Eric Clapton: Live At The Royal Albert Hall - Slowhand At 70 [DVD] [NTSC]

This review is of the 2CD + 2DVD box set. Beautifully presented in a 'large book' format, it certainly looks the business. And between the covers, the contents are guaranteed to thrill most Clapton fans. A 50 page photobook includes quality live pictures that convey the atmosphere of what was unquestionably a significant occasion in Eric's “front room”, as he has jokingly described this famous venue. The term 'lavish package' - used by Paul Sexton to introduce his 4 page essay - is certainly no exaggeration and 2 pages of “Milestones”, document from Clapton's first appearance at the RAH with The Yardbirds in 1964 to his 205th appearance at this venue in May this year. There are also more large photos from Cream's (original) farewell gig, the Journeyman tour, UN Benefit in 2004, Cream reunion in 2005 and Prince's Trust Benefit in 2010, to support DVD2, followed by 2 pages of credits. Being critical, the Milestones could have been supported by a compilation of smaller photos from more of the gigs, which would have made for a more complete package – a missed opportunity perhaps, but ultimately of course it's about the music - and that speaks for itself.DVD1 (approx. 123mins) and the 2 CDs follow almost the same running order – but at the end the DVD has “Little Queen Of Spades” as a “Bonus Song” rather than after “Cocaine”. Kicking off CD1 (approx. 50mins) with over 7mins of “Somebody's Knockin' On My Door”, a less familiar number from EC's long-term influence JJ Cale, we're then straight into more familiar territory with a whole host of classics including from Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos and Eric's solo career interspersed, as always, with something a bit different – here, “You Are So Beautiful” and “High Time We Went” (a Joe Cocker theme going on). After the lengthy opening number has eased-in the band, an up-tempo take on “Key To The Highway” sets a celebratory tone for much of CD1. “Tell The Truth” and a powerful “Pretending” precede the traditional “Hoochie Coochie Man”, before Clapton gives himself a bit of a breather, introducing organist Paul Carrack to sing “You Are So Wonderful” and then bass player Nathan East to take on “Can't Find My Way Home” before the disc finishes with an extended “I Shot The Sheriff”. Something of a slow-burner this take - the lengthy instrumental arrangement paving the way for the Master to launch into a guitar solo that defies his 70 years.CD2 (approx. 69mins) begins with the familiar acoustic break, covering the first 5 songs before the mood changes and the pace steps up a gear with “Let It Rain”, through to a hard rocking finale with “Cocaine”. Andy Fairweather Low takes the lead vocal on the encore “High Time We Went” – time then for Clapton to relax. Highlights are too numerous to mention – acoustic Eric is always a joy – but as the pace picks up towards the end of the set with “Crossroads”, Clapton lets fly with two solos either side of a piano solo from Chris Stainton and an organ solo from Carrack - this was [birthday] party time. The two keyboard players then really take the spotlight on “Little Queen Of Spades” - 16mins+ of unmissable music – surely destined to be regarded as an EC live classic.DVD2 (approx. 57mins) titled “205 NIGHTS” has some familiar and some less familiar extracts from the aforementioned shows. Again, my only criticism would be (as with the photos) that a more complete picture might have been presented to reflect his many Milestones and there was clearly room on the disc to do this.It's great that Eric was able to put on such a fabulous show which fans can now enjoy again – I'm sure this will be on many a Christmas list – I just couldn't wait! For me it's 5*, despite the minor content/presentation gripes. It's incredible how EC is so able to defy the years – there is clearly still fire in his belly and his fingers. Personal contentment and being able to do as he pleases musically clearly suits him just fine. Long may it continue!

Love Eric Clapton and very much enjoyed this!

I've been a fan of Clapton for many, many years and have pretty much all of his albums. I rarely play the recent studio ones, Clapton and Old Sock as basically I don't they are particularly good albums; his live stuff is much better, especially the Steve Winwood/Clapton cd. This is a review of the dvd/2-cd set rather than the bllu-ray, but the material is the same. The cd is well-packaged and presented and the dvd itself is very good, but the cd suffers from, at times, a pretty poor mix with Eric's guitar lost in a wash of cymbals (check out Tell the Truth, you can barely hear the solos). And far from it for me to pass comment on the legendary Steve Gadd, but I've never thought he was the best for Clapton's music, in my humble opinion that title goes to Henry Spinneti who played with a real tightness and sparseness that complemented Clapton's style in a far more subtle way. Other than that, Eric plays with a great sense of timing, as he always has done, and, although now not as fiery around the neck of his Strat, can still play with a musicality that few other guitarists manage.

