For all you Clapton Lover's and Hater's, here is just one example of why he is so good. Please give it a listen with an open mind and then tell me it wasn't worth your while.
This song also happens to be off my favorite solo Clapton album, recorded soon after quitting his on again and off again romance with heroin. He was a great guitarist, songwriter and vocalist even during his addiction.
For the Haters, rather than rant on with how much you hate him, it might be more helpful to give examples of why you hate him. For you Lovers, give us examples of why you love him.
He is famous because people enjoy his musical style and revered in the music industry for his actual talents. Give me quotes of other famous musical artists who do not look up to him and his success.
Thanks for reading my rant.
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13 comments:
WOW! I'm not a Clapton hater. It's just that I feel there are some guitarists who are more original. He is very good and I own quite a few of his albums.
Count me in as one of the haters. I think Clapton is one of, if not, the most over-rated artist in rock. I know a common argument amongst haters is whether or not he is technically proficient guitarist - and honestly, I could care less about that argument because there are plenty of sloppy guitarists who I would prefer over the "virtuosos." My problem lies mainly with his songwriting abilities. Clapton's best, and in my opinion, only good eras were when he was surrounded by solid song writers (i.e. Cream.) His solo career bores me more than practically any other musicians work. His biggest songs were predominantly covers, and probably his best work, "Layla", isn't even great due to his talent, instead we should be thanking Duane Allman who wrote the signature riff. I'm not going to nail anyone who thinks he's great, because maybe his music just isn't for me, but from my perspective, he's a total self-indulgent bore.
Actually I'm a bit of a Clapton-fence-sitter. Is that allowed? I bought this album and hardly played it because I was really disappointed with it. I think I prefer his early 60s blues stuff and his late acoustic blues stuff but nothing much in the middle, of which this falls squarely. No pleasing some people is there?
Clapton is my all time favorite guitarist. I have followed him for decades. He's the best!
p.s. Barbara...we have been in touch before. You offered me a gig on one of your blogs. Hope it is okay, I have both your 'Gone but not forgotten' and 'Layla's Classic Rock' blogs as clickable banners to your sites on my Classic Rock Website. If this is not okay let me know and I will take them down.
Kris: What's your site address. I'd love to see it.
I am a not a hater either, just ask anyone, I'm a lover. Just not a huge fan of Clapton. Although I do like that one song...what's it called? Layla or something....
(did I ever tell you how I got that nickname?)
Kris, I would love to see your site!!! Can you send me the url?
I do like Clapton's earlier works but I'm not too crazy about his latter day material (everything from his Unplugged album on).
I'm with Charlie in that I'm not a hater, but I'm not really a Clapton lover either.
For guitarists I prefer the late Terry Kath (Chicago), the late John Cippolina (ex-Quicksilver Messenger Service), the late Randy California (Spirit), Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis), Brian May (Queen), Steve Lukather (Toto), Jim Matheos (Fates Warning), and John Petrucci (Dream Theater).
So, why am I a lover? Jeff gives some good points I can't really argue with. So do some others. I agree, he is not all that original in the create-from-scratch sense.
But who really is? Who plays stuff no one has ever thought of? Not many. Most everything I hear carries influences of someone else.
The reason Clapton does it for me is because he is original in the interpretive sense. How many people today love and play the blues because Clapton introduced them with the Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominoes. He reinterpreted those classics for a new generation who needed to hear them in a new way. Sure they were covers. But what covers they were!
Any way you cut it, Clapton is a phenomenal guitarist, even if he is not "original" by some standards. I find you cannot judge him or other musicians by a single standard. You can miss the point.
Thank you all for your comments. Healthy debate is good when it comes to music. One persons treasure is another persons trash.
Johnny G, you said it well and I would agree with your analysis.
I love music, especially the old classic rock. Eric falls into that category and besides that I grew up with him on my turntable, my 8 track/cassette player, my CD player and now my MP3 player. He is a part of my foundation for the love of that music.
Thanks for giving me your feedback.
BTW Barbara, no I do not know how you got that name. Do tell.
As far as blues guitar goes... I'm not huge on Clapton, I dig the stuff he did with Blind Faith. But after listening to both Blind Faith and some of the Al Kooper/Mike Bloomfield collaborations I think that Mike Bloomfield was Clapton's superior even though he never really attained the same level of name recognition that Clapton did.
And I've heard Clapton mention Phil Keaggy as being one of his influences. Keaggy is a Christian guitarist but he's damned good! If you dig Clapton I recommend checking out Keaggy.
I am a lover. I agree with JohnnyG in that everything being done for the last 20 years is a re-interpetation of what was done before. I think Clapton can make a guitar work for him as well if not better than most.
I recently saw him live and he was not boring, was inventive in his use of his left hand and made me shiver with joy throughout the evening.
Have we heard better? Sure..Jimi, Duane, B.B., in some ways Jerry G...but Clapton is in the top 5 in my opinion
Jeff, you talk about sloppy guitar players, I always put Johnny Winter in that category and when I saw him live I was bored after 15 minutes...
As far as songwriting, well I am talking about his guitar playing not the word-smithing.
Dan, excellent job creating a discussion.
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