Eric Clapton is one of those musicians who, while revered, has turned out some pretty poor stuff between the magic stretching from the mid sixties until today.
This 1999 compilation focuses on a period in his life where, if all that is read is to be believed, he came to the end of his serious ... Read review
This is the legendary guitar icon. This is (as his early apostles once proclaimed) God. Ranging from the mid-80s through to the late 90s,The Clapton Chroniclesowes...
This is the legendary guitar icon. This is (as his early apostles once proclaimed) God. Ranging from the mid-80s through to the late 90s, The Clapton Chronicles ow...
This is the legendary guitar icon? This is (as his early apostles once proclaimed) God? Ranging from the mid-'80s through the late '90s, The Clapton Chronicles o...
order.Thisis the legendary guitar icon?Thisis (as his early apostles once proclaimed) God? Ranging from the mid-'80s through the late '90s,The Clapton Chroniclesowes le...
A review by daveops on Clapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Clapton April 18th, 2003
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
It really is rather good
Disadvantages:
You do not get 5 boys with no instruments revealing their hairless chests while doing a dance routine
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Eric Clapton is one of those musicians who, while revered, has turned out some pretty poor stuff between the magic stretching from the mid sixties until today.
This 1999 compilation focuses on a period in his life where, if all that is read is to be believed, he came to the end of his serious drug problems, endured the horrific death of his young child and put out some of the best material of his career.
As if to outline the quality of this album, "Behind The Mask" doesn't make it to the final cut! This makes listening essential to anybody who can tolerate music using outrageous equipment such as a piano, a bass and a guitar, together with real drums!!
As well as being perhaps the world's most accomplished guitarist, Clapton chooses to work with the world's best musicians and record producers.
The opening track was, at release, new material. "Blue Eyes Blue" is a beautifully lilting acoustic ballad written by the prolific Diane Warren (dig out any compilation CD from your collection - I bet you've got at least one track written by her on it). "It was you who broke my heart in pieces; it was you who made by blue eyes blue" sums up the mood.
"Change The World", often featured on the VH1 music TV channel, is another pleasant acoustic ballad erring on optimism, while the Simon Climie (yes! Climie Fisher!) produced "In My Father's Eyes" is a reminder to us all to bury petty family feuds before it's too late.
Clapton's son Connor died tragically, falling 80 floors from a New York apartment window. The self-penned "Tears From Heaven" captures the pain and loss of a father who saw little of his boy due to relationship difficulties and professional commitments. "Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven ... I must be strong and carry on because I know I don't belong here in heaven" always brings a tear to my eye.
Most of us know the dynamic "Layla", but its acoustic twin appears here from his Unplugged recordings with MTV. It is a truly brilliant interpretation of his own rock standard, and is exceptional in that it finds an intimacy with the huge arena audiences Clapton regularly entertains.
Moving up tempo and into the revered electric blues that Clapton is renowned for, "Pretending" is a driving rock track, followed by the magnificent guitar opening of "Bad Love", featuring the likes of Phil Collins on drums and Alan Clark (Dire Straits) on keyboards.
Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me" is my favourite offering here though. A long forgotten blues track highlighting the difficulties of infidelity on both sides of a relationship, but, more excitingly for me, featuring Robert Cray's wonderful guitar and a tremendous solo in the middle.
"It's In The Way That You Use It" was a 1986 hit, while "Forever Man" is remembered by me for its contribution to Knebworth's 1990 Silver Clef concert where the sheer intensity of the performance stood out ahead of the likes of Elton John and Genesis!
The pace of the album slows into the blues again with the moving and memorable "Running On Faith", before picking up again with the dramatic Phil Collins produced "She's Waiting".
Seven and a half minutes of "Rivers Of Tears" can chill out the most stressed of us, and while it sits uneasily at this point of the album, as a track by itself it is akin to any relaxation moment you can find in your collection. It also features some wonderful orchestral string arrangements and a great vocal performance from Clapton. If you've got this album and forgotten this track, dig it out and play it.
While "I Get Lost" does include Paul Weller somewhere amongst the instruments, it's my least favourite track, but has the benefit of preceding "Wonderful Tonight", which from memory was recorded live during one of his residencies at the Royal Albert Hall in the early nineties.
With the likes of Ray Cooper (the bald bloke at the back on the bongos who often plays live with Elton John too) and Nathan East, the bass player with the huge grin, Clapton certainly surrounds himself with the best musicians the rock world offers. But the 15 tracks on this masterpiece confirm that above all, it is Eric Clapton who is the greatest of all those present.
A truly joyous listen.
