Sunday, May 24, 2009

Review-Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood-Live From Madison Square Garden DVD/CD

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood were born to play together. 1969's short lived Blind Faith 'supergroup' proved it. This release simply reminds us of what we already knew. The musical synergy between these two is undeniable. From the first notes of "Had to Cry Today" we have Clapton and Winwood alive, energized and trading guitar lines like its 1969 all over again.

Clapton and Winwood continue to feed off of each other on Clapton's "Forever Man," and the Blind Faith song "Presence Of The Lord." Both are well known now as Clapton concert favorites but Winwood sounds as if he was born to sing them.

The musical synchronicity cannot be denied. Eric's played many of his own songs so many times he could easily phone it in...but he attacks his material with renewed gusto...as Winwood's guitar and keys push this legend hard.

As the concert concludes, Clapton and Winwood play Hendrix's "Little Wing" and "Voodoo Chile." Here the fur really begins to fly. Winwood sings "Voodoo Chile" like a street corner bluesman and punctuates his bluesy phrasing with organ stabs that Clapton responds to with phenomenal guitar interplay.

Oh yeah...there's an interview too. These guys talk candidly about how this blessed reunion came about...but the real reason to buy this is the music...This is as good as it gets.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood-"Live at Madison Square Garden" no stars needed...if you don't buy this you clearly don't like good music.

No comments:

Post a Comment