Customer Reviews

Live from Madison Square Garden

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I bought the CD and the DVD versions of the Clapton/Winwood MSG as a combo from Amazon. The CD (which I reviewed in its listing) I gave four stars to - it's very good, but now that I've seen the DVD, I'd give the DVD five stars, mainly for what it adds to the equation: the visuals. While it might seem counter-intuitive to grade musicians of this caliber by `what you can see', the DVD added such a great dimension to the show, in terms of WATCHING them solo and seeing the interplay between them, and their excellent band (these guys have serious CHOPS), that I think the DVD ups the ante, hence I'm giving the DVD 5 stars. The musicianship is excellent (they make it look so EASY....i guess that's what the best guys do when they're on their game? Plus they're clearly having a good time up there), and it's great to be able to see who's playing what (namely, that Winwood plays guitar on the first two cuts, and then on several others toward the end - he's a very good guitarist, and holds his own with Clapton, sometimes trading solos. I wasn't exactly sure what SW was playing on, just from listening to the CD - Chris Stainton is the other keysman). The picture is very good, and the camera work/composition is excellent, with nice close-ups and some striking angles where they got both guys in the same shot, Winwood on keys and Clapton on guitar. Some have pointed out editing inconsistencies w/ the visuals, but I didn't really notice it, as I was enjoying the show so much. I listened to the sound in DTS-mode (as opposed to straight 2-channel stereo) and it was excellent - really good mix - much preferable to the CD mix. I guess if you couldn't be there, this DVD (with a good A/V system) is about as close as you can get.

As for the extras on Disc 2, they're good - interviews, some background on Clapton and Winwood's 60's exploits, their time together in Blind Faith, and behind-the-scenes prep for the MSG shows. There are also a couple of bonus cuts, which didn't make the `main' concert as presented on Disc 1 - I noticed in spots, there were synch problems (from watching the drummer) between audio and video, but the extra cuts are nonetheless good (including a 7 minute "Crossroads"). Overall, the disc set was definitely worth the dough, and if you're a fan of either Clapton or Winwood, and have any inclination to buy this, then absolutely do so. You won't be disappointed.

First thing first, this is a fantastic dvd that is a must have for any musician -especially a guitar player. I saw one review that complained about too many guitar solos??? For me, that is the highlight of this amazing release. There are some extended jams that shows the true talent of these guys who really invented the jam band. Eric Clapton played some of the most inspired guitar in his entire career. It may have been the incredible sound of SW's keys that provided the foundation for the inspired play. His playing on double trouble definitely made me pick up my strat... Steve Winwood still has an amazing voice along with great chops on the organ, but it was cool to see him jam on his guitar during Dear Mr. Fantasy. He is a great guitar player and I would have liked to see him play more of it along with EC on this dvd. BUT, when you have a guitar gun-slinger like Eric Clapton for a sideman, I can see why he let EC handle most of the guitar! Eric Clapton looked as if he really enjoyed playing during this performance. I have to think it was playing on songs that were fun to play for him. The highlights for me were them changes-glad-pearly queen-little wing-voodoo child-can't find-dear mr fantasy. The only reason I give it a 4 star is that I am not sure you need another version of cocaine - and it added nothing to the show. And I think there could have been a few more extra songs on the 2nd dvd. But I have watched this dvd several times and actually enjoy it more than the Cream re-union dvd. Not sure why, because Cream is one of my favorite groups of all time. But that says a lot for this dvd. The camara gets in tight on EC's guitar playing which is a dream for any guitar players. And it is not the usual fast cut style that we see too often in concert dvd's. It is easy to watch and listen to. I have to get the cd now!

Clapton And Winwood have just dropped a forty year Time Bomb on the Baby Boom Generation with this release. Soul Psychedelisizing, Electrifying, Riveting performances...Very Special! What a great Mix of tunes...Awesome tributes to many of the greats who have left us...Ray, Buddy and Jimi to name a few. WOW! Absolutely incredible Sound and Video...I was very lucky to have seen Blind Faith 'Live' at the old Olympia Stadium in Detroit, Michigan during the Summer of 69, when I was in my youth. You won't want to miss this Dynamic Duos show if it comes to your Neighborhood In June. I have never seen Winwood and Clapton having so much fun! Great Stuff...Get it!

Trust an owner of 100+ music concert DVDs and Blurays...this one is ruined by incredibly poor AUDIO.
The video is fine. The audio is a distorted mess. It isn't my system. I listen to all kinds of music and mostly hi-rez audio either in the form of SACD, DVD-A, or high definition 24-bit/96kHz or higher files. I have a great appreciation for sound.
Something went very wrong during the recording or mastering. They either used too much compression (which creates terrible distorsion)or the gain was wrong. Either way it is most noticeable on vocals...although in general the Bluray sounds harsh even at low volumes. My kids even commented.

