EC isn't here
Posted by Mark Gould on 1 December 2007 - 4:53pm.
In anticipation of Melvyn Bragg's interview with Eric Clapton on the South Bank Show, there is a curt rejection of the guitarist in today's Guardian Guide: The Borrower (subtitled "Eric Clapton is not God - he's not even original"). It concludes: "Clapton's popularity is a mystery - there's no fire, no abandon, no musical identity. Given a platform, Clapton will either send you to sleep or offend your musical sensibilities with pap."
All of this rang true with me. I have never understood the Clapton-philes. As far as I could see, there was always something more interesting on. Tomorrow's South Bank Show is no exception. I see there is a repeat of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps on BBC3.
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Yes, but
Clapton may be over rated, but the Layla album is something I'd save in a fire. Metaphorically, of course; I'd save the photos and buy Layla again or download it. But you know what I mean.
Anothe EC rant
About time. I read that article and it was spot on. What has this man done outside of Cream and Layla? Nothing except make borderline racist comments which he never apologised for (maybe he should do an LP with Mozzer, perhaps called Enoch was a Misunderstood Genius and he could play the Johnny Marr type foil to old Big Mouth) All he seems to do is rip off other peoples styles (JJ Cale in the 70s) and other peoples songs ( Robert Johnson more recently), many many many times over. Every ounce of grit and dirt has been removed from his version of the blues and for a man who has spent his whole career playing this music he doesn't seem to have any clue whatsoever about where it came from. So he is ignorant and dull. A fairly fatal combo.
He makes music for people who don't actually like, or care, about music.
What has the man done outside of Cream and Layla...
...is a bit like Monty Python, in Life of Brian, asking what the Romans have done for us!
Agreed, his output from about 1974 onwards has been largely unmitigated pap, and his political views more than a little suspect, but when he was good, he was very, very good. Before Cream, the Beano cover Bluesbreakers album was white boy blues at its very best.
There must be more than 4 people who agree with this............
or shall we take it that we are all the government, because 5 less than 59 million didn't vote for us, but they didn't vote for them!
Clapton ended largely as the Seventies began, total tosh ever since.
Whilst we are on the subject, Mr Thumbs aloft, one half decent solo album "Band On The Run" and errr that's it.
Fell into the trap of not playing any Beatles toons, because "I want people to hear what I'm doing now until I stop selling any albums at all and then I'll play what you want"
On the latter point, I love Bowie (not literally of couse) but is there anyone more contradictory?
Exactly the same with him, 1. Outside is the most important thing to everyone and I'm not playing the favourites until there is a possibility of an arena being half-empty, then I'll play what you want.
I always remember an interview with Bowie after Under Pressure was released. He virtually disowned it, now it's his favourite back catalogue song and wasn't Freddie wonderful?
I'm with The Guide
I've never got Clapton either, clearly the boy can play, but that's not enough for me. Prior to reading that, I never knew it wasn't his guitar on Layla. Sly dog.
Cold and clinical, but Beano birthed the classic rock setup
I've never really rated Clapton as player, there's no doubt about his ability and he's a great technician - but there's no real passion in his playing(Stevie Ray Vaughan is the kiddie as far as blues players go). It's all too clean cut and part of the suits and T shirt rock n stroll of Phil Collins, Dire Straits etc..
However I first heard the Bluesbreakers 'Beano' album a couple of years ago and what an absolute stormer. Apart from Claptons sizzling solos - this album is notable as being the 'big bang' moment for the classic Rock setup of Gibson Les Paul and Marshall amps. Before EC plugged in his Gibo' LP and put the amp into overdrive, most players were either playing shiny new futuristic Fenders or semi acoustics. Les Pauls were regarded as old school and still associated with big band era. Clapton saw the potential of the 'mahogony' tone and solid body sustain that Les Pauls could offer. Ironically since this point, while untold amounts of players have refined, reinvented or replicated this setup - Clapton has become a terror for a Fender.
Hello Old Friend
You can forgive a man a lot for 'Layla','Bellbottom Blues' and 'Change The World', for keeping my neighbour Andy Fairweather Lowe gainful employment, and for the live version of 'Tears In Heaven' I saw some years ago, which would have even the most lachrymosely challenged finding something in his eye. This is just as well because there have been many crimes : 'Wonderful Tonight', those Armani jackets with the sleeves rolled up, and, worst of all, 'Hello Old Friend', surely THE most shite lyric in rock history. The otherwise estimable 'Word'-hosting DAB station The Arrow is unfathomably keen on this mid-70's (ie drugged-up) abomination and the dog knows it's time to take cover when they play it yet again. Here it is, in its entirety :
As I am strolling down the garden path,
I saw a flower glowing in the dark.
It looked so pretty and it was unique;
I had to bend down just to have a peek.
Hello old friend,
It's really good to see you once again.
Hello old friend,
It's really good to see you once again.
I saw you walking underneath the stars;
I couldn't stop 'cause I was in a car.
I'm sure the distance wouldn't be too far
If I got out and walked to where you are.
Chorus
An old man passed me on the street today;
I thought I knew him but I couldn't say.
I stopped to think if I could place his frame.
When he tipped his hat I knew his name.
Chorus