Product Details

• Actors: Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Nathan East
• Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Eagle Rock Ent
• DVD Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000C2IUJ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,958 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's a given that any Eric Clapton performance will be impressive, but Eric Clapton & Friends Live 1986 exceeds all expectations. "Slowhand" had been recording August with session regulars Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), Nathan East (bass), and album producer Phil Collins on drums, and the idea of live performance seemed eminently appealing. The final gig in that brief, spectacular tour--July 15, 1986, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England--was recorded for British television, and editing to one-hour length doesn't stop it from being a full-on stunner. Perhaps at his finest in a small-band setting, Clapton appears loose, happy, and ready to rip into bluesy riffs and solos as if his trusty Fender Stratocasters were vital organs tapped into his bloodstream. While the reliable oldies "Crossroads," "White Room," "Layla" (including the rarely heard "Thorn Tree in the Garden" section), and "Sunshine of Your Love" will satisfy Cream and Yardbirds fans, the fresh cuts from August are equally dazzling, with the beautiful "Holy Mother" serving as the night's pulse-calming ballad. Collins' hit "In the Air Tonight" is clearly an obligatory inclusion (his solo debut was still high on the charts), but in terms of energy, precision, and audience appeal, it's easily on par with the rest of the gig. Visuals are only adequate--the videotaped colors have faded a bit--but sonically this show's a keeper, especially if you're equipped to use the DTS option. And just to prove that nobody's perfect, Clapton fudges a note on "Sunshine" and a word-balloon reading "Sorry!" appears above his head--all in the happy spirit of a rockin' good evening. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

The early days as `Slowhand' and the guitarist with the Yardbirds may seem a long way off but Eric Clapton's love of the blues has never left him. Eric left the Yardbirds band as they became commercially acceptable to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. That led to the formation of the legendary Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. Following his time with Mayall, Eric began to change bands regularly spending time with Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie and Derek And The Dominoes. Eric Clapton has endured, growing with every new musical experience. He has stayed true to the blues and has become one of the greatest loved musicians in Britain and indeed the World. This DVD was filmed at the Birmingham NEC on July 15 1986, shortly after the completion, but before the release of, the August album. The concert was the last date of a short tour featuring the line up who had played on the recording sessions for August. Musicians include: Eric Clapton - Guitar, Vocals, Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards, Nathan East - Bass, and Phil Collins - Drums and Vocals. Eric Clapton & Friends Live, 1986 provides a great look into Eric Clapton's constant changing styles.

The set list includes four songs from the August album along with a combination of old and new (at the time) from Cream, Derek And The Dominoes and subsequent solo material. "Layla" is the full version that includes the beautiful Thorn Tree In The Garden second section. The show also features Phil Collins singing the inevitable "In The Air Tonight", a song prompts Eric to quip, "Now's your chance to hear that song again, the one you've all been waiting for..." The concert ends in a rousing rendition of Sunshine Of Your Love as the finale and there's a rare and delightful moment at the beginning of the guitar solo where Eric loses his concentration much to the audience's (and the video producer's) amusement. The concert was edited for TV and represents an hour of musical history and delight.

Track Listing:
1) Crossroads
2) White Room
3) Run
4) Miss You
5) Tearing Us Apart
6) Holy Mother
7) In The Air Tonight
8) Layla
9) Sunshine Of Your Love

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great performance, a regular DVD, September 29, 2003

By 

Mario G. Perez Fonseca "Gerry Blue" (Guitarland) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eric Clapton & Friends: Live 1986 (DVD)

First, let me tell you that, being a Clapton fan I try to get hold of everything he releases, whether official or not, and of my modest collection, this is, along with the Hyde Park concert of 1996, one of the best performances caught on video.
As part of the small tour of 1986 he did, this England unique date of a 2-day leg, features Phil Collins on drums, Greg Phillinganes on Keyboards and bassist extraordinaire Nathan East. The tight sound is amazing and as other reviewer mentioned, for a 4 piece, the sound is great, like a steam roller downhill!
As for the Dvd release, this concert had been out in VHS form and now the DVD makes justice to the sound with DTS and 5.1 features. Video quality does not improve much upon the original tape, but I guess just there's so much you can do with a 1986 videotape. As far as extras, this release has none but the simples menu and intro animation with a small 3D guitar spinning around.
I love this concert so much I'd like to see a few more tracks, or some commetary by one of the performers. Anyway, it is a great document in Clapton's career and "comeback" of the mid 80's. Recommended!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice performance, November 21, 2003

By 

Richard W. Field (Maryville, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eric Clapton & Friends: Live 1986 (DVD)

Eric Clapton has found something of a revitalization in the DVD format. Old VHS offerings remastered and new DVD offerings seem to be springing up regularly. And why not? He is one of the true masters of the guitar of the late 20th century, and shows no signs of stopping in the 21st. This present offering is one of the old, but it sounds as fresh and vibrant as any of the recent releases. But it also has the unique grace of providing the viewer with sight and sound of Clapton playing in the format that in the 60s made him a legend: the small ensemble. About the ensemble . . . After Disney, we are reminded of just what an extraordinary drummer Phil Collins is, adding some spectacular rounds that are simply jaw dropping. Nathan East--a fabulous bass player (also featured on Clapton's 1999 benefit DVD, "Eric Clapton and Friends in Concert") whose complex bass runs add something great to every song. Greg Phillinganes not only plays perfect on the keyboards, but sings a perfect counterpoint on "White Room." As for Clapton himself, he's at the top of his game, but then when isn't he? It is his authentic voice and guitar, through classics such as "Layla" and "Sunshine of Your Love," and what, then, were the newer songs, such as "Holy Mother," a marvelous tribute to his friend Richard Manuel of The Band. Not as much here as on other DVDs, but there's plenty to delight.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is why Dvd's should be made, September 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Eric Clapton & Friends: Live 1986 (DVD)

This disc not only captures Eric Clapton ing great form, he's having fun and it shows. Nathan East on bass,Greg Phillinganes on keyboards and Phil Collins on drums. These four together seem to have been playing together for years The crowd reactions add to the excitment of the music and vocal by all four. If you enjoy watching live shows while enjoying great music then this disc won't disappoint you. I had this show from 1986 on vhs I wore out my copy I've been looking for a new copy ever since. This disc is a must own for anyone who buys music dvds.