I can`t put into words how much I admire your knowledge, talent, attitude, kindness, and professionalism. It must be such a joy to have you as a teacher.
@First Last Doesn`t one need adverbs to describe someone or something ?! But what can I say? Of course, you are right My comment is a contradiction in itself. I was aware of that while writing it... LOL
@@lechat8533, One needs _adjectives_ to describe something. Your original comment is fine. I don’t know what the (now deleted) reply was, but it probably wasn’t necessary.
Fil, you just can't contain your appreciation for the talent of other artists. I love watching you light up when you hear something. Thanks for great contributions.
Totally agree with you! I just love watching him through these performance analyses. He has such an appreciation for music of all genres and any age! And, he has an impossibly lovely smile. A joy to watch.
Very interesting. Beyond the horrors of autotuning, I appreciate your consistent underscoring of the subtle ways of playing notes (voclas and instrument), and imparting feeling and personal style that makes for a unique and special sound.
Not a fan of auto tune. Although, anyone who’s heard some of the modern pop singers from the backline, before it hits the desk, knows they wouldn’t have a live review worth a penny without auto tune. On the other hand, I’ve always disliked the mariachi version of Layla that came from the unplugged period. Give me the Derek and the Dominoes version any day.
What these "producers" have to, NEED to realize is that WE the fans don't go to or listen to these fabulous artists to have auto tune thrown at us!! We're there to appreciate what they're doing & what they've given us!! Love love love this song
Children who listen to crap drive most sales. They don't care what we want anymore, we're still listening to old music that's already sold millions. Current music is about pushing out the fastest product as often as possible.
@@mercster The young adults today don't have the variety of great music that we had that's a fact! But if you're around ages between 16-30+ they're listening to "our music" & loving it, they don't typically know who it is or what group but they know songs. My boys are a perfect example of knowing the songs, groups etc of not only the music I grew up with but music that my parents loved. Expose them to a wide variety of music & genres & they'll always have a great appreciation for it
Agreed!! Creative control is worth everything. Eric Clapton having his voice altered by the record company is outrageous. Older artists whose voices have changed need to be heard as they are, like Johnny Cash when he sang “Hurt.” I would love to hear what he really brought to this version from his lifelong musicality and maturity, the same way he brought it to the guitar playing in the performance. Autotune kills interpretation.
Autotune can actually be a real artistic tool imo, but the way Melodyne and other pitch correction tools are used especially with older artists (E.G. The Who's "WHO" album, The Beach Boys' releases and some of their their solo work post 2010ish, and Queen's live releases) usually sounds awful. I don't believe the technology can possibly handle a voice's subharmonics in a way that doesn't dip into the uncanny valley in human perception.
I so agree that auto tune is interfering with he voice and essentially life of the artist. Look up the Japanese aesthetic of an imperfection in any art as a needed value. It says something about us. Auto tune tech is a commodity driven value but not one of meaning.
Robert Plant doesn't pretend his voice is what it was 45 years ago, so he rearranges parts to fit within the range he still has. That is called artistic integrity.
A lot of older artists never had vocal coaching so they didn't realise that there's stuff you need to do DAILY to keep your voice. A lot smoked, or vaped etc. NOOO! I'm 73, I take very good care of my voice and as a result of what I have learned I'm singing better now than I did in my 20s, AND more range, as I've had a bunch of coaching. My last singing teacher told me his Dad sang professionally into his 90s! There are things in the ageing process that would spoil your voice of course, but I still think people don't know how to maintain it. Gentle singing every day is a good start, hydration, and please, artists whose career was built on Throat Voice, they're the ones who go down first. As for the fret buzz, OMG doesn't Eric have a guitar tech????
You hate, badly done auto-tune. If it's done right, you'd never know, unless the original performance was so bad you had to tune nearly every word. Eric Clapton has NEVER to my knowledge given a performance that would warrant such a thing. But I agree with you, I hate that "is this a person or a keyboard demo" vocal sound your get from overuse of auto-tune.
@@ffggddss What is frequently inspiring about art, is the human striving for unattainable perfection. That is the nobility in it: that is why it is admirable, that is why it is inspiring. To reach for something that exceeds the artist's grasp is to exercise, honor and acknowledge the divine aspect of the artists' nature.
Reminds me of when Jimmy Page was putting together the live Zep release "How the West Was Won". A young producer was in the booth with Page and remarked how Bonham missed a beat and he was going to "fix it". Page flipped and told him to leave it alone! Saying "If he dropped a beat, it's because he meant to!"
Yes, there are mistakes on every Zep album, some more obvious than others. It's what happens when humans make music. The humanity adds to the experience.
@@fredjones7425 I heard Down By The Seaside probably a hundred times and never noticed a mistake until a musician friend of mine pointed out where Page missed a chord completely around 4:40.
@@redpine8665 Im obsessed with Zeppelin and I can tell you there are genuine mistakes all over the place. And I'm not going to pull any of that 'bUT ThE miStaKEs maKe iT beTteR' it's that they just don't matter, and fixing them wouldn't make the song any better. On top of that, changing even the most minor of details would INSTANTLY stand out to anyone even moderately familiar with their songs because they're so ubiquitous.
Hey Fil, Your musical analyses are both enlightening and by turns hilarious! Your genuine respect for those artists you review is quite obvious, so when you have to offer criticism of choices, technique or production, your comments are always rife with love, humanity and respect! Watching you juggle both appreciation and disgust is a thing of beauty! Stay the course young man… In regard to the whole “auto tune” and pitch correction business, I still think that “Dark Forces” are at work here, trying to suck all of the joy and spiritual nourishment out of our music! But they didn’t reckon on you, Fil! Keep on doing what you do so well, and the forces of nescience and entropy don’t stand a chance! - Namaste, Glenn
I agree with Glenn wholeheartedly, Fil's passion for the art and respect for the artist both shine through in this analysis. I don't understand who it is in the music industry believes running auto tune software against Eric Clapton performing "Layla" live at the Royal Albert Hall is a good idea.
