Eric Clapton in 2011

(New York, NY)

Despite the fact that it was nearly 10 years ago that Eric Clapton first claimed he was retiring from the road, it seems like it was only yesterday. As I get older, I am starting to realize just how quickly time flies by and when I look back at the sheer amount of output (creatively, performance-wise, etc.) that Clapton has produced in recent years, it really is astounding.

For the artist formerly known as “God,” the 2000s have been full of professional reunions, music festivals, duet albums, partnered concert dates, explorations of past inspirations, adventures in new artistic territory and extensive touring. These have arguably been the most artistically fruitful years of his solo career and it is likely that it was the realization of this that forced the music legend to nullify all past claims of retirement in 2009.

Like almost every year since the turn of the century, 2011 has had its fair share of notable Clapton projects and news. We here at The American Blues News have done our best to bring you coverage of it all, but every once in a while something slips through the cracks. So for all you Clapton fans (and for even those that are not) I’m going to run through his professional achievements over the last year…this is “Eric Clapton 2011: A Year in Review.”

NEW RELEASES: Though Eric Clapton did not release a new solo studio album this year, 2011 was full of notable guest appearances and one very special live collection. The American Blues News reviewed Robbie Robertson’s HOW TO BECOME CLAIRVOYANT back in April and it was/is an interesting album that features Clapton on the majority of its tracks. You can read that review by clicking HERE and to purchase digital downloads of the album, click on this picture:

Also in April (on the 19th to be exact) Clapton’s name popped up as one of many guests featured on a career-spanning retrospective of the work of jazz trombonist Chris Barber, titled MEMORIES OF MY TRIP. Clapton sang and played on a version of “Weeping Willow” and other guests included Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Cotton, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Van Morrison, Keith Emerson, Mark Knopfler and others. To purchase digital downloads of the album, click on this picture:

On September 5th, Chris Wassif released his debut album, LOOKING UP FEELING DOWN and Clapton lent his talent (along with Bert Jansch) to two of its tracks – “Please Don’t Leave” and “Southbound Train.” To purchase digital downloads of the album, click on this picture:

September 13th saw the release of Eric Clapton and Wyton Marsalis’ PLAY THE BLUES – LIVE FROM JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER. Taken from two shows recorded earlier in the year, this live album (and DVD) features Clapton and Marsalis, along with a stellar band, performing a set of classic blues and New Orlean-style jazz. It is a very fun recording and you can read our review of it by clicking HERE. To purchase digital downloads of the album, click on this picture:

REISSUES: 2011 was full of fantastic Clapton-related reissues, most notably the 40th Anniversary Edition of Derek & The Dominos’ LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS. This classic album got the star treatment with a few different versions; including re-mastered two-disc and a four-disc editions. To purchase digital downloads of the four-disc version, click on this picture:

Clapton got dubbed an “icon” by Polydor back in April with two different retrospective collections (a one-disc and two-disc) as part of their ICON series. Both collections take a look back at some of his greatest hits; both as a solo artist as well as with bands like Cream and Derek & The Dominos. To purchase digital downloads of the album, click on this picture:

Gary Brooker’s second studio album, 1981’s LEAD ME TO THE WATER also got a re-release this year and it features Clapton on several tracks; including the rare B-side “Chasing the Chop” as one of two of this release’s bonus tracks. To purchase the album, click on this picture:

Believe it or not vinyl is officially making a comeback and Clapton’s catalogue is not immune to its rising popularity. On November 22nd Clapton released a five-disc vinyl LP collection titled CLAPTON BLUES; with a limited number being pressed on blue vinyl. The set features the albums FROM THE CRADLE, RIDING WITH THE KING and ME AND MR. JOHNSON as well as an exclusive lithograph of its cover image.

As if that wasn’t enough, back on April 16th the world celebrated “Record Store Day” and in turn a two-disc vinyl LP of Clapton’s beloved UNPLUGGED hit stores as well as a Domino’s 7” single of “Got to Get Better in a Little While” and “Layla” as well as a 7” single of John Mayall and Eric Clapton’s “Lonely Years” and “Bernard Jenkins.”

EQUIPMENT: In October Fender introduced the first of their new artist signature amplifiers and as they did with their first signature model guitar over two decades ago, they gave the inaugural honor to Eric Clapton. There are actually three different Clapton models in the series (varying in size, features and price); the EC Twinolux, EC Tremolux and EC Vibro-Champ.

C.F. Martin & Company introduced their seventh limited edition guitar honoring Eric Clapton in April, the 000-42ECJ Madagascar. Unlike the pervious Clapton models, this one was only made available in Japan and only 100 instruments were built. It featured an Adirondack Spruce top and sides and back made of Madagascar Rosewood.

ON STAGE: As usual Clapton spent much of 2011 on the road; starting the year off in the Western United States and making a quick stop in New York City before hitting the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and South America. He is currently touring Japan with Steve Winwood.

His most notable 2011 engagements included two nights at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis (the fruits of which were discussed above and you can read our review of one of those shows by clicking HERE), a star-studded benefit concert in Surrey (England) for stroke research on June 4th and a June 24th benefit concert in Italy to aid children’s causes…alongside Pino Daniele.

OTHER NEWS: Clapton was recently dubbed the #2 “Top Guitarist of All Time” by Rolling Stone Magazine (the full list can be found on the magazine’s website as well as in their December 8th issue). Of the British guitar-hero Eddie Van Halen (who ranked at #8) said “Eric Clapton is basically the only guitar player who influenced me – even though I don’t sound like him. There was a basic simplicity to his playing, his style, his vibe and his sound. He took a Gibson guitar and plugged it into a Marshall, and that was it. The basics. The blues. His solos were melodic and memorable – and that’s what guitar solos should be, part of the song. I could hum them to you … I could play some of those solos now – they’re permanently imprinted in my brain. That blues-based sound is still the core of modern rock guitar.”

Also Clapton, a well-known fundraiser, donated a signed hat to the November 6th auction to benefit St. Mungo’s (a charity that serves homeless persons in London) and at Bonhams of New York City on March 9th he held the latest of his many auctions to raise awareness and money for his Crossroads Centre in Antigua.

So as you can see 2011 was indeed a busy year for Eric Clapton. He has been on a similar trajectory for over a decade now; so one can only hope 2012 will provide us with more legendary team-ups and reunions, noteworthy guest appearances and explorations into areas of music (like jazz) that take him out of his comfort zone and push him even further as an artist.

You can keep up with Clapton news at whereseric.com.

New York City-area blues fans, be sure to ring in the New Year (on December 31st) with rock and roll legend Chuck Berry at B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill in the heart of Times Square!!!

As always, check out jblakeblues.com for some local NYC blues and J. Blake gig dates…and become a fan of J. Blake’s on Facebook.

Copyright © 2011 – J. Blake. All Rights Reserved.
*Live image was taken from whereseric.com