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Rating: Eric Clapton, born Eric Patrick Clapp, was born in Ripley, Surrey, on March 30, 1945. His extreme passion and innate sensitivity towards blues music bring him, at a very young age, in terms of listening and attempts at imitation with the first electric guitar given to him by his grandparents, closer to artists of the caliber of Bo Diddley, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters. A versatile musician, he gained notoriety thanks to valuable collaborations first with the Yardbirds, where he earned the nickname "SlowHand," and subsequently with the Cream of the acclaimed Baker&Bruce team, where his talent and creative flair found ample space and stimulation.
In the mid-'60s, the streets of London were literally covered with graffiti: "Clapton is God", exalting the talented electric six-stringer who was then at the peak of his creative and musical expressionism. But if the work with Cream represents the peak of Clapton's long musical journey, his solo career does not do justice to that "God" who so many fans were “faithful and assiduous believers” of. It is a continuous decline towards nothingness, towards a "void" of ideas and experimentation that had characterized him so much in the first phase of his career. Too often, by now, he approaches reassuring melodies of mannerist Rock/Blues and POP of dubious value. By this time, Hendrix has already dethroned "God." By this time, Clapton has already met another “God.” Who also takes away his guitars. A brief qualitative but (unfortunately) not innovative renaissance of Mr. SlowHand begins from the mid-'90s. One only needs to remember the stunning album “From The Cradle,” of pure blues origin, and a series of exceptional live performances, among which we particularly mention the 1992 MTV Unplugged, where he fully expresses his execution qualities. As always. Clapton live transmits something that in the studio remains static. Almost motionless. Recorded in the United States, the Unplugged remains a finely crafted gem in Clapton's discography. It gathers some of the most important Blues classics and, among many, a poignant autobiographical composition “Tears In Heaven” in which he pours out all the pain for the loss of his son Conor, born from his relationship with the Italian islander Lory Del Santo, who died in an accident at the age of four.
The overall quality of the Live is extremely high for a multitude of reasons: almost perfect acoustic rearrangements, exceptional supporting band, a finally rediscovered Clapton, and spot-on musical offerings. “Before You Accuse Me,” “Rollin’ & Tumblin’,” and “Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out” are just some of the excellent sixteen tracks presented here. Here "God" is present once again. Only by listening to him can one clearly grasp his greatness.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Before You Accuse Me (03:44)
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself
You say I've been spending my money on other women
You've been taking money from someone else
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
I called your mama 'bout three or four nights ago
Well your mother said "Son"
"Don't call my daughter no more"
First Verse
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
Come back home baby, try my love one more time
If I don't go on and quit you
I'm gonna lose my mind
First Verse
03 Hey Hey (03:16)
Eric Clapton "Unplugged" Album
Hey Hey
(by Big Bill Broonzy)
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
I love you baby,
Sure ain't gonna be your dog.
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
Hey hey. Hey hey, baby, hey.
My arms around you baby,
All I can say is hey.
First Verse
Hey hey. You lost your good thing now.
Hey hey. You lost your good thing now.
You had me fooled,
I found it out somehow.
04 Tears in Heaven (04:36)
Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven
Time can bring you down; time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
'Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven
05 Lonely Stranger (05:27)
Eric Clapton "Unplugged" Album
LONELY STRANGER
by Eric Clapton
I must be invisible;
No one knows me.
I have crawled down dead-end streets
On my hands and knees.
I was born with a ragin' thirst,
A hunger to be free,
But I've learned through the years.
Don't encourage me.
'Cause I'm a lonely stranger here,
Well beyond my day.
And I don't know what's goin' on,
So I'll be on my way.
When I walk, stay behind;
Don't get close to me,
'Cause it's sure to end in tears,
So just let me be.
Some will say that I'm no good;
Baby, I agree.
Take a look then walk away.
That's all right with me.
Chorus
07 Layla (04:46)
What will you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long;
You know, it's just your foolish pride.
Layla, you got me on my knees. Layla,
I'm begging darling please. Layla,
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
I tried to give you consolation;
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you;
You turned my whole world upside down.
Layla, you got me on my knees. Layla,
I'm begging darling please. Layla,
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain.
Layla, you got me on my knees. Layla,
I'm begging darling please. Layla,
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
Layla, you got me on my knees. Layla,
I'm begging darling please. Layla,
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?
08 Running on Faith (06:30)
Lately I've been running on faith
what else can a poor boy do
but my world would be right
if love comes over me
Lately I've been talking in my sleep
Can imagine what I'd have to say
said my world would be right
if love comes back your way
I've always been
one to take each and every day
seems like by now
I'd find a love who'd care
care just for me
And we go running on faith
all of our dreams would come true
And our world would be right
if love comes over me...and you
But I've always been
one to take each and every day
seems like by now
I'd find a love who'd care
care just for me
And we go running on faith
all of our dreams would come true
And our world would be right
if love comes over me...and you
yes it would
Love comes all over you
Love comes all over you
Love comes all over you
All of our dreams will come true
I said love, love comes all over you
All of our dreams will come true..
10 Alberta (03:42)
Eric Clapton "Unplugged" Album
ALBERTA
Alberta, Alberta,
Where you been so long?
Alberta, Alberta,
Where you been so long?
Ain't had no loving
Since you've been gone.
Alberta, Alberta,
Where'd you stay last night?
Alberta, Alberta
Where'd you stay last night?
Come home this morning,
Clothes don't fit you right
Alberta, Alberta,
Girl, you're on my mind.
Alberta, Alberta,
Girl, you're on my mind.
Ain't had no loving
Such a great long time.
Alberta, Alberta,
Where you been so long?
Alberta, Alberta,
Where you been so long?
Ain't had no loving
Since you've been gone.
12 Malted Milk (03:36)
Eric Clapton "Unplugged" Album
Malted Milk
(by Robert Johnson)
I keep drinking malted milk, trying to drive my blues away.
I keep drinking malted milk, trying to drive my blues away.
Baby, you're just as welcome to my loving as the flowers is in May.
Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushing to my head.
Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushing to my head.
And I have a funny, funny feeling and I'm talking all out my head.
Baby, fix me one more drink and hug your daddy one more time.
Baby, fix me one more drink and hug your daddy one more time.
Keep on stirring my malted milk, mama, until I change my mind.
My doorknob keeps on turning, there must be spooks around my bed.
My doorknob keeps on turning, there must be spooks around my bed.
And I have a funny, funny feeling and the hair's rising on my head.
13 Old Love (07:52)
I can feel your body
When I'm lying in bed
There's too much confusion
Going around through my head
And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame still burns
Why can't I get over?
When will I ever learn?
Old love, leave me alone
Old love, go on home
I can see your face
But I know that it's not real
It's just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel
And it makes me so angry
To know that the flame will always burn
I'll never get over
I know now that I'll never learn
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