Eric Clapton may be the most beloved musician in the world.
The man once referred to as “God” is one of only a handful to have
ever laid down a solo on a Beatles record. When John Lennon started playing
concerts on his own in the late 60s, Clapton was the first one he asked to
join his band. Later, when he made a move on George Harrison’s first
wife — writing “Layla” in the process — the friendship
between the two stayed amazingly intact. Jimi Hendrix sought him out the minute
he touched down in England. Pete Townshend organized a concert at London’s
Rainbow Theatre on January 13, 1973 to commemorate Clapton’s comeback after
beating his heroin addiction. It’s been said that Mick Jagger and Keith
Richard actively pursued Clapton to become part of the Rolling Stones. Clearly,
there is no shortage of patronage and love when it comes to Eric Clapton.
Conversely, the guitarist has been adamantly giving back – from his
performances at the Concert For Bangladesh and Live Aid to the establishment
of the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a chemical dependency treatment and education
facility Clapton founded on a scenic Caribbean island in the heart of the
West Indies. While sainthood may be forthcoming, the gratitude and respect
for Eric Clapton was no more apparent than at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois
on July 28, 2007 for the Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007,
captured for prosperity and released as a two-DVD set.
For the second Crossroads Guitar Festival — the first one took place
in 2004 — Clapton brought together a diverse range of performers for
a hot summer day of blues, country, soul, reggae, rock and Tex Mex, with proceeds
going to the Crossroads Centre Antigua. The guitarist’s set with Steve Winwood
for a round of old Blind Faith probably capped the day’s heavy roster
of talent. The two engaged like long lost friends on “Presence Of The
Lord,” “Can’t Find My Way Home” and “Had To
Cry Today.” But Clapton also spent much of the day joining others on
stage — accompanying blues slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, Sheryl Crow
and Vince Gill — before stepping up for a few numbers with his own band.
Clapton obviously went to great lengths to feature a dazzling array of guitarists
on the bill. Where else could you find John McLaughlin, Johnny Winter, Buddy
Guy, John Mayer, Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughan, Doyle
Bramhall II and Albert Lee on the same stage? Their presence alone made this
festival an extremely hot ticket.
This wasn’t an all-male club either. The ladies made a dramtic impact as
both Susan Tedeshi, an incredible guitarist as well as vocalist, and Crow
wowed the crowd with sets featuring Clapton songs. And a big highlight was
when Jeff Beck’s bassist, 21-year-old Tal Wilkenfeld, stepped up with
a mind-blowing solo in the midst of “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers.”
The cross generation of musicians in total, unobstructive interaction was
pivotal to event’s unique appeal.
Bill Murray was on hand as emcee, giving the show a certain pedigree of Saturday
Night Live kitsch. He opened the show brandishing a beat-up Strat and
attempted to play “Gloria” before Clapton came up from behind and
plucked out a few head-turning notes. Murray later donned a Clapton get-up
ala 1968, i.e., huge afro and paisley shirt, as he introduced the guitarist
and his band for a short set that included George Harrison’s “Isn’t
It A Pity” and a duet with Robbie Robertson for a stirring rave-up of
Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?” The answer to that proverbial
question was evident throughout the day as everyone from B.B. King to Jeff
Beck reaped their praise on the man whose God-given talent continues to influence
and inspire. The slow hand of Eric Clapton continues to mix a magic potion.
~ Shawn Perry
