Crossroads: Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 11/20/2007 Run time: 240 minutes

Amazon.com
A lot of good (and some great) music for a worthy cause takes center stage once again as Eric Clapton hosts the second edition of his Crossroads Guitar Festival, a benefit for his Crossroads Centre rehab facility in Antigua and a near embarrassment of six-string riches occupying two discs. Staged in suburban Chicago in July, 2007, it features several of the same players who were at the first concert (2004, in Dallas), including Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Mayer, Vince Gill, John McLaughlin, and Robert Randolph. They're all in fine form, but it's those appearing for the first time who make the biggest impressions. Derek Trucks, who performs on his own, with his wife (Susan Tedeschi, herself an excellent blues guitarist), and backing several other artists (including a frighteningly decrepit-looking Johnny Winter), is a strikingly versatile young player. On the other end of the generational spectrum, the veteran Albert Lee spins out a series of stupefyingly swift licks on "Country Boy," while Jeff Beck is, well, Jeff Beck, at age 63 still inarguably one of the most original musicians to ever strap on a Stratocaster. While most of the others are content to play straight blues or blues-derived rock, Beck sounds as if he's riding a spaceship with strings, wringing sounds out of his instrument that defy understanding, let alone imitation; backed by ace drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and 22-year-old Tal Wilkenfeld, who may be the most exciting electric bassist to emerge since Jaco Pastorius, Beck delivers versions of "'Cause We've Ended as Lovers" and "Big Block" that are the highlights of the show. Elsewhere, Clapton, as is his wont, rises to the occasion in the presence of his peers and plays with considerable passion, even if his "reunion" with Steve Winwood lacks fire (mostly due to the lackluster nature of their Blind Faith-era material, other than the lovely "Can't Find My Way Home"). In the end, one might wish for more good songs, as opposed to opportunities for extended soloing, but even diehard axe-heads will surely be satiated after some four hours of hot licks. As for everyone else, well, that's why God invented the fast forward button. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews: Read 145 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

More Inspirational Guitar From E.C. and Friends December 10, 2007
52 out of 56 found this review helpful

Well first of all, this is a fantastic show, and it's in Chicago. The line up is stellar and everyone is having a great time. Yes there could have been others there as we all know- Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Steve Vai and maybe even Les Paul--and with Blues folk Otis Rush -who has been sick and of course Bo Diddley (who had a tune dedicated to him by Robbie Robertson and had suffered a stroke earlier this year) Chuck Berry (he lives close!) Jody Williams maybe a lot of others...

But you can't please everyone and I thought the show was a nice mix. Very entertaining and the various combinations which played together (the real highlight of this DVD) seem to work well. I am a Blues enthusiast and the Blues in this show is fantastic. Hubert Sumilin plays great as does Robert Cray-who usually has no effects, but pulls off a little delay in "Poor Johnny". And Johnny Winter, who is also ill, brings back the fire in "Highway 61" as noted his slide playing is still phenomenal, and he gets applause from Derek Trucks!

B.B. King is very charming as usual at 82 and does well with Jimmie Vaughan, Hubert and Robert Cray. Well presented and touching with Eric in the wings. In Disc 2 we have John Mayer and the charismatic Los Lobos who start it off. Then the masterful Jeff Beck always amazing as he was when I first saw him with Rod Stewart on vocals at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1968. His quartet with Tal Wilkenfeld on bass, originally an Aussie from Sydney (Bondi) now based in the US-she is a stunner she may be the next Jaco Pastorius or Charlie Mingus and sexy too! I agree with other reviewers this band should tour now! Maybe Tal can sing?

Eric's set is great of course. I saw it in Australia this year (twice). Great selection of not the usual E.C. classics--well Doyle Bramhall II does "Outside Women Blues" on Disc 1. He does things from early in his solo career and of course a tribute to George Harrison. The highlight is his sub-set of Blind Faith tunes with Stevie Winwood. I haven't heard "Presence of the Lord" since I was 19 years old!!! Just superb. "Had to Cry Today" with Winwood and Clapton playing double lead is also excellent. This was worth the whole price of the DVD.

Yes, everyone has the items and artists they would wish for. This set does include Jeff Beck thankfully, but the whole show is well presented.
I am a Blues person but can appreciate Albert Lee and Vince Gill, too. This DVD will satisfy most musical tastes. The end with Buddy Guy, after ZZ Top in Texas, was also appropriate and proper even if Buddy did not have his incredible Sax player with him on the night. Buddy is a Chicago Blues icon and you could not have had a guitar show in Chicago without him. The final jam of the day "Sweet Home Chicago" with Buddy, John Mayer, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin and Eric was a perfect end to the show.

This DVD is a must for guitar fans of all genres. The extras include snippets of performances of Tab Benoit, with his 72 Telecaster Thinline, playing with Skunk Baxter, Harvey Mandel (a native of Chicago of Canned Heat fame) with his strange custom axe and a very attractive young woman "Orianthi" getting an interesting Blues sound out of a PRS.

It is commendable that this show is different and varied and is a great companion volume to the first Crossroads DVD. And this Chicago edition has the comic wit of Bill Murray--I loved his intro of Eric Clapton while he was dressed up like the Clapton of '68 with perm and painted Gibson SG- wow! Lastly, it was very interesting and touching to 58 year olds like me, who have played guitar all of our lives, when Bill came out at the start of the show and played "Gloria" ("the only song I can play") I am sure many many folks out there had a tear in their eye with that memory!

