I'm Fran Raya, a female singer/songwriter from the UK. I was invited to support Eric Clapton on one of his Scandinavian tours performing my own songs. I felt honoured to be his supporting act and have great memories of that time. He's an amazing performer with a true musician's soul.
I LOVE this version of a great blues song! I swear if I ever win the Lottery I will build the best kick-ass Blues club and just be surrounded by this type of perfornces for the rest of my life!
Love this version ! Clapto's licks are slow enough to actually kind of catch them in all their musicality. Usually they're blowing by so fast, I'm just spaced !!
Fanfuckingtastic. And from a rehearsal no less. I've played for many years, and sometimes get down on my music, on life. Then I return to this song. And I am home again.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it took a white man like Clapton to bring us people to love the blues which was created by the GREAT coloured men like Robert Johnson. Clapton is truly giving the honoured respect and tribute to these men by playing his style of music. Clapton is the greatest blues player of our modern error. He isn't God, he's just great!!!! There is a respect to the culture of the blues, the people that we treated with no respect are honoured with the blues music... It's awesome
Im sixteen and i hope to be one of those to step up as a prominent blues musician. Clapton is no doubt my biggest influence and i hope to be one of the bluesmen to pick up where he left off
doesn't matter how old you are... i've spent 2 years only listening to blues music...its just different... its still bluesey..get over it..i too own every clapton album and cream album derek and the domino's the roosters... name it i own it... clapton is just paying tribute.. im no pro.. i'm only in my twenties.
Robert Johnson, wrote & recorded this song in 1936...just post-Great Depression in the US. Rock & roll really did come from the Blues, starting with Elvis but continuing through Eric Clapton...& while he added his own rifts, he didn't change the song significantly, 70 yrs later..... Amazing, isn't it ?
you are right.when these guys are dead,...man.our only hope is that a new generation of these music come.i'm thirteen and i want to try as a musician and i promise you that i will not play a kind of shit like today.blues is my life and it will forever(probably a little bit good old rock :D).
I love this cover of Robert Johnson's song. I don't think it should necessarily be compared to the original because no one can do it like Robert Johnson. It is Clapton's interpretation. I love it. I think it's a good jam.
This version of CR's is absolutley the BEST I've ever heard. I love the "Chugging" feel it has with that strumming pattern. Gets me going man!!!! Another great song born out of an already great classic. Kinda like Layla Unplugged.
Yep, sounds just like "Hand Jive", one of the beauty's of the blues, fairly simple, yet so versatile. Thank E.C. and many others for carrying on the real blues tradition
This has a reggae backbeat and nothing on the downbeat. EC went through this reggae phase about the same time the Police starting mixing reggae beats with rock in the post-Marley era. Still sounds great. I like the driving power of the blues version of Crossroads though.
It's good to know there are still expert's out there that know all about music. The fact that every bluesman out there, always has and always will, do their own interpretation of what Robert Johnson and all the other legends created, of course has nothing to do with it. This is second rate...........because you said so. We must not let our personal preferences interfere with what you think is right, must we.
I saw the concert "Nothing But The Blues" in which he is rehersing for in this video in Atlanta at the Old Omni..it was the BEST show I have ever been to. He played close to 3 hours..I felt like I was in heaven. Thanks Eric !!
realizing that much of Clapton's popular work is actually covers it is so freakishly killer how different he re-covers and re-covers all the songs he does. I enjoy 'em all too! Robert Johnson and J J Cale way back when a 'number sign' was a number sign and hash tag had to mean something about gettin' high.
Michaud, I agree totally. People who don't get BB just don't get the blues at all. He's as pure and real as you can get. And what he plays is surprisingly sophisticated. The notes and scales are way different than anyone else. He's just one amazing dude, even at his age.
Woke up in the middle of the night with a blog entry relating to this song crossroads... I think this is the best version I have heard. love Clapton's passion & emotions as he plays.
'nobody seems to know me, everybody pass me by...' that's absolutely brilliant....for everyone to see/hear....I know Clapton didn't write it, but, he just makes it sound so good...
