I have heard players nail down the right notes emulating Clapton’s 60s sound….but there’s always something off in the phrasing and vibrato. You NAIL it. That floating vibrato is so on point, it gives me chills….love your stuff.
This vid is ample proof (at least to me) that Clapton should never have switched to Strats. He made his bones on Gibsons and revolutionized rock guitar with them. Extremely well played and a great guitar sound. It’s quite rare to hear anyone match this era of EC. You can figure out WHAT he’s playing, but not HOW he plays it because he’s Eric Clapton and … we’re not. Great vid!!!
@@mybluesguitar your's is slightly stronger than the very subtle one I hear in Clapton's playing, but very close. But that's how it is. We all have a "natural vibrato" that just comes out, and to try to change it to slower, faster, stronger or weaker is quite hard, and takes the fun away from playing. Also I have never heard anyone being able to repeat Jimi's slow and fat vibrato. When you hear it, you know who is playing.
Adding to my last comment: what I didn’t think about as much until I watched this video was how much technique Clapton had for the era. He was smooth and fast but he also had incredible vibrato and notably, all the different bends he employed around the neck. It’s a real masterclass. It is tough to put together only 10, but I would’ve included White Room, Strange Brew and something from Bluesbreakers. Maybe there’s a follow up next 10! Thank you for this
Thanks for commenting, Dan. It's impressive listening to these tracks today, so hearing them as a guitar player when they first appeared must have been mind-blowing. I was around, but just an infant. Would love to have been in my 'teens and twenties in the 'sixties.
Don't disagree. You did them great. There are so many Clapton solos. His vibrato and clean playing style on the frets above the 15th fret is what makes him special. Surprised no Bluesbreakers solos, or even some from 24 nights like Old Love... but really who can go wrong with the 10 you picked. I loved them all, and you did them justice. Awesome playing. Peace.
@mybluesguitar You did a great job. Just putting together any top 10 of Clapton is tough, but what's tougher is playing the list. I was particularly taken back how precise you got the Sitting on Top of the World solo down from Goodbye Cream. You even nailed the tone. Just as you did on Sleepy Time Time. Even Eric Clapton doesn't have to bother with that task as he never does the same solo the same twice. All the song solos were spot on. Just amazing. Thank you again. Peace.
Thanks John. Even though all the recordings were done in Garageband and the sound can be shaped electronically, a lot of it is still in the guitar, and for Sitting on Top of the World that was down to the Firebird which, sadly, I no longer have.
@mybluesguitar Yes I understand. I have a Firebird, but I still don't get all the notes like you did. You are too humble. The exact phrasing and attack on the opening lick, and the flurry of riffs, and bends in that particular solo is an amazing reproduction you have done. You are too modest. Peace.
I feel free 0:17 Baby What’s Wrong? 1:01 Outside Woman Blues 1:31 NSU 2:00 Sunshine Of Your Love 2:29 Lawdy Mama 3:28 Badge 4:17 Sitting On Top Of The World 5:00 Sleepy Time Time 5:51 Crossroads 7:51
Spot on with your #1! The live Crossroads solo is his best solo and one of the greatest of all time. On top of that, it was improvised on the spot! He never played it that way again, before or after, while on that tour.
He did some pretty amazing stuff with his brief tenure with John Mayall (e.g., Hideaway) that coulda made this list. And some of the live bootleg solos of I'm so Glad are just off the charts fantastic; ditto Deserted Cities of the Heart. Oh well, hard to put greatness in a box..
Brilliant!! Badge has to be my favourite. EC was the master at solos , he always had the ability to pick the right notes , and the right phrasing , I saw him at the Royal Albert hall in 2016 and he was still magnificent, I’m going back there this month to see him again. A guitar legend
Really great Top 10, Mark! So many great solos to choose from … As you’ve asked for our opinions, I’d not pick anything from the Yardbirds (much as I’m a fan) and I’d have something from the Beano album instead - either “Double Crossing Time”, “Key To Love”, or “Have You Heard” - but really it’s got to be Cream from that era. Eric’s playing went up a level each time he switched bands. My top live and studio solo picks would be the same as your two choices (probably no surprise!) but I’d have “Sweet Wine” in there somewhere (although that’s heavily overdubbed) and it’s so hard to narrow down the others I’d probably change my mind the next day anyway! 😂
Just discovered this video. That’s some seriously impressive tone- and lick-copping work! EC has had a brilliant career, but if he’d left us in 1969 he’d still be a legend.
Even something as simple as flicking the pickup selector in I Feel Free always impressed the hell out of me. Nowadays someone would just step on some boutique pedal to achieve the same effect.
It was certainly a very effective move in the solo, George, I agree. And not something you notice being done much by other players, certainly not in '66
Crossroads #1. No doubt. Thanks Mark. Awesome list. Not on this particular list but Steppin out is my personal favorite. BTW your multi-vid tutorial of that piece is 11 out of 10!
These are stupendous. I will only beg to differ that the FIRST "Crossroads' solo is far more interesting and architectured than the second; but t any rate, the track transcends earthly music and reaches the stratosphere, inspiring in me the same feelings as I get when I listen to the greatest masterpieces of Classical Music. They didn't call him 'God' for nothing.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts, Bernard. Interesting thought about the first solo. I take your point. Yes, it's an incredible solo and tune!
As much as I adore the other nine, crossroads live has to be my favourite also; I enjoy the much shorter solo on the BBC sessions too. It took me ages to remember all the fingering for the two complete solo's never mind the bending & vibrato ( particularly getting the brisk vibrato on the verses convincing) but it's been an absolute labour of love & watching your fabulous lessons over the years have been a joy; never have l heard such convincing renditions of Eric's playing & always with fantastic tone. I'm so glad would have to be in my top ten & the BBC session is killer.
