Eric Clapton: Sessions for Robert J

Elly Roberts reviews

Eric Clapton: Sessions for Robert JDistributed by
Warner Music Vision

• Cert:
• Cat.no: 7599-38631-2
• Running time: 97 minutes
• Year: 1999-2004
• Pressing: 2004
• Region(s): 2-6, PAL
• Sound: Dolby 5.1 Surround, DTS Surround
• Languages: English
• Widescreen: 16:9
• Disc Format: DVD 9
• Price: £19.99
• Rating: 10/10 (Music); 6/10 (DVD); 10/10 (CD)
• Extras:Multiple viewing angles, 2 tracks (Little Queen Of Spades, Traveling RiversideBlues), Behind the Scenes Footage

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‘Slow-hand’ continues his obsession with legendary Bluesman Robert Johnson.

It’s not a case of Love in Vain for old EC,as he seems to be getting plentyof commercial mileage from RJ’s songbook. Clapton does the obligatory subliminalthreads explaining his discovery of the blues via rock’n’rollers Little Richard,Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly to the rootsier Muddy Waters, Big Bill Broonzy, SonHouse and Charlie Patten. Johnson turns out to be his favourite.

He’s not exactly the first guitar god to do so: The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelinand other luminaries have tilted their hats in Johnson’s direction. As well asbeing a replicator, Clapton has been an innovator. His 1992 Unplugged CDand DVD spawned a new generation of artists to go down the same route. It alsoinspired established acts such as Nivarna et al, to display their acoustictalents.

This DVD gets right to the nitty gritty of his pre-concert rehearsals in HookEnd Manor UK and Irving Texas USA, as he brings his band members together forroutine practice and formatting. Traditionally, Clapton rarely speaks duringconcerts, and he never puts on a ‘show’. Music always does the talking: thisfly-on-the-wall experience is no exception.

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These sessions were the preamble for his 2004 world tour, which I had thethrill of seeing at Manchester’s ENA last May. Sessions 1 & 2 is like watchingthe dawn chorus, as the collective thrash out their setlist in the relativeprivacy of the studios. The only intrusion is the film crew, but the overallfeeling is intimacy, getting close up to the formidable ensemble.

Working with the greatest living guitarist brings it’s compenstations, but it’sa no nonsense approach with little relief for his band-it’s get on, get it doneand get off.

The four sessions begin in England as a band, finishing off in a hotel room inLA as a solo. Session 3, acoustic, with counterpart Doyle Bramhall is the best:it’s Johnson’s songs they way they were meant to be.

Musical highlights: Session 1 – They’re Red Hot (with band), Session 2- If I Had Possession etc (with band), Session 3 – Love In Vain(duo with Bramhall), Session 4 – Ramblin’ On My Mind (solo)

You can also enjoy the audio experience on the 11 track CD.

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The full list of DVD tracks included are :

Session 1.
1. Kind Hearted Woman Blues
2. They’re Red Hot
3. Hell Hound On My Trail
4. Sweet Home Chicago
5. When You Got A Good Friend

Session 2.
6. Milkcow’s Calf Blues
7. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
8. Stop Breakin’ Down Blues

Session 3.
9. Terraplane Blues
10. Hell Hound On My Trail
11. Me And The Devil Blues
12. From Four Until Late
13. Love In Vain

Session 4.
14. Ramblin’ On My Mind
15. Stones In My Passway
16. Love In Vain

And the CD tracks are as follows:

1. Sweet Home Chicago
2. Milkcow’s Calf Blues
3. Terraplane Blues
4. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
5. Stop Breakin’ Down Blues
6. Little Queen Of Spades7. Traveling Riverside Blues
8. Me And The Devil Blues
9. From Four Until Late
10. Kind Hearted Woman Blues
11. Ramblin’ On My MindMore info atClapton Online.com /Eric Clapton.com /Reprise Records.com

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