Customer Reviews

Eric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS]

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is Eric Clapton at his best. EC has not played with this much fire and intensity since the 70's, including his Derek And The Domino's days. His guitar playing is absolutely FEROCIOUS...which probably shouldn't come as a big surprise, as this concert took place during his 'Back To The Cradle' period, his most convincing and inspired studio album in ages.
The sound quality on this DVD is superb. As it should be, because the incredible TONES Clapton coaxes out of his guitar and amp are that which most guitar players would kill for.

The image quality is also outstanding, very clear and sharp. The camera work is great, with LOTS of closeups of EC and his guitar during the solos, which is an added treat for guitar junkies (myself included.)

For my money, this is the BEST Eric Clapton concert film available. If you're an Eric Clapton fan, this DVD is the one to get.

(NOTE: The DVD edition contains two songs not included on the VHS version: smoldering renditions of "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "It Hurts Me Too".)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Jun 14,2002...

This concert video is for those people who think that the Clapton of the 90s has lost his guitar skills. The reason why everyone does not know how great he is, is because in the mid to late 90s Clapton's best work, especially live, has been blinded by todays teen pop. I have listened to every live album of Clapton's I could find. Eric Clapton is one of the greatest live performers and in my book the greatest guitarist, technically and for me emotionally. I have looked sincerely into countless guitarists and solos. Old love and I shot the sherriff in this concert are among the best solos i have heard ever. Five long years is great too, if you have patience. And those of you are wondering why this old, skinny white guy with glasses who did that slow song about his son is revered as one of the best guitarists in the world, this video is for you. Great music today has to be searched for. And if you are reading this review, you have found it.

Well, any doubts about Clapton's ability to crank out awe-inspiring blues guitar are put to death here. This video takes you through an entire Clapton concert from the summer of 1996, and EC is definitely on-target. ALL of the songs are played terrifically, although the standouts to me are "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" (for the solo), "I Shot the Sheriff" (again, great solo), and "Badge."

The set list also includes "Wonderful Tonight," "Five Long Years," "Tore Down," "White Room," and the acoustic version of "Layla," although when buying this video I had hoped it to be the original version. Still great, though.

I never tire of watching this tape. I'd be interested in how it compares to the 24 Nights video; I'm sure they are very similar. Hard to believe, though, how one man can play the guitar so well for so long and still manage to come up with new and inventive material for his solos show after show. This is a must-have for all EC fans.

This is 1996,Eric Clapton at Hyde Park for the Prince's Trust.And what a show he puts out!!Brilliant!!The picture and sound quality of the DVD is great.the backing band includes andy fairwetaher Low,Dave Bronze,Steve and Chris Stainton.Let me just run through the tracks-

Layla - Acoustic version.......well done.

Badge - EC takes the blue strat from here.

Hoocie Coochie man - EC plays this track on every DVD and i have grown a bit bored of it.Good harmonica solo here.

I shot the sheriff - My fave track.Great solo from Eric.sizzling stuff!

It hurts me too - Great slide work from EC on this Elmore James number.switches to a gibson hollowbody.

Wonderful Tonight - staple Clapton stuff...nothing special.

Five long years - another awesome blues numbr.Eric's strat sets it alight....another great solo.

Tearin us apart - EC does this number with backing vocalist Kim Kasoon (who does tina turner's part).I love this one....good vocals,good beat and again nice solo.

Old Love - "I can feel your body..."...nice song.EC keeps it simple during the verses and ends with a pasionate solo.

I'm torn down - Freddie king number.EC gets his ES-335 out and emulates one of his heroes.i got hooked to Freddie after hearing this one.

Have you really loved a woman - Another Ec blues standard.He again puts out scorching solos on his Cherry 335 but somehow for me the rendition with duane allman will always remain at different level.

White room - Late Cream number.this has a Wah-Wah solo with andy fairweather singing along.The version from 24 nights is better.

Everday i have the blues - A fast paced blues number.

Holy Mother - the encore backed by choir.

Overall this is best EC DVD out there.Get one and you wont be dissapointed.nothing beats Clapton live !!

This concert is one of the first complete performances of Eric released in DVD. With amazing and crisp sound and picture, it represents a true document on contemporary music for future generations. Eric performs his classic tunes like Badge and Acoustic Layla plus great blues songs like Five Long Years and Tore Down. Here we see a Slowhand in top notch shape, soloing greatly, and singing with a lotta feeling, like a true blues man. This concert was taped in Hyde Park in 1996, in the midst of a heavy rain, which did not manage to scare away the thousands of souls touched by Eric's music. There are virtually no behind the scenes or interviews footage, which would've been great, but one addition to the DVD is the the classic blues It Hurts me Too, with great slide guitar by the amster. Don't let it pass, I can honestly say this is the best E.C. DVD out yet.

I have followed Eric Clapton for many years. This DVD brings it all...great "licks", vocals and backups. Eric has truly mastered his art. If you are not truly a Clapton Fan..you will be after watching and listening to the great one!!!

I don't see how you can be a true EC fan and turn off I Shot the Sheriff on this DVD. What makes him so good is that he can play the same song on 2 different nights and it can be so different. I think this is EC at his best.

Outstanding performance from 1996. The quality of the music is perfect, and the visuals are pretty close to perfect. Eric's vocals are quite strong throughout the show. My only gripe is that he does not let loose with long guitar solos at the end of the songs like he should. Too many short songs. If you're one of the greatest guitarists of all time, isn't a live performance your chance to really let loose? I don't understand it. He needs to take a lesson from Mark Knopfler, the greatest live guitarist in rock history. Eric has done it before, but he doesn't do it enough in this concert. Still, this is a no brainer to own if you like Eric Clapton, just not his best effort. Still the best effort he has on DVD to date.

Eric Clapton always gets a 5 stars in my book, and why not? The man is a legend, an icon and went from a guitar-god to guitar virtuoso over the last four decades. He has done everything from early blues with John Mayall to early British Invasion pop with The Yardbirds, then Power Trio triumviant with Cream, to Blindfaith supergroup member, to sideman with Delaney & Bonnie, then created a seventies masterpiece with the album Layla, to a solo career that has taken him to highs and lows, to jamming with everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughn to B. B. King - and the list of acolades goes on ad infinitium.
Eric Clapton Live at Hyde Park gives an overview of his career with such songs as Layla, I Shot The Sheriff, White Room and many more. But, where Clapton shines are on the various blues numbers this DVD contains. That is where the magic is and where Clapton gets to rip loose, just like every Clapton fan likes. You may not be familiar with some of the song titles of these blues gems, but that is where the mother load is on this one. If you are a Clapton fan and want to see the maestro at work, Live In Hyde Park is the ticket!

Eric Clapton was touring behind the excellent "From The Cradle" album when this concert was recorded, and the set list includes a lot more genuine blues numbers than most latter-day live Clapton.

He is backed by an excellent combo which includes Andy Fairweather-Low and Muddy Waters' harpist Jerry Portnoy, and Clapton's own playing is delightfully gritty. He plays sizzling slide guitar on a terrific "It Hurts Me Too", and lets loose with a series of raw blues solos during Freddy King's "I'm Tore Down" and Eddie Boyd's "Five Long Years", and even pulls off a better-than-average "Hoochie Coochie Man".
Eric Clapton's vocals are as good as I've ever heard him, and fans of his bluesier side should definitely pick up this fine concert video. DVD. Whatever.
This recording should have been released on CD...it is much, much better than the recent "One More Car, One More Rider".