he's one of my major influences. i have most of his albums(most being all that i cared to buy). i did not like his last one. i don't know if it is him or the musicians he hangs out with but he has got to do some new kick $@! material. all his concerts are the same year after year no matter where he goes. maybe it's his age or maybe thats all the songs the band knows how to play. he has never been one to do what the fans like (except play layla in every way imaginable). i hope he will do some blues albums that will keep us in the woodshed for years to come. i wish he would record like he plays live. no matter what i'll always be a fan. i've got one of his guitars and i want a twinolux to go with it. most of the yougsters won't understand why we older guys still like him. it's a blues thing.

For Me Clapton has always had a true song of broken heartedness to tell. With the death of his son, His Love Life, his struggle with Drugs and life in general. It's all given him and his music, a special kind of Credibility. If anything his age has seasoned his approach to performing. Ive been a big fan since I first saw him on the Midnight Special. E.C. can do no wrong.
----Danny,

The Midnight Special....

That brings back some memories....

Now where is that VHS recording of Sooouull Trrraaaiinnn....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

If anyone has earned the right to play just what the hell he likes, it's E.C.

And yes he can be a pretty lazy player at times, at least when he's without some stellar guitarists giving him a hard push, but there you go. Like it or lump it.

He seems to be refining his incredible blues credentials even further. And incendiary fret board fireworks probably doesn't fit his preferred mould. Gary Moore he isn't, even though he surely has the talent to do it.

As a casual observer, it seems to me he works hardest on his voice these days - probably for a long time really. His singing grows ever more blues 'authentic', Chicago or even Delta style.

What I don't understand though, is why he gives all that solo time to Bramhall Doyle II. He's just not in EC's league. Derk Trucks, I can understand. But BDII? Maybe Doyle knows where the bodies are buried..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Long time E.C. fan and I think it comes down to one thing...Probably for the first time in his life he is at peace with himself and is contented and happy. He talks in a couple interviews about playing songs for his children...not the environment for pouring your heart into some viscious ripping soloing.

EC always seems at his best when he is either pissed off, heartbroken, or when he feels his back is against the wall.

FWIW

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

The Layla album wouldn't have been near as good without Duane Allman pushing Clapton,everyone who was there has stated that.
I think that's true about him needing to be in a certain frame of mind to make his playing truly brilliant...there's been way too many people coming away from his shows saying he just went through the motions,from the looks of the Cream reunion concerts on DVD,Jack and Ginger kept him honest and fired up....that has some great music in it.

everyones taste in music changes over time.. you have to remember clapton was influenced by the old blues musicians.

My all time favorite, above everyone else... Clapton is God

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

i was doing some web surfing and found an article dated august 2011 where he said that his next album would be a collection of blues songs with extended solos and him singing in a "forlorn" blues quality in his voice and the album would most likely be more of a blues-rock album. could our prayers to "god" be answered?

This pretty much says it all. Now, he's just enjoying himself and to his credit, he's letting other, what would be obscure guitarists get some recognition. Many a 'star' would never allow such things.

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You dig?

I agree with every one of these posts. E.C. has always shined when the song seemed to touch a place deep inside himself.

Midnight Special, lol, we're all showing our age. Too bad there aren't any shows like that anymore, but then again, look at what they'd have on.

I'm also a member of "The Clapton For Life" club. As perhaps my first influence, he's always been an inspiration.

It's probably true that he's in a period of life where he's content, but, he is E.C., no telling what he'll do next.

This is a good thread.

All good points but isn't it also true for us all.
That in a band context, unless everyone is pushing each other to excel, we just cruise on thru...

I would be concerned with Clapton if what he released was really garbage.
But it never has been, as for Gary Moore...well I can only listen to short amounts as for myself there is just too much of an attempt at proving the virtuoso syndrome.
Yes he has passed away, but that in itself does not and should not immunize from honest criticism. No player is or has been above it, if so then Music stops being an art form and becomes a redundancy into itself...

Or worse...a spectacle where music takes a backseat and it's all about the show.
I won't list names as there is no point since it is after all subjective.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I love EC, but I haven't enjoyed a few of his recent albums.

What's interesting is the fact that I love DB II, but I haven't liked most of EC's recordings with him. I liked "Riding With The King" and the Robert Johnson-inspired disc (all with DB II), but didn't like "Reptile" or the one after that (that's how little it inspired me, I can't remember what it was called)...

Somebody said he has earned the right to do what he wants--and I agree with that 100%--but I just haven't loved his recent recordings. Live, he's been great, and I'll go see him again asap.

I understand contentment with homelife and his position as a rock god could make him approach music differently, and I still love him, but I hope he makes another "Journeyman" or "From The Cradle" or even a instrumental-heavy disc like the soundtrack for "Rush"...

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
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