Clapton Live vs. Studio

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

I've always heard that Claption LIVE, in the flesh, is better than his recorded stuff and that even live recordings, such as "Just One Night" don't really capture the music (judging by "Just One Night", I'd agree. It's kinda dull and way too slick)

 

Is this true? Is he better in the flesh?

 

I haven't really kept up with his discography, is there a really good live Clapton CD? (not DVD, I like to listen to music when I'm doing other stuff)?

[bennyguitfiddle]

I'm not a huge fan, but I have seen him live once in omaha.

wow! that is about all i can say.

I wasn't even excited to go but my ex wanted to go real bad.

It was all her Idea but it was the best idea she ever had.

he was fantastic.

I won't buy his albums. (maybe some cream)

But I'll go see a show again

in a second.

so I would say

Clapton Live is better

One mans opinion

peace Kramer

[mdrs]

Clapton's career is fairly well defined by his addictions!! Sad, but true. Anything from his first solo effort and earlier is fantastic.

 

461 Ocean Blvd. and There's One In Every Crowd are pretty good. Then there's a bunch of work that's great, but not earth shattering.

 

Live Clapton?

 

BBC Sessions has some cool very early Cream live stuff, and it's an interesting contrast to other live Cream that was recorded in concert. The BBC stuff is studio live, and somewhat more understated, and very very VERY GOOD.....listen to this version of Crossroads...simple, and near perfect.

http://www.amazon.com/BBC-Sessions-Cream/dp/B00008NER6/ref=pd_bbs_10/103-4188798-1832615?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193574703&sr=8-10

 

Disc Two of Wheels of Fire is live, and has perhaps my favorite version of "Crossroads"....I think that the very start of this cut is one of the most powerful few seconds of live rock ever recorded;

 

http://www.amazon.com/Wheels-Fire-Cream/dp/B0000067L3/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-4188798-1832615?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193574703&sr=8-3

 

More good live Cream;

 

http://www.amazon.com/Live-Cream-Vol-2/dp/B0000067L6/ref=pd_bxgy_m_text_b/103-4188798-1832615

 

Rainbow Concert is good live Clapton, with a bunch of other famous musicians;

 

http://www.amazon.com/Eric-Claptons-Rainbow-Concert-Clapton/dp/B000001EEN/ref=sr_1_16/103-4188798-1832615?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193575430&sr=1-16

 

24 Nights is good live Clapton, as he was "cleaning up" his act;

 

http://www.amazon.com/24-Nights-Eric-Clapton/dp/B000002LN9/ref=sr_1_25/103-4188798-1832615?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193575518&sr=1-25

 

In some ways, I think Clapton's acoustic guitar playing on Unplugged is some of my favorite of his work. He's a great acoustic player. Listen to "Walkin Blues"....it's spine tingling low down;

 

http://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Eric-Clapton/dp/B000002MFE/ref=sr_1_5/103-4188798-1832615?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193575677&sr=1-5

 

[A String]

I saw Eric Clapton With Mark Knopfler at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, back in 1988. He was amazing. His solo in "White Room" was the best version I had ever heard. IMO, he is better live then recorded. He just comes alive on stage.

[Hardtail]

Clapton's best when on the stage.

 

 

[mdrs]

I guess I really didn't speak to Vince's question in my previous post.

 

I think that Clapton is great in the studio. I also think that generally, he is great live. I'm not sure I've ever had a strong feeling that he's better live vs. studio, however.

 

I DO feel that his live stuff from his early days blows away his live stuff from later in his career. The later stuff is still very good, but not like the early magic. The early live stuff was very special.....a ground breaking artist, sounding and playing like no one else had.....like he was channeling something very important and special.

 

I really enjoyed his most recent live tour, where he played with Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramell.....hopefully there will be a live CD or DVD from that tour.

[The Geoff]

I saw Clapton twice in the late seventies/early eighties - once with Yvonne Ellerman and once with Duane Allman - Oh I saw him in 1964 with The Yardbirds, in Ayr(!).

 

Amazing every time.

 

G.

[Zuben]

i have seen Clapton 6 times live and every time was better than the time before. I would be in heaven if I has half as good as he is live. He just doen's make mistakes and I have seen him push the envelope many times.

 

He doesn't think about what he's playing or where he is going to take it, he just does.

 

Peace

[Bluesape]

He's great live, if a bit preoccupied, at times. The best contrast I know of between live and studio is Buddy Guy. Live, he can deliver life-changing performances, but his albums are uninspiring.

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

Yeah, ok.

 

But do his live recordings capture the whatever it is of his concerts, or do you actually need to be there? And if they don't, what's missing? Is it a mixing thing? Do you need the extra volume? Is it his stage presence? What is it?

[VeloDoug]

I saw Eric Clapton With Mark Knopfler at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, back in 1988. He was amazing. His solo in "White Room" was the best version I had ever heard. IMO, he is better live then recorded. He just comes alive on stage.

 

OMG... I could have written this post!! Just substitute "Glens Falls, NY" for "Toronto". "White Room" from that show was one of the most memorable live moments I've had.

[The Geoff]

Yes, He is *loud* on stage - it's how he gets his tone.

 

G.

[A String]

I saw Eric Clapton With Mark Knopfler at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, back in 1988. He was amazing. His solo in "White Room" was the best version I had ever heard. IMO, he is better live then recorded. He just comes alive on stage.

 

OMG... I could have written this post!! Just substitute "Glens Falls, NY" for "Toronto". "White Room" from that show was one of the most memorable live moments I've had.

 

It was big. We were seated near the back of the floor. When "White Room" came on, my friend jumped up and yelled "Rush the stage!" and started running. Of course myself and our other friend started running after him.

 

As we headed down the centre isle, this sea of people started forming behind me. Up front, I could see Eric and his guitar more clearly. Eventually, I hit the safety bar and the sea of people started to crowd in behind me. There was a moment when I thought I was going to be cut in half with all of those people pushing me into the bar. Anyway, as the folks behind me started to settle, and the song pounded away, Eric started into the solo.

 

I was so close that I could see the numbers on the dial of his guitar. I was expecting to hear the same solo that I had heard a thousand times before, on my records. Instead, it was a solo that was far more passionate and powerful. It just blew me away and I still remember it to this day, almost twenty years later.

 

I've spent a lot of time looking for that guitar solo. There are some copies of that concert that were recorded by bootleggers, but they are charging way too much. If I ever do come across it, I'll be sure to get you a copy.

[PBBPaul]

I've seen Clapton live many times. He is IMHO inconsistent. The best I've ever seen him was the night SRV died. Stevie was incredible that night but Eric absolutely owned the show. I still get goosebumps from the "Sweet Home Chicago" encore with Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Jimmy Vaughn, EC and SRV. They were all on fire that night. The worst I've seen EC was the last time - two tours ago with Billy Preston. The show was lackluster and boring. I expected much better from him and the lineup he had. I purposely didn't go see him when he came around again but I heard it was much better.

[Allmanbrofan]

I've got to believe he'll release a live cd from his most recent tour with Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II on guitars. They played a bunch of tunes from the "Layla" album and it was phenomenal! You might also pick up the cd of the Cream Reunion of a few years ago-he had some real tasty playing on that and because it's a 3 piece you can really hear everything.

[rw2003]

Last time I saw a Clapton show was at Shea Stadium in Queens back in the early 90's. He was amazing!!!

 

(It was the tour with Elton John... who, btw, put on a great live show as well!)