Eric’s Tribute To The Legends: I Still Do, Still Playing That Good Old Blues

What we know about Eric Clapton, is that he must be the biggest fan of all the great blues legends that ever lived. He is not only a Blues fan; his recordings also reflect that how much he was influenced by Rock, Reggae, Country and Bluegrass too. There are lots of old artists, even artists of his own time who inspired him, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall, George Harrison being the perfect examples. In reality, Eric Clapton himself was an inspiration to other artists of his time and now he is a role model for hundreds of new artists and of course the millions of Blues and Rock fans across the globe. If you listen to Eric Clapton for a day then you will be attracted to Blues-Rock music within an hour, after a day when you will end up listening to his covers of Robert Johnson’s songs in Sessions of Robert Johnsons and few old Delta Blues songs in his Unplugged album, you will fall in love with the Blues. For last 60 years and more Eric Clapton has been a guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer and he has devoted all his life to music and guitars by hosting Crossroads Festivals, releasing compilation and studio albums continuously, not only his songs but also songs originally composed by J.J Cale, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Bronzy and so many of the Delta Blues and Chicago Blues legends. His last released album consisted of him and his guitar buddies Mark Knopfler, Don White, Tom Petty, John Mayer, Willie Nelson who covered songs of the late J.J Cale, the album was titled, “The Breeze: An Appreciation To J.J Cale” by Eric Clapton & Friends in 2014. He also released his compilation album Forever Man in 2015 followed by a film of his live album Slowhand at 70 – Live @ Royal Albert Hall the same year. Recently, Clapton released his 23^rd solo studio album named I Still Do in May 20 of this year 2016. The album was highly publicized this year, mainly due to the rumor that George Harrison will be on the album. This misconception immersed because in this album the Harrison’s old pseudonym L'Angelo Misterioso appeared as a bandmate in Clapton’s band. The nickname was preliminarily used by Harrison way back in the 60s when he recorded with the Cream (Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce & Eric Clapton). Clapton or his associates hasn’t revealed the true identity of the man named L’Angelo Misterioso due to some legal issues. Another theory suggests that Ed Sheeran might be the mysterious L'Angelo Misterioso , prior to the release of the album when Clapton performed I Will Be There (which featured the mysterious bandmate’s voice and guitar in the album), he performed it in Budakon Hall, Tokyo in April 13, 2015 (a month before the release of the album) during his tour and the young star Ed Sheeran came to the stage to sing alongside the legend, after the track was released in the album, it sounded a little like Ed, but then again he did three more songs with him including Cypress Grove. It was really exciting to watch Ed jamming alongside Eric Clapton for the fans.

Glyn Johns & Eric Clapton in 2016

The major objective of this album was to keep the tradition alive. This might be Eric’s last studio album but in this album he teamed up with some of his old pals, Glyn Johns was one of them. In the music industry Glyn Johns has a huge reputation as a producer who produced many epic albums with many epic bands like Desperado by Eagles, Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin (in which he was the audio engineer), Sticky Fingers by Rolling Stones, Who’s Next by The Who. With Eric, Glyn goes way back during the time when Eric was trying to release his famous album Slowhand in 1977. Through this album Eric earned his nickname Slowhand. Slowhand was a great hit as it contained J.J Cale’s Cocaine which was covered by Eric Clapton in the album, it also contained Big Bill Bronzy’s Mean Old Frisco which was also covered by Eric. And other hits like Next Time You See Her and one of his greatest composition: Wonderful Tonight were also available in the album. After the huge success of the album which he credited to Glyn John’s record producing, Johns also produced his next album Backless in 1978. That was the last album Glyn Johns produced for Eric. Now after these many years, I Still Do turned out to be a lot better than the fans expected. The album contains lots of cover songs like Skip James’ Cypress Grove. Robert Johnson’s Stones In My Passway , Dylan’s I Dream I Saw St. Augustine. It had many Blues music, Clapton was back in his blues roots and for the young audience it was their opportunity to discover more blues music.

