Eric Clapton "Just The Blues"

[Sox]

Eric is in my opinion one of the most important musicians to come out of the UK, he impressed and influenced a generation of like minded players. I wanted to start a thread to discuss just his blues and bluesrock contributions. Born in 1945 Eric grew up in Ripley, Surrey right on the edge of London, a prime location for the heart of the British Blues Boom. After Knocking about with Dave Brock later of Hawkind Eric joined The Roosters with Tom McGuinness. It was his next move however that was to launch his name.

The Yardbirds ... "Boom Boom" & "I Wish You Would"





Eric was on his way.

 

[Garrett]

Eric is in my opinion one of the most important musicians to come out of the UK, he impressed and influenced a generation of like minded players.

Yes, One of the most important Bluesmen of our time!



"Blues Before Sunrise" & "Third Degree"



I highly recommend:

From The Cradle 94`
Me and Mr. Johnson 04`
Sessions for Robert J 04`
​

 

[Sox]

^^^That really is a blinder of an album Garrett, a bit special for me as I got to see him on that tour with Gate Mouth Brown as guest.

Eric was really getting those early chops together with the Yardbirds and the live debut from '64 is a great album that captured the band at full tilt.

 

[Sunny]

Eric Clapton is a legend

 

[Sox]

^^^ Agreed and he has earned the respect of fans, peers and even some of the blues masters along the way. The big thing I guess as well is he has developed his own sound. His guitar voice is recognisable and I think every player would like that.

 

[helenkaops]

 

[Sox]

Eric left the Yardbirds and got together with John Mayall, John McVie and Hughie Flint in 1965. They cut the Jimmy Page produced single "I'm Your Witchdoctor".



I bought an album as a young teenager called White Boy Blues which featured this track and really set me off looking into John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

 

[Sox]

One of the all time killer albums IMO. Eric raised the bar for guitar players with that 1960 Les Paul Standard on this one. Released in 1966 "John Mayall's Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton" was produced by Mike Vernon who gave Eric freedom in the studio to play as he would live. A nightmare for the egineers at the time but well worth the effort.

 

[Berserker]

Sonny Boy Williamson backed up by Clapton, Beck, and Page (pre-yardbirds I think).

I have a cd with this and their whole recording session, including rehearsals, you can tell from listening to it the artists respect for one another's craft.

 

[Chevelle]

When I decided that I wanted to play guitar I started with open chords and then bar chords using the Golden Beatles songbooks.
When Clapton joined Mayall I started getting into British blues bands and knew right away that I wanted to be a lead guitarist.
To me, it was easier learning some simple riffs from basic blues songs than trying to figure out the more difficult solos in rock songs.
If I hadn't followed Clapton to the blues I might have given up on ever playing lead.