Let's all contemplate this, shall we?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVzyGQPgVN8

Well, that was fun.

To the original post (now vanished): does Clapton go around claiming to be "God" and "the best" and "cutting edge" and having "the finest guitar tone"? I don't think he does, I think those are just things some excitable people sometimes say about him, for which he's not responsible.

I think Eric's just a guy who plays the music he likes the way he likes it. If we like it too then it's there for us to enjoy. If we prefer something else, that's fine too.

Getting hot and bothered about who's best and second best and twenty-eighth best and... Well, that stuff is for ten year olds in the school yard, isn't it?

Cheers - C

_________________

I agree that heated discossions about subjects that could never be resolved don't really belong here. You're right about Clapton not claiming to be "God", that credit goes to some rabid fans.

Has he touched greatness at times? Yes. Has he also shown that he's a mere mortal? Definitely.

I really wonder just how much his evolution has to do with him. Do you think that Fender is all too willing to keep sending him new improved Stratocasters, just in anticipation of meeting his whims?

Will we ever know? Probably not.

Every once in a while, he'll do something that makes me remember why he has always been an inspiration.

I think this was the same guitar he used at the Bob Dylan Tribute, his tech commented that this was the last of the "power" guitars that Fender had built for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA

my wife loves EC and she is not a guitarist. she simply describes him as being "cool".
someday, when i grow up, i want to be "cool" too.

Very well put as always , but you could have added and Rolling Stone Magazine into your last sentence
cheers,
Alex

_________________
......it's a topsy-turvy world when noses run and feet smell...

So now the above portrayed has pretty much clearly stated a severe dislike for Clapton, let alone the fact that he can afford a Ferrari or two....Hmmmm..!!!! Sour Grapes is really more the Impetus.
I drive an Audi, so why should a choice of transportation be a reason to hate a guy...???
A Ferrari would be nice in my garage ( even though I would prefer an RS4 ), but it is not in the budget....That doesn't keep me from going to the Lars Anderson museum whenever they have a Ferrari or Porsche Day and enjoying myself....

As for the OP...You have started a thread which you probably ( or should have ) initially suspected would turn into a debate with some emotional nonsense thrown in...
Editing and deleting the introductory post on the basis that you now dislike where this discussion/debate is at is absolutely senseless and pointless.
You cannot herd the cats back in once you open the Corral.....
We've all opened threads at one point which unfortunately were not what we intended but that's Forum Life, when you open a door you have to accept whatever comes thru.
NOT to mention that anyone reading the 1st two posts and the rest of the 1st page will be confused as to what was the initial topic..
Re-edit, re-insert what you deleted and we just move on with the debate /discussion...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

The actions of the OP eliminating his initial post and the title of this thread reminds me so much of SkirtSoPlain or whatever that entity called himself. Is this another of his incarnations? Whatever, it is so incredibly childish.

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Perhaps categorizing Clapton as Rhythm and Blues might be more to the point, however, pigeonholing music into these constrained and redundant categories is really annoying.

The list of Musical Genre's seems to benefit only the critics/scribes which more often than not miss the point as to why someone listens to a particular form of music..

As far as Clapton a " Bluesman " I don't recall him ever saying or portraying himself as such knowing full well he adopted a form and interprets it in his own personal manner, he has numerous times given credit where due and so the argument really is moot.

Even BB King is not a true original Bluesman, he is as close as we have left to enjoy but it was the previous generation which got him started, he is very much traditional but the Blues if we really want to be technical was actually Vocal, had nothing to do with an instrument since the slaves in the cotton fields were not allowed to have an instrument, let alone afford one....
It was the workers singing in harmony in the fields...That is really a beautiful gift to the rest of us lucky enough to have been born in better times and circumstances..
Clapton is an interpretation of that original music.....Like it or leave it..quite simple really...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

This from wiki is what I understand the blues to be. It will likely continue to adapt to the times as it has done for many years.

