ERIC CLAPTON – SOUNDBOARD RECORDINGS 1974-1975 (2 CD)

Description

This week, we’re releasing a soundboard master provided by Taper, a veteran UK-based recording company well-known for Eric Clapton! This two-disc collection compiles soundboard recordings from the 1974 and 1975 US tours, which previously contained only a few tracks recorded via PA out. Because each performance was far from complete, they couldn’t be released as standalone shows, but the quality of the soundboard recordings makes them a shame not to release them. While many of the recordings are mono and contain minor issues due to the PA outsourcing, you’ll likely find the contents well worth listening to.

　The 1974 recording is said to feature surprise appearances by The Who’s Pete Townshend and Keith Moon. While this alone is a must-listen for rock fans, the 1975 recording also includes a rare track featuring Carlos Santana, who was the opening act at the time. It’s intriguing to see how these unexpected guests performed together. However, because the recordings were made from multiple shows—two in 1974 and two in 1975—the sound quality varies somewhat, even with the soundboard. However, all recordings are of a good quality, and there are no bad takes, so rest assured. This recording offers a glimpse into how Clapton enjoyed touring during his miraculous comeback from three years of seclusion.

[A compilation full of highlights!]
　First, let’s review the tour schedules for 1974 and 1975 to see how these performances were positioned in Clapton’s activities this year.

・June 19th and 20th, 1974: Warm-up gigs in Scandinavia for the US comeback tour
・June 28th to August 4th, 1974: US tour ←★here★
≪August 5th, 1974: Release of the album “461 OCEAN BOULEVARD”≫　
・August to September 1974: Recording of the album “THERE’S ONE IN EVERY CROWD” in Miami
・September 28th to October 6th, 1974: Second US tour　
・October 31st to November 6th, 1974: First Japan tour
・November 27th to December 5th, 1974: European tour
≪April 1st, 1975: Release of the album “THERE’S ONE IN EVERY CROWD” release≫
・April 7th – 28th, 1975: Oceania tour　
・June 14th – August 30th, 1975: US tour←★here★
・September 1975 off
・October – November 1975: Second Japan tour

　As you can see, those two years were filled with touring, but the US tour was the main event, lasting from one to two and a half months each year. Originally, it was meant to promote the newly released album, but in reality, the setlist was a free rendition of the songs that Clapton wanted to play after his comeback.

　First up is a recording from the August 4th performance in Palm Beach, Florida, the final day of the 1974 US tour. There’s what appears to be a tape change at 0:24 in the Muddy Waters cover “Sail On” (actually “Honey Bee”), performed by Clapton’s band alone. But it’s not too noticeable. This was an extremely rare track, only performed on this particular day of the extended US tour. It’s a rare opportunity to hear this one-off performance. There’s also some contact noise at 0:08 in “Mainline Florida,” written by second guitarist George Terry (again, typical of a PA out), but this is a rare track that wasn’t played much on this tour, so it’s definitely worth listening to.

　As mentioned above, The Who’s Pete Townshend and Keith Moon are said to have made a surprise appearance on this day (as noted on the fan site “Where’s Eric!”, which tracks Clapton’s tour archives). The two were in the US promoting the upcoming film “Tommy,” and apparently arrived upon hearing of Clapton’s concert. They also made a surprise appearance at the recent Greensboro, North Carolina, show. They accompanied Clapton directly, likely wanting to celebrate their old friend’s comeback. Even Joe Walsh (James Gang, now with the Eagles) reportedly joined in on the same number. You can hear their performance here. The songlist is surprisingly rare, as they even performed (or are having someone perform?) “Can’t Explain,” a staple of The Who’s repertoire.

　This is a foreshadowing: Yvonne Elliman, who was a member of Clapton’s band, had included this song on her solo album “Food of Love” released the previous year, 1973, featuring Pete Townshend on guitar (this studio version is also excellent, overflowing with Pete’s unique personality). However, on this album, we can hear Keith Moon’s roaring vocals alongside Elliman, but we cannot hear Pete or Walsh’s guitars. Clapton’s introduction of the band members just before this mentions only Keith Moon, suggesting that he was the only one who actually made an unexpected appearance. Furthermore, the following “Badge” recording suggests that the three guests continued to be onstage, but there is no evidence of them joining in on this song either. While the facts are unclear, listening to this album suggests that Keith Moon was the only one who made an unexpected appearance. It appears that Clapton is playing rhythm guitar, similar to Pete’s, and the recording captures Clapton getting stuck and stopping, not understanding the song’s development.

