Eric Clapton - 1970 Nineteen Seventy: Plays Towards Tomorrow
Empress Valley Supreme Disk MVR 1090-1091
CD1
1. Labio-Dental Fricative
2. Paper Round
3. Rockin' 50's Rock'n'Roll
4. That'll Be The Day
5. Encore Jam
6. Encore Jam 2
7. Go Back Home
8. Fishes And Scorpions
9. I'm Your Spiritual Breadman
10. Don't You Believe It
11. WASHITA LOVE CHILD
12. Going Down Slow
13. Village Recorders Studio Jam
14. Wally Heider Studio Jam
CD2
01. Medicated Goo
02. You Can't Always Get What You Want
03. Brand New Day
04. Born
05. Tiptina
06. Alcatraz
07. Get Back
08. Almost 12 Bar Honky Tonk
09. Miami Jam
10. Prisons On The Road
11. It's My Life, Baby
12. Dirty Mother For You
13. D Blues
14. Brown Sugar
It is well known that Eric Clapton has been active in session activities with other
artists for a long time. This time, we compiled the session activities he did in 1970
when he formed Derek & The Dominos. Clapton had sessions with 18 artists and
bands in the past year. Among them are newly discovered historical sound sources, as well
as rare sound sources that are no longer available. And not only the rarity, but also that
Clapton's play at this time has been sharpened! It is a work that I would like people
who became Clapton fans after the comeback in 1974 and "Unplugged" in 1992 to
listen to. The songs are in chronological order. I would like you to listen to Eric
Clapton's 24-25 year old playing style that is already being established. Let's introduce the
points of each song.
CD 1
01. Labio-Dental Fricative
02. Paper Round
Vivian Stanshall, member of the Bonzo Dog Dooder Band, held a singles session at
Trident Studios, London in January. The two tracks were released in February under the
name Vivian Stanshall and the Sean Head Showband. Clapton is credited as one of the
composers on both songs, and shows off a wonderful guitar play that can be recognized as soon as
he listens to both songs. In "Paper Round", which was the B-side, the vocal is also taken in the
4th bar of the A melody. It was an unremarkable single and was not a hit, so it was quickly
discontinued. Furthermore, “Paper Round” has probably lost or damaged the master tape, and
even now it has not been made into a CD at all. It is recorded from the precious single board.
03. Rockin' 50's Rock'N'Roll
04. that*ll Be The Day
Also in January, I participated in a session for the revival album of The Crickets, Buddy
Holly's band that was active in the 50's. In terms of time, Clapton was producing his first solo album,
and it is thought that he participated in thanking the members of the Crickets for their
participation.Both songs contain Clapton's solo, but the phrasing It's an orthodox thing that is a little
uncharacteristic of him. Since it is a cover of Buddy Holly, it may have been considered not to
show too much Clapton color. It is from the album "ROCKIN' 50'S ROCK'N'ROLL", but it is
recorded from the extremely rare US CD that was finally released in 2000.
05. Again Jam #1
On February 5th, I visited Fleetwood Mac's gig led by Peter Green, who was appearing
at the Boston Tea Party, a hall in Boston, and took part in the encore jam. From
0'50" to 1'01" and from 9'35" to 10'35", Les Paul tone playing solo is
played by Clapton. In addition to Green, members of Mack and James Gang's Joe Walsh,
who acted as the opening act, were also present, so it was a gorgeous session with
many overlapping guitars. Album LIVE AT BOST ON TEA PARTY VOL.2”.
06. Again Jam #2
On February 8th, this is a take when Peter Green jumped into the encore of
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends' stage, which was gigged at the Boston Tea Party. In
this jam, Clapton takes the initiative from the beginning to the end. In this stage,
Clapton uses a Stratocaster. In this jam you can taste plenty of green and clapton
guitar battles. Is it Delaney Bramlett playing rhythm guitar on the right channel?
A valuable sound board sound source of real stereo is recorded.
07. Go Back Home
08. Fishes And Scorpions
This song is from Stephen Stills' first solo album. Clapton participated in a
friendship session held at Island Studios in London in March. It seems that
it was a return for Stills' participation in his solo album. Clapton entered the
studio and said, “Let me practice a little.” There is an episode that the take played
while listening to the backing track of “Go Back Home” was OK for one
shot. Clapton's episode like this is very nice for fans. "Fishes And Scorpions" was
rotated and recorded for Stetilus' second solo album. Stills thought that Clapton's
play was so good that it would be a waste to include two songs on one album.
From "STEPHEN STILLS" & "STEPHEN STILLS 2".
