Audio Fidelity To Release B.B. King & Eric Clapton “Riding With The King” On Limited Edition Numbered Hybrid SACD
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| Two Masters Produce a Contemporary Blues Gem! |
They first performed together in 1967 when Clapton was 22 and a member of Cream. Clapton looked up to King and had always wanted to make an album with him. At the time of recording Clapton was 55 and King 74. Clapton arranged the session using many of his regular musicians, picked the songs, and co-produced with his partner Simon Climie. While this would appear to be a Clapton album recorded with King, Clapton gave King center-stage.
The set list includes lots of vintage King specialties, “Ten Long Years,” “Three O'Clock Blues,” “Days of Old,” “When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer,” as well as standards like “Hold On I'm Coming” and “Come Rain or Come Shine,” with some specially written and appropriate new material. King takes Clapton deeper into blues territory than he has ever gone alone and these two artists play the blues with conviction. There may never be another album that links the Delta Blues to modern rock with such style, grace, enthusiasm, and honesty.
Produced by Eric Clapton, Simon Climie
Mastered by Steve Hoffman at Stephen Marsh Mastering
For more information: https://audiofidelity.net/
Audio Fidelity To Release Eric Clapton's "Rainbow Concert" on 180gm Vinyl LP
Alive and Kickin' Clapton Makes a Comeback!
TRACKS: Original 1973 release
Side One
Badge (Eric Clapton, George Harrison) – 3:32
Roll It Over (Clapton, Bobby Whitlock) – 6:43
Presence of the Lord (Clapton) – 5:37
Side Two
Pearly Queen (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) – 7:00
After Midnight (J. J. Cale) – 5:12
Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix) – 6:32
Producer Bob Pridden
Mastered for this vinyl release by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Eric Clapton's 'Journeyman' Album Feat. George Harrison, Chaka Khan, Daryl Hall, Robert Cray, Phil Collins and others Now Available on Hybrid SACD
Eric Clapton's 1985 Comeback Album 'Behind The Sun' Released on Hybrid SACD
Backed with a line-up of stellar musicians and producers Lenny Waronker, Rod Templeman and Phil Collins, Clapton for the first time in years now had several songs that reached a wider audience scoring Top 40 hits with "Forever Man" and "See What Love Can Do." He didn't abandon his old music, he just blended it more effectively and brought the flavor up to date by mastering the more electronic sound of '80s radio.
This album also had a heavy soul flavor with a really well produced version of Eddie Floyd's "Knock On Wood" and Clapton remained true to the blues with a brilliant eight minute track, "Same Old Blues" which contains some of his most electric playing of the era.
The sessions featured Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and former drummer Jeff Porcaro, as well as Clapton's long-time collaborators, drummer Jamie Oldaker, bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. Clapton's voice had a rich new depth, like whiskey aged to perfection. The recording showcased blistering guitar solos, a high-octane R&B beat and a slick synthesizer-backed production, that was well-suited for the pop-rock market - The Guitar God was now serenading to a new generation of admirers and fans alike.
TRACKS
She's Waiting
See What Love Can Do
Same Old Blues
Knock on Wood
Something's Happening
Forever Man
It All Depends
Tangled in Love
Never Make You Cry
Just Like a Prisoner
Behind the Sun
Produced by: Eric Clapton, Phil Collins,
Ted Templeman, Lenny Waronker
Mastered by Steve Hoffman
at Stephen Marsh Mastering
BritWeek Celebrates British Rock 'n Roll with UK Celebs in West Hollywood
Eric Clapton Crossroads 2010 - Tonight!
Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton shares the stage with some of the greatest musicians in the world including ZZ Top, Steve Winwood, BB King, Jeff Beck, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, John Mayer and many others during a star-studded, extraordinary concert experience on Tuesday, July 27 when NCM Fathom and Rhino Entertainment present Eric Clapton Crossroads 2010 on the big screen in more than 475 movie theaters nationwide.Musicians On Call - Benefit Auction and Concert
As music and philanthropy are at the core of the brand, Hard Rock International has partnered with Musicians on Call for the benefit event, helping the charity to continue its mission of room-to-room hospital performances by both local musicians and national celebrities.
In partnership with Hard Rock International, Musician on Call’s 5th Annual Benefit Concert & Auction will kick off Hard Rock’s month-long March On Stage charitable celebration. March On Stage is a global live music series featuring both iconic and emerging artists as a philanthropic initiative to support music healing organizations. Committed to its "Love All, Serve All" creed, Hard Rock will donate proceeds from its March on Stage events in North America to Musicians On Call.