Clapton got into the commercial stuff for one reason! The money, not much to be made in those day's playing the blues. Iam so glad he got back to doing what he does best. Keep the blues alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't care who is the greatest guitar player; it's the style. Eric Clapton is obviously one of the greatest, but to me, his style is number 1. No competition.
First time that I have heard this version of Crossroads and I think its great, even though the original is still over and above and it sounds a bit like WIllie and the Hand Jive it is nice to hear variations on a theme. Thanks for posting.
Pure Unadaulterated Genius - saw him do this on the nuthin but the blues tour back in 96 - to this day the most phenomenal song I've ever seen performed live. Nicely!!!!!!!
Listen to Hendricks.. Awesome. Clapton Awesone. Santana Awesome. they are each unique. Enjoy them all!!! Clapton has been one of my favorites for 40 years! Simply incredible!!!
@JakobSpooner One man's trash is another mans treasure. This rendition is my all time favorite Crossroads and Clapton performance. Absolutely the best cover of Robert Johnson's original Crossroads.
He keeps it together for Mr Clapton on a lot of "stuff" ... been with him for a while ... rock solid IMHO Can't think of his name, at the moment ... will check it out.. worth the look Andy Fairweather-Low
That's correct, Eric Clapton and her band Cream was inspiration for Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, even rolling stones. Clapton is probably the most influent guitarrist in the history of rock and roll. He played with The Beatles and Rolling Stones, songs like Brown sugar or My guitar gently weeps no exist without him.
Thank you very much Steven.I have learnt more about Jerry,known that he 's one in Chicaco Blues Museam All Stars.And 'From the Cradle' you mensioned should be right because it’s the best blues album of all time.Little regret,until now Jerry is 70 years old,but it doesn’t matter,he may resolutely solo more and more.Thanks just once again for your kindness.
well I must say, I wasn't the biggest clapton fan at first. But the more you get into him, he really is great. Not the best ever, but sertainly one of the great.
Clapton has been playing both version for a long time people. This version is on the Live at the Fillmore album when he was with Derek & the Dominos, he just rarely preforms this version cause everyone want to hear him shred like in the Cream version
For a rehersal, it was a great performance. As for drugs and such, until you stand in a musicians shoes don't be their judge. As for the arrangement, we (musicians) have to change up our arrangement so that we don't get bored playing the same songs night after night. "Layla" is a great example of a fresh arrangement. As for Eric, he's had his share of hits and misses, but lucky for us, more hits!
@GreeckGamer i understand entirely. but the beauty of the blues and the thing that has kept it going for so long is the fact that you can take one single blues riff and give it to 10 different blues guitarist and they will all play it differently and make it their own. even if it is a sad song played like a celebration. thats the biggest beauty of clapton he has done numerous covers in his carer but he has taken each one and made them his own
Honestly kids, have you ever tried to play Johnson's work? Watch the DVD of Clapton's 'Sessions for Robert J' and he'll spell out exactly how hard it is to play his stuff, and what a phenomenal guitarist he was. Clapton couldn't play Terraplane Blues on his own - he had to cover it as a duet. Sure, Johnson's freakish hands helped him to achieve fret moves that most cannot replicaate, but he was a brilliant blues guitarist.
Looking at the moderation of popular music in comparing Clapton's styule with Robert Johnson, He still preserve the Johnson sound ... taken to a modern level. His version with Cream, as good as Cream was, reflected the popular music of the 60's ... preserving the 60's sound ... if that makes sense. I find more Johnson style in his modern-take as we listen today, than with Cream. Eric? Rock on!
I can't imagine that there are 78 people who do not like this video--Eric rocks-The drummer is right there!
I'm Fran Raya, a female singer/songwriter from the UK. I was invited to support Eric Clapton on one of his Scandinavian tours performing my own songs. I felt honoured to be his supporting act and have great memories of that time. He's an amazing performer with a true musician's soul.
New orleans dumming style with a reggae beat. And the great Portnoy on blues harp. GREAT
I LOVE this version of a great blues song! I swear if I ever win the Lottery I will build the best kick-ass Blues club and just be surrounded by this type of perfornces for the rest of my life!
