He has never been one of my favorites guitarist but IMHO in this video he's simply superb ! I've never heard him play so good...
My apologize Eric ! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUpc0YNkkJ0
Ciao !
Marco
He is playing a guitar with humbuckers that's why.
Seriously, he is a great player. I saw him live right after he left Cream and Bonny and Delaney back in the early 70's, on the Layla Tour, I sat right up in front at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and was blown away with his ability. His technique was flawless that night. Never hit a single clunker. Full of soul, full of fire. Of course I was a big Cream Fan back in those days (still am) Anyways he has been consistently good through the years, even though his style is blues based and simple as far as theory is concerned. It always sounds great to me.
Apart from 4.40mins in where he fucks up. I still think he's tops though. I think that 335 is the one he bought in the 60's & sold at Christies for nearly $900K a couple of years back. Michael J. Fox just missed out on getting it.
It's that type of artistry on the guitar that makes his forays into trying to be a pop star ("It's In The Way That You Use It", anyone?) almost forgivable.
Almost... ;)
I've always liked Clapton more when he shuts up and plays his guitar. I also love that he loves it so much - you just want people who are always so encouraging and excited about music this many years on. It's great.
He definitely is a legend...
Tripper
EC is still one of my favourite guitarists, & it was he who inspired me to learn to play, & buy a Strat.
Here's a true anecdote for you.
I first bought my (1969) Strat in 1977, when I was only 20. It came with a Mighty Mite p/up in the bridge and the original 3-way. I had the original p/up and wanted it re-installed, a 5-way put in, & the guitar set-up professionally. So, I went to Andy's Guitar Workshop in Denmark Street, in Central London. I'd known Andy for a couple of years, & was (as was usual then!) pretty skint. I didn't want the Mighty Mite, and so Andy did the work for me with the Mighty Mite and two cans of beer as payment (I had a 6-pack in my bag, & we drank a couple in the workshop while he worked on my Strat).
Andy liked my Strat (it was more unusual in its day as it's a hardtail) and asked if I'd like to try out another Strat he'd just finished working on, but I'd have to be careful & sit down with it. It was a black Strat with a maple neck that was a bit gig worn and didn't look anything special. The tone was brighter, it had great sustain but wasn't as warm as mine, the maple neck was thicker, & the guitar was heavier because it had the trem. I thought it was nice enough, but preferred mine for feel & tone & Andy agreed...but he said that every guitarist liked different things, that it was actually bits of different guitars put together, and it was one of Eric Clapton's guitars in for repair and a set-up....
...and yes, it was 'Blackie'!
Rich ;)