And it only gets better from there.
Covering Buddy Miles' "Them Changes" on the eve of the great drummer's death, Steve Winwood sings this great song as though he was born to do it, and Clapton responds with some of the best guitar he's played in a good long while.
Clapton and Winwood continue to feed off of each other on Clapton's "Forever Man," as well as on the gospel-charged Blind Faith song "Presence Of The Lord." Both are primarily Clapton staples, but again Winwood belts out his parts as though he was born to sing them.
The musical synergy is by this time undeniable. Eric Clapton has probably played a song like "After Midnight," for example, so may times he can do a decent job of it in his sleep — remember those Michelob commercials? But it hasn't sounded this alive in ages.
Towards the end, when Clapton and Winwood get into covering Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" and "Voodoo Chile," the sparks really begin to fly. When Winwood intones Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" in a much bluesier version than the original, with his voice rising in direct relation to the organ swells, Clapton responds with some simply amazing guitar playing. I can honestly say it doesn't get a whole lot better than this.
Interspersed between the performances, Clapton and Winwood speak candidly about things like the song selection (the bit about their choice to play Buddy Miles' "Them Changes" — not knowing he had just passed — is particularly telling), and the reunion in general. There is also a second disc which gets into further detail about how this unlikely, but thankful reunion came about.
But the real meat here lies in the performance itself. Clapton and Winwood are taking this show out on the road this summer. Hopefully this will lead to a more permanent collaboration. In the meantime, see it if you can. And if you can't, get this DVD.
Now.
Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
Great review Glen. I just got the DVD in the mail yesterday and haven't had a chance to watch it yet. I also have tickets to see them when they play D.C. next month. I am debating whether or not I should hold off on watching the DVD until after the concert so as not to diffuse the anticipation.
2 - Alex
Absolutely agree.
I saw "Blind Faith" in Hyde Park and they didn't quite live up to expectations. As Clapton has said, they were a Jam Band.
In fact, Winwood and Clapton played together sometime before this on an album called "What's Shakin'".
As the two most talented products of the British Blues boom, they were always destined to play together. Their performances at MSG prove it.
Winwood's voice is actually better now than it ever was. Clapton, still hasn't lost his touch and is the last man standing as far as electric blues guitar.
"Voodoo Chile" shows them at their absolute best, elaborating a blues progression into something aching and endlessly evocative.
3 - Glen Boyd
Thanks guys. I so wish this tour was playing Seattle, but this DVD is a great little consolation prize. Thanks for the comments.
-Glen
4 - steve
What kind of shoes was clapton wearing on the DVD?
5 - Kevin Dauphinee
Just about to slip in this DVD. Was also present at HIC for Blind Faith while a Navy man at Pearl. Thanks for the memories. Now the DVD.