Customer Reviews

Eric Clapton - Nothing but the Blues [VHS]

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I began learning and following Eric Clapton in 1981. Since then, I have seen Eric Clapton in concert 15 times.

While I love to hear and see him play the guitar, I always had reservations about his 'pop' career and the 'marginal' quality of his studio albums.

Then came my favorite: From the Cradle. What a powerful piece of work. I was left with my jaw dropped when listening to Eric's guitar work. I had the good fortune of seeing his "Nothin But The Blues" tour twice, once in Cleveland and once in Detroit.

Then, to my surprise PBS aired concert footage from this tour in a "In The Spotlight" special. I was one of the few that knew to TAPE IT!

To this day, it is the most intense, powerful, riff bashing guitar work I have ever seen or heard. I am not exaggerating. Eric holds his own against any guitarist, dead or alive.

The sad thing is: Why can't this concert footage be released? My tape is wearing out! I hope enough people will show demand and this astonishing musical work can be released.

I have my fingers crossed!

WHY DOES THIS CLAPTON BLUES TREASURE STILL REMAIN UN-ISSUED???
This video was scheduled to be issued back in 1995 after it was broadcast (only once) on PBS but has never been released on any format so far anywhere in the world! (Probably the powers that be thought they wouldn't make super tons of money on a "blues" release!)
Anyway folks, this is simply the most blues wailing live footage of Slowhand EVER!! BAR NONE!!!
This exceptionally well shot concert movie (directed by Martin Scorcese) also intersperses short background info on E.C.'s major blues influences. He follows with a song by or in the style of the artist.(Freddie King, Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf etc...) So in the meantime consider yourself lucky to even find
a broadcast copy of this ultimate blues classic for the ages!

This is one amazing video. I have seen it numerous times, and still discover something different everytime I put it in. It's Clapton doing what he does best, playing the blues. The live footage takes place at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1994. While this video is absolutely unavailable, email me, I may be able to help.

This tape captures the many varieties of blues songs on electric guitar the way it should be done. Perfection. Even the greatest blues writers of all time would say " Yeah, that's it, that's the way it should be played. Wow!" This tape should be put in the Smithsonian Institute and preserved for all time. And it should serve as a reference for playing blues guitar.
During a lead of what appears to be just 12 bars, a turn-around continues for another 12 bars, and maybe another turn-around continues for another 12 bars of lead guitar. It's this turn-around tension that keeps me on the edge of emotion. These songs can not be done any better!

For those who found "Unplugged" too unplugged, "Nothing But the Blues" is the answer to a prayer. Extended solos, great archival footage, and Clapton having an awfully good time. I taped it off PBS and, when it was never released, called Warner, finally getting through to a Clapton representative. She said Clapton intended the video to be a tribute to his blues heroes and felt the final effort was too Clapton-centered; he decided not to release it. Begging and pleading don't work when the artist says no. So I find my PBS copy (which is thirty minutes shorter than the released video was going to be) a treasured item. Eric: why not release the concert with the complete archival performance clips? That would make it a greater tribute and please the fanatics (like me) who buy Eric-centered products.

By far, this is Clapton's most convincing work to date. His voice sometimes wailing high in the air, sometimes growling like a rabid lion, sometimes with a falsetto that strikes deep (up there with Richard Manuel's falsetto, for those of you into the Band). His take on the blues is very authentic... while he preserves the essence and sacredness of each song, he also infuses them with his own emotion, which takes the song to skies. But what floored me was his guitar playing, by far his most ferocious take on the blues. Screw Cream (I love them).... but Cream seems like frustrated adolescents banging around their instruments compared to this. With solos that are almost frightening in their near-violent emotion, it's amazing these blistering morsels of improvisation could be played with such a calm and focused exterior. Of particular interest is his amazing solo at the end of the Bessie Smith song "Aint Nobody's Bizness." Possibly his best performance EVER, and the fluidity of his improvising NEVER compromises his spontenaity and fire. GET THIS VIDEO.... if you can't, go to YOUTUBE and do yourself a favor.

As others have written, I wish this would be released. I have a tape I made of it back in `95, but the video quality is somewhat grainy. Audio is good, though.

The live versions of the songs are very similar to "From the Cradle's" studio work. I like to turn up the slide playing on Elmore James' "It Hurts Me Too" until my hair stands up or my fillings buzz, whatever occurs first;)

I'd have to say that the other reviewers of this Clapton production are right-on. Simply put, this is one of the greatest displays of blues guitar playing you will ever see or hear. Clapton's rendition of "Early In The Morning" alone is enough to bring tears to your eyes. And this is just the start. How about Clapton's buzz-saw slide on "It Hurts Me Too" and his reggae-ish version of "Crossroads". It is a mortal sin that this video has not been released. Why hold back?

This is such an inspirational piece. I am a guitarist of 30 years and liked his CREAM work best and then this came along!!! It is live concert footage from his "From The Cradle" album tour. It is produced and narrated by Martin Scorsese(sp?) He interviews Eric and there is quite alot of Eric speaking; a real pleasure in itself. He talks of his very earliest influences, they show tape of these great musicians and then fade to concert footage of Eric and company playing one of these greats' tunes, start to finish, ala Clapton... just to good for words! He plays an assortment of guitars, starting off with hollow-body elec. and some acoustic and on to the powerful Fender. I recorded this video from the local (Sacramento, CA) PBS television in '96 I think, one of their promo/sign-up periods. I loaned (yes!!!)it to friends and somehow it disappeared! I can almost taste how much I miss it! It is a truely exceptional piece and I really find it incredible and consternating that it is out of print! I have tried many avenues of persuit looking to buy to no avail. Any suggestions?! Please somebody reprint this one!!!

I agree with so many reviews of this video. It really needs to be reprinted. It is a 'must see' title for anyone interested in the blues and Eric Clapton. This documentary gives valuable insight into the music and how the blues is interpreted by a contemporary musician and showcases Clapton doing what he does best - tearing up the place with fiery, soulful guitar playing. The production vales are great, the interviews and vintage footage are priceless. Eric Clapton is one of the greatest interpreters of the blues, and has done a tremendous amount of work so that the rest of us have an access this powerful form of American music. I would really love it if this video would again become available. I've searched high and low and can't find a 'studio' copy of what I only have as an incomplete, grainy copy of a copy of a copy. Please reprint soon.