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Product Description
Review
Eric Clapton's millenium has seen him revisit many of his past glories. The Cream reunion gigs were a bona fide (if tense) treat while his pairings with BB King have yielded some easy going treats. Then, in 2008 he joined Steve Winwood on stage in New York and over two nights played a wide variety of old gems from which this double CD (and DVD) has been culled. Depending on whether you subscribe to the church of 'Slowhand' or consider him a reactionary guardian of something that wasn't his in the first place, this album will be a an easy ride through the past, or a yawnfest of epic proportions.
The album does hold many delights. Clapton's playing is as brimful of feeling as it ever was while it never strays too far from his purist path. What does invoke the magic is the combination with Winwood's voice and playing. Democratically sharing both soloing and vocal duties means that Live At Madison Square Gardens is as much a treat for fans of the ex-Spencer Davis prodigy. Three Winwood numbers (Glad, Dear Mr Fantasy and No Face, No Name, No Number) leave you praying for a Traffic reunion. Of course you get a few Blind Faith numbers. And given the abortive nature of the 'supergroup''s lifespan it's good to hear such under-appreciated material getting a new lick of paint.
But three Hendrix numbers (well, two plus Buddy Miles' fantastic Them Changes) and two by JJ Cale tell you all you really need to know about this prime slice of rock at its most classic. The guitars are as important as the voices, and the vibe is relaxed, respectful and never overly frenetic. It's like a cozy evening in with your two best mates, and none the worse for it. --Chris Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Quite simply, this is as good as it gets. A truly magnificent live album, equal, if not surpassing all other classic rock/blues live albums that i've heard over the last 40 odd years..I thought the Cream reunion cd was pretty good - but this is in a different class altogether... which shows that the Clapton/Winwood collaboration shouldn't have ended after the blind faith album in 1969.....(in fairness that departure did produce my other favourite clapton live album Delaney and Bonnie on Tour)....but even so........
Although both men are in their 60's, Clapton's playing has never been so potent and Winwood's voice has actually improved and matured with time. Each known track, be it 'tell the truth' 'little wing' 'pearly queen' 'ramblin on my mind' 'presence of the lord' 'had to cry today' 'split decision', betters the original studio version. Winwood's rendition of his Traffic classic 'no face, no name, no number' is perfect and extremely moving. Originally recorded in 1967 when Winwood was 19 years old, it sounds more convincing, now that age and experience are behind him. The same can be said for 'georgia' , which Winwood recorded on the Spencer Davis Group 2nd album in 1966.
The musicianship throughout is sublime and Clapton's guitarwork is the best I've heard from him. The Winwood and Clapton voices compliment each other really well (i.e. presence of the lord). There are a couple of unexpected highlights: they bravely tackle Hendrix's Voodoo Chile (the slow blues version) and against the odds, pull it off. As everyone knows, Winwood played the keyboards on the original Electric Ladyland album version. If anyone is worthy of doing hendrix, there's no one more qualified than Clapton. Also present is a great version of Buddy Miles's 'them changes', originally recorded on Hendrix's Band of Gypsys.. Little Wing stays faithful to the Derek and the Dominoes version on 'Layla'. But as Little Wing and all the other tracks on this great double cd show, to hear the now definitive versions, just go out and purchase 'Live from Madison Square Garden'...
Although both men are in their 60's, Clapton's playing has never been so potent and Winwood's voice has actually improved and matured with time. Each known track, be it 'tell the truth' 'little wing' 'pearly queen' 'ramblin on my mind' 'presence of the lord' 'had to cry today' 'split decision', betters the original studio version. Winwood's rendition of his Traffic classic 'no face, no name, no number' is perfect and extremely moving. Originally recorded in 1967 when Winwood was 19 years old, it sounds more convincing, now that age and experience are behind him. The same can be said for 'georgia' , which Winwood recorded on the Spencer Davis Group 2nd album in 1966.
The musicianship throughout is sublime and Clapton's guitarwork is the best I've heard from him. The Winwood and Clapton voices compliment each other really well (i.e. presence of the lord). There are a couple of unexpected highlights: they bravely tackle Hendrix's Voodoo Chile (the slow blues version) and against the odds, pull it off. As everyone knows, Winwood played the keyboards on the original Electric Ladyland album version. If anyone is worthy of doing hendrix, there's no one more qualified than Clapton. Also present is a great version of Buddy Miles's 'them changes', originally recorded on Hendrix's Band of Gypsys.. Little Wing stays faithful to the Derek and the Dominoes version on 'Layla'. But as Little Wing and all the other tracks on this great double cd show, to hear the now definitive versions, just go out and purchase 'Live from Madison Square Garden'...
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Live from Madison Square Garden
I often went to Cream & Traffic gigs in the sixties, and managed to catch Blind Faith in Hyde Park, so I just had to buy this. This must have been a great concert to attend - if I'd been there I'd have clapped until my hands bled. However, listening to it in the less euphoric atmosphere of my front room I was not quite as enthusiastic. There are some excellent tracks - a good version of Double Trouble, knockout Voodoo Chile, and it was good to hear Glad having an airing again after all these years. However, there are a few too many old chestnuts. Just how many versions of Cocaine and After Midnight do you want in your collection?
