Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood: Live from Madison Square Garden [Blu-ray]
Starring: Eric Clapton, Steve WinwoodStudio: WEA/Reprise
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Live, Widescreen
Running Time: 197 minutes
DVD Release: June 2nd 2009
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DVD Review
History rocked and rock made history
during a sold-out three-gig stand at
Madison Square Garden in late February 2008 when icons Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood performed a concert together
for the first time since their all-too-brief days in the legendary Blind Faith in 1969. Whether they will ever team again is unknown. But with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Live From Madison Square Garden, on this Blu Ray, fans everywhere are able to experience the sound and the glory of a performance on that famous stage by two of rock's greatest artists.
User Reviews
Eric and Steve - Rating: 5/5
This was a solid purchase, it was nice to see these two greats together again, many years have passed since they played in Blind Faith. How these two chose the music line-up is interesting; Eric picked Steves songs and visa-versa. This is a must have Blu-Ray for anyone who appreciates classic rock.
Good but not great - Rating: 5/5
I saw the DVD in advance of seeing the pair live at the Hollywood Bowl. The DVD was OK - lots of the usual Clapton stuff I grew bored with years ago - SURPRISE!!!! They dumped most of that by the time they made it to the Hollywood Bowl. Replaced with facinating Winwood songs made the Hollywood Bowl show (I think) the best concert I have ever seen , ever!
Reviewing the DVD after the fact it has grown on me and now I love it.
Particularly "No face, no name, no number" and "Split Decision" by Stevie Winwood. Also I must say that Stevie plays Hammond organ , acoustic and electric guitars and BASS PEDALS!!! Who plays bass pedals anymore except church organists? He is the consumate musician and Clapton would do well to throw in with Stevie for some future projects, or form a band. This DVD is a must see!!
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live from Madison Square Garden-Blu-ray - Rating: 4/5
I have watched numerous Eric Clapton DVD performance products and have never been dissapointed in a single one. This disc is no exception. The music selection and quality is very good and the interplay between the two classic rock Hall of Famers is electric at times. However, this band although very good is not at the level of EC's previous stage bands. Also even though the video quality was high (almost perfect) on Blu-ray, the camera shots and angle selections are often questionable. Very little is shown of the audience...I know we pay to see the performers but when the crowd is feeling it and really gets into the music some of those shots add to the video experience. Best tracks are definately the blues selections like Double Trouble and Pearly Queen. The Jimi Hendrix tune Little Wing (Layla album) is worth the price of the disc.
Overall I give it a B+. Music A, Sound quality B+, tune selection B, video B+ and camera views C.
If your an EC or Winwood die hard you will not be dissapointed. Younger folks that have an interest in the music of the late 60's & early 70's will learn much from this performance.
Old and Tired.... - Rating: 2/5
On paper this concert concept is a can't miss idea. I ran out and bought the DVD and the CD the first week it came out. For me anyway it was a real disappointment. I am not discrediting the talent there, it is obvious. The problem is there is no chemistry, spontaneity, or anything new here at all. Dinosaur Rock. They might not have played some of these songs for a long time but they sure played them like they were right off of the original vinyl pressings.
I am jaded here because at the same time that I picked up these titles I also picked up Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott's. Oh my goodness what a difference!
Beck is a visionary and a virtuoso that has more feel, touch, and soul than anything Clapton or Winwood display during their set. Interesting too is that Clapton appears on the Beck DVD as well.
The set list of the Clapton/Winwood performance mystifies me. Clapton pulls out several Clapton pieces and Winwood is noticeably neglected... I could have handled Clapton playing along on "Higher Love", "Roll With It", or even "Gimmie Some Lovin'".
What Clapton captured with Cream at the Royal Albert Hall is missing from this show... The music was tired, not like being in that place was special... they sounded if they had been touring for the past 30 years and had played out all of the emotion. Most of you loved it and you are lucky.. I was right there at the door but it did not open for me.
The Guys Just Get Better With Age - Rating: 5/5
It's great to see these old pals now in their 60s and enjoying themselves and still entertaining as much as ever, playing music as good as ever. It's scary to remember these guys when they first played together in a band about 45 years ago. The two reminisce about it at length in a bonus feature on this concert DVD.
Keyboard player Chris Stainton, who was a key instrumentalist in Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" group in the `60s, belongs with Clapton and Winwood, all being about the same age. It's always good to see the three above-mentioned guys playing together, along with the rest of the group.
Song-wise, that's not a lot new but I did really appreciate Clapton giving it a go on the famous Jimi Hendrix song, "Voodoo Chile." The only other guitarist I've ever seen attempt Hendrix's material was the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Eric did just fine, too.
Don't overlook the three "bonus" songs offered. For me, "Lowdown," with a great a rockabilly beat, was fantastic and another example of how you can't go wrong with these old pros.
