Customer Reviews

Eric Clapton - Unplugged

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What does it mean to be a musician? I love music of many kinds but unfortunately for me I don't understand its structure, and so I can't seem to figure out how to play. I am a person who constantly has a song running through his head, I breathe in time to music, so music is very much a part of me. That's why it's fortunate for all of us who don't play that there are musicians like Eric Clapton.

Ever since this disc was recorded not too long after the death of his son, Clapton has done some work that is "uneven" as the critics would say. It's like the Monty Python Contractual Obligation Album - I did it because I had to. He cranks out a lot of albums so it's natural - given that volume - that some will not be stellar quality.

Not the case here. In these songs, you see Clapton's heart laid bare. There's "Tears in Heaven" - the song dedicated to his son who was killed in a tragic fall from a terrace in a high rise apartment building, an acoustic version of "Layla" that will surprise you with its appeal given the difference from the famous one you're already familiar with, there are several Robert Johnson tunes - from Clapton's idol and major influence, and some other songs that all just blend together like threads in a colorful fabric. Nothing seems out of place: the choice of songs, their sequence, the backup musicians... This overall character gives this DVD a certain listenable quality that makes you drag it out and throw it in fairly often. I can't seem to tire of it.

At the time it came out, I was designing and selling high end Home Theatre and Music systems, and after hearing and seeing this disc at a Custom Electronic Design And Installation (CEDIA) convention, I picked up a copy to use in demonstrations for my clients. Every time I played it, the people stopped kind of "going through the motions" in the demo and were grabbed by what they were hearing ...and seeing.

The whole MTV Unplugged is an intimate series where you're closer to the music (as it's all acoustic) and closer to the musicians, too. Here you get it all - the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is clean and tight with a rich undertone throughout. The instruments sound warm. The camera angles and the choice of shots allow you to really feel and appreciate the talent you're witnessing here not only in Eric Clapton but in the carefully chosen musicians for this session. Chuck Lovell on piano is a standout among them. Remember the "Clapton is God" era back in England? Well, Mr. Clapton may not be God exactly but his playing is divine... always.

That's what makes this disc special out of all the others similar to it that you might own. While Clapton is always extraordinary in his technique and in display of his technical skills, on this disc he seems to be most comfortable with the venue, the style of play, the song list, and with his motivation. It's like he's trying to reach us and show us what this kind of music is all about, show us its heart and soul.

Isn't that what a musician is supposed to do?

I love Clapton's music new and old. The soul in this accoustic, beautifully engineered recording is my idea of Clapton at his very best. I would love to see more live performances recorded this way. I owned the CD version of this for many years before the DVD came out. It was a great pleasure to experience the concert as if I was there.

I'm a fan of Eric Clapton. The latest "with friend" concert DVD is well done. For this one, it's also a classic but if you own the latest gadgets (DTS, DRC TV, etc), then... probably could wait for a DTS version :)

this comment is a little shout out to K. Tarin "2hard2please2bad" ... all i have to say is... shut - up. OOoo, mister 300 concerts. wow. i am really impressed. Eric Clapton is amazing, and there is no gettin around that. maybe you dont like his tunes, i'm not sure, but there is no denying his talent. tense? you thought he was tense? no sir...he was singing like there was no one watching! and his solos were awesome (for example -- layla or old love. both great solos). he has excellent guitar skills all around -- original and well played. and his voice is amazing, as well as his lyrics.

This 1992 MTV Unplugged video is something everybody should watch at least once in a lifetime. Now that the standard for good music is set really low, a Clapton Unplugged DVD is something that can calm down stressed ears. (I mean, what is hiphop, rap, punk, emocore, and other bad stuff doing on top of the charts?)

The band is doing really good in this video; Clapton's acoustic guitar bluesstyle playing is incredible; Chuck Leavell's keyboards are subtle but quite meaningfull (I place his piano solos here among my favorite one's); Nathan East is always perfect; Ray Cooper and Ferrone on Perc/Drums do it fine and precisely and Andy F. Low is the 2nd guitar player on Clapton's bands I enjoy the most (like him better than Doyle Bramhall II, but not as much as Derek Trucks in the current EC Tour).

Acoustic versions by Eric Clapton: can anything be better than this for a quiet, rainy day with the one you love?

This still ranks as one of Eric Clapton's best and most pleasant "concerts."

I remember seeing this when it was first televised on TV. Later, it was a pleasure to get it on DVD after watching it on tape for several years. The concert always is enjoyable to watch and listen to, no matter many times I view it.

This is a nice mellow-sounding concert and most of the songs grow on you. It's presented in such a classy form that it provides something different: blues/rock 'n roll in a quieter format. This was so successful that other performers copied it with their "unplugged" concerts.

There are many familiar faces with Clapton here and I particularly enjoyed Chuck Leavell on keyboard. On "Old Love," he gives one of the better piano solos I've ever heard. Leavell is best-known as the keyboard man for the Rolling Stones. Meanwhile, percussionist Ray Cooper is the most fun guy to watch. It's doubtful a drummer ever had as much fun as he does in concerts, especially when he's showing off with the tambourine.

All the band members from Clapton on down look like nice guys who are thoroughly enjoying themselves in this concert.....and it shows in the music.

Wonderful. Eric actually talks and displays his great
sense of humor. He interacts with the band and the audience which is rare in any of his recent arena performances. He put a whole new spin on many of his electronic standards-hits.

EC is simply great. This is music in its purist form. Eric and his Accoustic, Good stuff! I have watched this DVD over and over and it never gets old. He is a musical genius. The sound and video are excellent. If you're a fan of EC or the Blues, this DVD will not disappoint you.

In this intimate little concert, Eric Clapton shows why he is a legendary guitarist. Great song selection. Incredible musicianship. This is Clapton playing what he loves. Blues. When you watch it, you feel you're in the front row. Video is very good. Surround sound is very good. Even if you're not a big EC fan, you'll love this show.

Eric Clapton Unplugged is a perfect concert in both performance and song selection for the unplugged genre! I hope that it will some day be released on the Blu Ray format...keep hope alive!!