Eric Clapton in Japan 1977. Photo By: Akihiko Fuko

Many people criticize British blues artists like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and others for covering old Delta Blues or Chicago Blues records and improvising it and using amplifiers, but if you are a true blues fan then you know how important it was to improvise those records. It is true that majority of those songs didn’t had that Delta music vibe but it was a tribute, a culture that influenced many of young artists to discover more blues and do what they did, improvise songs and keep the blues alive, though it wasn’t the authentic blues but it was Blues-Rock, a fusion that inspired so many young artists to pick up their guitars and play the blues. Eric Clapton contributed his whole life to spreading music, not just only blues, but old folk songs, jazz music or songs that were getting lost. We must be glad that a guy like Clapton exists. Also, there are so many others who had contributed to keep the blues alive, in the 60s, Allman Brothers Band, Grateful Dead, Cream, Derek & Domino, Led Zeppelin, they inspired the whole world and took Rock music to a whole new heights. It was a tribute to the legends and due to these musicians, the legacy of these legends still remains. Clapton has recently launched a video for Stones In My Passway which shows the recording of the song inside the recording studio. "I Still Do" is available on iTunes.

Go To : Eric Clapton's Official Website : http://www.ericclapton.com/

                  

 

Gilmour Back In Pompeii : An Historic Return After 45 Years

David Gilmour performing at Pompeii last night. Gilmour and Pink Floyd had played in Pompeii back in 1972.

The Pink Floyd lead guitarist and singer David Gilmour has been running solo for a while now. Gilmour has turned into a solo artist and has been touring and making music since. Now, his solo journey has taken him back to the place where he and his fellow bandmates from Pink Floyd once jammed together for the music documentary film Pink Floyd – Live at Pompeii in 1972AD. Only this time, it was no movie, or filming, it is an actual two days live performance by the legend in the amphitheater. Since last week, the whole Rock music community is following the news about Gilmour’s concert in Pompeii, in the same abandoned stadium where the Pink Floyd filmed 45 years ago, the part of Italy whose civilization was destroyed after the eruption of volcano during the 1^st Century. David Gilmour explained how it was overwhelming to return to Pompeii after all these years. In an interview with the rolling stones Gilmour describes that he is going to perform the classic Pink Floyd hits and give the audience the good old 70’s feel. It is all about the fans this time, it is live, not a film. Gilmour and his long time lyricist Polly Samson also mention that Rick Wright would be missed and it would’ve been lovely if Rick was there. The concert is set to be for two nights and yesterday was the first night of the performance. The concert began around 8 PM starting with “5.AM” as scheduled. 

Prior to the concert, just yesterday Gilmour shared lots of his memories with the media during an interview with the Rolling Stones. He describes his feelings as he returned to Pompeii saying, “It's a magical place. I was slightly overwhelmed yesterday when we came here for the first time. We came back here about 10 years ago, with our kids, to show them around the arena. And they were rocking around in there. But coming back yesterday and seeing the stage and everything, it was quite overwhelming really. It's a place of ghosts … in a friendly way.” 

When the concert actually started, the fans were witnessing a legendary concert, even after 45 years, Gilmour easily amazed the fans and made gave them that 70s feel which he wanted to. Soon he played most of the Pink Floyd hits including Wish You Were Here and Money and many of his records from his own solo albums. It was certainly an exciting night as Gilmour was performing and Gilmour’s performance always takes your breath away like it used to do 20 years ago…

Tonight he is going to give his another live performance in the ancient amphitheater and the world is excited…

The set list of Gilmour’s performance of two nights:

David Gilmour's concert in amphitheater in Pompeii

July 7, 2016 – SET I (Last Night)

5 A.M.

Rattle That Lock

Faces of Stone

Wish You Were Here 

What Do You Want From Me 

A Boat Lies Waiting

The Blue

Money 

Us and Them 

In Any Tongue

High Hopes     

July 8, 2016 – SET II

One of These Days 

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V) 

Fat Old Sun 

Coming Back to Life 

On an Island

The Girl in the Yellow Dress

Today

Sorrow  

Run Like Hell

ENCORE

Time 

Breathe (Reprise) 

Comfortably Numb

Adele Kicks Off US Tour : An Exciting Live Performance In Minnesota & A Tribute To Prince

Adele performing in Xcel Energy Center last Tuesday in St. Paul, Minnesota.  (Photo By Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images)

 