Glenn, well done!! The dark forces have come after us through every avenue of human existence. But when they changed the "A" tuning standard from 432 hz, a frequency which is in harmony w humans, and Nature, to 440, a frequency which is DISSONANT to humans and Nature, that really sealed it. Evil. We need to go back to tuning that is life-affirming, not threatening us.
Clapton has always been a blues singer. Who the hell would decide to auto tune a blues singer? It's all about the nuance and the notes between the notes. I wonder if this footage is available without the auto tune?
Another excellent analysis on how Auto Tune has killed the feeling from the original human voice that was recorded on the night of this performance. also love the little details you point out that we might have overlooked. thanks Fil. 😊
One of the Spice Girls did a Solo album. I read a review where they said it was auto-tuned so much she sounded like a dalek! Some people shouldn’t be allowed into a studio!
Fil I love the smile that breaks through as you watch something you really like, or when the video gives you an excellent example of what you want to emphasize. Keep on smiling!!!
Imagine if someone went smoothing out the lines in an artist's paintings or sanding down their sculptures, just because they feel it makes them more pleasing to the eye.
I think that is actually, in a way, exactly what is going on. The rise of DAW software introduced a strong visual element to recording and mixing for the first time. I've seen it happen many times with mix engineers who just can't stand it when the transients of say a live drum take don't sit perfectly on the time grid, or when certain notes are a cent or two off the exact pitch. Despite the take already sounding fantastic and full of energy when you ignore the visual element.
As a singer, I'd be positively livid if I was autotuned by some tech. The entire artistry of a vocalist is in the "life" of the voice. The grace and emotion is in the hints of dissonance. Tragic abuse.
@@SuziQ. Natural, deliberate dissonance is a different thing. It can, used properly, contribute to the emotional voice of a song- not like just being off-key. But I get what you're saying about mechanical dissonance. That's more of a mood of it's own. I think sounds like that too can contribute, but not when they're stealing the texture of a natural voice.
Eric Clapton was nearly 70 yrs old when he did that, and has been playing for a lot more years than you have been alive. Who the F#@k do you think you are that you can critique a music legend. If he wants to use auto tune so what. Go back to mummys basement and keep practicing.
That's only half true....um... nobody sings "on the line" , Tom Petty for instance, people may say he's not a great singer or Dylan, or a million others who aren't Whitney but, I'm not sure why this is now industry standard, there are a million people who are flat on all of our favorite records....i dont know what happened, why pitch correction is "needed"
@@foxholiday4308 I agree totally. Petty and Dylan are definitely 2 of my favorite artists, and this is subjective I know, just a matter of taste but the power ballads of Streisand and Whitney et al never were my thing, possibly because when they did duets with other singers it always sounded like a competition and sort of pointless IMO, just me. But definitely, autotune, pitch correction very bad thing and here, desecration.
@@EvelynBaron yeah Whitney isn't really my thing either, but I can definitely appreciate the almost pitch perfect performances she gave, probably as close to being on the line as you can get, Mariah too...or Celine but if they came out today they would be pitch corrected and really I don't understand why, when cher did it was an effect it wasn't to fix a voice, it's all the imperfections that make music magical
Eric doesn’t need auto tune. Snapping the notes inhibits his trailing voice that is soulful. He sounds more like Randy Newman instead of himself. Not necessary.
@@lemonnlimelight2760 He does on autotune. I like Randy Newman, he’s a talented pianist, vocalist, and great songwriter, but Eric Clapton doesn’t need auto tune even if it is popular.
this version fails for the simple reason, as i'm sure someone else must have pointed out, that it completely lacks the pain, the anguish, the trainwreck of emotions involved in the loss of a meaningful relationship. this version shows the pain of losing a penny from a hole in your pocket.
The rhythm seems to be too "cheerful" for the pain to be expressed. Sounds more like "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" than a song about the pain of the end of a relationship.
I think that this criticism fails to accept that this is the original artist's mature version of his original song, one in which the beauty and power of the music remain while the pain and poignancy are no longer as relevant as they were decades ago. In the same way Cream's version of "Crossroads" at the 2005 Reunion Concert doesn't replicate the intensity and overdrive of the "Wheels of Fire" recording yet it retains the sheer essence and enjoyment of the music. It really is a form of ageism to judge the later versions through the lens of the originals. I saw Cream in the '60s and enjoy the original recordings as much as I ever did but I also appreciate the evolution of an artist's experience of their own music.
Indeed. The beauty of a live performance is in the imperfection. I don't like any perfection if it can be helped, even in the studio, but particularly in a live setting I want to hear the actual performance as it was and not someone else's interpretation of how it should have been. To me some of the greatest moments in music come from the "mistakes". It gives the music its character that pulls you in.
I hate auto-tune. I like the real thing, and Eric is perfect just the way he is. Who the heck thought they could or should improve his voice for public consumption??? Clapton fans will love him even if suddenly croaked like a frog. My favorite EC song is 'River Of Tears'. Every time I hear it, you have to mop me up off the floor. As always, you're adorable! LOVE THE HAIR!!
Hard for me to pick a favorite Clapton song but as far as the vocals go, every time he sings, "I don't wanna fade away", from the song "Bell Bottom Blues" I tear up.
I despise auto-tune, it's a deception that strips emotion from the performance. Eric's style has always been blues-based and is cathartic, passionate and emotional at it's best (it's supposed to be raw & dirty). I just bet a young person with no understanding of this type of music overdid auto-tune when it shouldn't have been used at all. Shame on Eric for not being more involved in the post production.