I think someone else mentioned this, but I would have included something from the Bluesbreakers album; maybe "Have You Heard" or "Hideaway," He didn't play with as much finesse as he did later with Cream, but he played with such fire. It was ground breaking.
Yes, totally. Firey and groundbreaking. He set out to make a mark with the Bluesbreakers album and achieved his goal a thousand times over. Have You Heard is on my 'to do' list. Thank you.
You are a phenomenom! Listening to you play these brings backall the same 'hairs on the back of the neck' feelings I had listening to Eric first time around! I would very sncerely like to know how you feel about being able to emulate these iconic solos so perfectly - it's way beyond, me but hearing and watcvhing you do it is a very wonnderful thing!
Hi Lotus Laddie and sorry for the late reply. That's very kind and I'm glad you like the videos. To answer your question, it makes be appreciate how brilliant these guys were...Eric, Jimmy, Mick Taylor. I would love to have seen them first hand back in the day and I would love to shake their hands today. I saw Mick in '73 with the Stones (I had just turned 12 and remember nothing much about it), Eric in '76 and Jimmy I have never seen at all. Thanks so much for your generous comment and your support.
You nailed it perfectly as always. Especialy the Crossroads solo. Tone wise spot on also. As suggested by other subscribers more from Beane album could have made it to the list. Key to love and Have you heard for example. Well it's so hard to choose only 10, maybe 20 or part two? :) If I could choose not only from official releases, I would definitely pick something from Cream Klook Kleek Plus Bootleg. Meet me in the bottom - Eric was on fire that night and this track is nice example of his more aggressive approach.
Truly radical playing on that Klooks Kleek gig, any note appears available to bend, often with just the second finger alone! Eric's unique, unorthodox techniques, the floating vibrato, the note-passing, bent and vibratoed double-stops etc., were coming together at a frighteningly young age, he wasn't yet 21 when he recorded "Bluesbreakers" and 23 when he played that version of "Crossroads". You can hear how Peter Green and Mick Taylor studied him but Eric's way of doing it was unique. The solos on "SWLABR" and "I Feel Free" have notes I don't have on my guitar, not from any scale, but they're right! Impressed by the playing in the video, as near as I've heard anybody get, but for all the influences on him, The Kings, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy etc., Eric invented his own way of doing it out of thin air, no lessons, RUclips tutorials or rock history to refer to, just his ears. I might include "Five Long Years" in any list of his greatest solos, you shouldn't be able to play like a man who's seen the world at age 19, and it convinced Jeff Beck to join the Yardbirds ("Yeah, I'll have some of that" he said).
You made Great Choices from Clapton's solos!! , I want to comment you, that I met Ginger in Madrid on a 1983 summer tour ,already disbanded from Cream and we befriended there.
Eric has remained so popular amongst guitarists and musicians because his style of playing is also directly a style we all go through as we progress and he is a great composer to study and improve when you reach that level. Very controlled, precise and yet still very emotive and seemingly, improvised even though it's all in fact composed. It's relative to BB King's style as well. I can remember nearly 30 years ago listening to Eric *and realizing he used a lot of hand strength.* I had a friend, Nick, that pretty much based his entire playing style off of Eric and he was very talented. I was the guy that rocketed passed everyone I knew simply due to the genetic lottery gifting me absurdly extreme potentials at many things. *To this day, even as a shred and sweep guy it's always a good idea to warmup in the style you hear Eric was known and legendary for.* Take some time, get your hands worked up with strength and precision. Play very complex pieces good and slow then moderate paced. I'm literally on the cutting edge of elite guitarists but because I am purely improv, if I don't warm up properly it's just complete shit lol!
Great playing and great list! Love all those songs. Would liked to have seen Have you Heard on there. Clapton said that was his best playing at that time
You nailed the style to the wall....as tone....phrasing....is spot on. I have always played in this style....as he was the first and best blues guitar player whom everybody was influenced by..... You play the style great....and anybody even thinking of playing electric blues...should start with EC style playing....before heading down the road of shredding guitar with no feel. I toured with the Yardbirds in NZ in 1966....and filled in for Jimmy Page for first 3 songs in one town...due to him being a bit off....and that was a stepping stone to what was to come....being the Beano album....with EC....and that was it for me becoming a blues player....just like everyone who also picked their jaws up off the floor after hearing it.....biggest influential guitarist was Eric Clapton.....first and the best. So great stuff you are doing keeping this going..... John Williams
Hello John and thanks so much for taking the time to comment. What a fascinating story - touring with the Yardbirds and filling in for JP! I'd love to hear more about it, as I am sure would many others. Cheers, Mark
Hi Mark.... 1966 January....Yardbirds... Roy Orbison....and the Walker Brothers was the tour.... In that era most live shows were two a day...eg...matinee and night....to cover having 3 acts touring.... So when the tour reached Hamilton...at the Founders Theatre....the only show was the evening one. So many from the show went to the pub....and Jimmy had knocked a few drinks off...as you do when on the road....I could not go as I was only 16...so missed out on the drinks....but that night was asked to step in with the Yardbirds due to Jimmy's state. It was a breeze for me...as I grew up banging out Yardbirds songs....being a Jeff Beck fan.....and there were no issues..... Keith Relf just handed me Jimmy's white telecaster....and away we went....after the third song Jimmy composed himself...and took over... It was something to remember...and at the end of the tour...he gave me his Silver shirt he wore...a guitar strap....and his Tone Bender. I misplaced the shirt along the way...and sold the Tone Bender to a guy in 1968....but still have the guitar strap. The buyer of the Tone Bender recently contacted me....and reacquainted himself with me....he is on RUclips too...and has some stuff on it there. On the bus I was shown a lot of riffs and tricks from Jimmy...and he gave me the riff to Train kept a Rolling....and the band I was with....Larry's Rebels...recorded a song called Flying Scotsman...in tribute to the riff...which is on RUclips and was from....Study in Black album. So Mark....that is my story of how I came to play with the Yardbirds.....you can see more at.....John Williams audioculture.....or Larry's Rebels audioculture. I have some great pics of Jimmy using my amp for the tour....as they did not have a backing due to freight expense.... I also could see that the Yardbirds were heading down another direction on that tour...with Jeff Beck gone...and Jimmy's heavier style showing....you could see now...that was where Jimmy was headed musically....towards Led Zeppelin. For me it is a lifetime memory . Cheers John.
