Saturday, July 18, 2009

Eric Clapton - Retaining the 'Slowhand' Persona

by Brent Warnken

On a recent list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time done by Rolling Stone, it should come as no surprise that Eric Clapton was named in the Top Ten, coming in fourth just behind B.B. King, Duane Allman and Jimi Hendrix.

The only guitarist in the top five that is still alive, he has amazed audiences from the moment he stood onstage alongside the Yardbirds that his "slowhand" would make an impression on society's beats (Slowhand was the nickname given to Clapton for his impressive velocity in solos that were given to the youngest member of the group); "I think it's important to say something powerful and keep it economical," Clapton said in a Rolling Stone interview from 2001 about such a adjective.

Now the guitarist who has seen one of the most illustrious careers in the business is out again for the hot, sweltering month of June as his partner from the historic "Live at Madison Square Garden" concert," Steven Winwood, appears once again for 14 national dates. If you are ready for the future historical action, get in on Eric Clapton tickets online today.

"I have wanted to play with Steve for a long time," Clapton said in a press statement announcing the New York City shows from last year. "I consider him a friend and a truly gifted musician. Our set at the Crossroads Festival this summer was a real treat, so I expect these shows will be good fun for us and for the fans," and right he was, as the now celebrated live DVD showcases the two rock legends feeding off each other just like they did in the '60s with Blind Faith. The two are currently playing a two hour and 15 minute set that follows both careers, from Winwood's Traffic, Spencer Davis Group and solo career days to Clapton tracks like "Forever Man," "After Midnight" and "Cocaine."

It has been three years since Clapton's latest release which came in the form of
2006's The Road to Escondido. The set was another fusion of blues, rock, country and folk licks that earned his work with J.J. Cale a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental) at the 50th Annual Awards Ceremony two years later.

The collaboration reaffirmed his longtime fans just how well Clapton could still jam as the slow hand man had always dreamed of working with his longtime influence and hero, Cale. A mixture of Cale's sound from the '70s along with the Delaney & Bonnie features from Clapton's days with Cream, Road to Escondido was a true roots album from way back as listeners have trouble distinguishing the two legends in the set.

June 2009
10 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
12 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
13 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
15 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
17 - Chicago, IL - United Center
18 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
20 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
21 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
23 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
24 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
26 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
27 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Arena
29 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
30 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl

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