ERIC CLAPTON – ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1993 6TH NIGHT – 2 CD
$49.00
BEANO – 2 CD
Description
Royal Albert Hall London 27th February 1993 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters)
★Completely new DAT master sound source
[First appearance of the Royal Albert Hall performance on the 6th day in 1993, DAT high quality master!]
　We have obtained Eric Clapton’s first public original master! This master was recorded directly by a famous maniac living in the UK using a DAT tape he recorded himself, and is the same person who recorded the original master “ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1993 7th Night” (recorded at the same venue on March 1st) that we recently released.
Like “ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1993 7th Night”, this is a newly excavated sound source that is not even listed on Clapton’s bootleg evaluation site “Geetarz”. “ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1993 7th Night” had a sound image that slightly reflected the sound noise peculiar to the circular dome-shaped venue called Royal Albert Hall (hereinafter referred to as RAH), but this work has suppressed the sound noise and is a clearer and closer to the live sound stereo audience recording. Although the taper was recorded every day, this difference is thought to be due to the recording position.
　The master of this work, which was recorded in a better position than on the 7th day, included two tape changes, but both were after the performance, so there was no problem and it can be said to be a trouble-free master. The sound quality is so vivid because of the good position! From guitars and vocals to drums, it is recorded with a very good sound balance.
　This series of shows was the first solo live show of the year, following Cream’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction concert in January of the same year, and consisted of 12 shows. For his first live show of the year, Clapton came up with a groundbreaking plan that had never been done before. The entire set was made up of old blues songs. After his “Unplugged” concert the previous year, Clapton had been reflecting on his career and life, and he came to the conclusion that he wanted to go back to his roots, expressing his gratitude to the blues, which had saved him from the lowest point in his life when he lost his young son.
　This performance was very valuable and important in the sense that it was the catalyst for the recording of the subsequent album “From The Cradle”. During these consecutive performances, Clapton was thinking about deciding on the candidates for blues numbers to be included in “From The Cradle”. Therefore, the numbers you can hear here are not only songs that he had wanted to cover for a long time, but also songs that he played with his band to see if they fit. Therefore, rare blues songs that were not featured in the later “Nothing But The Blues Tour” are set in.
　Songs such as Alabama Women, Chicago Breakdown, Long Distance Call, Blow Wind Blow, Key To The Highway, Tell Me Mama, Juke, Comin’ Home, Meet Me In The Bottom, It’s My Life, and All Your Love were not included in the set of the “Nothin’ But The Blues” tour from 1994 to 1995, so these are blues covers that can only be heard here.
　Looking at it this way, we can see that Clapton’s knowledge and mania about blues was at a considerable level. Add to that his experience and think about how he got to this point, and no matter what song he chose, he would have had no fear. Furthermore, Hear Me Calling was an original blues song written by Clapton. This song has never been recorded in a studio since then, so it is a very valuable live version.
　In the first half of the show, he plays the original songs simply, but from the second half, around Love Her With A Feeling, where the guitar solo ratio increases, things suddenly heat up and Clapton’s interpretation shines through. Clapton’s solos in each song are filled with tension, as if he is trying to assimilate with the blues. In addition, before playing each song, Clapton always announces the composer’s name and the song title, which shows that he was aware of his role as an “evangelist” to guide the audience who are not familiar with the blues.
　This performance is also valuable in the sense that you can feel Clapton’s sincere attitude, but the band personnel was also only for this time, and Little Feat’s drummer Richie Hayward was used, just like the performance in Japan at the end of the year, but Donald Duck Dunn was brought over from Memphis for the first time in eight years since 1985 for the bass, only for this consecutive performance. And Jerry Portnoy, a white but deep harpist, was also used from this time. It can be said that the stage with this face was interesting, containing various spot meanings. The intention of solidifying the rhythm section with Americans must have been related to the blues that Clapton was aiming for. Also note that Ain’t Nobody’s Business was already set as the finale of the regular set at this point. There is no studio version of this song, but considering that it was the last number, Clapton must have had a special attachment to it. Compared to the later take on the “Nothin’ But the Blues Tour,” the lyrics are different, and the final part, which is played by the whole band, is one chorus longer. Therefore, Clapton plays a relatively slow solo phrase. This was his early form. The composition of the song, which is a solo with only the piano in the background and a climax with the whole band after the break, has not changed since then. It is truly moving.
Enjoy Clapton’s blues with this work, recorded from the original master of the 6th day performance at RAH, which will be released for the first time. It has a different feel from the “Nothin’ But the Blues Tour”.
[The only tour featuring dynamic drummer Richie Hayward]
　The drummer for these consecutive shows was the late Richie Hayward of Little Feat (who passed away in 2010). The only times he served as a support drummer in Clapton’s career were this RAH show and the Japan tour. It is believed that Clapton scouted him because he had previously performed with Little Feat at their concerts in 1988 and 1992. He must have been attracted to his dynamic drumming. In this album, you can hear his powerful playing, especially in electric blues. We hope you will enjoy his playing, which can only be heard here, and pay tribute to this great drummer.
[Friend and guitarist Jimmie Vaughan made a surprise appearance for the encore!]
　At Clapton’s request, the band of Clapton’s friend Jimmie Vaughan was the support act for these consecutive shows. As a guitarist who loves blues just like Clapton, he popped in every night for the encore, livening up the finale of the show. Here, you can hear Clapton and Vaughan performing solos on Sweet Home Chicago, a number by Robert Johnson that has been covered by many blues guitarists. This feels more like a friendly collaboration than a guitar battle. Vaughan was also invited by Clapton to “Blues Night” in 1990 and 1991, and the more they performed together, the deeper their bond became (Vaughan would later perform with Clapton on the “Nothin’ But The Blues” US tour from 1994 to 1995). Please enjoy the stage showcasing the friendship between these two.
　There are acoustic blues, electric blues, major blues, and minor blues. In other words, this stage is packed with all the charm of the blues that Clapton wanted to play at this point. Please enjoy the variety of the stage with this high-quality work, which is the first to appear.
Disc:1 (75:37)
1. Intro.
2. How Long
3. Alabama Women
4. Terraplane Blues
5. From Four Until Late
6. Kidman Blues
7. County Jail
8. 32-20
9. Chicago Breakdown
10. Hey Hey
11. Walking Blues
12. Long Distance Call
13. Blow Wind Blow
14. Key To The Highway
15. Tell Me Mama
16. Juke
17. Blues Leave Me Alone
18. Goin’ Away
19. Coming Home
20. Meet Me In The Bottom
21. Forty Four
1. Intro.
2. How Long
3. Alabama Women
4. Terraplane Blues
5. From Four Until Late
6. Kidman Blues
7. County Jail
8. 32-20
9. Chicago Breakdown
10. Hey Hey
11. Walking Blues
12. Long Distance Call
13. Blow Wind Blow
14. Key To The Highway
15. Tell Me Mama
16. Juke
17. Blues Leave Me Alone
18. Goin’ Away
19. Coming Home
20. Meet Me In The Bottom
21. Forty Four
Disc:2 (55:08)
1. It’s My Life
2. Love Her With A Feeling
3. Tore Down
4. Born Under A Bad Sign
5. Let Me Love You Baby
6. All Your Love
7. Groaning The Blues
8. Hear Me Calling
9. Ain’t Nobody’s Business
10. Band Introductions
11. Sweet Home Chicago *
1. It’s My Life
2. Love Her With A Feeling
3. Tore Down
4. Born Under A Bad Sign
5. Let Me Love You Baby
6. All Your Love
7. Groaning The Blues
8. Hear Me Calling
9. Ain’t Nobody’s Business
10. Band Introductions
11. Sweet Home Chicago *