Either Eric was directly involved in the decision to use auto-tune, or he gave it the ok after hearing the "corrections", or perhaps he's like our president and probably too old to change his own diapers, let alone be throwing concerts. I'll leave it up to you, but those are your only 3 choices. And who can blame him? Especially when he sees so many other old has-been rockers getting heckled in the RUclips comments for taking too many drugs, booze, and smoke in their younger days. These cats can't win, I tell ya😼
Damn. Once you hear it you can’t stop hearing it! As you say, this is not an artist that needs auto tune and it’s the tiny imperfections that give everything character. Can’t even begin to imagine how angry I would feel if someone applied this to my performance without asking!
I would argue that he wasn’t just asked, but that he gave the go 😉 maybe it was the artist after all who decided and is not in line with self-acclaimed „purists“. Just a thought …
If they did it without my knowledge, absolutely. That's unacceptable. But are we really imagining he didn't have the final word on the entire production process for this? If it sucks, it's on him, and the piss poor job the hack engineer did implementing the "pitch correction." This tuning job the audio equivalent of using a chainsaw where a butter knife would do, if the person had never used a chainsaw before and also had late-stage Parkinson's.
I took that intro as a homage to George Harrison. It is a sitar sound over the buzzing or droning bass note. After all, both men loved the woman the song was written to honor. He is honoring his friend. Probably one of the most moving parts in this entire performance.
To set record straight, Eric is a backstabbing wife stealing man, not a friend, never. People love same person all the time, only people like Eric does what he did to George.
Eric admitted he never liked his singing voice, claiming he sounded like a 16-year-old boy from Surbiton. His exact words: "I hate my singing. I don't like the way I sing. It all sounds like I'm 16 years old from Surbiton. I do my best to try and feel it. You know, when I watch Ray Charles sing, I think 'That's it, that's how it's done.'"
True, it’s a good thing EC could play well, as his voice has always been weak & sounds to me as if he’s always straining to sing. EC didn’t sing until Delaney Bramlett of Delaney, Bonnie & Friends encouraged him to sing.
I just can't get into this version of Layla. I was 16 in 1970 when Layla came out and I freaking loved it, it was a great time in my life and the song brings back so many good memories. I still listen to it often, never gets old, but this new version bores me to tears...snore. Thanks for the video Fil!
I also agree. The original version was full of intensity and angst that corresponded to my teenage imagination. The one band I thought did unplugged versions really well was Nirvana.
You don't say anything about the _original_ acoustic version, though. What do you think about it? *MrClassicmetal* says that almost all acoustic versions of rock songs sound weak to him --- do you agree? My recollection is that the MTV Unplugged version of Layla was _apparently_ almost universally appreciated. The Unplugged version was the first one that I heard, but after many years of listening to it _and_ the original, I honestly believe that the Unplugged version is a better rendition of the song --- just like I believe that the Carnes version of Bette Davis Eyes is superior to the original.
@@bricaaron3978 Although the one in this video is even worse, I never quite understood the popularity of the original acoustic cover either. One guy who did play great acoustic _covers_ of popular songs is José Feliciano. Because he's a fantastic guitarist, and he his playing was adventurous. But in general acoustic renditions of popular songs are lacking. It all sounds so safe and generic. It's not much different from elevator music.
A digital audio workstation is for tracking, editing, processing and mixing multiple tracks. It doesn't do anything the engineer/producer doesn't want it to do, it doesn't force anyone to make any specific artistic or technical decisions. I don't get this silly pseudo-wisdom people keep parrotting. Back in the day you did the same things except waste a shitload of expensive tape, run a plethora of hardware processing/fx units through a console and being significantly slower and less environment-friendly in the process. Nobody forces anyone to use autotune.
@@CasperLD I understand what you mean by this. It's a bittersweet relationship. On one hand DAWs have revolutionized the recording process making it easier and less expensive for most anyone to record. On the other hand DAWs led to VSTs and the like which auto tune is one of. It created a sort of perfectionists mindset with the listeners and the engineers also (though engineers arguably have always been that way) so if you're the type that likes raw "imperfect" music the days of pure analog or even ADAT was the golden era. However, you can actually achieve a raw "imperfect" recording digitally today if you want it and much easier. You just don't over engineer it and record it as live as possible.
Brilliant analysis, FIL!! Love Eric. Saw him live in the early 80s at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in upstate NY. He was fabulous!!! Unfortunately, it started raining, so my husband, the carpenter, ran to our truck, got a 100-foot roll of plastic sheeting, and it was unrolled over the entire crowd on the grassy hill surrounding the covered stage. Soon the area beneath the plastic was filled w pot smoke as the rain poured down on the plastic above us... And I can still hear the sounds of Layla overriding the noise of the rain as we fell under Eric's spell. They don't make nights like that anymore!!! Much love from Vermont, Fil!
Saw Clapton in the 80s at a show in LA called The ARMS benefit. The artists were Clapton, Jeff Beck, and a band that would become The Firm (Jimmy Page, Paul Rogers). They were all great. Page wasnt his best, but it was still good. Clapton was Clapton, amazing music....subdued performance. The guy that absolutely brought the house down was the middle act, Jeff Beck. I love Beck, everything from Greensleeves to There and Back. I had seen him before and he was always great, but this particular performance was out of this world, and the crowd let him know. Then at the end all three artists came out and did Stairway to Heaven. One of the most memorable concerts in my life, and there were 100s to choose from.
True. why use autotune if Eric Clapton is a great singer? I understand if there's some good reasons why some artists in hip hop and pop music use autotune and of course, pop music and hip hop music back in my childhood years still make sense, it's just that if too much autotune, like heavily autotuned, then it's not good, like too much junk food:(
Eric should have it in every contract to NOT auto tune him. I'd rather here an authentic CRACK in his voice than to altar it!! He's a professional!! He knows exactly how to recover from not nailing a note IF it ever happens!!!