@@johnwilliamsdoubleshotofbl5034 Hi John, Thanks for sharing all this. What an absolutely amazing experience for any player, let alone one just sixteen years old! I'll check out the videos you mention and your site. Cheers, Mark
Great job on emulating Eric. Maybe post Eric’s amazing solo on the studio version of I’m so Glad where Clapton plays the entire solo on the G string..cheers! 😊❤️👍🎸
@@mybluesguitar yes now that would be great ! John Mayall used to be a hobbyist photographer during that time and maybe took cine film but is not good quality to share. Who knows ! You do a great job 👍🎸😎
First, as usual amazed by how your playing captures Clapton's spirit and aesthetics. Thanks for sharing this. Second, I disagree only on one point: to me his live solo on "Stormy Monday" with the Blues Breakers should have been in there, if only to show how much rage this composed man could put in his solos if he wanted to.
Thanks Bernard. I share your enthusiasm for Stormy Monday. I can remember when I first heard it. At the time I was living in the north of England, and I remember buying a record that was called, I think, Primal Solos, or something like that. It had a blue cover. I remember being being totally blown away by Stormy Monday.
Great playing, especially on Crossroads!! I wld leave off the Yardbirds stuff. Put on White Room and some Beano Mayall solos...oh loved Lawdy Mama, always loved that solo, dont play it as good as you do though.....never did find a backing track for Lawdy Mama
Thanks EC. There's a 12-bar shuffle backing that I made and put on Patreon at the same time I did this track. Thanks for your comment and support, much apprecaiated.
Brilliant! You nailed them all, even though I disagree about your choice of his top ten best solos from this period. I think I'd add 'Telephone Blues', 'All Your Love', 'Have You Heard' and 'Little Girl'. However, if you were to do the same for his later, post-Gibson, phase, I'm far from sure you could find even five.
Super playing and guitar sound! Just reinforces my feeling that EC should have stayed with Gibsons. I would have included his “I’m So Glad” solo (Fresh Cream), which he played on his 3rd (G) string only. Gibsons made him, and his Strat sounds are inconsistent. But that’s just me …
Personally, "Sitting on top of the world" is my fav, with "Born under a bad sign" being close. He also did some amazing stuff with the Immediate Allstars that is pretty under rated.
Thanks Bruce. That guitar is my Squier CV '50s Tele, filmed that a little while ago. That, too, now has a white pickguard and a rosewood neck! Now that I have the Pagey one I wish I'd left the Squier as it was.
Juste à mon humble avis : pour une même chanson jouée il y a autant de versions que de live. Aucune performance n'est identique. Cela est du au feeling du moment. Et parmi les chansons méconnues il y a "Roll it Over" & "Tracks and lines" qui font vibrer mes Os.... Au final chaque notes que Mr Eric Patrick Clapton joue est unique. C'est le seul guitariste qui me procure des vibrations uniques et j'en ai écouté des guitaristes durant les 40 dernières années. Son apport à la musique ainsi que son humilité sont inégalables durant ces 60 dernières années. Clapton fait partie des rares artistes qui ne sont pas extravagants et c'est çà le secret de sa longévité. Un grand salut de l'Algérie 🇩🇿
@@mybluesguitar It's out of your time window, but I'd also like to suggest Eric's 48-bar solo in his performance of "Ramblin On My Mind" on the EC Was Here album. It crescendos upward thru four key changes to climax in one of the finest solos in blues history. When it was recorded in 1975, nobody knew that Eric could still play like that.
Interesting suggestion, thank you. I've had a few similar requests. As much as I've enjoyed listening to RT over the years I've never studied his style. I'll make a note. Cheers.
I would replace “SOTOTW” with the Dallas ‘68 version… that and imagine just doing a “top 10 live solo” list, it would be insanely hard to even fathom how many solos you could choose from.
First off, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The entire production. And jeez what a player!! Nailing those tones too. That a Dimarzio in the Neck? Sounds killer. People, watch at certain times the sheer amount of aggression and intent, with gorgeous trailing vibrato he does. Like tying a bow on it. Fuckin’ Clapton. To me, I admire him more every year. He’s up there now. Legendary
All great choices...I'd have included 2 other solos from that time frame (just my personal choice) both from the Beano album. 1. Little Girl solo and 2. Have you Heard solo
Killer playing!! Killer tone!! What kind of amp/settings are you using for this excellence? Bluesbreaker with attenuator? Some good tubes cranked for sure. Great finger work!!
Hey! I'm a huge fan. I'm subbed to your patreon and have the tones. Have you any recommendations of a Gibson style guitar under $1000? Any cheap guitars that?
