Eric Clapton - Unplugged (1992)

This laid-back, live, intimate session featuring Eric Clapton's bluesy guitar playing is quite enjoyable--if a bit limited in scope. With little lighting and frills and a small group backing him up, Clapton picks up his acoustic guitar and leads the listener down memory lane. Clapton is clearly on his best behavior as he engages in minimal small talk with his audience and lets the music speak for itself. The erstwhile Yardbird and former member of Cream and Blind Faith riffs through some dozen-plus songs including "Before You Accuse Me," "Tears in Heaven," "Walkin' Blues," "Alberta," "San Francisco Bay Blues" (in which Clapton thankfully cuts loose a bit), and his great hits "Layla" (written for his ex-wife, Patti Boyd Harrison) and "Old Love," a standard that garnered big applause. But the simple set and sparse stage can barely contain the energy that fills the arena when Clapton launches into "Rollin' and Tumblin'," a raucous, rousing bit of blues that Clapton is certainly still up for. This video is primarily for Clapton's most ardent fans, providing some heartfelt, soulful instrumental prowess in addition to an aging British rocker singing the blues as well as a white guy can. --Paula Nechak Amazon.com

The Acoustic Eric

I happen to like Blues and especially when a master guitarist like Eric picks up an acoustic guitar and slows everything down to almost ballad tempo. He gently allows the blues in his life to come forth as beautiful music that eveyone can appreciate. June 12, 2008

maybe eric's greatest video

i owned the old videotape, and this is just stunning musicianship...all of his crew are awesome, and the set list is classic...if you love eric, as so many of us do, this is an essential part of your video archive... April 27, 2008

Some of the best work by one of the best.

"Live album by Eric Clapton
Released August 18, 1992, recorded January 16, 1992 length 61:43
Label Reprise, Producer Russ Titelman

Unplugged is an album by Eric Clapton released in 1992. It was recorded live at Bray Studios in London for the MTV Unplugged series. The album includes an acoustic version of the hit single "Tears in Heaven" and a heavily reworked acoustic version of "Layla". Clapton earned three Grammy Awards for the album: Album of the Year, Rock Male Vocal and Best Rock Song; besides another three for the record and song "Tears in Heaven".

Clapton performed the show in front of a small audience on January 16, 1992 at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, England.

In 2000 Q magazine placed Clapton's Unplugged at number 71 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever."
The above from Wikipedia is interesting from a background point of view. But it doesn't really touch on how great this CD is. I've had this CD for a while now and it is one of my favorites. It is the CD that I always take to check out new equipment. I am one of those idiots that is on the never ending quest for the best,(that I can afford) Stereo equipment. This is a well recorded and excellently performed piece of music. Mr. Clapton is at his best. Layla and Tears are probably the best known songs, but every single song on the CD is a gem. Not to many CD's that I own would I say that about. If you don't have it buy it. If you have it listen to it. Truly great music. November 27, 2007

EC: a true performer

This is definetely one of the best "At-Home" concert you can watch in your house. Really makes me feel that I'm sitting in a front row. Eric Clapton presents his singing, lead and rythm guitar, etc right in front of cameras. All the songs are great!!!! Hard to pick up the best.

I was first attracted to this CD version. To me, as the editorial review says "how well rock stars and their material can hold up when stripped of elaborate production values". I like big arena concerts and I appreciate their performance and show values. But for some of them, I do wonder "I don't think he's actually playing", "they are using somebody or even tapes in order to look like they are playing", etc that sort.

My problem with this CD is that I listen again and again and leave it be in my truck till I think I'd better change it. My biggest curiosity had been who is playing the guitar at "beggin' pleeeeeeeese"? Sounded like EC but he must have been focusing on his vocal. Yet is this DVD worth buying just to see it? Well, it was him. This is it!! This really shows his talent that he can really sing and play his guitar simultanously, while some has to be backed up either one at the real concert. His backing band is minimal hence no cheating. He even picks up the right moments to push up his glasses!!

I don't have enough musical/guitar experience and knowledge but I do know EC is real. I guess I have to watch this DVD again and again in my house as I listen to the CD again and again in my truck.
SY November 19, 2007

Spend a seriously relaxed hour with Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton Unplugged is an intimate portrait of the performer and the man. This program was taped shortly after the death of Clapton's 5 year old son, Connor. The touching piece, "Tears in Heaven," is a result of that sad experience. In spite of that, the program is upbeat and enjoyable and boasts a new and well received version of the classic "Layla." I watch this edition of Unplugged regularly: I think of it as comfort food for the ears. August 29, 2007

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