@@godetonter4764 Robert Plant is 74, thus younger than Clapton. There’s also been some debate on him using autotune with Allison Krause. Even if he’s not using autotune, that’s one single example. Lots of old rock guys use it because they simply can’t hit the notes anymore.
I'm not sure you get to be the musician that Clapton is by worrying about anything other than your personal performance. I know plenty of performers (heck I'm on of em') who considers themselves a GUITARIST who also sings. If I flub a line in the lyrics I laugh it off, but if I tank a solo I am really very angry with myself. Assuming he heard this, maybe it's just not that important to him. I mean he can hear Eric Clapton play guitar and sing whenever he wants!
Do we know for sure he wasn't using auto-tune live, or is this conjecture? If he knew the recording was being made for release it's possible he was using auto tune. Why shpuld we assume Clapton would be above the practice? The Eagles are lip synching, countless other acts are using tracks. Why would Clapton get benefit of the doubt versus these other acts? How do we know Clapton didn't approve if it was done ex pos facto? Is he a paragon of musical integrity? When 💲💲💲 is involved everything changes. Tom Petty relied heavily on tracks when he played live in his later years. KISS ranted against lip synching for years. I wouldn't put it past anyone.
I really dislike this version. I can't discuss it rationally. I appreciate your insights and respectful analysis. I'll refrain from saying [edit: further] what I feel about this rendition.
In the title it says: "Why do it?"......I agree......why do this version at all? It's disgraceful imo and I turn off the radio if I hear it. Yes, I'm a Clapton fan, but this re-make of an epic song has as much impact as a wet bus ticket!
IMHO I never loved this version. Gimme the Derek and the Dominos version any day. And on that note (pun intended) I LOVED their version of Little Wing.
100% … this version has always been like doctor’s office muzak to me. I’m comparison to the raw Derek and the Dominos version, it just falls so flat. And I don’t know why folks don’t talk more about their “Little Wing”, which to me is the standout track on that album.
I've never been particularly fond of it myself. I had trouble liking it as much as I had been after a friend of mine went on a total rant about how much he HATED the unplugged version back in the day and I was like, "Huh huh. Yeah, it's kinda lame."
THIS IS SUCH A MEANINGFUL VIDEO AND DISCUSSION (just check out the fantastic comments). As someone who is a musician and is living in the tech glamor capital of the Silicon Valley. I think this subject is one of THE most important discussions we can have today. What is it to be human? The hubris and lack of any humility in the field of tech and in this case recording of artisic expression, is astonishing. As you said here. WHO ARE THEY TO THINK THEY CAN OR SHOULD ALTER A PERFORMANCE? Their pocketbooks are full and their sense of power in society is taken for granted now for no real reason but to create momentary baubles for the consumer. Is our purpose in being human to sit back and simply purchase "perfect" THINGS or to participate in the profound gift of the creative process? Learn from it. Grow from it. Feel it. And most importantly to 23:26 cultivate discernment.
"Why do it", is spot on, Phil! I'm surprised that Clapton himself would be okay with using autotune in the first place. It seems so counterintuitive to what his music has evoked over the years including emotion, improvisation, and authenticity.
The irony being it was probably Eric who wanted to auto-fix it. Try being 70+ years old and getting up in front of a bunch of people to perform a classic, then tell me you wouldn't entertain the idea of auto-tune. Even if Eric doesn't do all of the production and editing, he certainly would be the one who made that call, or at least he gave it the ok after it was done. Most artists do it now a days, but you just can't always tell, like you can here, which actually adds to my point. You see, the worse the performance, the more obvious the auto-tune becomes detectable. And conversely the better the vocals were originally, the less obvious it becomes. See how that works?
@@Dekoherence-ii8pw People also lived in caves and huts thousands of years before autotune. See how that works? Nothing against caves, huts, or autotune. Just sayin 💆♂
Over the years, James Taylor has also changed how he performs many of his songs. "You've got a Friend" and "Shower the People" are the first two that come to mind. Yes, such talent that can perform a song solo with his guitar, with a band backing him, as a duet, and with backup singers. And they all sound quite different, but all great. I am not as familiar with Clapton's work, but this is such a soft song, un-reminiscent of the 1970's-80's Clapton that I knew, but still a great song. To paraphrase Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Saturday Night Special", we should "dump 'auto-tune equipment' to the bottom of the sea." Let us appreciate who Clapton is now - so what if he misses a few notes at the age of 70! Would much rather the real thing than some sanitized version. Thanks for your video.
I must admit, Clapton is one of my all time faves, but watching you watch this was the BEST part! Thank you for sharing your passion for music with all of us…but me me me😂
I never really liked the "unplugged" soft-rock version of "Layla." I guess it's because there's such a verve and breathlessness to the original and Duane Allman's lead guitar going into and under the verse vocal was such a brilliant idea and carries so much class. Most all rock fans know the story behind the song so I won't spell it out, but the immediacy of the romantic situation at the time the song was recorded makes me feel like Clapton doing it in its original feel in subsequent live performances even pales in comparison. By comparison, this version just seems smarmy and forced.
I agree wholeheartedly. I think if this had been the version Pattie first heard she would have stayed with George (I jest, of course) The urgency of the original Layla is just not there. The unplugged version is played like there is no history to this song. Sorry Eric...
We all have our own tastes - some think it's soulful, I think the complete opposite - for me it lacks soul. It just kind of drags. Listen to the singing in the slow version, then the original. NO comparison whatsoever. He's singing his heart and soul out in the original, in the other one he's barely singing. Same kind of thing musically. It's an OK thing to play around the campfire, that's about it.
