Eric Clapton - Blue's (Live in Oslo, April 5, 1995)

→ Thanks to my friend L.C.

Warning ! Before all, to prevent any disappointment from Clapton's fans (and other blues aficionados), I'll quote my friend L.C. who shared this bootleg with me : “While far from being perfect, the general sound is good enough to enjoy the music, provided the listener has the proper audio system.” The proper audio system… You've been warned.

Slowhand in Viking land
This two-CD bootleg was taped at the Spektrum in Oslo, Norway, on April 5, 1995, one of the over 120 concert halls visited by Clapton during his 1994-95 “Nothing But the Blues” world tour which followed the release of his studio album “From The Cradle”. The same tour during which the official 2022 release “Nothing But the Blues” was recorded on November 7, 8 & 9, 1994 at the San Francisco Fillmore.

Eric Clapton & Guests - Crossroads Revisited (Selections From The Crossroads Guitar Festivals) (2016)

→ Thanks to my unique partners...

The miracles of “God”

Without any exaggeration, this 3-CD, 40-track compilation covering the 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 editions of the Crossroads Guitar Festival (CGF) is an absolute kick! Not one track that you'd want to drop down. Not even one single bit of a track ! And the content will appeal as much to pop/rock fans as to blues lovers.

Eric Clapton - Me And Mr Johnson (2004) / Sessions For Robert J (2004)

→ Get the album at the usual place...

He and Mr Clapton

Clapton did finally wait about 40 years before paying his “official” tribute to his hero, cursed Delta country blues pioneer Robert Johnson. During four decades, he played a load of Johnson songs, especially on stage, but here he devoted two entire albums to 18 different Johnson songs, roughly two third of the 29 songs ever recorded by the Delta musician.

A special edition of the second album, “Sessions For Robert J”, was released with a 96-minute DVD about the recording of the 18 Johnson's songs, including in one of the very places the young Delta legend recorded some himself (508 Park Avenue, Dallas. Texas). Actually the DVD includes a 19th bonus song : “Stones In My Passway”.

Eric Clapton - Pilgrim (1998, 2014 reissue)

► Get the album at the usual place...

In Clapton's eyes

At the time of its release 25 years ago “Pilgrim” was harshly treated by many rock critics who didn't understand they were listening to one of his best works ever. Full of sonic innovations Clapton didn't get us used to yet, the result of a thorough conception and production, certainly hours of studio work with an impressive list of musicians and programmers, it's also his most dark and desperate introspective opus where he probably unveiled his torments like never before but transcended them into a masterpiece that catches you right by the guts.

I remember secretly copying “My Father's Eyes”, the opening song, on my daughter's Walkman as a little message of love when she was still a teenager more into the Spice Girls and other such pop stuff. She fell in love with it and soon asked me for the whole album ! Since then, this particular song has been our little secret bond. Today she's playing guitar and writing her own songs. I dare believe that's something I transmitted to her with the help of Clapton...

Eric Clapton - 1992 Unplugged (Deluxe Edition Remastered, 2013)

► Get the album at the usual place...

Clapton's block-buster

Since he started in the mid-1960s with the Yardbirds, then with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Eric Clapton had never released a full acoustic album before “Unplugged”. He had of course inserted acoustic moments of his concerts on his previous live albums (Rainbow Concert in 1973, E.C. Was Here in 1975, Just One Night in 1979 and 24 Nights in 1991), but never an entire record.

In 1992, for MTV's Unplugged Series, Slow Hand left his Stratocaster at home and brought his acoustic guitars and his musicians for this unusual experience for him. So unusual that he confessed later in a radio interview that he thought an album of it wouldn't have a chance to sell. Actually “Unplugged” was rewarded by an impressive number of Grammies and became the best-selling live album of all time, a real block-buster !

Eric Clapton - Nothing But the Blues (Live in 1994) (2022)

► The album is available in any good record shop,
on digital platforms, and here 

Clapton's new gem

Eric Clapton's latest release, just out from June 24, 2022, deserves a special post. This Live recorded in two nights at the San Francisco Fillmore, on November 8 and 9, 1994, during the "From the Cradle" tour is exceptional.

17 great classics, from Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf to Jimmy Rogers or Muddy Waters, masterly performed on stage by a Clapton at his best. Rarely has his guitar and vocals sounded so powerful and soulful at the same time.