Compact Diss Posted November 9, 2004 Share Posted November 9, 2004 From PBS ERIC CLAPTON'S CROSSROADS GUITAR FESTIVAL In the summer of 2004, a spectacular gathering of musicians from across the guitar world performed together on one concert stage, as the culminating event of Eric Clapton's three-day Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas. GREAT PERFORMANCES presents highlights from the all-day concert at the Cotton Bowl featuring a once-in-a-lifetime showcase of guitar luminaries performing rock anthems, blues classics, and jazz improvisations. Joining Clapton are fellow axe legends Carlos Santana, Joe Walsh, and J. J. Cale; bluesmen Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, Hubert Sumlin, and Jimmie Vaughan; Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin from the jazz world; as well as James Taylor, country superstar Vince Gill, bluegrass player Dan Tyminski from Allison Krauss' band Union Station, and young star John Mayer. Highlights include renditions of classics like "After Midnight" and "Layla," as well as recent hits like Mayer's "City Love." Watch for the launch of the Web companion on Wednesday, November 24, 2004. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted November 9, 2004 Share Posted November 9, 2004 Particularly relevant given the recently revitalized "Dealing with our Clapton issues" thread. Say what you want (and a lot has been), but there's no denying that Clapton has been one of the most influential guitar players in the history of rock and roll. Often sublime, generally outstanding, and sometimes mediocre, he has a natural talent and feel for the guitar that is nothing short of inspirational. Add to that his modesty and willingness to let others shine, and this DVD should be nothing short of phenomenal. And check out the Concert for George DVD if there's any doubt about his ability to still play with passion. There are a ton of faster and more technical players, but when Clapton's on, there's no one better at conveying emotion with a guitar. Well, electric guitar, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted November 9, 2004 Share Posted November 9, 2004 WaterMan, There are a ton of faster and more technical players, but when Clapton's on, there's no one better at conveying emotion with a guitar. Amen, and pass the geetar to Slow Hands Also a good point about allowing others to shine too. Hard to find among the *stars* Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g. Posted November 9, 2004 Share Posted November 9, 2004 but when Clapton's on, there's no one better at conveying emotion with a guitar.I dunno. A lot of players have really perfected the wah-wah face and the "tortured whammy bar" move. But seriously. You must not be listening to many people, or seeing them. Because there are a lot of people who are 100% committed and connected during the majority of their performance(s). Let's not get too carried away with the hero worship legends. There's a lot worth checking out and supporting from all over the guitar map. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted November 10, 2004 Share Posted November 10, 2004 Originally posted by greenboy: but when Clapton's on, there's no one better at conveying emotion with a guitar.There's a lot worth checking out and supporting from all over the guitar map.Well, we agree on this point. And yes, there are a lot of guitarists connected to their performances. My point, however, is that Clapton has a unique gift that has not always been appreciated (or recognized) by those that worship technique and flash over the art of style and substance -- and for me, at least, musical style and substance translate to connecting with the subtlety and nuance of emotions that we experience in other aspects of life. Music appreciation, after all is said and done, is about that connection. And it's the range of connection that separates the gifted from the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g. Posted November 10, 2004 Share Posted November 10, 2004 Like I said, I've heard tons of guitarists that are not about obvious technique or flash that just connect. So i can't feel Clapton is special in that regard, like I might have when I was a kid. On the other hand, I've heard some fairly complex players who seem to walk with depth and intensity since then, too. So I just don't think he's all that unique in either regard. He's a great guitarist, but he's not all that. He's a guy that plays guitar and who's been involved in some pretty big things. At one time I thought they were bigger than they look now. Maybe it's the type of rear view mirror I'm using, but the things close by sem more interesting. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abnorm Posted November 10, 2004 Share Posted November 10, 2004 I went to the Crossroads Guitar Festival in June and have been looking forward to the DVD release ever since. It is on sale at TowerRecords.com for $25. Also PBS will broadcast all or part of it around Dec. 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted November 10, 2004 Share Posted November 10, 2004 Originally posted by greenboy: Maybe it's the type of rear view mirror I'm using, but the things close by sem more interesting.Interesting metaphor Want to provide any examples of things close by? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted November 11, 2004 Share Posted November 11, 2004 He's a guy that plays guitar and who's been involved in some pretty big things. At one time I thought they were bigger than they look now. Maybe it's the type of rear view mirror I'm using, but the things close by sem more interesting. I remember a show I was watching and he talked about an album cover were it said Clapton is God,but at the bottom of the album there was a dog peeing on the Clapton is God,and he said that pretty much sums it up.We make our hero's and then knock em down.He's just a guy that loves to play the guitar,he never claimed to be a guitar God, we did.In my book Clapton has a great spirit,and will always be one of my favorites. The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Compact Diss Posted November 23, 2004 Author Share Posted November 23, 2004 Just bumping this as a reminder, December 1st this will be shown on PBS in the Boston area. You guys out there should be able to find your local listings by following the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 Diss, thanks for the reminder. I'll put it on my calender DARKLAVA, ... he never claimed to be a guitar God, we did. This is the point that many people fail to understand He is what he is, and that's pretty damned good imho He hasn't changed, we have [edit] Diss, did I miss the link? Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcy H Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 Picked up the Crossroads double DVD last week. DTS surround sound....well worth the cash! Tons of phenomenal guitar playing! www.myspace.com/darcyhoover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billster Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Badababump Airs tonight in my locale - 9:00 p.m. WGBH-2. As predicted by me , it airs in the middle of the PBS fund raiser cycle, so the show is sure to be interrupted 6-700 times to beg for money Buy my CD on CD Baby! Bill Hartzell - the website MySpace?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Geezer Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 What.....and miss "The Real Gilligans Island"? just kidding...i'm in Lynn G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g. Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 All right you CLAPTARDS! - Look lively now!!! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedro Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 No trying to start a ruckus, here. Clapton is one of my favorites from long ago, although I've found other favorites that I appreciate more than EC. I don't know about Clapton thinking he's a guitar god, but I was recently reading an interview where he said he tries to be a "Guitar Hero" simply because "it's something to strive for". And on a trip to Africa he had to fill some papers out and listed his occupation as "Legend". I think of Clapton as a brand name. He's like the Kraft of guitar players. Some people just prefer Velveeta. Everybody knows rock attained perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact. - Homer Simpson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g. Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Tilamook is the most underrated of cheeses. Except in Oregon maybe. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Yeah, I just got a call that I was missing that show. Who here could possibly complain about a summit of some of the best pickers around getting together and putting on a great show. Works for me... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antimatter Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Lots of fund raiser stuff, but some fine stuff, even though it was just a sample. Santa may have to bring me the DVD set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Seen it last night,great show,need to get the DvD. Eric still got it as far as I'm concerned.He seems to hold back at times,but if you challenge him,he rises to the occasion. John Mayer,man I don't care what anybody say's this guy is a good guitar player,he needs to do a guitar oriented album.Vince Gill smokes too, another guy that doesn't show off but can kick your ass.After Midnight JJ cale The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyBlues Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 I caught the first hour or so, taped the rest to see tonight. LOVED Buddy Guy doing Sweet Home Chicago with EC, Hubert Sumlin and Robert Cray (and a few others in there). I'm with Lava regarding John Mayer, I think it'd be great if he'd do a no-vocals blues cd, or let somebody else sing. He makes my wife nuts with the weird faces, and you know I just want her to be happy! Oh yea, Joe Walsh was awesome, takes some kahoonas to wear shoes like that! I was born at night but I wasn't born last night... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billster Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 I was really impressed by John Mayer too. His pop marketing angles need to be $hitcanned, and he needs to be shown as a real musician. I thought the Buddy Guy segment was excellent too, with everyone getting into the insane 3 and 4 fret bends Buddy does. Clapton playing "Jingo" with Santana was cool too. The local fund raiser cut ins were brutal: Fund Hostess: (gushing) "DID YOU KNOW, that Eric Clapton was once married to Patty Boyd, who was earlier married to George Harrison? And that was inspired by the song Layla! Fascinating!" Eric wrote Layla, and was so inspired he stole George Harrison's wife? HAHAHAHAHA Buy my CD on CD Baby! Bill Hartzell - the website MySpace?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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