I just shrug and consider them two very different songs even if they have the same name and words. I don't love the later version, but I don't really hate it either, and if you're allowed to cover someone else's tune and "improve" it, I suppose you're equally welcome to "cover" your own tune in an entirely new way! Now if you want smarmy and forced... that's what Tears In Heaven became quite quickly, even if it was in earnest to start with.
@@NoviJimB gee golly, when he sang it all those years ago, the pain of the relationship was pretty fresh, perhaps years later the angst ain't so strong. Could explain the difference in intensity.
I was 15 when the original came out, I could listen to it for hours and never get bored. Seen him twice and if you listen to his days in Cream on vinyl his true voice shines through.
I just miss that PUNCH that Cream had so much 🙏🙏 Music not always used to be something to be listened "in the background"... I fucking hate that... I'm not old enough to need Morphine just yet 🤣🤣🤣
@@FeelingShred it was my elder brother that first had a Cream LP, I listened to it and after a few plays all the small nuances just built up to a great sound. I know I sound like my father back in the day, but there does seem to be a lack of musicians that better those from earlier days. Having said that I enjoy listening to Linkin Park ( Chester, sadly missed ), Stains and Foo fighters to name a few.
That's because Eric had an absolute Genius musician in the Band to carry him in Jack Bruce, virtuoso Bass player, superb Vocalist and good Songwriter, Ginger was also a pretty handy Drummer.
@@wayneelliott7011 Correct! Jack Bruce is the man by Cream by far.Ginger not bad....Clapton has no skill to play guitar on high music level and he is the most overrated man in rockmusic history. Feeling? Oh yes...but you must have just a little bit skill...Slow hand? I must laughing...Its strange how some people have a carisma and iMO there is no reason for that...
The original is my favorite. Was my favorite song 1973 I think I was 14. I’d listen to radio for hours waiting for them to play it and fall asleep but it when it came on It would wake me. I wore out the LP, eight track and cassette. Now I’ve worn out the CD. 😜. Sure love being able to hear it anytime online. Love Eric Clapton. Lucky I saw him in Dallas TX in the eighties with “the British are coming” concert. Once in a lifetime gathering of musicians.
I was 14 when I first heard it and its been one of my favorites ever since. I know a lot of people love the newer version and I appreciate it, but at the same time I just dont like it at all. To me its just dont even come close to the original song. Thats my honest opinion.
I was 17. And i did the exact same thing. Lay awake for hours waiting for Layla to come on in bed. The DJ would say in the next hour we have so and so ...and Lyla. Id wait the whhole time for Layla. I bought a double album for that song!! Amazing to hear someone did the same thing. My all time favorite song. I hate the butchering and bastardizing acoustic version
This is ridiculous. I hate autotune. Good singers don't need it. If someone needs autotune to be good enough for a recording, maybe they shouldn't be a singer. Let the people who can actually sing well get famous, and then don't try to dehumanize them into a robotic sound!
Each of Eric's performances of Layla is like telling and retelling and retelling a compelling story again and again, each time different according to his mood and memory 😍 He's directing his art, we don't question.
@@voulafisentzidis8830 It only takes a few seconds to change the entire planet. A few years with a woman impacting the rest of his life is not that strange. Someone can break their back as a child in less than a second, but live with it for 70 + years
I always associated the unplugged version with what happens to a man as he gets older remembering unrequited love or an illicit affair. As you age and your energies and passions cool you are likely to sing the same song differently.
Autotune never sounds good. Live singing shouldn't have pitch correction. However, manually fine-tuning vocals via Melodyne on recordings is very convenient. In the past, you'd have to sing over and over to get it just right. With Melodyne, for example, you can keep any note the way you want. If you sing a note intentionally flat, you can keep it flat (bluesy/jazzy sound).. If you slide up to a note, you can keep the slide/portamento and then adjust a note if you want to alter it (pitch, straighten, etcetera). You can cut the note anywhere you want and edit only certain parts of the note. The result actually.should sound imperceptible. Of course, engineers who use autotune just apply the correction globally and don't put in the time and dedication to adjust only certain notes in very nuanced ways. In fact, there are times when a note is sung with such a strong attack and so straight that it sounds autotuned without any pitch correction. In that case, one could make the note less staight and slide more resulting in a more natural sound. Melodyne can also allow you to adjust formants so notes sounds more cohesive. If you raise or lower a note, the note slightky changes in tone. All of these subtle alterations on choice note can actually be artistic.
I dont know about auto tune and pitch correction, I wish it didnt exist. I prefer to listen to the natural voice of the singers, mistakes and all. That's what makes them unique. To me, if you perfect a voice, you're taking away the singers emotions that he/she is trying to portray in their song. Eric Clapton's voice didnt need any help from auto tune, hes "perfect" in his own way. It was another awesome analysis! 🙂
Gotta love the hyped up people in the audience who scream "whooo hoooo" for every little reason, and many times for no reason at all. They are insufferable.
This is sad... there should be an 11th commandment: 🎸Thou shalt not auto-tune Eric Clapton! 🎸 Auto-tune is a soul-sucking vampire. Side note: As a professional dancer who has judged dance performances, I have always given more points to a dancer who has made missteps but has incredible passion and expression over a dancer who is technically perfect but can't make me feel his/her performance. I feel the same about vocal performances; I'd much rather hear someone hit wrong notes, screw up the lyrics, anything, because I know they are feeling the performance and giving us all their love and passion! That being said, I have never been a fan of the unplugged version of Layla. The original version gives me the feels 100% and, for me, has so much more passion (with Eric's growls and gravel!)...it will always be my favourite version💜. Thanks for another great analysis Fil!