Hey Billy! Thanks so much for supporting the channel via Patreon. I really appreciate it! You should do well with an Epiphone. Part of the Gibson family, of course. For low-cost Fender style I really love the Squier Classic Vibe series. Cheers, Mark
Thanks! I actually record all the audio for the videos in Garageband on a Macbook. But I do mostly use the 'Marshall' type setting, then play around with the different 'cabs' and settings. Sorry for late reply.
What happened to 'Have you heard about my baby'? From the Beano Album, Bluesbreakers John Mayall with Eric Clapton.....not to mention 'Hideaway' & 'Steppin' Out', these two also from the Beano Album. That album recorded and released in 1965 was a game changer, that's when Clapton plugged a Les Paul into a Marshall(No Pedals)that really changed everything and the rest is history. And yes there were some earlier guitarists like Linky Wray in the late '50s and Dave Davies of the Kinks in 1964 but what Clapton did in '65 with a Les Paul and a Marshall was 'thee' game changer. 😎
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I have heard players nail down the right notes emulating Clapton’s 60s sound….but there’s always something off in the phrasing and vibrato. You NAIL it. That floating vibrato is so on point, it gives me chills….love your stuff.
Thanks so much, Jordan. I really appreciate your comment. I hope the videos achieve their purpose and help others replicate the style. Cheers, Mark
Clapton’s vibratto is something uncopyable
This vid is ample proof (at least to me) that Clapton should never have switched to Strats. He made his bones on Gibsons and revolutionized rock guitar with them. Extremely well played and a great guitar sound. It’s quite rare to hear anyone match this era of EC. You can figure out WHAT he’s playing, but not HOW he plays it because he’s Eric Clapton and … we’re not. Great vid!!!
Thanks so much, Larry. Yes, it's striking to think that his Gibson phase was only about five years compared with fifty-four years with Strats.
Whoever the guitar player is, AWESOME. He really channeled Clapton.
Mark Sutcliffe, from the UK
Your vibrato is definitely one of the best I’ve seen
That's very kind, thanks. I hope you find the videos useful. Cheers, Mark
@@mybluesguitar your's is slightly stronger than the very subtle one I hear in Clapton's playing, but very close. But that's how it is. We all have a "natural vibrato" that just comes out, and to try to change it to slower, faster, stronger or weaker is quite hard, and takes the fun away from playing. Also I have never heard anyone being able to repeat Jimi's slow and fat vibrato. When you hear it, you know who is playing.
Adding to my last comment: what I didn’t think about as much until I watched this video was how much technique Clapton had for the era. He was smooth and fast but he also had incredible vibrato and notably, all the different bends he employed around the neck. It’s a real masterclass. It is tough to put together only 10, but I would’ve included White Room, Strange Brew and something from Bluesbreakers. Maybe there’s a follow up next 10! Thank you for this
Thanks for commenting, Dan. It's impressive listening to these tracks today, so hearing them as a guitar player when they first appeared must have been mind-blowing. I was around, but just an infant. Would love to have been in my 'teens and twenties in the 'sixties.
@@mybluesguitar Heaven..
#2 Sleepy Time Time, that solo is etched into my soul.
And Crossroads, of course.
Well done.
Thanks Pat. Over 50 years old and still right up there!
Don't disagree. You did them great. There are so many Clapton solos. His vibrato and clean playing style on the frets above the 15th fret is what makes him special. Surprised no Bluesbreakers solos, or even some from 24 nights like Old Love... but really who can go wrong with the 10 you picked. I loved them all, and you did them justice. Awesome playing. Peace.
These were only solos from 1964-1968 👍🏻 but I agree his 80’s and 90’s playing was phenomenal
I'm glad you like it, John, and thank you for commenting. There are really so many brilliant solos that putting a list like this together is tough.
@mybluesguitar You did a great job. Just putting together any top 10 of Clapton is tough, but what's tougher is playing the list. I was particularly taken back how precise you got the Sitting on Top of the World solo down from Goodbye Cream. You even nailed the tone. Just as you did on Sleepy Time Time. Even Eric Clapton doesn't have to bother with that task as he never does the same solo the same twice. All the song solos were spot on. Just amazing. Thank you again. Peace.
Thanks John. Even though all the recordings were done in Garageband and the sound can be shaped electronically, a lot of it is still in the guitar, and for Sitting on Top of the World that was down to the Firebird which, sadly, I no longer have.
@mybluesguitar Yes I understand. I have a Firebird, but I still don't get all the notes like you did. You are too humble. The exact phrasing and attack on the opening lick, and the flurry of riffs, and bends in that particular solo is an amazing reproduction you have done. You are too modest. Peace.
I love also Steppin out
Me too
Thank you! Lawdy Mama BBC is NEVER spoken about. One of Eric's best. Excellent choices and playing here
Yes, it's a great one. Effortless brilliance from EC
Great job as always, nailed the clarity and tone
Glad you liked it, William. Thank you.
Brilliant playing you really nailed Eric’s phrasing and technique great choice of solos that’s the best I’ve ever heard.
Thanks so much, Wayne. That's very kind.
I feel free 0:17
Baby What’s Wrong? 1:01
Outside Woman Blues 1:31
NSU 2:00
Sunshine Of Your Love 2:29
Lawdy Mama 3:28
Badge 4:17
Sitting On Top Of The World 5:00
Sleepy Time Time 5:51
Crossroads 7:51
Great work! These are so fundamental to blues rock playing I feel I must learn them all.
Glad you like them, Dan. Certainly a collection of blueprints for players!
Spot on with your #1! The live Crossroads solo is his best solo and one of the greatest of all time. On top of that, it was improvised on the spot! He never played it that way again, before or after, while on that tour.