09. I'm Your Spiritual Breadman
In March, Clapton and friendship held at De Lane Lee Sound Center in London
Yes, keyboardist Tony Ashton, who was also the godfather of "Derek and the Dominos"
This is a take in which Clapton participated in the album session of Ashton, Gardner &
Dyke, a trio band formed by. Due to contract issues, the musician name credited was "Sir
Cedric Clayton". The sharp play on the left channel is Clapton, but George Harrison
is also playing a Twangy-style guitar on the center channel under the pseudonym of
"George O'Hara Smith". It's a hidden luxury session. Album "THE WORST OF ASHTON,"
From GARDNER AND DYKE.
10. Don't You Believe It
Also in March, I participated in the debut single session of new artist Jonathan
Kelly at IBC Studios in London. It seems that Clapton also received a request because
Ashton, Gardner & Dyke served as the back. At this point, even before being taught
by Duane Allman in the “LAYLA” session in August, we have already performed
a wonderful slide play to improve the quality of the song. From the album
"JONATHAN KELLY".
11. wASHITA LOVE CHILD
From April 15th to 17th, Indian swamp guitarist Jesse Ed Davis held
his first solo album session at London's Olympic Studios. Clapton
has liked Davis since the Taj Mahal Band era, and this album itself
was produced with the support of Clapton. The solo heard in this song can
be said to be the true value of Clapton. Strat halftone sound, unique
hand vibrato, and powerful phrasing! This is Clapton! Master Reel Due
Recorded straight from the loop and the sound quality is superb!
12. Going Down Slow
On May 2nd, a recording session was held at London's Olympic Studios, inviting
blues mogul Howlin' Wolf backed up by British rock musicians. There
was also a rumor that the reason was that the president of Chess Records,
Marshall Chess, and Clapton's drug dealer were the same. The drums on this take
were Ringo Starr and the bass was Klaus Vormann, Apple's Rhythm Section.
Only Clapton guitar. It's a performance that sticks to your heart because it's
simple.
13. Village Recorders Studios Jam
Clapton received an invitation from Carlos Santana, whom he met in the United States and
hit it off with, from October 18th to 20th, during a US tour with The Dominos, at the
Village Recorders Studio in Los Angeles. I participated in the recording session for the album
"SANTANA 3". Clapton's guitar take was not included in the regular album track, but there
were clear traces of participation in this unreleased jam. From 1'57", Clapton is playing like
a fish that got water on the left channel. After that, it seems that Neil Schon is playing a
solo that seems to challenge Clapton on the right channel. Valuable. This is the ultimate
session, from Mid Valley's "VILLAGE RECORDERS TAPES".
14. Wally Heider Studios Jam
Perhaps a historic session held at Wally Hider Studio in San Francisco at the same time
as 13. was excavated this year. This is the highlight track of this work. The members
are Michael Caravello, Michael Shrieve, Chepito Aleas, Neal Schon (above
Santana), Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane), David Crosby and credited as Clapton.
3'09" ~The guitar solo heard on the left channel is Clapton itself. The guitar used
is probably a Brownie Strat. After that, it is Neil Schon who plays the solo on the
right channel with a tone that seems to use a Les Paul. After 53 years, the historic session
has seen the light of day, and I am deeply moved to think that it will lead to a guest
performance with Neil Schon at Berkeley.
CD 2
01. Medicated Goo
02. You Can't Always Get What You Want
03. Brand New Day
04. Born
On June 10th, July 21st and July 30th, at IBC Studios in London, Clapton's manager
Robert Stigwood's newly signed black female singer P.P. Arnold's debut album
sessions took place. Commissioned by Derek & the Dominos and produced by Clapton.
This recording ended up with okra, but was finally released in 2022. Depending
on how you think about it, it is a very valuable session that can be taken as a guest
singer on the Dominos album (However, in "Born", Manfred Mann's Steve York played
bass instead of the late Carl Radle. playing). Her singing voice, which also has a
pop sense, was highly valued, and she continued to be active in the British rock scene
after this (she is famous for co-starring with Small Faces and Pink Floyd).
05. Tiptina
Dr. John was on tour in Europe from July 9th to 11th, and recorded the album at
Trident Studios in London in between. Members of Dominos below Clapton also participated
there. The album "SUN, MOON AND HERBS" released in August 1971
included the songs recorded at this time, but as for Clapton's playing, he played only a little
inconspicuous slide guitar. I did. However, it seems that this album was originally planned
to be a 3-disc set, and many outtakes were recorded when the master tape, whose location
was unknown, was discovered after 50 years. The expanded 3LP was released as a
limited edition for Record Store Day, but there were actually outtakes that leaked from
there as well. That's this song. It is a gem outtake where you can listen to Clapton's guitar and
play immediately on the left channel. Why wasn't this song included in the album?
Mid Valley From "NIGHT TRIP WITH DR. JOHN".