Lol and you would have Eric Clapton playing there every night correct? Lol
Hi Mister , where can i find the complete video of this performance , crossroads was one of the songs in it
Hi Jan , it’s 13 years since you post this message.. did you opened this club ;)????
What a nice funky groove! Great touch on the drums by Andy Newmark
I actually love the groove on this, the drummer's just playing free and funky. Nice sounding drums wow! I wanna play in that band lol
Love this version ! Clapto's licks are slow enough to actually kind of catch them in all their musicality. Usually they're blowing by so fast, I'm just spaced !!
Fanfuckingtastic. And from a rehearsal no less. I've played for many years, and sometimes get down on my music, on life. Then I return to this song. And I am home again.
Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, ...one word to describe these guys....AWESOME!!!!
From a 71 year old muso . Top gear Eric. entertainment extraordinaire. congrats to all players in this clip.
Great version! Bravoooo...
i love eric Clapton in my opinion one of the best guitar players of our time
Correct me if I'm wrong but it took a white man like Clapton to bring us people to love the blues which was created by the GREAT coloured men like Robert Johnson. Clapton is truly giving the honoured respect and tribute to these men by playing his style of music. Clapton is the greatest blues player of our modern error. He isn't God, he's just great!!!! There is a respect to the culture of the blues, the people that we treated with no respect are honoured with the blues music... It's awesome
never get tired of eric's playing!
Im sixteen and i hope to be one of those to step up as a prominent blues musician. Clapton is no doubt my biggest influence and i hope to be one of the bluesmen to pick up where he left off
"Robert Johnson was the king of his time"
No Eric Robert Johnson is the king of Delta Blues PERIOD!!!!
You maybe could get saved listening to this ... surely oughta be thankin' Jesus you got to hear it!
It'll be a sad SAD day when this man goes, but his Music & Soul will forever live on, so Realistically, he will never "Go".
doesn't matter how old you are... i've spent 2 years only listening to blues music...its just different... its still bluesey..get over it..i too own every clapton album and cream album derek and the domino's the roosters... name it i own it... clapton is just paying tribute.. im no pro.. i'm only in my twenties.
I love how every version of this song he plays is different and still awesome.
this suc a great version. I love the druming, I love the horns. i love the little organ things, just perfect!!!
Robert Johnson, wrote & recorded this song in 1936...just post-Great Depression in the US. Rock & roll really did come from the Blues, starting with Elvis but continuing through Eric Clapton...& while he added his own rifts, he didn't change the song significantly, 70 yrs later..... Amazing, isn't it ?
you are right.when these guys are dead,...man.our only hope is that a new generation of these music come.i'm thirteen and i want to try as a musician and i promise you that i will not play a kind of shit like today.blues is my life and it will forever(probably a little bit good old rock :D).
I love this cover of Robert Johnson's song. I don't think it should necessarily be compared to the original because no one can do it like Robert Johnson. It is Clapton's interpretation. I love it. I think it's a good jam.
Played a small blues festival in Mexico City last year and busted this version out! Always been my favorite version of this song!
90 people just get blown away by the awesome solos in the song.
Ive seen him live 3 times and wow his concerts are amazing such a thrill to see a living legend like him live
Chris " the king" of bus schedules lead me here. He had all three albums and got a free full size crossroads cover when he purchased his collection.
This version of CR's is absolutley the BEST I've ever heard. I love the "Chugging" feel it has with that strumming pattern. Gets me going man!!!! Another great song born out of an already great classic. Kinda like Layla Unplugged.
Yep, sounds just like "Hand Jive", one of the beauty's of the blues, fairly simple, yet so versatile. Thank E.C. and many others for carrying on the real blues tradition
This is an excellent version of Clapton doing this - thanks for posting.
This has a reggae backbeat and nothing on the downbeat. EC went through this reggae phase about the same time the Police starting mixing reggae beats with rock in the post-Marley era. Still sounds great. I like the driving power of the blues version of Crossroads though.
Look up Willie and the hand jive by Clapton. This is an adapted version of that track.
Amazing adaptation for a classic blues track.