He did some pretty amazing stuff with his brief tenure with John Mayall (e.g., Hideaway) that coulda made this list. And some of the live bootleg solos of I'm so Glad are just off the charts fantastic; ditto Deserted Cities of the Heart. Oh well, hard to put greatness in a box..
Certainly is, Dave. Many, many brilliant solos and only room for 10 in the list. A virtually impossible task!
Brilliant!! Badge has to be my favourite. EC was the master at solos , he always had the ability to pick the right notes , and the right phrasing , I saw him at the Royal Albert hall in 2016 and he was still magnificent, I’m going back there this month to see him again. A guitar legend
Great! I hope you have a great time, Jamie
I agree with number 1
👍
Awesome totally agree, my favorite rock guitarist.😊
Thanks Rick. Glad you approve!
Really nice playing Mark
Thanks my friend. Glad you like it.
I totaly agree, Crossroads was pure magic made in heaven
Really great Top 10, Mark! So many great solos to choose from …
As you’ve asked for our opinions, I’d not pick anything from the Yardbirds (much as I’m a fan) and I’d have something from the Beano album instead - either “Double Crossing Time”, “Key To Love”, or “Have You Heard” - but really it’s got to be Cream from that era. Eric’s playing went up a level each time he switched bands.
My top live and studio solo picks would be the same as your two choices (probably no surprise!) but I’d have “Sweet Wine” in there somewhere (although that’s heavily overdubbed) and it’s so hard to narrow down the others I’d probably change my mind the next day anyway! 😂
Thanks Derek. Yes, I should perhaps have put something in there from the Beano album, which is just packed full with amazing solos.
Great thing about a list is that it always opens Up a discussion 😂
Ha ha, yes it does!
Just discovered this video. That’s some seriously impressive tone- and lick-copping work! EC has had a brilliant career, but if he’d left us in 1969 he’d still be a legend.
True! Thank you.
Absolutely superb mate
Keep em coming 👍
Glad you like it, David. Thank you.
Even something as simple as flicking the pickup selector in I Feel Free always impressed the hell out of me. Nowadays someone would just step on some boutique pedal to achieve the same effect.
It was certainly a very effective move in the solo, George, I agree. And not something you notice being done much by other players, certainly not in '66
Crossroads #1. No doubt. Thanks Mark. Awesome list.
Not on this particular list but Steppin out is my personal favorite. BTW your multi-vid tutorial of that piece is 11 out of 10!
Glad you like that one, @ctarga1 Thank you
Fantastic and an absolute master class in playing. Thank you !
Glad you enjoyed it, Arch. Thank you
These are stupendous. I will only beg to differ that the FIRST "Crossroads' solo is far more interesting and architectured than the second; but t any rate, the track transcends earthly music and reaches the stratosphere, inspiring in me the same feelings as I get when I listen to the greatest masterpieces of Classical Music. They didn't call him 'God' for nothing.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts, Bernard. Interesting thought about the first solo. I take your point. Yes, it's an incredible solo and tune!
All your love on the bluesbreaker album is my favourite EC solo...its perfect
Especially that high bend and lick at the end!
great work as always
Thank you! Cheers!
As much as I adore the other nine, crossroads live has to be my favourite also; I enjoy the much shorter solo on the BBC sessions too. It took me ages to remember all the fingering for the two complete solo's never mind the bending & vibrato ( particularly getting the brisk vibrato on the verses convincing) but it's been an absolute labour of love & watching your fabulous lessons over the years have been a joy; never have l heard such convincing renditions of Eric's playing & always with fantastic tone. I'm so glad would have to be in my top ten & the BBC session is killer.
Thanks so much, James. I'm so pleased to hear that you enjoy the videos and really appreciate your comment.
Great list and Great playing hello Jeff from Tennessee I totally agree
Hey Jeff! Thanks!
Have you Heard : Beano album solo tops the lot
Ah yes...that's a gem.
Holy cow, this is gold
Glad you like it, Dhaneren. Thank you.
I think someone else mentioned this, but I would have included something from the Bluesbreakers album; maybe "Have You Heard" or "Hideaway," He didn't play with as much finesse as he did later with Cream, but he played with such fire. It was ground breaking.
Yes, totally. Firey and groundbreaking. He set out to make a mark with the Bluesbreakers album and achieved his goal a thousand times over. Have You Heard is on my 'to do' list. Thank you.
Amazing video mate! Killer vibrato too...
What about Sweet Wine from Fresh Cream?
The way Clapton creates a wall of sirens has to be one o
Nice one! So many to choose from!
Amazing vídeo man. Thanks so much.
You are a phenomenom! Listening to you play these brings backall the same 'hairs on the back of the neck' feelings I had listening to Eric first time around! I would very sncerely like to know how you feel about being able to emulate these iconic solos so perfectly - it's way beyond, me but hearing and watcvhing you do it is a very wonnderful thing!
Hi Lotus Laddie and sorry for the late reply. That's very kind and I'm glad you like the videos. To answer your question, it makes be appreciate how brilliant these guys were...Eric, Jimmy, Mick Taylor. I would love to have seen them first hand back in the day and I would love to shake their hands today. I saw Mick in '73 with the Stones (I had just turned 12 and remember nothing much about it), Eric in '76 and Jimmy I have never seen at all. Thanks so much for your generous comment and your support.
great work !!! eric is my favourite
Thanks a lot!
