ERIC CLAPTON – DENVER 1983 SOUNDBOARD (2 CD-R)

Description

Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver, CO, USA 16th July 1983 STEREO SBD(from Original Masters)
★First appearance of ultra-high quality stereo soundboard master cassette!!

[Money and Cigarettes American Tour Second Leg First Appearance Master Recording!]
　In recent years, an overseas taper has provided an astonishing unreleased master, and once again, a stunning first appearance master has arrived! This is a high-quality stereo soundboard master of the first day of the Denver, Colorado performance, which took place on July 16th at the end of Eric Clapton’s “Money and Cigarettes American Tour Second Leg” in 1983.

There is a previously released version of this album, but it didn’t include Layla, the final song of the regular set. However, it is included here (though, as is common with PA outs, the encore “Further On Up The Roads” seems to have been omitted). As you’ll immediately notice when listening to the sound image, this is a “PA out” recording from the venue’s PA console. While PA outs are often recorded in mono, this album is properly mixed in stereo. The sound quality is of the highest level, as rated “SB5” by bootleg review site Geetarz, and it could have been released on a press CD. However, due to a missing tape change between 0:35 and 0:48 of “The Shape You’re In,” we filled in the gaps from another location, and the slight degradation in sound quality on Disc 2 forced us to release it as a CDR. However, the sound quality and stereo separation are excellent, so please enjoy this first recording of Layla.

[A day with a fascinating set list!]
　Let’s take a look back at Clapton’s activities this year, including the concert where this work was recorded.

February 1, 1983: Release of the album “MONEY AND CIGARETTES”
February 1 – March 3, 1983: First leg of US tour　
April 8 – May 23, 1983: European tour, including the UK June 6, 1983:
Appeared at a charity concert in London with pub rock duo Chas & Dave June 25
– July 17, 1983: Second leg of US tour ←★Here★ September
20 and 21, 1983: Appeared at the “ARMS Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Along with Beck and Page, it was the first time that the three great guitarists had appeared on the same stage (the 21st was under the name “Prince’s Trust”).
November 28 – December 9, 1983: “ARMS US Tour”

　Later that year, he took on the important role of organizing the “ARMS Concert,” but even before that, he embarked on a long tour, making it clear that this was a very energetic year. Until the previous year, Clapton had been comfortably continuing with the all-British band that produced “JUST ONE NIGHT.” However, during the recording of his new album, Clapton, enraged by the band’s laziness, swung the axe and fired everyone except Albert Lee. As a result, he now had a supporting cast of talented musicians from both the U.S. and the U.K. Riding on this momentum, this year’s tour began simultaneously with the release of the completed album “MONEY AND CIGARETTES.” Perhaps this tight tour schedule speaks to Clapton’s energetic and physically energetic state.

　 The second leg of the US tour featured a rare opening with “Shot the Sheriff,” but Blackie’s vocals were also strong on the outset, showing his strong performance. Then, Double Trouble unfolded with a bang. The solo seems to be filled with the intensity of a man screaming and groaning after the worst misfortune of his life. This song is the highlight of the first half.

　During the initial US tour, many tracks from this album were included in the set, but as the tour progressed, new songs were gradually dropped, leaving only one song, “The Shape You’re In,” for the second leg of the American tour (a common occurrence on Clapton tours). However, the reasons for keeping this song are clear in this performance. There are two solos, one at the end and one at the end, and the performance there features fiery interplay between Clapton and Albert Lee. The interplay at the end of the day was long, long! It was much longer than during the European tour in May. You can hear how excited the two were. Of the new songs on this tour, this one was arguably the killer tune. His combination with Albert Lee was so brilliant that Clapton himself later named him “the most inspiring second guitarist.” In recognition of his contributions, he featured him on “Sweet Little Lisa” and even handed over the solo to him on “Lay Down Sally.” Also unusually, Lee plays the signature seven-note phrase that Clapton always plays himself in the intro to “Layla.” Lee also plays the same phrase in the chorus part of the song, but interestingly, unlike any second guitarist before or since, he plays it an octave lower. Clapton’s postlude solo in this song is short, but it’s excellent. Lee also takes over electric piano for “Worried Life Blues” and “Double Trouble,” showcasing his versatility. The intro to “Blues Power” is arranged differently than usual, so much so that it’s hard to tell it’s this song. Including these subtle touches, this day was captivating from start to finish, captivated by Clapton’s skill.

　Another special number was included on this night. It was Don’t Say You Don’t Love Me (actually titled Country Boy), incorporated into the blues medley in the second half. This was a song by Clapton’s beloved Muddy Waters. Muddy passed away on April 30th of that year. It’s believed that Clapton performed this song as a special tribute to Muddy at this subsequent tour. This was the only time Clapton performed this song (he played it again during the acoustic set of his 2022 American tour). During his lifetime, Muddy called Clapton his “son-in-law” and recognized him as his blues successor. The two often performed together, and Muddy was a blues mentor who held irreplaceable memories in Clapton’s heart. Listen to this song and imagine the emotions Clapton felt as he sang it as a farewell to Muddy. His wah-wah pedal solo on “Cocaine” is also exhilarating. This was around the time that Clapton had emerged from a critical period of alcoholism and was beginning to overcome it, and his energy was returning. As a result, Clapton and his band’s performance is tight and of the highest quality, demonstrating his maturity throughout the album. The rhythm section, consisting of Donald Duck Dunn and Jamie Oldaker, who had supported Clapton throughout the 1970s since “461,” is nothing short of powerful (a key selling point for him through his 1985 tour). The setlist, featuring classic hits, blues, and new material, was never boring.

　Generally, Clapton’s early 1980s performance has been described as “lacking in brilliance,” but this work proves that this was completely wrong. Who would say this performance is “lacking in brilliance”?

　It can be said that this is a must-have piece for the 1983 tour. Moreover, it is a wonderful stereo soundboard sound source. Please enjoy Clapton’s play.

Disc:1 (50:27)
1. I Shot The Sheriff
2. Worried Life Blues
3. Lay Down Sally
4. Let It Rain
5. Double Trouble
6. Sweet Little Lisa
7. Key To The Highway
8. The Shape You’re In

Disc:2 (38:58)
1. Wonderful Tonight
2. Blues Power
3. Don’t Say You Don’t Love Me
4. Have You Ever Loved A Woman
5. Ramblin’ On My Mind
6. Cocaine
7. Layla

Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn – bass
Jamie Oldaker – drums
Albert Lee – guitar, piano, vocals