NorioDS
OK this has got more to do with the man's singing than his playing. I find his bluesy stuff hard to listen to. It just sounds like his forcing his voice to do things it can't do (naturally). I MUCH prefer his more "natural" sounding stuff...
- Tears in Heaven
- Change the World (I think Babyface wrote this one?)
- Pilgrim (For your love)
- My Father's Eyes
These tracks just seem to be more about him and less about something he wants to be. I know it's not a nice way of saying but, really, I love the stuff that he does so naturally and singing the blues, well that just isn't his thing.
Your thoughts?
Squonk
I tend to agree with you Norio. He was never a great vocalist. With Cream Jack Bruce could sing, and left the bluesy guitar stuff up to Clapton.
John Mayer has a good voice for blues.
But the softer songs you mention, there is definately emotion in his voice and he sings them well.
My alltime favourite (dont laugh) is "wonderful tonight" the live versions not the horrible studio version.
Clapton is most probably more God than we think, in the context of an overall musician.
I have gone through mys stages of worshipping him and then being irritated by some work he does.
NorioDS
I definitely shouldn't have left "Wonderful Tonight" off my list! I love that song and it's another prime example of what I feel is "real" Clapton.
Renesongs
I definitely don't listen to Clapton for his voice, in his autobiography he says that his producers forced him to sing after the Cream thing was over. Although I would not complain if I could sing as well as him. My favourites are his guitar solos.
Had to Cry Today
Presents of the Lord
Sunshine of your love
Politician
Sitting on top of the world
Sleeping in the ground
Stormy Monday
Crossroads
Badge
... and the list just never stops ?
Renesongs
hat I feel is "real" Clapton.
In his own words Clapton claims that all he ever wanted to be in life is a blues guitarist. "From the Cradle" was were Clapton threw away all that pop crap and uncovered his true self.
I mean why would you want to listen to one of the greatest blues guitarists in the world for his voice ?? ?
FenderBender
I feel the slower more meaningful stuff may have had a lot to do with the tragic loss of his son. Before, as with most, he sang about women, who he was either trying to lie down with or that he was on his knees and pleading for. AAMOF I quiet enjoy LDS (I'm not dyslexic) and the golden, lacey tremmy sound of that strat ?
Riaan-Combrink
From the pop period, I think his vocals on Forever Man (of Behind the Sun) and the whole Journeyman album (Old love, bad love, etc) are awesome.
Vintage-Vibe
"I love the stuff that he does so naturally and singing the blues, well that just isn't his thing."
Funny, when most of the top old-school black blues players are asked what they think of Clapton, most of them respond with, "He sings and plays the blues better than most black men !"
(I think Buddy Guy was one particular quoted eg)
Clapton IS the blues - in living colour !
The blues has always been his sort of therapy/soul food. (Corny, but true)
It's the one style he always comes back to - although if you search YOUTUBE you'll find him doing some hot JAZZ solos live (I know you're into that at the mo)
Technically, blues isn't really white man's music at all, culturally and historically.
If you want FORCED blues vox then listen to Jonny Lang on a bad day.
I can't really think of any white guitar player who DOESN'T sing from his throat to get that "gruff" blues quality - unless they've done WAY too much smoking & drinking.
It's just not our thing - SRV was great, but also a lot of throat, boos & ciggies.
Norio: Have you watched Clapton's "Live In Hyde Park" ?
There are 1 or 2 (or more) tracks eg "Have You Ever Loved a Woman ?" where his voice is STUNNING - perfect pitch (which a lot of pop singers lack), great feel, vibrato AND mic control.
Best version of "W 2Nite" is on 24 nights - but I think Hyde Park is his best DVD - save for the dull bassist - no Nathan East !
If you like his more ?olite: vox takes, you'll enjoy his "One More Car,One More Rider' DVD.
Squonk: "He was never a great vocalist. With Cream Jack Bruce could sing, and left the bluesy guitar stuff up to Clapton."
He was a very weak singer to BEGIN with, but if you watch him in the last 10 to 15 years live his voice just gets BETTER and BETTER (the sign of a great singer, IMO)
Watch the Cream Reunion DVD - Clapton has to hold back on a lot of his vocal parts to not drown out Bruce's voice cause it had WEAKENED so much over time (eg "Sunshine")
In fairness Bruce had just barely survived a liver transplant a few months before the gig) - Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of Bruce too.
John Mayers voice aint bad, but t's still quite young - b interesting to c when he's 40ish.
A lot of his contemporary vocals irritate me with that fake "condensor mike husky whisper/falsetto: thing he does - prefer his more spirited stuff.
VV
NorioDS
Renesongs wrote:
hat I feel is "real" Clapton.
In his own words Clapton claims that all he ever wanted to be in life is a blues guitarist. "From the Cradle" was were Clapton threw away all that pop crap and uncovered his true self.
I mean why would you want to listen to one of the greatest blues guitarists in the world for his voice ?? ?
I've got that CD and I'd love it a whole lot more if he'd just shut up ? The man plays some mean blues guitar but DAMN why sing like you from Mississippi if you ain't from Mississippi, God damn?
? ? ?
NorioDS
Gareth, too right SRV did it right. The thing that bugs me about Clapton's bluesy singing is how often he "breaks" out of it in a song. It just ends up sounding forced. *shrug* It's just not for me
Renesongs
The man plays some mean blues guitar but DAMN why sing like you from Mississippi if you ain't from Mississippi, God damn?
I've got a Clapton CD "Me and Mr Johnson" where he mainly sings - I have never had the courage to listen to more than 3 tracks.
He was never a great vocalist. With Cream Jack Bruce could sing, and left the bluesy guitar stuff up to Clapton
Jack Bruce, Steve Windwood, and Paul Rogers are my Idols as far as white men singing blues goes.
Riaan-Combrink
@ Rene. Agree on the Winwood!
Must say I've always loved the way Lennon's voice sounded in a blues setting.
Check this super blues jam with Lennon, Mitch Mitchell, Clapton & Keef Richards ? Clapton's solo at 03:58 is magic.
Vintage-Vibe
Now THAT is a killer jam !
Lennon's blues voice is magnificant !
Is this video "Yer Blues" ?
You don't see shit like that very often ... ?
DNC
I gonna have to add layla to Tears in heaven (my mon's fav song) and wonderfull tonight
FatBoy
Uberness of the Jam there! ? ? ?
Riaan-Combrink
Vintage Vibe wrote:
Is this video "Yer Blues" ?
Yes. Version from rare film/dvd called
Rolling Stones' Rock 'n Roll Circus.
NorioDS
DNC wrote:
I gonna have to add layla to Tears in heaven (my mon's fav song) and wonderfull tonight
Definitely agree. My FAVOURITE album from Clapton was my old MTV Unplugged CD (with the acoustic version of Layla). Damn thing shattered to tiny pieces in my CD-Rom and I nearly cried!
NorioDS
On that same recording, he does some nice bluesy singing in a more natural voice. Like "Old Love", which is just an awwwwesome song. I miss that danged CD :/
Vintage-Vibe
I don't think I've EVER seen him sing "Old Love" badly - it's one of his masterpieces !
NorioDS
Vintage Vibe wrote:
I don't think I've EVER seen him sing "Old Love" badly - it's one of his masterpieces !
Hear, hear! I've heard a few different live versions and he tends to mix it up a little as far as the intro and solo goes and I've loved every version so far. That song is just too uber for words ?
It's songs like that (and Layla, etc) that justify (IMO) calling Clapton a legend.