I dont like what has happened to music ,i record in real time i dint cut or paste or voice tune,, i record the instruments from begining to end ,,music has been made squeaky clean sanitised boring and sterile ,listen to the charts all music is done on a computer every thing made perfect through tech
'Perfect' is not music. It should have real feel and flexibility. Many great songs have players who play behind the beat, or ahead of it, and adjust the tempo as the song requires. No button pushing idiot, who has probably never played a note, should be interfering with the performers art. And, if the singer can't sing without it, make room for someone who can!
That is GOOOOD STUFF! Thank you again for mentioning it! 🤗💖 Here's a link in case anybody else wants to check it out- ruclips.net/video/RvNIivHdy0Q/видео.html
@@michaelgreenberg106 Many rock players (including Eric) admit to being a bit intimidated by jazz players like Wynton. That was certainly not my main takeaway from this performance, though.
Yes, the version with Wynton's New Orlean jazz guys was amazing. Eric said the arrangement was not his idea. It's a great version. Much more bluesy and emotional. Thanks for bringing that incredible version up.
I do appreciate that as an artist he has every right to reinterpret his music, but I do love the early Layla much better! I was young back then too, so it speaks to my heart more. I don’t play instruments so I can’t follow some of what you are sharing musically but my old self is totally in love with the electric guitar!!❤️
I think it's fair to say that Clapton these days has a fairly niche audience, and that audience - like me - would (in the main) have been listening to him since the 1960s. Like many I guess, I always considered him a guitarist who sang, rather than a singer who played guitar. But his sound is his sound - and pretty unique. I respect and appreciate him "still going at his age" and indeed understand him dropping an octave in his vocals if he has to. But that's what I want to hear, not someone's idea of what I ought to hear. Keep your Gen Z edits for your own musical genre. I'd rather listen to my generation of artists unaltered and make my own judgements on quality, thank you.
my opinion of your opinion of their opinion on an opinion based platform is that this is RUclips and their business model was developed to encourage this
I was lucky enough to see Eric play the original version of "Layla" live back in the 70s but it wasn't auto-tune that bugged me. It was his taking all the passion and angst out of the song that Eric did with this version. I thought he should be doing it sitting in a rocking chair.
Totally agree. It wasn't written as a ballad, although I suppose the author has every right to rework it. The original is full of desperation, hurt and passion, as is most of that masterpiece of an album. made more so by Bobby Whitlock's superb backing vocals.
The thing that got me about this arrangement is that as a kid, my favourite part of the song was the big guitar/piano outro. Watching the unplugged show for the first time I thought it was an interesting take, wonder how they are going to do the end? Was as much then as it is now a disappointment that rather than adapt the solos, the choice was made to simply omit the ending.
I personally think because this was a solo performance singing it as a ballad is fine. It doesn't substitute for the original, but allows him to perform the song in a different more pensive style.
With his slippers on and a mug of cocoa. Back in the day I imagine him with his cool shades, ciggie in his lips, George Harrison's wife on her knees directly in front of him (back of her head obscuring her lavish oral attentions)
What if this was someone's 1st Clapton experience? They might be like he has no soul and not circle back to him. A tragedy! Autotune is terrible, but it always feels worse with singers who are more soulful, folky-bluesy. Pop singers and belters can handle a smidge of Autotune even if I hate it.
You're quite right; someone's turned Eric into a travesty of himself. I'm becoming more and more inclined to listen to my own musical library than to bother looking up tunes on RUclips. Everything on RUclips is digital and anything digital can be easily mucked about with in our age of artificiality. "Remastered" is slowly becoming synonymous with "buggered."
I feel your frustration, but really ? Saying the everything on RUclips is digital is a whole load of rubbish isn't it? 🤣 Not sure who and what you are listening too, but I don't waste my time listening to anything that falls into that category. There's some fantastic artists, old and new on this platform.
@@MrPnew1 Of course everything on RUclips is in a digital format, because RUclips is accessed via the internet and the internet is digital. Do you want to upload a vinyl LP or a CC to RUclips? You have to run their analogue signals through an A/D converter first. End of story. Period.
Really great analysis Fil. I am not a music pro so I can't tell what auto tune sounds like. To me his vocal just sounds a little 'odd'. I thought that the backing singers were too high in the mix when they were singing in tandem with Eric. That aside it's a great version of the classic.
From a technical point of view, this is a very LAZY performance or a great song - but by "lazy", I don't mean laid back and relaxed,. What I mean is "can't be bothered" lazy. From a professional point of view, ..... personaally, ........... I think Clapton has lost it!
A very spot on, welcomed, and appropriate rant! Thank you. Autotune is like fingernails on a chalkboard. It is like telling a chef to microwave a frozen dinner for a formal banquet. I seriously doubt this was sanctioned by EC. It is amazing how often artists do not have control - even when producing studio recordings. I'm sure Fil can relate to this. Thanks for your channel, Fil.
Auto tune cheats the listener. Period. As for the song itself, I think I'm probably one of the few who, from day one, has never liked, or felt moved by, the exalted and constantly heard "hit" version of "Layla", especially the increasingly squealing guitar which, for me, becomes too manic to the point of irritating rather than soul stirring and irrespective of the story behind the lyrics. Whilst, for those reasons, I massively prefer the acoustic version, I could also think of a number of his album tracks that, in my view, deserved at least equal if not greater "status" than "Layla" but it's probably too late for that now!
You are SO GOOD! You mentioned the sitar and I thought NO ONE is going to notice that because it's so obscure! Since the song is an Arabic story that also has a somewhat mirror image with Patty I heard what I thought was EC making a guitar sound like a sitar to put a backstop to the Arabic story. And you - YOU! - made mention of the sitar! I am so impressed! On a side note - I think the original backing guitarist on the MTV acoustic original (Andy Fairweather Lowe) is one of the GREATEST guitarist of all time!!