06. Alcatraz
Recorded on August 23rd at Leon Russell's second album sessions at Island Studios,
London. In the album "LEON RUSSELL AND THE SHELTER PEOPLE", Clapton's
name was not credited due to contractual problems, and the guitar was assumed to be
Chris Stinton. However, it is clear that Clapton participated in the back information,
and the others were Karl Radle on the base, Jim Gordon on the drum, and Chris Stinton
on the organ. In other words, the name of Clapton was replaced with Stinton. There are
three guitars in the left channel, center channel, right channel, and it runs around in my
head, but I'm sure Clapton and Russell are playing. From the album "LEON RUSSELL
AND THE SHELTER PEOPLE".
07. Get Back
08. Almost 12 Bar Honky Tonk
George Harrison's "ALL THINGS MUST PASS" session, which was held for a long period of
time from May to October and was famous for the participation of members of Dominos under
Clapton, is the 50th anniversary released in 2021. The commemorative Super Deluxe Edition
includes plenty of album outtakes. However, there was no personal credit for each song, just like the
original version. Among them, the two songs featured in this work were takes that immediately
noticed that Clapton was playing. Only Clapton can play so fluently, right? From the album
"ALL THINGS MUST PASS 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION".
09. Miami Jam
The legendary "LAYLA" session held at Criteria Studios in Miami in August.
The recording of Dominos began on the 26th, but that night, producer Tom
Dowd took Clapton to see the Allman Brothers perform in Miami. , the members
of Allmans amicably stormed into the Criteria Studio. The scene where
Duane Allman and Clapton met was like a reunion of brothers who had been
separated for many years, and it seems that Carl Radle's testimony remains. And
rush into the jam immediately. A jam was realized with members of Allmans
except for Clapton and Bobby Whitlock (organ). This is another session that
can only be described as historic. The album is titled "Jam 4". From "THE
LAYLA SESSIONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION".
10. Prisons On The Road
On November 23rd and 24th, recording sessions for John Mayall's alumni album
"BACK TO THE ROOTS" were held at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles. The album
featured famous musicians who were once in his band, the Bluesbreakers, and Clapton
was one of them. He participated in 6 songs, but this is the number that gives us the
most sharp playing that is typical of him. That's what I mean when I say "awe-inspiring
play." All I can say is wonderful. From the album "BACK TO THE ROOTS".
11. It's My Life, Baby
On September 22nd, in between UK tours, Clapton flew to Paris to join bluesmen Buddy
Guy and Junior Wells opening for The Rolling Stones at the Olympia Theatre. did.
There is also a short color video of Clapton happily joining in on a borrowed rose neck
and natural finish Strat, but the audio was broadcast on French radio at the time. . Now
there is an air check voice of that complete recording. In the middle, the first solo is turned
to Clapton due to the arrangement of the ogosho (although the DJ's comment that bothers
to report it is annoying). The encounter with these two people led to the sessions for
the next tracks 12 and 13. It is a sound source that you can see the passion of Clapton
who crossed the sea just to co-star with them in one song. Mid Valley From "RETURN
OF THE MARQUIS DE SADE".
12. Dirty Mother For You
13. D Blues
The Buddy Guy & Junior Wells album sessions were held November
1-4 at Criteria Studios in Miami. This is because Clapton introduced them
to the two accompanied by Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun
during the previous track's Paris performance, and the story of the blues
album recording progressed quickly. Clapton produced with Tom Dowd, but
Clapton's conspicuous play was not heard in the songs released as albums.
According to Clapton himself, ``Why do I need to speak out when there is
a blues mogul? However, it became clear in the expanded edition of the
album released in 2005 that Clapton was playing guitar freely during
recording jams and outtakes. You can listen to Clapton's awakening play with
the first solo in "Dirty Mother For You" and the second solo in "D Blues".
From "PLAY THE BLUES" (2CD).
14. Brown Sugar
On December 18th, while recording the album “STICKY FINGERS” at Olympic
Studios in London, the Rolling Stones held a birthday party for Keith Richards,
who celebrated his birthday on this day. Clapton, who was there, joined the song that
the Stones invited to play together. This take finally saw the light of day when it
was officially released in 2015. Compared to the original version, it is a wonderfully
finished version that stands out with Clapton's slide play, which can be said to be
different. Other guests who participated in this take were Al Cooper of Blood, Sweat
& Tears, playing the organ (George Harrison was also present, but he refused to
join the performance. ). From "STICKY FINGERS SUPER DELUXE EDITION".
So far, I have explained the chronological order and points of each song, but what do
you think? Many of Clapton's session sound sources have been officially released, but
this work is the only one that has collected such maniac and excellent sound sources, limited
to the year 1970. Clapton who participated in such a session in the year of Derek &
The Dominos formation. You have an amazing desire and passion to play. And what I
feel again is the flexibility and adaptability of Clapton's play that fits perfectly in sessions
with other artists' songs. Is there a guitarist other than Clapton who can demonstrate
such flexibility? Please witness the moment when his talent blooms and his play style is established
in this work. And for him, "1970" The age of 24 or 25, which is neither a hot-blooded
teenager nor a calm middle age, may be the most glorious time of his life.