　This electric version of “Smile,” which was usually performed acoustically on the 1974 tour, is extremely rare. Clapton prefaces the song by saying, “This song doesn’t have any guitar solos, but listen to it.” The actual electric solo is quite amusing, however. However, as is evident from the band introductions, Clapton is quite drunk, introducing drummer Jamie Oldaker as “the best bassist in the world” and referring to the surprise addition Keith Moon as “Keith ‘Half’ Moon.” Even in the final lyric before the bridge of “Badge,” “Now he’s married to Mabel,” he yells, “Mabel?!…Fxckin’ Mabel!…Why Mabel?!” In fact, to survive the grueling tour after suddenly returning from three years of drug addiction, Clapton resorted to a strategy of drowning himself in alcohol to forget the tension and pressure of reality. The influence of this was evident in the band introductions and Badge, but listening to his guitar playing here, there is no trace of alcohol. When he’s not playing, he appears disgraceful as a drunk, but when it comes to playing guitar, he’s like a completely different person, which in a way may speak to Clapton’s greatness (laughs).

　The 1975 US tour spanned two and a half months, with recordings from June, July, and August. From June, two tracks are from the Memphis performance on the 18th. A rare take of 1975’s “Let It Grow,” cut from the album, is particularly noteworthy. Here, too, a rare electric version is featured. “Can’t Find My Way Home,” featuring Yvonne Elliman, features a wobbly sound at the 3:36 mark. From July, two tracks are from the St. Louis performance on the 11th. “Tell the Truth” is a passionate 14-minute performance, including a drum solo. During the solo, Elliman plays a police whistle and Clapton plays a duck call. Clapton’s cover of “Eyesight to the Blind,” a song he sang while playing a preacher in The Who’s film “Tommy,” was apparently a favorite of his, and he performed it almost every night of the tour as an encore. Carlos Santana, who was a regular on the album, then popped in, delivering his signature soaring, passionate guitar playing. This take captures that, with a clear structure: Clapton solo, Santana, second guitarist George Terry, drum and percussion solos, and finally a trio of intertwining solos, resulting in a 19-minute, rousing performance. The percussionist is believed to be Alfonso Mouzon of the Santana band, who also popped in.

　Starting in August, we have four tracks from the San Diego concert on the 16th. The audience was ecstatic about Crossroads, a classic Cream performance, but this arrangement is a rare slow blues version (reminiscent of the take from the Kyoto concert on October 24th of the same year). Clapton’s playing here, with its wonderfully thrilling, tempo-driven interplay, is well worth a listen. Santana also makes a surprise appearance during the encore, performing Little Wing in a rare performance. Santana’s dramatic performance on this track is also a highlight. And of course, they also perform Eyesight to the Blind. While the songs have a set theme, they are all improvised, offering a different feel from the St. Louis performance. This release compiles the high-quality PA-out audio that was unavailable for a standalone release. It truly captures the joy of the tour. We highly recommend it.

Disc:1 (73:09)
Palm Beach International Raceway, Palm Beach County, FL, USA 4th August 1974
1. Sail On
2. Mainline Florida
3. band introduction
4. Can’t Explain (with Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, Joe Walsh)
5. Badge (with Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, Joe Walsh)　
6. Smile

Eric Clapton – Guitar / Vocals
George Terry – Guitar
Dicks Sims – Keyboards
Carl Radle – Bass
Jamie Oldaker – Drums
Yvonne Elliman – Backing Vocals

Henry W. Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO, USA 11th July 1975
7. Tell The Truth
8. Eyesight To Th e Blind (with Carlos Santana)

Eric Clapton – Guitar / Vocals
George Terry – Guitar
Dicks Sims – Keyboards
Carl Radle – Bass
Jamie Oldaker – Drums
Yvonne Elliman – Backing Vocals
Marcy Levy – Backing Vocals

Disc:2 (59:44)
Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN, USA 18th June 1975
1. Let It Grow
2. Can’t Find My Way Home

San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA, USA 16th August 1975
3. Crossroads (Slow Blues Version)
4. Tell The Truth
5. Little Wing (with Carlos Santana)
6. Eyesight To The Blind (with Carlos Santana)

Eric Clapton – Guitar / Vocals
George Terry – Guitar
Dicks Sims – Keyboards
Carl Radle – Bass
Jamie Oldaker – Drums
Yvonne Elliman – Backing Vocals
Marcy Levy – Backing Vocals

SOUNDBOARD RECORDING