Crapton is not cool. Long winded boring solos with no audience thought mostly, bland since c. 1967, racist rubbish, anti vac , friends with Ivan Morrison....
I've beena fan of Clapton since the Cream days. I'm getting much better recognizing auto tune, it's a shame somebody thinks they know better, in reality they need to leave these amazing performances alone. Thanks Fil I've learned so much from you
🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 Was lucky enough to meet Mr Clapton before a tour, years ago. They had rented a building in the North Dallas area to rehearse. He was interested in YOU. Asking what guitars, strings, pickups, etc., that you liked, but would share his expertise and experience without making you feel embarrassed or hurt. He was interested in what it was like being born, growing up and living in Texas. No question offended him. 🤗❤️ Very gracious and kind man. After his adverse COVID vaccine response, even some family and friends turned on him. Very, very sad for him. You should watch Ericic Clapton Documentary "Life In 12 Bars" And "Eric Clapton, Sessions for Robert J".... Referring to Robert Johnson. This was filmed in the 508 Park Avenue building in Dallas, Texas, that served as a makeshift studio in 1937 for Johnson to cut his legendary recordings. I promise you'll enjoy them and be amazed. Thank you for sharing
Clapton is great but he’s been a right wing fruitcake (as Brian May calls him) for decades. See his support for fascist politician Enoch Powell during his racist rant at the Odeon theater in 1976; and his recent posing for photos with TX Governor Greg Abbott in 2021. In his memoir, Clapton admits to having a “conspiracy phobia” about politics… and, from time to time, it shows.
A disgrace indeed! I heard "Layla" was originally going to be recorded as that shuffling-funeral-dirge that plagued that 1990's until Duane Allman put Clapton on the right track. Sorry, but your hero owes his greatest success to a superior guitarist...
I guess it would be nice to absolve EC from any of the decision making here but there is no evidence of that. EC may have delegated the editing of the performance, including autotune and he may have signed off on the work that was done. There is no way to know.
It's the subtleties in any instrument that makes it unique. Auto Tune strips the feel right out of everything. It's quite a gift to know how to be so versatile in performing a song. This gives you new flavors to enjoy. I actually like his version of Layla because it's more soulful. The original doesn't do it for me.
If they’d of autoruined Carly Simon’s voice on “You’re So Vain” it would’ve ruined it completely. Part of the reason I’ve always loved her voice is that she always knows when to sing slightly off key in just the right spots, or she can’t help it. Either one. Still great.
I hate autotune. I had a damned hip-hop/r&b studio totally RUIN one of my tracks I had PAID FOR with autotune garbage I NEVER REQUESTED. The problem with autotuning on pro & semi-pro vocalists (myself) is that it RUINS the vocal expression of a vocalist. I. Detest. Autotune.
totally agree. My favorite female vocalist from the 60s/70s was Mama Cass for the exact same reason. By going a little flat, and sliding into her notes, she could convey so much emotion. A genius.
I love Eric and always have. He is not the greatest singer but who cares. He is fantastic in in own way that he expresses himself. I could listen to him all day. .. Of course I am from the sixties and seventies and it was a different time.
I'd rather hear the song then listen to you analyze everything. I have found your commentary kind of annoying and I never watch the full videos that you have,
And the corporations question the death of the music industry, blaming those who allegedly steal music. I'm in my late 60s and have been buying music since childhood (the only gifts I wanted for birthdays and Christmas were records). I don't waste my hard-earned cash on today's soulless, auto-tuned, 'music'.
Thank God autotune only came later rather than earlier. And there’s no autotune for my memory of seeing Clapton perform during his 461 Ocean Boulevard tour when I learnt why he was called Slow Hand. One of the highlights of my life. I also saw BB King the same summer.
"--Depressingly! . . ." I love it. "Somebody thinks that they know a better way of . . ." Exactly, the sheer arrogance of some little creep functionary.
There is a recording of a the whole performance on RUclips including this performance without auto tune. His vocals actually sound great without auto tune. If you want to find it, search "Eric Clapton Budokan Hall Tokyo Japan 2014"
...I REEEALLY ENJOY it when artists are playing in a manner that they, themselves ENJOY!💖🎶 (I could go ON & ON😄 but instead I'll jump back into your video share!)
Even if autotune wasn't used, this is a lobotamized version of Layla. Missing is the passion and immediacy of the 1970 record. Eric phones in the performance. John Fahey recorded an acoustic instrumental version of Layla that puts this unplugged version to shame.
Glad to someone give props to Fahey. His version and the album it's on are great. I'm with Cynthia who commented above. I respect EC for wanting to get away somewhat from his B.B. and Albert King influences after Cream broke up, but feel that he was never able to really find his own artistic voice. Also, he was never a great acoustic guitar player.
It's a shame that auto tune has become such a thing. Why even both to practice to sing? Everyone wants perfection and that's not what music is all about. Great video! Cheers!
I cringe when I hear it so obviously being used on recordings played on the radio (other people's radios usually), especially so when the vocals are so bad that even AutoTune can't keep up!
Absolutely agree with you. The point is to hear as much of the artist as possible and it's often the slipping onto and off the notes that adds the spice.
I never readjusted to Clapton after the first solo album. I loved Layla when it came out. But it wasn't the same after Duane Alman passed away. I had friends from the South who never recovered! This was a fine analysis and I subscribed.
I've listened to Eric since the days of Blind Faith and Cream. He's always been good at singing, but I think he's gotten better with age. I really hate that Autotune has been applied to so many artists.
I would like to tip my hat to Michelle John and Sharon White, the backup singers here! Even with auto-tune, they sounded lovely to me. Thanks for this one, it was awesome to see you playing again!
I can`t put into words how much I admire your knowledge, talent, attitude, kindness, and professionalism. It must be such a joy to have you as a teacher.