"The blues genre is based on the blues form but possesses other characteristics such as specific lyrics, bass lines and instruments. Blues can be subdivided into several subgenres ranging from country to urban blues that were more or less popular during different periods of the 20th century. Best known are the Delta, Piedmont, Jump and Chicago blues styles. World War II marked the transition from acoustic to electric blues and the progressive opening of blues music to a wider audience, especially white listeners. In the 1960s and 1970s, a hybrid form called blues-rock evolved."

_________________
...I for one, sure would appreciate the return of intelligent conversation, spirit of assistance and the simple yet effective ignoring of those who can't seem to hang with that...
Best regards,
rob

I was referring to much earlier times than the 60's and 70's which in the subject matter is really yesterday...Wiki is only as thorough as the contributors base of knowledge.
Blues is much older than the modern 1930's - 1970's period.
The above is a chronological evolution of the Blues, Delta follows the earlier period of field slaves, Chicago style being the more recent of the styles.
Southern slaves escaping to the north and reaching Chicago in great numbers created much of that regions style....But it is difficult to exactly pinpoint when and where and from whom since we are attempting to trace back a style/genre of music which was mostly passed on by ear ( lack of a better definition ) since most were illiterate and if they were not, documentation would have resulted in severe repercussions...And an extremely migrant population..

Anyway Clapton being the subject, his acoustic blues playing is very much based in the Robert Johnson or Delta Blues. A simple arrangement with contrapuntal rhythms, Vocal and an Acoustic instrument. His electric playing and set up has always reflected that set up, as far as a thin tone well that is also very dependent on the actual recording or the set up at a live venue.

If you wished to be technical, one could trace the Blues back to the tribal chants on the African continent, each tribe having their own distinct signature.
Sort of like today when you take a Blues Player from Chicago, Texas, New Orleans...All will be very different...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Just noticed this with the pic 53 i don't have a severe dislike of Clapton you're misunderstanding where i'm coming from and what i said. I think Eric is a great player but somewhat in a narrow style however what i've meant in this thread is the overblown way people react to his abilities. Basically they get carried away with themselves.

I remember when i bought the live in Japan album "Just One Night" i think it was called and vividly remember Eric stating the exact same thing about Japanese audiences, it was embarrassing to him how over the top they were regarding his music and abilities. he felt they were just too enthusiastic if anything.

I play an EC strat, i would not have bought that if i dislike Eric or his music. The personal issue regarding his wealth and purchasing Ferrari's on a whim is an opinion of mine and really isn't particularly to do with music. I don't really care if he has Ferrari's or not but why let that information out to the public? It's Eric's business, a personal issue. If he has the money and wants to spend it on that then that's fine but i just don't think the rest of us particularly want to hear it.

I just feel it's a bit false playing the blues and songs about being down and out, all the while maintaining a stable of Ferrari motor cars and designing another custom one to add to it. Why not tell the dealer who he was doing business to keep those details private whywas it allowed to be given out that information. Particularly in terrible economic times such as these when people are losing their homes and livelihoods every day. A bit insensitive? i'd say so.

_________________
Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

In the United States everyone has an equal chance to prosper.

_________________
Gary

Come off it! now you're being naive. You're telling me some kid born in the ghetto with crack addicts as parents has as good a chance in life as someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth who automatically gets sent to the most prestigious schools and wants for nothing?

What you're talking about is a utopian ideal. It would be great if it was like that.

_________________
Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

I'm from the Ghettos of Los Angeles and was abandoned at 16 years old. I hitch hiked around the US until I found where I wanted to live. I learned carpentry and eventually ended up with the job I have now of 28 years as an engineering lab tech. I raised and put two great kids through school and now have a 3 year old grandson and they are all doing fine. And I'm doing fine.

I have seen times so hard that I ate out of dumpsters, but yet pulled myself up by the boot straps and made something of myself.

I don't buy into that "Entitlement" mentality because someone was born poor and too lazy to work hard to get ahead. That's BS

BTW, I'm a HUGE Clapton fan!

_________________
Gary