Search - Eric Clapton :: Sessions for Robert J (Bonus Dvd)

By far Clapton's best treatment of Robert Johnson material

J. M. Jacobs | East Helena, MT, USA | 07/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first picked this one up, I had high hopes for what I'd find within the cardboard confines of the packaging. What I found were a CD and a DVD that were both over the top in quality. Simply stated, this is Clapton's best work in interpreting the songs of Robert Johnson.



The DVD opens up with Clapton rolling up in his Porshe to a very nice recording studio parked somewhere out in the English countryside. Once inside he finds some of his mates waiting for him:

- Nathan East, bass player (you might have seen him on Eric Clapton: Unplugged or with Phil Collins on LIVE and Loose in Paris)

- Billy Preston on Hammond B3 (the only other guy to play with the Beatles - that's him up on the roof of Apple Records with the Fab 4 doing Get Back among others, the Concert for George - tribute to George Harrison)

- Doyle Bramhall III on second/rhythm guitar (did the first half hour of an Austin City Limits where Robert Cray did the 2nd half, wrote TIGHTROPE and THE HOUSE IS ROCKIN' for Stevie Ray Vaughan, guitar on In the Flesh LIVE with Roger Waters)

- Steve Gadd on drums (veteran player with Clapton on tour, Simon and Garfunkel's Concert in Central Park, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, and Chuck Mangione)

- Chris Stainton on piano (Joe Cocker on Mad Dogs & Englishmen and with the Who on Tommy - organ & acoustic guitar)



Basically a band constructed of lightweights and ne'er do wells...



The DVD is nicely formatted with a segment of 'electric Blues' studio playing then some interview material with Clapton, a 2nd 'electric' studio segment played in Dallas, more interview material, a 3rd musical segment that's just Clapton and Bramhall on acoustics and the prettiest National Steel resonator guitar I've ever seen in my life playing in the building in Dallas where Johnson was recorded, a little more interview stuff and then Clapton in a hotel room by himself.



The few songs that you get to see and hear Clapton and Bramhall play acoustically without any production frills are worth the entire cost of this set. There is a warmth, a respect, and an honesty there that just blaze off of their fingertips and ring in Clapton's voice.



As for the CD, it is comprised of studio versions of 10 of the songs you see on the DVD and one not found there - Stop Breakin' Down Blues.



In conclusion, Robert Johnson is the guy who basically created Eric Clapton. Without Clapton's early exposure to his music courtesy of John Mayall and then his lifelong study of the quintessential Blues man of All Time, we would not have the Eric Clapton we see and hear today. This item is as nice a tribute by one musician to the music of another musician that I know about.



Mr. Clapton done Mr. Johnson proud on this little devil."

Awesome

Margaret Chadwick | BUFFALO, NEW YORK, US | 02/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"if you are true blues fan you will absolutely love this . I thought the cd was more enjoyable than the dvd but I liked both. It shows how truely talented Robert Johnson was and Eric and Doyle would have made him very proud. Raw blues great finger work and all vocals by Eric Clapton. Worth purchasing"