Brilliant!
Loving how the kit sounds, tuned beautifully.
After many years and thousand versions, eric found the perfect sound, just perfect....
It's good to know there are still expert's out there that know all about music. The fact that every bluesman out there, always has and always will, do their own interpretation of what Robert Johnson and all the other legends created, of course has nothing to do with it. This is second rate...........because you said so. We must not let our personal preferences interfere with what you think is right, must we.
I saw the concert "Nothing But The Blues" in which he is rehersing for in this video in Atlanta at the Old Omni..it was the BEST show I have ever been to. He played close to 3 hours..I felt like I was in heaven. Thanks Eric !!
realizing that much of Clapton's popular work is actually covers it is so freakishly killer how different he re-covers and re-covers all the songs he does. I enjoy 'em all too! Robert Johnson and J J Cale way back when a 'number sign' was a number sign and hash tag had to mean something about gettin' high.
Michaud, I agree totally. People who don't get BB just don't get the blues at all. He's as pure and real as you can get. And what he plays is surprisingly sophisticated. The notes and scales are way different than anyone else. He's just one amazing dude, even at his age.
I love Robert Johnson. The man was a genius and arguably, along with Lead Belly and some others of his time, one of the pioneers of rock.
YES
This is a sick version... love every bit of it: )
Woke up in the middle of the night with a blog entry relating to this song crossroads... I think this is the best version I have heard. love Clapton's passion & emotions as he plays.
'nobody seems to know me, everybody pass me by...' that's absolutely brilliant....for everyone to see/hear....I know Clapton didn't write it, but, he just makes it sound so good...
To bad I can only give you one thumbs for that remark. I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Indeed beautiful
Nunca me canso de escucharlo
Why would harmonicas ruin so many classics? They are good... This is the blues man; Harmonica is a part of it.
Michal Hromadk In blues, harmonica was the main instrument in cotton fields....the guitar appeared after
That’s a no brainer.
I miss songs like this... :/
Perfection. Just pure perfection. Special.
para mi entre los 5 mejores guitarristas de todos los tiempos. Sos unico Eric. que grande!!!!!!!!
Man all the different variations of this song is awesome. 👍🏻
Clapton got into the commercial stuff for one reason! The money, not much to be made in those day's playing the blues. Iam so glad he got back to doing what he does best. Keep the blues alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't care who is the greatest guitar player; it's the style. Eric Clapton is obviously one of the greatest, but to me, his style is number 1. No competition.
First time that I have heard this version of Crossroads and I think its great, even though the original is still over and above and it sounds a bit like WIllie and the Hand Jive it is nice to hear variations on a theme. Thanks for posting.
Yes i still love it so good and connect with real human life take care
def sounds like the Hand Jive - especially at the beginning. Great songs, both.
Pure Unadaulterated Genius - saw him do this on the nuthin but the blues tour back in 96 - to this day the most phenomenal song I've ever seen performed live. Nicely!!!!!!!
Listen to Hendricks.. Awesome. Clapton Awesone. Santana Awesome. they are each unique. Enjoy them all!!! Clapton has been one of my favorites for 40 years! Simply incredible!!!
I agree with another comment as well, Crossroads to Willie and the Hand Jive is just KILLER! Love the combo! It just just sounds fantastic!
rk
God given gift...touches millions and permeates as time goes on!
Clapton Is A True Lengend On Guitar!! He's Just Awesome!!
luv ths totally funky version - mr johnson would b so very proud
Man I LOVE the organ!!!!
both of Rj and "Slowhand" versions are grt.Clapton coming in Romania in june this year can't w8 !
@JakobSpooner One man's trash is another mans treasure. This rendition is my all time favorite Crossroads and Clapton performance. Absolutely the best cover of Robert Johnson's original Crossroads.
I like this version..the blues man Mr Eric...Gods of Guitar ever.
