Unplugged

Gosh ! I've been listening to this CD over and over again
since 199-whatever.
I started listening it somewhat 4 times a day when I was first introduced to this masterpiece.
Sure, the radio always play Layla over and over what causes me to kinda of get sick sometimes, but I cannot help listening it all way to the end, no matter how fed up I am.
And once in a little while here I am caught with it in the player again.
Simply put: extreme blues, soulful, thoughtful... it's an addiction. Get it right away and get hooked.

Eric Clapton has been my favorite guitarist since I heard the opening riff to "Layla" a while back. This 1991 recording takes his most emotional work and reworks it into a jazzy piece of remembrance over love lost rather than love desired. The unplugged version of "Layla" is simply an amazing song, quite nearly as good as the original. The other tracks on this album are equally amazing. From the catchy instrumental opener "Signe" to the upbeat closer "Rollin' and Tumblin'," this album is truly a work of art. Clapton's smooth, laid-back vocals match his stellar acoustic work throughout the album. The best songs on Unplugged are the covers of Derek and the Dominoes' "Layla" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," and the very emotional "Tears In Heaven," written after the death of Clapton's 4 year-old son Conor. Every track is strong, and you can tell that Clapton really enjoys playing live, as do his bandmates(as evidenced by the joking and laughter at the beginning of "Alberta" and after the interesting kazoo solo in "San Francisco Bay Blues").

BEST SONGS: "Layla," "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," "Tears In Heaven"

SONGS TO SKIP: None

Overall, this album is a masterpiece, among Clapton's best and most emotional work. A must-have for any fan of music!

In 1992, the music scene was into grunge and alternative sounding rock. "Dave Matthews Band" was ready to spring into action, while Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots were kicking it with their style of music. Some old favorites were riding off into the sunset. Billy Joel announced he would be giving up rock/pop music after his 1993 release of "River of Dreams". Elton John was relatively quiet at this time, as were other artists. Eric Clapton, the huge guitar genius of the late 60's and all throughout the 70's from England, was in a decline of sorts in his career. The 80's were not a strong decade for Clapton, who was exploring more the pop music side of the music environment. Clapton, who usually could adapt to different styles with ease, never found his niche with pop. Though he released "I Can't Stand It" and "Rock and Roll Heart", neither were big chart numbers. His fans were diwindling, and his time in the spotlight looked like it was running out.

Another popular trend in the 90's was unplugged shows. These shows would take musicians accustomed to performing with a variety of electronic instruments or tools and give them no electronics. Basically a true test of skill for many so called artists. Clapton, an electric guitar ambassador, took on the challenge. He put his Fender into the closet for a one night extravaganza. Equipped with an accoustic guitar and dressed relatively nice (suit, glasses, a hair cut), many Clapton fans might have been wondering who this man was. Was this their guitar hero? Looks more like a friend that mom or dad might have over for dinner. Clapton was dressed his age, but don't take that away from this. "Unplugged" is a truly enjoyable listening experience.

Though the album might be known for its two huge singles (Layla and Tears in Heaven), the bulk of the material is blues. Clapton, who has played a lot of hard rock in his day, always has called himself a blues guitarist. His passion for the blues is present here with many ditties, some of my favorites are "Before You Accuse Me", "Hey Hey", and "Down and Out". I think the first song on the album, "Signe", is a great number to start the album with it. An instrumental number, it kind of is Claptons way of saying, "yes dummy, I can play the accoustic guitar like I can the electric."

The two numbers that are popular on this album of course are "Tears In Heaven" and "Layla". "Tears in Heaven" is the very sad and melancholy song about the death of Eric's son Connor. Beautifully written and sung by Clapton, the lyrics, soul, and guitar weeping make for one of the most beautiful songs ever made, and one of the newest hits from the guitar man himself. Definitely a tear jerker though. "Layla" is a new version of one of Claptons all-time greatest hits. The original was one of Claptons hardest rocker numbers. He slows down the pace considerably on this remake, using an accoustic guitar and a much-slower beat. The result is amazing. I love both versions, but I have to say I like this version better. Changing a hard rock song to a light rock number and doing so successfully without butchering the song... only musical prodigies like Clapton have the ability to do that. Wonderful.

What also is fun is hearing Clapton interacting with the audience. From his "thank yous" at the end of songs to the "Let's see if you can spot this one" before Layla, you can sense he is having fun performing, that it's not a job for him, that it is in fact a joy. You can sense him smiling and enjoying himself while performing.

After being forgotten about for over 10 years, 1992's "Unplugged" showed that in fact Eric Clapton was still around and that he could still release prime material. The result of the album was two fold. On one side, Clapton ruled the top ten charts once again, had the top selling album of 1992, and took home a slew of grammies. On the other side, he made the dive from FM rock staple to his failed attempt at Top 40 pop in the 80's to adult contemporary staple. Though many artists get criticized when they reach that level, Clapton continues to release lovely songs and can use the guitar for art. Pick up "Unplugged" today, from one of the few guitar "gods" that are around today.

Definitively Eric Clapton is like the good wine . He improves through the years, with his admirable personal style , fresh and innovative . He knew to get off from the rock sound in the late seventies keeping a personal profile and turning carefully to the musical roots of Lee J. Hooker - the God Father blues -, incorporating impressive lyrics , following the traces of his spiritual guide : Bob Dylan. The presence of giant musicians such Steve Winwood and John Mayall , to name just two of them has allowed to experience and enriching the visions one each another , between the new country sounds with good taste and easy to sing themes .

Since his immortal presence as solist guitar in Cream in those far sixties to the actual times Clapton has walked a long and winding road .

Tears in heaven is undoubtedly his no time legacy ; shows the divine muse the unconscious call from this rapture artistic loaded of sad inspiration : I mean poetry in its most intimate feature .

