Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York 15th March 1999
5. I’ve Been Trying – Eric Clapton with D’Angelo
6. Early In The Morning – Eric Clapton with D’Angelo
7. Blue Suede Shoes – Paul McCartney & The Rock Hall Jam Band
8. What’d I Say – Billy Joel, Paul McCartney & The Rock Hall Jam Band
9. People Get Ready – Lauryn Hill, Bono & The Rock Hall Jam Band
10. Let It Be – Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Bono, Bruce Springsteen,
Robbie Robertson, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Joel and others

Disc:2 (40:45)
Waldorf Astoria, New York 6th March 2000
1. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
2. Further On Up the Road – Eric Clapton with Robbie Robertson
3. Love and Happiness – Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, Bonnie Raitt & The Rock Hall Jam Band
4. Sweet Home Chicago – Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, Bonnie Raitt & The Rock Hall Jam Band
5. Route 66 – Natalie Cole, Eric Clapton & The Rock Hall Jam Band

Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York 14th March 2005
6. Let Me Love You Baby – Buddy Guy with B.B. King & Eric Clapton
7. Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley with Robbie Robertson and Eric Clapton
8. Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Going On – Jerry Lee Lewis with Eric Clapton & The Rock Hall Jam Band

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING