Name: ERIC CLAPTON - SAN JOSE 2004 (2 CD)
SKU: K37756
Availability: InStock

Description

Pavilion, San Jose, CA, USA 31st July 2004 SBD (from Original ALD Recording Masters)

UPGRADE!!! ★Almost a stereo soundboard!!!

[A masterpiece completely recorded with amazing ALD recording!]

　A new master has arrived from Taper, a veteran of the UK who is familiar to us when it comes to Eric Clapton recordings! This master captures the San Jose, California performance on July 31st, the final day of the “Me & Mr. Johnson US Tour” that began in the summer of 2004, with a superb stereo soundboard recording by ALD (Deaf Booth Distribution System) recording!

　While this sound source already exists, what arrived this time from the veteran taper is a digital copy of the original master. Its freshness is of the highest quality. Due to the state of the original master, there are occasional drops in the noise due to the ALD during the song “Let It Rain,” and the noise and jumps during the song “Layla” remain. However, the other jumps in “Layla” have been compensated for elsewhere to eliminate the discomfort. There are no other flaws. Therefore, this is the album with the fewest flaws and the easiest listening experience to date. The sound quality is undeniably high, so you can listen with confidence.

　This tour was a breakthrough for Clapton, as it was the tour that finally brought Doyle Bramhall II, whom he had been calling out to since 2000, into the band. Since then, Doyle’s precise support and the mutually stimulating chemistry have made him an indispensable right-hand man for Clapton, and this tour, his first time participating, was a truly fresh and wonderful experience.

So let’s take a chronological look at the topics of this year to see when this tour took place in Clapton’s career.

A fulfilling year with new releases and successful tours

January 4th: Performed in a concert titled “The Last Fringe” in response to the closure of the Guildford Civic Centre, a hall in his hometown of Surrey.
March 15th: Performed in a charity concert titled “One Generation 4 Another” held at the Royal Albert Hall in London for a fund set up by Lord Taverners.

<March 30, 2004: Release of the album “ME AND MR. JOHNSON”>
・March 24 – May 11, 2004: European tour　
・June 4, 5, and 6, 2004: 1st Crossroads Guitar Festival　
・June 9 – August 2, 2004: US tour ←★Here★
・August 4: Appeared at The Crickets’ anniversary concert at the House of the Blues, a club in Hollywood, California.
・December 16: Appeared on Jools Holland’s New Year’s broadcast at the BBC television studio in London.
・December 18: Appeared in a concert by Gary Brooker’s band, No Stiletto Shoes, held in Chiddingford, Surrey, England.
・December 31: Held the annual charity concert, “New Year’s Eve Dance,” in his hometown of Woking, Surrey.　

　This was another extremely busy year, as you can see from the tour that coincided with the release of the album “ME AND MR. JOHNSON.” It was also the year that he held his first major event, the “Crossroads Guitar Festival,” which he organized himself. With all of these accomplishments accomplished successfully, he embarked on the US tour with a sense of satisfaction and elation. After this tour, he was basically off, but as you can see, it was a year of continued energetic activity.

Naturally, new songs from the album were also included in the set for this tour (mid-stage), and attention was focused on how Clapton would play the newly recorded number by Robert Johnson, whom he has devoted his entire life to.

　But it’s fair to say the highlights of this tour were elsewhere. They pulled out Dylan’s “Walk Out In The Rain” from their 1978 album “BACKLESS” and delivered a laid-back performance. Then, they delivered a breathless, furious performance of the Dominos’ “Got To Get Better In A Little While,” performed for the first time in 34 years since 1970. This song features Clapton’s razor-sharp solo, which is truly amazing. And then, without a moment’s pause, they segued into “Have You Ever Loved A Woman,” a blazingly riff-like performance. There’s no doubt you’ll be knocked out by the first half alone.

　The second half of the album also features Layla, and with Doyle joining the band, it’s as good as ever! Doyle Bramhall II, the young guitarist whom Clapton finally persuaded to join, is a perfect fit! The way he was entrusted with solos on each song shows that he had already earned Clapton’s complete trust. His sultry solo in the bridge of the opening “Let It Rain” shows that Doyle was no ordinary musician. His slide playing following Clapton on “Walk Out In The Rain” also shows his exceptional talent. Also, listen to the closing moments of “Got To Get Better In A Little While,” where the two perform passionate solos intertwine. Clapton must have craved this passion. This year also marked the final tour to showcase his ally Billy Preston’s dynamic presence. Furthermore, the powerful black duo Michelle John and Sharon White were employed for the first time as female backing vocalists. Their soulful vocals have a powerful, gospel-like impact. This band lineup delivers a truly incredible performance. It’s a wonderful stage that shows how fulfilled Clapton was both physically and mentally at this time. For the encore, Robert Randolph, who Clapton nominated for this tour, jumped in and played his signature pedal steel.

　Please enjoy this album, which can be said to be the best of the 2004 US tour.

Disc:1 (51:27)
1. Intro.
2. Let It Rain *The noise drops at 0:42 / 0:45 / 0:47 / 0:48 are unavoidable.
3. Hoochie Coochie Man
4. Walk Out In The Rain　
5. I Wanna Little Girl
6. I Shot The Sheriff
7. Me And The Devil Blues
8. They’re Red Hot
9. Milkcow’s Calf Blues
10. If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day
11. Kind Hearted Woman

Disc:2 (59:49)
1. Got To Get Better In A Little While
2. Have You Ever Loved A Woman
3. Badge
4. Wonderful Tonight
5. Layla
6. Cocaine
7. Sunshine Of Your Love*
8. Got My Mojo Working *