One of the most famous pop icons of this decade, Adele had been touring all over the Europe this whole year and now she has finally arrived in USA appearing in St. Paul , Minnesota to amaze the local audience with her magnificent singing. Her appearance in Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota last Tuesday is all over the news, especially her amazing tribute to the late musician Prince. The Xcel Energy Center was filled with excitement, crowded with young fans and middle-aged fans who were fond of her music. Although, the weather was a little scary outside the venue, the thunderstorms wasn’t enough to quiet down the cheering and howls of the audience. Adele who kicked off her US Tour in Minnesota sang many of her beautiful songs. She begins with her latest hit “Hello” and there she was in the center of the stage with her band away from the scene. The next song was her single from her debut album 19 – Hometown Glory. Her voice obviously amazed each and every one in the arena and she began singing all her golden hit singles even Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” which she had covered and released years ago. it was followed by many of her own hits including James Bond’s Skyfall, Chasing Pavements, Rumore Has It, One & Only and so on. She is a crowd favorite singer and she was enjoying the concert, talking to audience and making jokes about how she sings lots of sad songs. No matter what kind of song she sings, she is one of a kind and those people who were unaware of this British pop icon realized that she was extraordinary. For Dylan’s song, she was rejoined by the band, she added, “…Since we are in Minnesota, we must pay homage” as she begin covering that epic song once again with her epic voice

Adele, a British pop singer who achieved mainstream success with the debut of 19. Her voice and singing talent distinct her from dozens of other pop artists of this current time. The other young singers in the pop music world know that they couldn’t do what she was doing; she was tearing down the wall and introducing good music to the public. 19 was followed by her next album 21 in 2011 which became more successful than her previous album and took her career to new heights. Certainly, the local crowd In Minnesota was surprised by Adele’s ability to communicate with her audience, her sense of humor and her voice that was very hard to find these days. Many people consider Adele to bring back R&B and Soul in a position it was some 30 years ago. Her strong lyrics that tell us stories and her singing that blow our minds is what makes her a special artist of this new generation. Her tribute to Prince was one of a kind too, as soon as her song Set Fire To The Rain ended, an old video of Prince’s 1994 “When We Were Young” played on the background and Adele came to stage to pay her tribute by saying, “I did maybe consider covering a song, but fuck it, it's Prince.” She didn’t sing no Prince’s song but she expressed her gratitude towards the late icon Prince. The tour has just begun and she will be all across the states very soon… Next tour is in Chicago this July 10

Songs performed by Adele in Xcel Energy Center

Hello

Hometown Glory

One and Only

Rumour Has It

Water Under the Bridge

I Miss You

Skyfall

Million Years Ago

Don't You Remember

Send My Love (to Your New Lover)

Make You Feel My Love

Sweetest Devotion

Chasing Pavements

Someone Like You

Set Fire to the Rain

Encore:

All I Ask

When We Were Young

Rolling in the Deep         

Adele Live US Tour Dates:-

Sun 10 Jul 2016 19:30     Chicago, Illinois, USA United Center Adele

Mon 11 Jul 2016 19:30    Chicago, Illinois, USA United Center Adele

Wed 13 Jul 2016 19:30    Chicago, Illinois, USA United Center Adele

Sat 16 Jul 2016 19:30        Denver, Colorado, USA Pepsi Center - Denver Adele

Sun 17 Jul 2016 19:30      Denver, Colorado, USA Pepsi Center - Denver Adele      

Wed 20 Jul 2016 19:30    Vancouver, Canada Rogers Arena Adele

Thu 21 Jul 2016 19:30      Vancouver, Canada Rogers Arena Adele

Mon 25 Jul 2016 19:30    Seattle, Washington, USA Key Arena Adele

Tue 26 Jul 2016 19:30      Seattle, Washington, USA Key Arena Adele

Sat 30 Jul 2016 19:00        San Jose, California, USA SAP Center Adele

Sun 31 Jul 2016 19:00      San Jose, California, USA SAP Center Adele

Tue 02 Aug 2016 19:30    Oakland, California, USA Oracle Arena Adele

Fri 05 Aug 2016 19:00      Los Angeles, California, USA STAPLES Center Adele

Sat 06 Aug 2016 19:00     Los Angeles, California, USA STAPLES Center Adele