I love this version. I want to cover it now.
i consider him as classic and classic never dies. beautiful music indeed
he is no.4 on the list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time
Happy Happy to the guitar Pappy.....you make me smile everytime I hear your unique mastery
He keeps it together for Mr Clapton on a lot of "stuff" ... been with him for a while ... rock solid IMHO
Can't think of his name, at the moment ... will check it out.. worth the look
Andy Fairweather-Low
That's correct, Eric Clapton and her band Cream was inspiration for Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, even rolling stones. Clapton is probably the most influent guitarrist in the history of rock and roll. He played with The Beatles and Rolling Stones, songs like Brown sugar or My guitar gently weeps no exist without him.
the first fucking solo is one of the best solos I've ever heard, I just can't stop listening to it...
Loved this version of this classic song!
Fantastic video, would have loved to been there live. My favorite video.
Clapton is magic !!
Awesome version yeah :D
Amen -----The " Crossroads " should be a part of everyones journey through this trial we call Life..!
Awesome version Clayton.
God! This is great music! ❤
Robert Johnson got many kids but my favorite is rock n roll.
bad ass!!! Does justice to Robert Johnson's- Cross roads - Classic!!!
i LOVE his voice!
Thank you very much Steven.I have learnt more about Jerry,known that he 's one in Chicaco Blues Museam All Stars.And 'From the Cradle' you mensioned should be right because it’s the best blues album of all time.Little regret,until now Jerry is 70 years old,but it doesn’t matter,he may resolutely solo more and more.Thanks just once again for your kindness.
robert johnson is surely smiling - this is a masterpiece
I love it!!
For Fred, this was approach I was talking about, way cool feel. He goes "Yee-hooo" ahhh! Love that!
Oh, just this : ERIC CLAPTON !!
It means a lot.
Wonderful, wonderful Clapton.
I think Mr. Johnson would be digging this!! ✌️
well I must say, I wasn't the biggest clapton fan at first. But the more you get into him, he really is great. Not the best ever, but sertainly one of the great.
Man that guy can blow that harmonica
Who is the drummer? I've loved that swing they have put on this song. Fantastic!!!
Andy Newmark
Thanks for this vid. Love Clapton and the harmonica adds a great touch. Thanks again
Clapton has been playing both version for a long time people. This version is on the Live at the Fillmore album when he was with Derek & the Dominos, he just rarely preforms this version cause everyone want to hear him shred like in the Cream version
Clapton is a God among men. He was influenced by other Gods and has influenced others. Hall of Fame!
For a rehersal, it was a great performance. As for drugs and such, until you stand in a musicians shoes don't be their judge. As for the arrangement, we (musicians) have to change up our arrangement so that we don't get bored playing the same songs night after night. "Layla" is a great example of a fresh arrangement. As for Eric, he's had his share of hits and misses, but lucky for us, more hits!
he isnt one of the best he is the best in the world rock on eric clapton hes the blues god..
@GreeckGamer
i understand entirely. but the beauty of the blues and the thing that has kept it going for so long is the fact that you can take one single blues riff and give it to 10 different blues guitarist and they will all play it differently and make it their own. even if it is a sad song played like a celebration. thats the biggest beauty of clapton he has done numerous covers in his carer but he has taken each one and made them his own
This guy demonstrates our ability to learn new things and adapt. Now... lets get together on this "Earth Mother" thing... =)
God, I love this funky version! I love the drum part. Who is the drummer here?
Wonderful!!!!!
Elvio
I'm suppose to be sleeping for school...but this song made me get up and jam to it on my Les Paul!
Nothing better than this !!!
Honestly kids, have you ever tried to play Johnson's work? Watch the DVD of Clapton's 'Sessions for Robert J' and he'll spell out exactly how hard it is to play his stuff, and what a phenomenal guitarist he was. Clapton couldn't play Terraplane Blues on his own - he had to cover it as a duet. Sure, Johnson's freakish hands helped him to achieve fret moves that most cannot replicaate, but he was a brilliant blues guitarist.
Looking at the moderation of popular music in comparing Clapton's styule with Robert Johnson, He still preserve the Johnson sound ... taken to a modern level. His version with Cream, as good as Cream was, reflected the popular music of the 60's ... preserving the 60's sound ... if that makes sense. I find more Johnson style in his modern-take as we listen today, than with Cream. Eric? Rock on!