Voto:
Formally, dear PPF, what you write has a certain undeniable quality (when you talk about the undeniable "standardization" of the sound and modus operandi of uncle Enrico) and, at the same time, it gives room to many, increasingly so as the years go by, detractors of the complete works of the aforementioned uncle, who forget the disruptive effect his guitar playing had. We would say his direct and loud approach, without frills and often even joyful, towards a musical genre that was, let’s talk about the early sixties, almost entirely unknown—the blues, which at the time was seen as a dying music practiced only in certain areas of the States by representatives of the colored underclass. If it weren't for him and some fiercely talented English musicians, it would surely have been destined for oblivion or, at best, for mere mention in some serialized music encyclopedia.
Of course, the guitarist who approaches the blues today sees Clapton as fundamental but basic, rightly so, as he is no longer capable, after 1970, of renewing himself regarding the 12 bars in other directions. He and others have their ears and minds so full of the licks and passages that today seem obvious, but which are those that he first passed down and then codified as absolute standards. He learned them, chewed on them, and digested them only to pass their stylistic elements on to others who, lest we forget, often surpassed him in technique and output...
It is true, undeniably so, that his inability to renew himself cost him dearly in terms of artistic reputation, but it's also true that he explored new paths with the Cream (pointed, loud bursts and exaggerated solos that would lead towards hard rock shortly after) and with Blind Faith (acid blues, folk spines, and jam tracks that opened more than one path for many others…) Our man continued down comforting and mainstream paths in music while self-destructing in life, also due to evident states of addiction, first to every drug available on the market and then to alcohol and notorious states of psychological alteration (due to a particularly troubled childhood and issues with personality and self-esteem) he took the safe road of the original blues that he would not leave until today, after pop chart pauses and objectively embarrassing records.
Add to that his psychopathic behaviors and the schizo episodes of the seventies and eighties, of which he would publicly make amends once sober and rehabilitated. The legion of guitarists of every genre and level who express love for Clapton and inspiration from Eric Clapton is vast... Hendrix, who overtook him on the curve, while infusing him with new life and inspiration, adored him and always declared that he drew from him and his intuitions from the very beginning. Unexpected metalheads and refined jazzists say "Clapton" when asked about their primordial source of inspiration, from Eddie Van Halen to Pat Metheny, passing through Tony Iommi, Adrian Belew, and a line of younger and older six-string professionals, not necessarily in the blues sphere.
And then, a bit of respect... For a few years, it’s true, he was God, wasn’t he?
A hug.
PS: What you have wisely reviewed is not a milestone, but two or three times a year, it can be listened to...