You nailed it perfectly as always. Especialy the Crossroads solo. Tone wise spot on also. As suggested by other subscribers more from Beane album could have made it to the list. Key to love and Have you heard for example. Well it's so hard to choose only 10, maybe 20 or part two? :) If I could choose not only from official releases, I would definitely pick something from Cream Klook Kleek Plus Bootleg. Meet me in the bottom - Eric was on fire that night and this track is nice example of his more aggressive approach.
That's a great recording, Jan. Thanks.
Truly radical playing on that Klooks Kleek gig, any note appears available to bend, often with just the second finger alone! Eric's unique, unorthodox techniques, the floating vibrato, the note-passing, bent and vibratoed double-stops etc., were coming together at a frighteningly young age, he wasn't yet 21 when he recorded "Bluesbreakers" and 23 when he played that version of "Crossroads". You can hear how Peter Green and Mick Taylor studied him but Eric's way of doing it was unique. The solos on "SWLABR" and "I Feel Free" have notes I don't have on my guitar, not from any scale, but they're right! Impressed by the playing in the video, as near as I've heard anybody get, but for all the influences on him, The Kings, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy etc., Eric invented his own way of doing it out of thin air, no lessons, RUclips tutorials or rock history to refer to, just his ears. I might include "Five Long Years" in any list of his greatest solos, you shouldn't be able to play like a man who's seen the world at age 19, and it convinced Jeff Beck to join the Yardbirds ("Yeah, I'll have some of that" he said).
You made Great Choices from Clapton's solos!! , I want to comment you, that I met Ginger in Madrid on a 1983 summer tour ,already disbanded from Cream and we befriended there.
Cool!
Eric has remained so popular amongst guitarists and musicians because his style of playing is also directly a style we all go through as we progress and he is a great composer to study and improve when you reach that level.
Very controlled, precise and yet still very emotive and seemingly, improvised even though it's all in fact composed. It's relative to BB King's style as well.
I can remember nearly 30 years ago listening to Eric *and realizing he used a lot of hand strength.* I had a friend, Nick, that pretty much based his entire playing style off of Eric and he was very talented. I was the guy that rocketed passed everyone I knew simply due to the genetic lottery gifting me absurdly extreme potentials at many things.
*To this day, even as a shred and sweep guy it's always a good idea to warmup in the style you hear Eric was known and legendary for.* Take some time, get your hands worked up with strength and precision. Play very complex pieces good and slow then moderate paced.
I'm literally on the cutting edge of elite guitarists but because I am purely improv, if I don't warm up properly it's just complete shit lol!
Thanks for commenting, Jon. Good advice about warming up. Cheers.
Whoah ! So well done!
Thank you. Glad you liked it
Great playing and great list! Love all those songs. Would liked to have seen Have you Heard on there. Clapton said that was his best playing at that time
It's on my 'To Do' list, SD. Thanks for mentioning it.
Sweet hearing this ! Thanks !
Glad you like it!
You nailed the style to the wall....as tone....phrasing....is spot on.
I have always played in this style....as he was the first and best blues guitar player whom everybody was influenced by.....
You play the style great....and anybody even thinking of playing electric blues...should start with EC style playing....before heading down the road of shredding guitar with no feel.
I toured with the Yardbirds in NZ in 1966....and filled in for Jimmy Page for first 3 songs in one town...due to him being a bit off....and that was a stepping stone to what was to come....being the Beano album....with EC....and that was it for me becoming a blues player....just like everyone who also picked their jaws up off the floor after hearing it.....biggest influential guitarist was Eric Clapton.....first and the best.
So great stuff you are doing keeping this going.....
John Williams
Hello John and thanks so much for taking the time to comment. What a fascinating story - touring with the Yardbirds and filling in for JP! I'd love to hear more about it, as I am sure would many others. Cheers, Mark
Hi Mark....
1966 January....Yardbirds... Roy Orbison....and the Walker Brothers was the tour....
In that era most live shows were two a day...eg...matinee and night....to cover having 3 acts touring....
So when the tour reached Hamilton...at the Founders Theatre....the only show was the evening one.
So many from the show went to the pub....and Jimmy had knocked a few drinks off...as you do when on the road....I could not go as I was only 16...so missed out on the drinks....but that night was asked to step in with the Yardbirds due to Jimmy's state.
It was a breeze for me...as I grew up banging out Yardbirds songs....being a Jeff Beck fan.....and there were no issues.....
Keith Relf just handed me Jimmy's white telecaster....and away we went....after the third song Jimmy composed himself...and took over...
It was something to remember...and at the end of the tour...he gave me his Silver shirt he wore...a guitar strap....and his Tone Bender.
I misplaced the shirt along the way...and sold the Tone Bender to a guy in 1968....but still have the guitar strap.
The buyer of the Tone Bender recently contacted me....and reacquainted himself with me....he is on RUclips too...and has some stuff on it there.
On the bus I was shown a lot of riffs and tricks from Jimmy...and he gave me the riff to Train kept a Rolling....and the band I was with....Larry's Rebels...recorded a song called Flying Scotsman...in tribute to the riff...which is on RUclips and was from....Study in Black album.
So Mark....that is my story of how I came to play with the Yardbirds.....you can see more at.....John Williams audioculture.....or Larry's Rebels audioculture.
I have some great pics of Jimmy using my amp for the tour....as they did not have a backing due to freight expense....
I also could see that the Yardbirds were heading down another direction on that tour...with Jeff Beck gone...and Jimmy's heavier style showing....you could see now...that was where Jimmy was headed musically....towards Led Zeppelin.
For me it is a lifetime memory .
Cheers
John.
Hi again Mark....