You get a lot for your money in this beautifully presented box set, or more accurately book style. set, with 2 x DVD plus 2x CD's. The CD's are a live recording of the concert as is one of the DVD's plus one of Eric's other performances at this most famous of venues. The number of times he's played there you need a multi disc set, but what you get is great from Cream's farewell show to the comeback ones, The Journeyman tour and lots more. All great music, and a worthwhile bonus to a set of this type. So to the concert, you can never fault any concert by Eric, he always has a cracking band around him and he's certainly on top form here there's no doubt about it. Much of the material he's performed many times before over the years, but there seems nothing from his more recent albums. The tour band of 2013 included most of this line up plus Willie Weeks on bass, Steve Jordan on drums and Greg Leitz and I think it just sounded tighter but that's minor in what is very much a celebration of Eric, and for that its great stuff. I ask though why hasn't he yet had a knighthood for his career and the work with Crossroads plus the Princes Trust over the years. He still remains the best guitarist around, still the benchmark for everyone picking up the instrument, his voice has matyred wonderfully over the years and the recent years has seen him emerge as a great soul/blues vocalist. On this set he's joined by Paul Carrack who gets a chance to sing a couple of songs, and again proves he's the best soul based singer in the business, plus an appearance at the end by Andy Fairweather Low (do check out his wonderful live at Cardiff New Theatre ), he did the special guest slot on these dates. This is a wonderful way to celebrate one of the world's most loved and celebrated artists and a very worthy addition to any collection. Do hope he does continue touring because he's still far too good too retire especially when he plays this well.

Muy bien hecho.No veo más márgenes de mejora.

Livraison rapideBlu-ray de qualité

Ein tolles Konzert. Der Sound ist klar und gut. Die Bilder toll. Und seine Musik echt gut. Ich bin zwar nicht "der" Clapton Fan, aber einige seiner Lieder sind echte Klassiker und haben ein Top Niveau. Die BD ist ein Genuss anzuhören und die Gitarrensolo sind der Hit.Ach ja, vielleicht ganz gut als Zusatz, ich schau mir diese BD immer in meinem kleinen Heimkino an, da habe ich eine 3D Sourround Anlage. Was zwar nicht soviel hilft, da meist die Abmischung nicht so ausgelegt sind, ich aber dann umschalte auf andere Soundformate (Marantz SR7012 - Verstärker) und da ist so ein Konzert ein Ohrenschmaus.

Klasyka w genialnej formie, polecam - słucha się z wielką przyjemnością mistrza gitary

This is quite probably my all-time favorite live EC performance for several reasons:1. The EC + Steve Gadd + Nathan East is my favorite trinity of all his band rosters.2. EC seems relaxed and perfectly at home in what he has described as his favorite venue, the RAH, where he has performed over 200 times, and with the familiar material chosen.3. With no other guitarist on stage, EC handles both rhythm and lead with consummate skill and creativity. It's obvious he is enjoying himself as a sideman while graciously sharing the limelight with keyboardists Stainton and Carrack. (In an interview EC once said the rhythm work is the mark of a real guitar hero.) Even his solos are constructed to carry the groove along with the lead so there are no thin spots. (If anyone wonders why Andy Fairweather Low wasn't on stage, it's because his band was the opening act.)4. Although the song list doesn't contain any surprises, EC brings fresh interpretations and grooves to familiar favorites, and the short acoustic set provides a nice change of pace while showcasing his prodigious acoustic skills. Both East and Carrack get the lead vocal spotlight for two songs. The flow of the whole show is nice and does actually seem like a birthday celebration of a remarkable career that helped define a generation.Incredibly, EC seems to be at the top of his game at 70. The guitar work is impeccable and I am struck over and over by how much better he is at vocals than he was 30 or 40 years ago. This is a master journeyman at work, without even breaking a sweat. Very cool.