A soft voice not necessarily potent has allowed to conquer five generations of listeners . From the Yard birds , to the present Eric Clapton may be well considered the last English bard of the music .

His message not only concerns with the urban issues , he as a real poet, searches beneath the epidermis of the things and due his undeniable charisma has become in an authentic icon , a living legend.

Furthermore , the fact this album has been released twelve years ago and it has not aged just a little bit confirms the thesis the genius is always contemporanean.

Eric Clapton Unplugged(1992). Eric Clapton's First Acoustic Live Album.

In 1992, at the height of the Grunge and Alternative scene, guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton, who lost many fans and critics during his 80's career, burst back onto the music scene with 'Eric Clapton Unplugged', a performance that marketed such hits as 'Tears For Heaven' and an alternate version of 'Layla', and earning him an armful of Grammy's in the process. Many other groups, including Nirvana and Alice In Chains, produced legendary 'Unplugged' albums, but none matched the success of Clapton's, which sold millions and millions of copies, becoming the most successful release of his career, which was previously '451 Ocean Boulevard'. To this day, any Classic Rock aficianado owns 'Eric Clapton Unplugged', and, it is remarkable to achieve such sucess with one man just sitting down and playing an acoustic guitar. So, is 'Unplugged' just an overrated borefest, or a great success? Read on to find out!

Track Ratings-

Signe- 'Unplugged' is opened up by "Signe", a short instrumental track that is a nice little jazz and folk influenced jam.

Before You Accuse Me- A cover of Bo Diddley's classic blues tune, "Before You Accuse Me" is a powerful, sarcastic blues song with a piercing blues guitar riff. Clapton does a great job with the singing and guitarwork here, and his cover easily lives up to the original.

Hey Hey- Another blues classic, "Hey Hey" is a slower, jazzier blues tune, complete with Eric Clapton's lustful vocals and his fiery blues licks. Hard not to like!

Tears In Heaven- The song that caused 'Unplugged's popularity to skyrocket, "Tears In Heaven" finds Clapton mournfully remembering his son Conor. "Tears In Heaven" is a jazzy song, but has Clapton playing a classical guitar melody, and reminds me a little of "Dust In The Wind". Although overrated, definitely one of Clapton's strongest.

Lonely Stranger- A song that stands out, "Lonely Stranger" is a jazzy, R&B-ish tune that finds Clapton playing a folk-styled guitar and brooding in his gravelly vocals. Another track that stands out!

Nobody Knows When You're Down & Out- A jazzy rocker with influences of Soul and Blues, "Nobody Knows When You're Down & Out" combines Clapton's acoustic jazz with a very Broadway style piano to create a song that sounds oddly like Toy Story's "You've Got A Friend".

Layla- A huge hit to begin with, this alternate acoustic version of "Layla" has gained almost as much legend status as the original. This version combines Clapton's sultry acoustic guitarmanship with the very jazzy keyboard melody, not to mention Clapton's lovelorn singing.

Runnin' On Faith- "Runnin' On Faith" is a Country and Soul type song, with an out-of-tune guitar melody and an uplifting keyboard harmony. Clapton sings his heart out, and his emotion lifts up this slow tune to great heights.

Walkin' Blues- After a few folk and country rockers, Eric Clapton hits back with "Walkin' Blues", a typical blues song, with slurred vocals, unfortuneate lyrics, and in-your-face guitarmanship. While I may like the Blues, this song seems just a little too repetitive. Not bad.

Alberta- An 'Unplugged' highlight, "Alberta" is a jazzy show tune type song that's infected with a touch of Gospel and R&B. Clapton pours his heart out over Alberta, and around his swirling mix of guitar chords and piano melodies, his emotion can be felt.

San Francisco Bay Blues- Eric Clapton continues with what he does best on "San Francisco Bay Blues", strumming all the right notes on his guitar and letting his emotion truly be felt through his voice on this bluegrass-influenced blues song. How can you resist the digiredo solo?

Malted Milk- Another blues song, Clapton relates malted milk to "his loving" on "Malted Milk", a slow blues song that has very little to offer other than Clapton's singing and a nice little blues guitar solo. Not his best.

Old Love- A track with a striking resemblance to "Layla", "Old Love" is a rock ballad, leaving out some of Clapton's blues influences, instead focusing on the mix of his pulsing acoustic guitarwork, hard hitting keyboards, and growly vocals. A nice addition.

Rollin' & Tumblin'- Instead of those slow blues ballads, Clapton dishes out a fast and guitar-driven blues rocker that'll be sure to get your feet tapping. Clapton's addictive guitar melody fits perfectly with his gravelly blues vocals. One of the best songs on 'Unplugged'.

Overall, 'Unplugged', while being a great look into one of Rock and Blues' guitars greatest heroes, and showing more emotion than almost every "nu" band has, Clapton's performance is sometimes redundant and marred by weak covers. Although many songs here would have been better changed to Clapton's own pieces, 'Unplugged' is still a decidedly good album, yet its loftly place in Rock N' Roll lore might be just a little too high. Clapton is in top shape here, and his acoustic guitar and voice shine, even without the massive production values. If Clapton had put more of his own popular centerpieces here instead of slow blues tracks, I would be a bigger fan of 'Unplugged', yet it fails to touch his Cream or most of his solo material.

RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF THE BLUES OR ERIC CLAPTON! IF YOU DON'T LIKE BLUES, DO NOT(DO NOT!) GET THIS ALBUM, AS THERE IS ALMOST NONE OF CLAPTON'S ROCK MATERIAL! OVERRATED, YET STILL VERY GOOD!

Killer Kuts- Tears In Heaven, Before You Accuse Me, Layla, Rollin' & Tumblin', and Hey Hey.

Thanks For Reading!