Here is link about the Tone Bender from the guy who purchased it in 1968....
ruclips.net/video/Pu4ixhZAViQ/видео.html
@@johnwilliamsdoubleshotofbl5034 Hi John, Thanks for sharing all this. What an absolutely amazing experience for any player, let alone one just sixteen years old! I'll check out the videos you mention and your site. Cheers, Mark
@@johnwilliamsdoubleshotofbl5034 Thanks John! Fabulous!
Amazing playing. Sound just like the master.
Hope the videos are helpful to you. Thank you very much!
Great job on emulating Eric. Maybe post Eric’s amazing solo on the studio version of I’m so Glad where Clapton plays the entire solo on the G string..cheers! 😊❤️👍🎸
Thanks Robert! I did that one a little while ago... ruclips.net/video/rw7t3U1a0ag/видео.html
Brilliant !
Glad you like it. Thank you so much.
Great choices! Cheers!
Thanks Michael :-)
Amazing ! Its like Eric has gone back in time and sits and shows us how he did it all those years ago . Brilliant ! 👍🎸😎
What a pity the Beano sessions weren't filmed, Alfie
@@mybluesguitar yes now that would be great ! John Mayall used to be a hobbyist photographer during that time and maybe took cine film but is not good quality to share. Who knows ! You do a great job 👍🎸😎
There's a thought, Alfie. Although I do remember reading that he had lost a lot of material to a fire, in Laurel Canyon, I think ???
@@mybluesguitar yes he did lose a lot of stuff in the fire - maybe old cine film along with most of his possesions , who knows. 🎸
He’d probably say he doesn’t like them and can’t remember anything about them if previous comments are anything to go by.
Nice playing, but nothing from the Beano album? That's nuts.
I agree, Bob! Maybe I ought to do a 'part two' at some point.
Hats off for including Sleepy Time Time.
Such a great track, Dan. Cheers.
I hate how your tone is absolutely amazing! Lol! Great job!
Thanks Edgar. It's all done in Garageband on a laptop.
Thanks 🎉🎉🎉🎉
You are welcome. Thank you :)
First, as usual amazed by how your playing captures Clapton's spirit and aesthetics. Thanks for sharing this. Second, I disagree only on one point: to me his live solo on "Stormy Monday" with the Blues Breakers should have been in there, if only to show how much rage this composed man could put in his solos if he wanted to.
Thanks Bernard. I share your enthusiasm for Stormy Monday. I can remember when I first heard it. At the time I was living in the north of England, and I remember buying a record that was called, I think, Primal Solos, or something like that. It had a blue cover. I remember being being totally blown away by Stormy Monday.
@@mybluesguitar You're welcome! It is available on the album "Looking Back" by John Mayall. Cheers!
Great playing, especially on Crossroads!! I wld leave off the Yardbirds stuff. Put on White Room and some Beano Mayall solos...oh loved Lawdy Mama, always loved that solo, dont play it as good as you do though.....never did find a backing track for Lawdy Mama
Thanks EC. There's a 12-bar shuffle backing that I made and put on Patreon at the same time I did this track. Thanks for your comment and support, much apprecaiated.
Great job, especially your vibrato! Tales of Brave Ulysses gets my vote, tied with Badge.
Thank you.
Nice choice od solos everything is pure magic!!!!
Glad you like them, Kristijan. Thank you.
Very good work! Sleepy time solo maybe the best, second Crossroads. But just to my ears...
Thanks for listening, Filippo. Interesting thought about the top two. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts.
this is the Eric Clapton I love. / great selection and ty for the vid.
Thanks Rob.
Have you Heard, with John Mayall. First heard that on blues radio, Gibson sounding like a saxophone, blew me socks off. List is great by the way
That's certainly a great one!
great list man, i love it, a lesson of "wraping paper" would be nice
Thanks Gabriel.
Stellar!
Great job man …Top ! Have heard the studios session with Aretha Franklin ! Fantastic recording
Cool, thanks!
Brilliant! You nailed them all, even though I disagree about your choice of his top ten best solos from this period. I think I'd add 'Telephone Blues', 'All Your Love', 'Have You Heard' and 'Little Girl'. However, if you were to do the same for his later, post-Gibson, phase, I'm far from sure you could find even five.
Thanks so much Rosa! Really pleased you like it.
@@mybluesguitar :-)
Super playing and guitar sound! Just reinforces my feeling that EC should have stayed with Gibsons. I would have included his “I’m So Glad” solo (Fresh Cream), which he played on his 3rd (G) string only. Gibsons made him, and his Strat sounds are inconsistent. But that’s just me …
I really that solo, too. And like you say, all on the G string
Personally, "Sitting on top of the world" is my fav, with "Born under a bad sign" being close. He also did some amazing stuff with the Immediate Allstars that is pretty under rated.
yes, some great music there
Steppin’ Out should be number one in my book but I agree with the rest 👍
Totally agree, fantastic playing.
Thank you, Rick, I guess there are dozens of these early solos that totally shine. So many to choose from!
Great Video! I agree with your choices, maybe put While My Guitar Gently Weeps instead of I Feel Free
Thanks Mike. It's worth noting that a lot of people have suggested While My Guitar Gently Weeps! Cheers, Mark
Excellent!! When did you put the black pickguard on the the Pagey?
Thanks Bruce. That guitar is my Squier CV '50s Tele, filmed that a little while ago. That, too, now has a white pickguard and a rosewood neck! Now that I have the Pagey one I wish I'd left the Squier as it was.
I Feel Free was the first EC solo I ever learned. And one of my favorites from his time with The Yardbirds is Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.
That's a great one, Mark.
Gran guitarrista, para mí el mejor ❤
So many great Slowhand solos! Thanks for your comment my friend
Eric just pulls notes out of nowhere.... pure magic.
