Clapton sings Johnson

Posted by: alex95 on 17 March 2004

Seen that Eric Clapton is releasing an album of Robert Johnson songs, not a Clapton fan but has anyone heard it as a fan of Johnson.
Always thought a modern album of faithfull Johnson songs retaining that etherall quality would be interesting but is Clapton best to do it ?
Spence
Posted on: 12 April 2004 by central
quote:
Originally posted by TomK:
I agree Doc. I get the impression there are some folk on this board who think Clapton's career started about 1980.
Anyway, who doesn't mellow and lose the edge as they get older?
Er Jeff Beck.
Posted on: 12 April 2004 by sideshowbob
quote:
Originally posted by TomK:
quote:
Originally posted by sideshowbob:
quote:
I don't recall anyone complaining about his version of Crossroads then.


I complain about it. Cream are one of the most overrated groups of that period IMO. Bombastic and dull, mostly.

-- Ian

You must have been one helluva prodigy to apreciate or not Cream when you were a mere 2 or 3 years old. Some music must be heard in context. Cream then were pushing the boundaries and at that time they were different class. They've been copied endlessly since then so the intial impact has gone. Likewise Sergeant Pepper now sounds like a great pop album. In 1967 it was like nothing ever heard before.


Note I said "I complain" and not "I complained". No doubt if I was older I would have complained at the time. I can't change my age, unfortunately.

In the context of their time, Cream don't stand out for me at all. As for "pushing the boundaries", of the blues or anything else, give me Captain Beefheart any day. The Magic Band's Zoot Horn Rollo did far more exciting things with a guitar than Clapton.

Clapton is a fine technician. I'm not convinced he's ever had anything very interesting to say musically, however.

Much as I love the Beatles, I'll also take Rubber Soul and Revolver over Sgt Pepper, FWIW.

-- Ian
Posted on: 12 April 2004 by central
quote:
Originally posted by sideshowbob:
quote:
Originally posted by TomK:
quote:
Originally posted by sideshowbob:
quote:
I don't recall anyone complaining about his version of Crossroads then.


I complain about it. Cream are one of the most overrated groups of that period IMO. Bombastic and dull, mostly.

-- Ian

You must have been one helluva prodigy to apreciate or not Cream when you were a mere 2 or 3 years old. Some music must be heard in context. Cream then were pushing the boundaries and at that time they were different class. They've been copied endlessly since then so the intial impact has gone. Likewise Sergeant Pepper now sounds like a great pop album. In 1967 it was like nothing ever heard before.


Note I said "I complain" and not "I complained". No doubt if I was older I would have complained at the time. I can't change my age, unfortunately.

In the context of their time, Cream don't stand out for me at all. As for "pushing the boundaries", of the blues or anything else, give me Captain Beefheart any day. The Magic Band's Zoot Horn Rollo did far more exciting things with a guitar than Clapton.

Clapton is a fine technician. I'm not convinced he's ever had anything very interesting to say musically, however.

Much as I love the Beatles, I'll also take Rubber Soul and Revolver over Sgt Pepper, FWIW.

Side Show, Ah a kindred spirit.

-- Ian
Posted on: 12 April 2004 by central
Sgt Pepper is without doubt the Beatles lowest moment, sitars and bullshit.
Posted on: 12 April 2004 by matthewr
"Much as I love the Beatles, I'll also take Rubber Soul and Revolver over Sgt Pepper"

And Abbey Road.

Matthew
Posted on: 22 April 2004 by central
I recently purchased said CD because of this debate, i wanted to like it, i found it unlistenable, it sounds like what it is, a bunch of session musicians acompanying a very conservative guitarist with no fresh ideas or imagination,same old story lay down a groove then one or all wail away on there paticular instrument, the choice of instrumentation for each track was boring, and if i heard that descending chromatic intro cliche one more time i would scream.
In the liner notes Clapton states that he could only take Johnson in small measures because he found it such an emotional experience,ironic that his recording has the reverse efect.
Because he has been around for a long time means nothing, most of that time he was either pissed or on drugs.
John Hammond does this type of thing far far better.

All the best.
Posted on: 23 April 2004 by Rasher
Intersesting issue of Uncut magazine this month with a Clapton compiled cover CD with Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Freddy King, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bukka White, etc.
Good collection.