Traffic used several lead instuments, and so their numbers are less satisfactory in this smaller line up, irrespective of any debate about whether Clapton is/was the better musician. The numbers featuring Clapton work better, but are often a little predictable. Blind Faith was the only time Clapton worked in a band where there was at least one other lead instrument, rather than other instruments filling in & taking the odd solo (someone will correct me if that's wrong) and that's one of the sad things about its short life. He does seem to perform better when stretched by other musicians, and his subsequent career as sole star of the band has made him a less interesting musician than he might have been.
But that's just hypothesis. This is an enjoyable album, and captures the atmosphere of an overdue reunion very well. Lovers of nostalgia will enjoy it (I do), but those who weren't around 40 years ago may be less impressed.
I often went to Cream & Traffic gigs in the sixties, and managed to catch Blind Faith in Hyde Park, so I just had to buy this. This must have been a great concert to attend - if I'd been there I'd have clapped until my hands bled. However, listening to it in the less euphoric atmosphere of my front room I was not quite as enthusiastic. There are some excellent tracks - a good version of Double Trouble, knockout Voodoo Chile, and it was good to hear Glad having an airing again after all these years. However, there are a few too many old chestnuts. Just how many versions of Cocaine and After Midnight do you want in your collection?
Traffic used several lead instuments, and so their numbers are less satisfactory in this smaller line up, irrespective of any debate about whether Clapton is/was the better musician. The numbers featuring Clapton work better, but are often a little predictable. Blind Faith was the only time Clapton worked in a band where there was at least one other lead instrument, rather than other instruments filling in & taking the odd solo (someone will correct me if that's wrong) and that's one of the sad things about its short life. He does seem to perform better when stretched by other musicians, and his subsequent career as sole star of the band has made him a less interesting musician than he might have been.
But that's just hypothesis. This is an enjoyable album, and captures the atmosphere of an overdue reunion very well. Lovers of nostalgia will enjoy it (I do), but those who weren't around 40 years ago may be less impressed.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you are familiar with Blind Faith and Traffic then no doubt you will buy this on the spot and you will not be disappointed, I promise.
However it is Voodoo Chile which is well worth the price of admission alone! Not to be confused with it's sibling Voodoo Chile (slight return) which was released as a single, this is the extended bluesy jam version and it weighs in at just over 16 minutes! The original version was recorded 'live' in the studio and can of course be found on Electric Ladyland. An alternate version which was recorded as a warm up can be found on Jimi Hendrix: Blues. Both are simply wonderful.
To hear Messrs Clapton and Winwood playing this song together is a joy to behold. Of course Winwood played with Hendrix on the original in 1968. Quite likely he has not played it in 40 years, but then one is hard pressed to think of anyone besides Clapton who has the pedigree with whom he could play. Rarely does Clapton have the opportunity to extend himself in a song of this length and it is an absolute treat to hear these two masters paying homage to an old friend.
What are you waiting for?
However it is Voodoo Chile which is well worth the price of admission alone! Not to be confused with it's sibling Voodoo Chile (slight return) which was released as a single, this is the extended bluesy jam version and it weighs in at just over 16 minutes! The original version was recorded 'live' in the studio and can of course be found on Electric Ladyland. An alternate version which was recorded as a warm up can be found on Jimi Hendrix: Blues. Both are simply wonderful.
To hear Messrs Clapton and Winwood playing this song together is a joy to behold. Of course Winwood played with Hendrix on the original in 1968. Quite likely he has not played it in 40 years, but then one is hard pressed to think of anyone besides Clapton who has the pedigree with whom he could play. Rarely does Clapton have the opportunity to extend himself in a song of this length and it is an absolute treat to hear these two masters paying homage to an old friend.
What are you waiting for?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
eric at his very best
at the crossroads 2007 i wasnt sure whether eric and steve winwood would work,
but they were terrific. Read more
but they were terrific. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Allen Morgan
Good old rock n roll
if you like Cream or that kind of sound then this is for you .
A must for rock n roll fans.
Eric Clapton at his best and Steve Winwood also. Read more
A must for rock n roll fans.
Eric Clapton at his best and Steve Winwood also. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Greg
Play it again, Eric.
I was really surprised at how good this concert sounded. Caught the abridged version on the BBC and had to get a copy for the collection. Read more
Published 18 months ago by P. Tidy
Excellent record of a great concert
If you were at one of these shows, this CD is a perfect record of it. If you weren't, it's still a great example of what made these two artists great all those years ago. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Joe
A strong performance
No live performance is equally good in every number, but this one is generally very good indeed. Clapton can sometimes simply hit the air with notes and no more. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Buckjumper
Eric and Steve
This is the best live album i have bought in years and after watching the concert on DVD it was a must have. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Clive
Classic performances
This double CD finds both Clapton and Winwood on fine form and is very good value for money. Alongside excellent performances of material from their respective back catalogues, the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Bluesoulster
Great value & great music
You won't get better value for money for a long time than to download this live album. Yes, it is a bit overindulgent at times, and yes some of the material is over-familiar, but... Read more
Published 22 months ago by David Jackson
dull and disappointing
After seeing Clapton & Winwood playing together in concert and reading the reviews of this album I expected much better. Read more
Published 23 months ago by T. Dunn
back to 1970
This album has a definite 1970's feel to it, not necessarily a bad thing. But on the other hand it is now 2010, a surprise or two wouldn't be bad. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2010 by palanca
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