So true
Hard to believe you didn't pick any from the Beano album!! Some of those are breathtaking, as youve often shown
Have to agree on your number one choice. I love both solos on this song, because the first one lulls you into thinking "OK, that's nice"...
That's it, Fred! It certainly does do that
The second solo from crossroads is even more amazing seeing as how you've got that ruddy great chunck of wood to deal with.
It is indeed a bit challenging on a Les Paul
Juste à mon humble avis : pour une même chanson jouée il y a autant de versions que de live. Aucune performance n'est identique. Cela est du au feeling du moment. Et parmi les chansons méconnues il y a "Roll it Over" & "Tracks and lines" qui font vibrer mes Os.... Au final chaque notes que Mr Eric Patrick Clapton joue est unique. C'est le seul guitariste qui me procure des vibrations uniques et j'en ai écouté des guitaristes durant les 40 dernières années. Son apport à la musique ainsi que son humilité sont inégalables durant ces 60 dernières années. Clapton fait partie des rares artistes qui ne sont pas extravagants et c'est çà le secret de sa longévité. Un grand salut de l'Algérie 🇩🇿
Hello Algeria! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. All best wishes from Surrey, England
Nice indeed !! 👏
Thank you! Cheers!
Great choices, I'd have Key to Love and Strange Brew in there (even though it's quite a simple one).
I second Key To Love
Ah, yes! Two great ones, especially Key to Love.
Good list. I would have included the solo in Politician, which is a bit like Sleepy Time Time in the deliberate clarity of its phrasing.
Have to agree. It's long and brilliantly constructed solo.
@@mybluesguitar It's out of your time window, but I'd also like to suggest Eric's 48-bar solo in his performance of "Ramblin On My Mind" on the EC Was Here album. It crescendos upward thru four key changes to climax in one of the finest solos in blues history. When it was recorded in 1975, nobody knew that Eric could still play like that.
As a fan i say I agree and its a awesome playing!
Glad you like it, JeanPat. Thanks for commenting!
Could you give us some Robin Trower from his 1975 Winterland concert please ? ✨🎸✨🎼☮️
Interesting suggestion, thank you. I've had a few similar requests. As much as I've enjoyed listening to RT over the years I've never studied his style. I'll make a note. Cheers.
I would replace “SOTOTW” with the Dallas ‘68 version… that and imagine just doing a “top 10 live solo” list, it would be insanely hard to even fathom how many solos you could choose from.
Ah, yes, that's a great one! Good idea, too, about the live solos. Where would one start?!?!?!
First off, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The entire production. And jeez what a player!! Nailing those tones too. That a Dimarzio in the Neck? Sounds killer. People, watch at certain times the sheer amount of aggression and intent, with gorgeous trailing vibrato he does. Like tying a bow on it. Fuckin’ Clapton. To me, I admire him more every year. He’s up there now. Legendary
Sorry for the late reply, Oliver. The pickups were made by a tiny UK company (Wales, I think) called 'Shed'.
All great choices...I'd have included 2 other solos from that time frame (just my personal choice) both from the Beano album. 1. Little Girl solo and 2. Have you Heard solo
Good choices, Matt.
I agree With you
Loved it thank you 😊
Thanks Michael.
Killer playing!! Killer tone!! What kind of amp/settings are you using for this excellence? Bluesbreaker with attenuator? Some good tubes cranked for sure. Great finger work!!
Thanks Andrew! I actually make all the videos in Garageband on a MacBook. Cheers, Mark
Great choices, but Strange Brew could have made it to your list !
That's true!
Got the shivers just listening to these!! How about Bernard Jenkins? 😊
Good idea, Alan. That one is certainly on the pretty long list of things to do! Cheers.
Well played! I'd stick The Bluesbreakers Steppin Out in the top five, but that's just me.
Yes, that's a classic, David!
Hey! I'm a huge fan. I'm subbed to your patreon and have the tones. Have you any recommendations of a Gibson style guitar under $1000? Any cheap guitars that?
Hey Billy! Thanks so much for supporting the channel via Patreon. I really appreciate it! You should do well with an Epiphone. Part of the Gibson family, of course. For low-cost Fender style I really love the Squier Classic Vibe series. Cheers, Mark
i also loved clapton's solo on blind faiths hyde park cant find my way home. do that one
Yes, that's a good one.
Superb
Thanks Gaz 🤗
Great playing & channel. I'm curious about what pickups are in you Les Paul.
The pickups in both my Les Pauls are 'Shed' pickups. I don't think they are made any more.
And yes, I agree with your choices, although I would like to see SOYL up a little higher. But yeah, you got it right!!
Thanks Bruce! So many to choose from - makes for an almost impossible task!
Most excellent lad! What amp did you use?
Thanks! I actually record all the audio for the videos in Garageband on a Macbook. But I do mostly use the 'Marshall' type setting, then play around with the different 'cabs' and settings. Sorry for late reply.
Brilliant
Good call on number 2.
Thanks Angus.
What happened to 'Have you heard about my baby'? From the Beano Album, Bluesbreakers John Mayall with Eric Clapton.....not to mention 'Hideaway' & 'Steppin' Out', these two also from the Beano Album. That album recorded and released in 1965 was a game changer, that's when Clapton plugged a Les Paul into a Marshall(No Pedals)that really changed everything and the rest is history. And yes there were some earlier guitarists like Linky Wray in the late '50s and Dave Davies of the Kinks in 1964 but what Clapton did in '65 with a Les Paul and a Marshall was 'thee' game changer. 😎
Fair comment Matthew! Have You Heard and the two instrumentals. Awesome tracks indeed!