So strike 1 - it is a Bluray without uncompressed audio as a sound choice (only DTS and PCM low rez)
Strike 2,3,4 - the sound is compressed and distorted unlike any other DVD or Bluray I've ever heard.

Such a shame. Otherwise it could have been a very nice concert Bluray.

Maybe it's my age and the music that formed me and my generation, but even if you didn't grow up during the time of the Blind Faith releases, you will still be amazed at the quality of this reunion. Steve Winwoods voice is still clear and strong, even pushing 60, and Clapton is, well, still getting better at 60 + !!! His voice is also strong, and when most of the other bands still touring who are approaching 60 tend to limit the upper register of their original recordings, both Winwood and Clapton are still hitting the high notes with ease. I only wish I had seen this concert in person, but the video and audio quality are excellent, and if you have a decent home theater system, you too will be transported right into Madison Square Garden as an audience member. Awesome DVD... Cudos to Clapton and Winwood for finally reuniting and bringing back to life the incredible tunes of Blind Faith..

I heard Hendrix's first album described as 'an embarassment of riches' and I think that fits too. The use of a term directed at Hendrix is fully appropriate here as there are as many songs written by him as by Clapton and there are songs off three of his albums. The Buddy Miles song (off 'Band of gypsies') was worked up days before he died and acts as a tribute, Eric has done 'Little Wing' for years, but the real jewel is when they tackle 'Voodoo Chile' - the long one, not the 'slight return'. Eric describes it as stepping off a cliff, and so it is. Steve Winwood, of course, played on the original 'Electric Ladyland' version. I doubt if there are many who could have pulled this off, but they did.

Other highlights include tke solo pieces (Eric on just acoustic guitar for 'Rambling On My Mind' and Steve just on organ for Georgia), the three J J Cale songs and the finishing Duo of 'Dear Mr Fantasy' and 'Cocaine'. There are four Traffic songs ('Glad', of 'John Barleycorn' is another goody), all of the first side of the Blind faith album (stand out, if there is one since they are all good, being 'Presence of the Lord') plus 'Sleeping in the Ground' which Blind Faith used to play live and is on the 'Crossroads' compilation. There are also a few from other parts of Eric's career (including 'Crossroads' on the bonus disk) but strangely few of his compilations.

Altogether, first class rock music, definitely five stars.

When reviewing this on CD, I only gave it three stars - - due to what I see as an uninspired set list. I give the DVD four stars instead of three because the visual presentation compensates for the set list. This works much better as a concert film: the camera angles focus on the soloists, and the cameras stay long enough to make you feel like you're there.

But I won't give it five stars, because the performances are interspersed with interview clips. The interviews are informative, but they break the momentum. (Everything said in these clips is also part of the interviews on the second DVD in the set, so they could have left these out of the concert portion.)

Saw two out of three nights at MSG. Blind Faith was a so called "Super" Group. Perhaps, at the time, the members of the group were not on the same page musically. These shows were not the case. It was not about one out dueling the other but was about playing in unison. From their guitar styles to vocal styles this duo was meant to jam together. From Winwood sharing a vocal turn on Forever Man to Clapton electrifying the Instrumental Glad all their musical selections those 3 nights just worked. They paid their respects to the Blind Faith album, their Golden Age and to each other. It was a "Super" Show.

I really loved to see Eric and Steve playing together again, and the show is amazing! The image on blu-ray is really incredible, and the selection of songs are also phenomenal. You will find very good musics like:

* After Midnight
* Rambling On My Mind (**)
* Georgia On My Mind
* Little Wing
* Voodoo Chile
* Can't Find My Way Home (**)
* Cocaine

The down side of the blu-ray is the sound quality, reason why I'm returning the blu-ray (and will try the DVD - hope it is better), is horrible with an intermittent noise on the guitars, for both: Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood. I tried both formats DTS and Dolby, but the noise persist. I read other reviews for the blu-ray format and I noticed I was not the only one complaining about the quality.

It was good to hear my favorite Eric Clapton songs again (**), but if you are looking for a good quality sound, look for the Jeff Beck blu-ray - a fantastic show and excellent quality.

Imagine that Blind Faith had continued. This DVD gives you some idea of what might have been. No real surprises but a solid satisfying performance that really gets you thinking what they might have been able to do at the height of their powers. I do not understand the complaint about SW's guitar playing which I quite enjoyed. The musicianship is all around excellent.

While I did notice an occassional sync issue I have no problems with the audio although I opted for stereo rather than 5.1 on the audio selection. The hi def video is generally pretty good if not particularly creative.

While I agree that the song selection is not particularly inspired, keep in mind that there is a lot of music here to chose from. This is a two disc CD set.

A worthwhile addition to the collection.