"Musicians On Call’s campaign to bring music straight to the bedsides of patients in hospitals would not be able to continue to expand without the donations made at our annual event." says Leslie Faerstein, Executive Director Musicians On Call. "It’s an exciting night made even more special by a performance by James Taylor. The impact of this one night has a profound effect throughout the rest of the year improving the health and spirits of thousands of patients one song and one bed at a time."
For the past four years, the Musicians On Call Benefit Concert & Auction has produced the most exciting and rewarding experiences for music fans bringing the best in music to the stage of their events and exciting items to their auctions. Following are just a few items that will be available for bidding at Musiciansoncall.org beginning on February 10th: a one-hour personal painting lesson from the renowned entertainer and revered painter Tony Bennett at his private studio in New York City; a visit to the set of Nickelodeon's hit series iCarly; and autographed guitars from Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Loggins, Black Crowes, Kings of Leon, Kanye West, David Cook, & Brooks & Dunn.
The annual Musicians On Call Benefit Concerts have raised over a million dollars for the organization in the past four years; helping them to continue their mission of bringing music to patients in healthcare facilities. While aiding Musicians On Call, lucky music fans have walked away with a myriad of signed guitars and other treasures including a signed 1952 reissued Telecaster from Bruce Springsteen, a played harmonica from the Johnny Cash Estate, time in the studio with Maroon 5, artwork from John Lennon, and a signed basketball from Justin Timberlake. Tickets for this unparalleled benefit with a special performance by James Taylor are available at Musiciansoncall.org.
About James Taylor:
Over the course of his long career, James Taylor has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and 5 Grammy Awards for a catalog running from 1970's Sweet Baby James to his Grammy Award-winning efforts Hourglass (1997) and October Road (2002). Taylor's first Greatest Hits album earned him the RIAA's elite Diamond Award, given for sales in excess of 10 million units in the United States. For his accomplishments, James was honored with the 1998 Century Award, Billboard magazine's highest accolade, bestowed for distinguished creative achievement. The year 2000 saw his induction into both the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the prestigious Songwriter's Hall of Fame. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences selected James its MUSICARES Person of the Year in 2006 and most recently, James Taylor’s One Man Band (2007) was nominated for an Emmy® Award for “Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special,” in September 2008. The last two years have seen two remarkable releases; Taylor's "One Man Band" CD/DVD accompanied by a world tour and his most recent "Covers" album which has been nominated for two Grammy® Awards.
About Musicians On Call (MOC):
Musicians on Call (MOC) was founded in 1999 with the mission of bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities to enhance the healing process. To date, their volunteers have played for over 125,000 people. Musicians On Call continues their mission through room-to-room hospital performances by both local musicians and national celebrities, and their CD Pharmacies and Project Playback programs.
About Hard Rock: International
With 124 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and nine Hotels/Casinos in 50 countries, Hard Rock International is one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011; and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2012. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit Hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit Hardrock.com.
Blind Faith - Blind Faith
Label: Polydor
Original Release: 1969
(From Wikipedia)
Blind Faith were an English blues supergroup which consisted of Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, Cream), Ginger Baker (Graham Bond Organisation, Cream), Steve Winwood (Spencer Davis Group, Traffic) and Ric Grech (Family). The group only released one album, Blind Faith, in August 1969 and were often seen as stylistically similar to the bands which Winwood, Baker, and Clapton had most recently participated in (Traffic and Cream). The band helped to pioneer a fusion of rock and roll with the blues.
Blind Faith's beginnings date to mid-1968, with the breakup of Cream. Rock's original supergroup had become a financial powerhouse, selling millions of records within a few years and raising the group's (and each member's) repertoire to international popularity. Despite that success, the band was crumbling from within due to frequent animosity between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, with Eric Clapton doing his best to mediate. In addition, Clapton had tired of being coerced into playing commercially-driven blues, and hoped to move forward with a new, experimental, less straight-jacketed approach to the genre.
Steve Winwood was facing similar problems in The Spencer Davis Group, where he had been the lead singer for three years while they produced straight-laced blues. Winwood wanted to experiment with the band's sound by infusing jazz elements, but left due to his musical differences, instead forming a new band -- Traffic -- in 1967. That band split temporarily in 1969, and Winwood, a good friend of Clapton (they had previously collaborated on a record as "Powerhouse"), started to jam with Clapton in his basement in Surrey, England.
