For all you Clapton fans....

I recently posted a review on A'gon of the Clapton/Los Lobos show I attended last month. I note the point Marakanetz was making - Clapton's technique is much easier to learn than many/most other guitar heros - but that does not diminish his very personal, very expressive take on the blues, IMHO.

Marty

Lloydc,

Criticizing Clapton's technique is not absurd, but I do think it's generally misguided. His taste and restraint (I agree on both counts) are impressive, his masterly tone - IMHO - even more so. However, he has always had severely limited fretting technique (although he bends beautifully, often counterintuitevely, and with superb precision). He can do many things with a guitar, but there are also some holes in his game. Back in his rocker's heyday and today. He just works around it to produce memorable music.

Marty

Lokie,

It's not surprising that so many musicians you cite applaud Clapton's playing - it's wonderful and expressive and deserving of all the praise it receives. I gush over him, too. He's one of my favorites and I've seen him perform live a dozen+ times. Unlike some posters here who supporter EC but wish for the old rock 'n' roll days, I actually find his recent acoustic blues performnces equally riveting.

My intention in posting here was never intended to diminish EC's playing. I was just supporting the observation made by Marakanetz that EC is limited technically (true) - and also agreeing with Marakanetz that these limitations don't seem to limit EC much musically. Those are not mutually exclusive statements.

I'll add that, with some practice, I can probably knock off most of EC's tabs....Adding that - even with a lifetime's practice - I'll never sound remotely as wonderful.

Actually, it's kind of nice to see folks defending EC in this thread, because he's so often bashed on A'gon. And that is -IMHO- just wrong.

Marty

Edorr,

I think there's some truth to the "from the head" part of your comments (specifically over the last decade, or so - since the release of From The Cradle), but I really like that part of his game. I'm a guitar student these days, so that approach appeals to me.

EC's recent tour was like an academic exploration of the history of blues in American pop. He played funk, r&b, gospel flavored versions of blues standards. By the way, he was the only guitarist in the band and played a fair bit of rythm.

The middle set - solo, (virtually) acoustic fingerpicking was terrific. No jumping or grimacing for sure. Also, maybe more head than heart, but really, really great, nonetheless.

I would add that his electric style is way more laid back than SRV's, but I wouldn't call it less heartfelt. Clapton is more "slow burn", SRV more "meltdown". Both really heartfelt, in my book. At the end of the day, I usually prefer to listen to EC. Just my personal preference.

BTW, I prefer Lindsey Buckingham to either of the above (and, just about everyone else out there, too), so you know that my taste is not reflective of the mainstream guitar lovers who post on A'Gon!

Marty