More Reviews
Clapton IS God Review ofClapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Claptonby
markhobbs
Advantages: Pleasant listening Disadvantages: Not his best best
Maybe Clapton is too bluesy to actually be God, but there’s no denying that he is a compellingly sexy and talented man. There’s no song quite like Wonderful Tonight to attract the attention of the ladies, in fact a friend of mines sole purpose for learning to play the guitar is seemingly to lure them to him with its intro. So it’s no wonder Clapton is so prolific in that department. This cd features the best of his work from the ... ...its purchase. It’s basically a Clapton album for housewives, much of it is comprised of his more up tempo and anthemic material. I speak mostly of his eighties work, it’s nice listening it’s just not what he’s going to be remembered for. That said there are some great songs on the album, the opener Blue Eyes Blue, from the Runaway Bride soundtrack, is one of my favourite songs. It’s a far cry from the rawness of Cream ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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very helpful
19.05.2002
Clapton's Hits Review ofClapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Claptonby
pmcds
Advantages: Great classics from a legend Disadvantages: Couple of weak links
Clapton Chronicles
Released in 1999, Clapton Chronicles is the Greatest Hits compilation of a musician who has been performing at the top flight since his first band, 'The Yardbirds' in 1963. He has released a phenomenal amount of albums with a number of different bands, including Derek and the Dominos and Cream. This compilation comprises some of his solo hits from 1984 to 1999. Clapton's style of blues mixed with a rock ballad style has made him ... ...Clapton Chronicles features many instantly recognisable tracks, including 'Layla', written for Patti Boyd, his wife until 1989 when they divorced, and a live version of 'Wonderful Tonight', which is perhaps considered Clapton's signature tune. The CD also features a track from his collaboration albums with Phil Collins, entitled 'She's Waiting'.
These are the tracks:
1. Blue Eyes Blue
2. Change The World
3. My Father's Eyes
4. Tears In Heaven
...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
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13.03.2008
Timeless hits on 1 great CD Review ofClapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Claptonby
chrisfisherman
Advantages: A wide range of superb songs on 1 great CD, brilliant value for money Disadvantages:
...CD from Eric Clapton I have, although it is a shame he decided not to include Hound Daog on it.
I would reccomend anyone who has not sampled Eric Claptons music to buy this as it is compulsive and is a great idea for a gift (as I found out). ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
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24.08.2000
The Best From Old Slowhand Review ofClapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Claptonby
voodoo__child
Advantages: A compilation of the best Disadvantages: If you dont like his stuff,nothing new to hear
...styles, but i feel that Clapton really has brought them all together for the listener to enjoy onto this supurb album.
Although i personally feel it doent live up to the marvel of his 'Unplugged' album, this clearly is one to add to your blues and/or easy listening collection.
His simple style of playing and repeated riffs along with his emotional lead/blues breaks (most of which occur in the blues scale or minor pentatonic) accompany the terrific ... ...on the album.
Its an album to listen to while sitting at home sipping a good bottle of red, yet its also an excellent album to play as background music over your mates house.
I'm sure all ages will be able to appreciate slowhands amazing quality and consistency from the young to the old, and this CD will clearly show to all his highlights.
Recomended to all, especially blues fans - but lets face it, if you love the blues there will always be a ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
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helpful
08.03.2001
(09.03.2001)
Nice Compilation Review ofClapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Claptonby
nigelpm
Advantages: Great collection of tracks Disadvantages: Will only appeal to fans of late clapton stuff
...from about 1985 until 1999. Clapton Chronicles is a very good Clapton CD if you like his newer stuff. Starting with 'Blue Eyes Blue', which appears on the Runaway Bride Motion Picture Soundtrack, and is a typical soundtrack song... Next is his Grammy-winning 'Change The World', followed by My Father's Eyes, Tears In Heaven, and the unplugged version of Layla - which is outstanding. Then comes 'Pretending', from 'Journeyman' The final set of songs ... ...This album shows how Clapton has aged gracefully and is one of the few stars who has kept his popularity at the same level through so many decades. To sum up this is a great CD, especially if you love clapton's later stuff. If you're a true avid fan of only his 60/70's stuff don't bother with this album. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Clapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton) - Eric Clapton
Product details
Title: Clapton Chronicles (The Best Of Eric Clapton)
Performer: Eric Clapton
Genre: Rock & Pop
Release Date: 18/03/2002
Recomended Retail Price: 12.99 GBP
Original Release Year: 1999
Label / Distributor: Warner Bros. / Cinram Logistics
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Mixed
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 93624756422
Catalogue Number: 9362475642
Additional notes
Album Notes: This best-of compilation contains tracks recorded by the rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Eric Clapton. Argentinian version contains an extra cut.
Album Reviews: Q (12/99, p.156) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...There are 2 new songs here...to entice the completists....with big-shot Babyface, [Clapton] gracefully updates his trademark sound. And if playing the blues is about expressing pain, then 'Tears In Heaven'...is the genuine article." Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.120) - "...the time of craftsmanlike albums and Albert Hall residencies, of quietly expensive suits and unassuming legendhood.....stuff to admire and even enjoy....a slow, measured transition from rage to resignation."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Blue Eyes Blue
2.: Change The World
3.: My Father's Eyes
4.: Tears In Heaven
5.: Layla
6.: Pretending
7.: Bad Love
8.: Before You Accuse Me
9.: It's In The Way That You Use It
10.: Forever Man
11.: Running On Faith
12.: She's Waiting
13.: River Of Tears
14.: I Get Lost
15.: Wonderful Tonight
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Listed on Ciao since : 24/08/2000
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