Clapton was pleased with the jam sessions and looked seriously towards starting a trio with Winwood -- but they were in need of a drummer. Ginger Baker turned up to sit in with them in 1969, and the band took near-final form. But Clapton questioned letting Baker in the band, because he had promised Jack Bruce that, if they were to work with one another again, they would all three play. Moreover, Clapton didn't want to reunite with Cream barely nine weeks after the breakup, and also didn't want to deal with another "Cream-like" superstardom situation. Winwood ultimately persuaded Clapton to finalize Baker's inclusion in the lineup, arguing that he strengthened their musicianship and that it would be hard to find an equally talented drummer.
By May 1969, Ric Grech, bassist with Family, was invited to join them (leaving Family, mid-tour). They laid down most of their album at Olympic Studios under the supervision of producer Jimmy Miller. Miller provided focus to the band, who often preferred jamming, over the standard commercial 3-5 minute track. By then the group was known collectively as Blind Faith, a slyly cynical reference by Clapton to his outlook on the new group.
News of the group's formation created a buzz of excitement among the public and press, which even heralded the band as "super Cream". The group debuted at a free concert at London's Hyde Park on June 7, 1969. The performance was well received by fans there but troubled Clapton, who thought that the band's playing was sub-par and that the adulation was undeserved and reminiscent of his Cream days when the crowds would applaud for nearly everything. Clapton, knowing the band had not rehearsed enough and was unprepared, was reluctant to tour and feared that the band would develop into a Cream repeat.
The recording of their album continued, followed by a short tour of Scandinavia, where the band played smaller gigs and were able to rehearse their sound and prepare it for bigger audiences in America and England. After Scandinavia, the band toured the United States, making their debut at Madison Square Garden on July 12th for more than 20,000. During the performance a 30-minute-long riot occurred on stage. Involving police and concert goers, it led to Baker accidentally getting clubbed on the head by a police officer and Winwood's piano being destroyed. The band would tour for seven more weeks in America, finishing their tour in Hawaii on August 24, 1969.
A major problem with the tour was that the band had only a few songs in their catalog — barely enough to fill an hour. They were forced to play old Cream and Traffic songs, to the delight of a crowd which usually preferred their older, popular material to their new Blind Faith material. Clapton was now exactly where he didn't want to be — stuck in a "super Cream" that was causing riots during their live shows (Cream hadn't even reached the status to create riots). They were playing the same material from his Cream days, to appease the audience and to fill the void left by the lack of adequate new material.
Opening acts for the band included the band Free and a blues-based rock act called Delaney & Bonnie. Clapton particularly liked the soulful, folksy-sounding blues of Delaney & Bonnie; he began spending most of his time with them instead of Blind Faith, letting Winwood take a more prominent role in the band.
Upon its release, Blind Faith topped Billboard's charts at the No. #1 spot for Pop Album in both America and the United Kingdom, and peaked at #40 on the Black Albums chart — an impressive feat for a British rock quartet. The album sold more than half a million copies within the first month of its release and was a huge profit-making device for both Atlantic Records and Eric Clapton (Blind Faith sales were helping to stimulate demand for Cream albums as well).
The release of the album provoked controversy because the cover featured a topless pubescent girl, holding in her hands a silver space ship designed by Mick Milligan, a jeweler at the Royal College of Art. Some perceived the ship as phallic. The U.S. record company issued it with an alternative cover which showed a photograph of the band on the front.
The cover art was created by photographer Bob Seidemann, a personal friend and former flatmate of Clapton who is known primarily for his photos of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. Bizarre rumors both fueled and were fueled by the controversy, among them that the girl was Baker's illegitimate daughter or, alternatively, was a groupie kept as a slave by the band.
One other interesting note about the cover is that it was nameless — only the wrapping paper told the buyer who the artist was and the name of the album. Though initially banned, the original artwork became available later in the 1970's in the USA as a "JEM" import.
After the tour finished in August, the band returned to England surrounded by rumours of breakup or a possible UK tour. By October, the band had effectively dissolved within a year of its creation, and it did not produce another studio or live album — though several live tracks from the band can be found on Steve Winwood's 1995 retrospective album The Finer Things.
Thereafter, Clapton stepped out of the spotlight, first to sit in with the Plastic Ono Band and then to tour as a sideman for Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, with whom he had become good friends since the U.S. tour. This freed him of the limelight that he had considered a plague to both Cream and Blind Faith. After his sideman stint, he took several members from Delaney & etc. to form a new supergroup, Derek and the Dominos.
Unlike Clapton, Ginger Baker had enjoyed his Blind Faith experience and looked to carry on an offshoot of the band in the form of Ginger Baker's Air Force with both Grech and Winwood. After a few shows together, Winwood left with Grech and went to Island Records to reunite and reform Traffic, producing the hit album John Barleycorn Must Die.