5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Tracks November 24, 2007
38 out of 40 found this review helpful

There is bonus track packaging while supplies last from Best Buy and Target in which you get two extra tracks, but unfortunately neither version includes Jeff Beck's "A Day In The Life". I also was at the concert and it was indeed a highlight of the day. Release from the Where's Eric web site:

"In the United States, "exclusive editions" with additional tracks are being sold by retailers Best Buy and Target. ($10 cheaper on-line, my comment))

Best Buy's Exclusive Edition has two extra tracks: "Things Get Better(Got To Get Better") - the correct title for the song is "Got To Get Better In A Little While" - and "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad." Both were songs performed by Eric during the Derek And The Dominos era.

The Target Stores Exclusive Edition also has two extra tracks, different from those offered by Best Buy. They are "Cowboy Up" by country superstar Vince Gill and "Tear It Up", performed by Albert Lee and Vince Gill.

The bonus discs are not in the clamshell case, but are stored in a pocket in the cardboard outer packaging. The tracks are also listed on the outer packaging.

Store exclusive editions are generally only available while supplies last."

5 out of 5 stars

DVD Track Listings October 4, 2007
28 out of 55 found this review helpful

Disc one:
Introduction (by Bill Murray)
"Uberesso," Sonny Landreth
"Hell at Home," Sonny Landreth with Eric Clapton
"Maharina," John McLaughlin
"Rosie," Doyle Bramhall II
"Outside Woman Blues," Doyle Bramhall II
"Little by Little," Susan Tedeschi with the Derek Trucks Band
"Anyday," the Derek Trucks Band
"Highway 61 Revisited," Johnny Winter with the Derek Trucks Band
"Nobodysoul," Robert Randolph & the Family Band
"Poor Johnny," Robert Cray Band
"Dirty Work at the Crossroads," Jimmie Vaughan with the Robert Cray Band
"Sitting on Top of the World," Hubert Sumlin with the Robert Cray Band & Jimmie Vaughan
"Paying the Cost To Be the Boss," B.B. King with the Robert Cray Band with Jimmie Vaughan & Hubert Sumlin
"Rock Me Baby," B.B. King with the Robert Cray Band with Jimmie Vaughan & Hubert Sumlin
"Sweet Thing," Vince Gill
"Country Boy," Albert Lee with Vince Gill
"If It Makes You Happy," Sheryl Crow with Vince Gill & Albert Lee
"Tulsa Time," Sheryl Crow with Eric Clapton, Vince Gill & Albert Lee
"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," Willie Nelson with Vince Gill & Albert Lee
"On the Road Again," Willie Nelson with Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill & Albert Lee

Disc two:
"Belief," John Mayer
"Gravity," John Mayer
"Don't Worry Baby," Los Lobos
"Mas Y Mas," Los Lobos
"Cause We Ended As Lovers," Jeff Beck
"Big Block," Jeff Beck
"Tell the Truth," Eric Clapton
"Isn't It a Pity," Eric Clapton
"Who Do You Love," Robbie Robertson with Eric Clapton
"Presence of the Lord," Steve Winwood with Eric Clapton
"Can't Find My Way Home," Steve Winwood with Eric Clapton
"Had To Cry Today," Steve Winwood with Eric Clapton
"Dear Mr. Fantasy," Steve Winwood
"Crossroads," Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood
"Mary Had a Little Lamb," Buddy Guy
"Damn Right I've Got the Blues," Buddy Guy
"Sweet Home Chicago," Buddy Guy with Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, John Mayer, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughan & Johnny Winter

5 out of 5 stars

The best concert DVD of the year! November 24, 2007
27 out of 30 found this review helpful

Clapton's universal appeal and longtime assocations with other stellar guitarists once again pays off with a spectacular lineup on this DVD--a real who's who of guitarists. A lot of these guys are getting up there in age (as well as Clapton himself) and it's great to have such a gathering of legends documented on video. Sadly, stellar guitarists do not have the mainstream appeal they once enjoyed (just take a look at the crap on the current Top 40), so this high-profile video gives these artists, some of them somewhat obscure, the attention they deserve. Sonny Landreth, for one--AMAZING slide guitarist. Right up there with Derek Trucks (also prominently featured) even though his style is completely different. The only sore thumb in this lineup is Sheryl Crow--what was she doing there?? All the other featured acts were those with guitar prowess. Eric can invite anyone he wants, of course, but obviously she doesn't fit that category. Willie Nelson's "duet" with Crow was awful. If anything was going to be left on the "cutting room floor," as another reviewer noted about one of Jeff Beck's numbers, the Crow-Nelson duet should have been it. I too demand a re-release!

Overall though, a great DVD and highly recommended for all guitar buffs. The 4 hours will fly by! And get the Best Buy/Target version with the bonus extra DVD. It's only two more songs, but they're good ones.

5 out of 5 stars

A Fantastic Show - deserves 4 DVD's to do it justice November 1, 2007
21 out of 27 found this review helpful

This was an awsome experience-12 hours of magical performances. I'm certain these 2 discs will be great, but where is Jeff Beck's astounding version of the Beatles "A Day In The Life" ??? It was a show-stopper !! I can't believe they left that on the cutting room floor (and retained weak performances by Willie Nelson). We can hope for a "deluxe version" later that includes more (all, please) of the show.

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