@First Last
Doesn`t one need adverbs to describe someone or something ?!
But what can I say? Of course, you are right My comment is a contradiction in itself. I was aware of that while writing it... LOL
...just take it !
Isn’t Fil the BEST?? I learn so much.
And his joyful smile as he listens speaks to his love of music.
@@lechat8533, One needs _adjectives_ to describe something. Your original comment is fine. I don’t know what the (now deleted) reply was, but it probably wasn’t necessary.
Can't you?
Fil, you just can't contain your appreciation for the talent of other artists. I love watching you light up when you hear something. Thanks for great contributions.
Isn’t he a doll as he listens?? Every video; he loves music and what he does!!
I love seeing his passion. Even if I don't understand the technicalities myself.
Totally agree with you! I just love watching him through these performance analyses. He has such an appreciation for music of all genres and any age! And, he has an impossibly lovely smile. A joy to watch.
@@michellefederico4510 I agree with you 100%!!
Very interesting. Beyond the horrors of autotuning, I appreciate your consistent underscoring of the subtle ways of playing notes (voclas and instrument), and imparting feeling and personal style that makes for a unique and special sound.
I will just bring my water colors to the museum and just do some touch up on that imperfect Mona Lisa. Pretty sure I can make it better.
Like the woman in Spain a few years ago and her 'restoration' of the painting of Jesus.
Great analysis as always. Thanks bud. Blues is meant to be all about not being so strict on pitch or timing. If it's autotuned, it ain't the blues 👍
If Elizabeth Cotten was performing today they'd probably auto tune her!
Agree 1,000,000%! What a bummer that someone thought this was the call. Saw him live on the Journeyman tour, one of the best concerts I’ve seen!
Not a fan of auto tune. Although, anyone who’s heard some of the modern pop singers from the backline, before it hits the desk, knows they wouldn’t have a live review worth a penny without auto tune. On the other hand, I’ve always disliked the mariachi version of Layla that came from the unplugged period. Give me the Derek and the Dominoes version any day.
“delegating your creativity” - brilliant point!
my new favorite channel... thank you
What these "producers" have to, NEED to realize is that WE the fans don't go to or listen to these fabulous artists to have auto tune thrown at us!! We're there to appreciate what they're doing & what they've given us!! Love love love this song
Children who listen to crap drive most sales. They don't care what we want anymore, we're still listening to old music that's already sold millions. Current music is about pushing out the fastest product as often as possible.
@@mercster The young adults today don't have the variety of great music that we had that's a fact! But if you're around ages between 16-30+ they're listening to "our music" & loving it, they don't typically know who it is or what group but they know songs. My boys are a perfect example of knowing the songs, groups etc of not only the music I grew up with but music that my parents loved. Expose them to a wide variety of music & genres & they'll always have a great appreciation for it
@@ltkell2028 👍 Good job momma!
The man changes up his own song to put a little more soul into it and people complain simply unbelievable
Effing monkeys!
Agreed!! Creative control is worth everything. Eric Clapton having his voice altered by the record company is outrageous. Older artists whose voices have changed need to be heard as they are, like Johnny Cash when he sang “Hurt.” I would love to hear what he really brought to this version from his lifelong musicality and maturity, the same way he brought it to the guitar playing in the performance. Autotune kills interpretation.
Autotune can actually be a real artistic tool imo, but the way Melodyne and other pitch correction tools are used especially with older artists (E.G. The Who's "WHO" album, The Beach Boys' releases and some of their their solo work post 2010ish, and Queen's live releases) usually sounds awful. I don't believe the technology can possibly handle a voice's subharmonics in a way that doesn't dip into the uncanny valley in human perception.
I so agree that auto tune is interfering with he voice and essentially life of the artist. Look up the Japanese aesthetic of an imperfection in any art as a needed value. It says something about us. Auto tune tech is a commodity driven value but not one of meaning.
@@swarkamal Wabi Sabi, is as 'blues' as it gets.
Robert Plant doesn't pretend his voice is what it was 45 years ago, so he rearranges parts to fit within the range he still has. That is called artistic integrity.
A lot of older artists never had vocal coaching so they didn't realise that there's stuff you need to do DAILY to keep your voice. A lot smoked, or vaped etc. NOOO! I'm 73, I take very good care of my voice and as a result of what I have learned I'm singing better now than I did in my 20s, AND more range, as I've had a bunch of coaching. My last singing teacher told me his Dad sang professionally into his 90s! There are things in the ageing process that would spoil your voice of course, but I still think people don't know how to maintain it. Gentle singing every day is a good start, hydration, and please, artists whose career was built on Throat Voice, they're the ones who go down first. As for the fret buzz, OMG doesn't Eric have a guitar tech????
I hate auto-tune. I expect an AI to sing perfect notes. I expect humans to be imperfect. That's generally what makes all the performers voices unique.
Correct, analog players is what is important, not if your pedal is analog.
Yes! But I would substitute "expressive" for "imperfect."
Fred
You hate, badly done auto-tune. If it's done right, you'd never know, unless the original performance was so bad you had to tune nearly every word. Eric Clapton has NEVER to my knowledge given a performance that would warrant such a thing. But I agree with you, I hate that "is this a person or a keyboard demo" vocal sound your get from overuse of auto-tune.
@@ffggddss What is frequently inspiring about art, is the human striving for unattainable perfection.
That is the nobility in it: that is why it is admirable, that is why it is inspiring. To reach for something that exceeds the artist's grasp is to exercise, honor and acknowledge the divine aspect of the artists' nature.
Auto tune destroys what's great about Blues and Rock. Never the same way twice. Perfection is in the mistakes.
Reminds me of when Jimmy Page was putting together the live Zep release "How the West Was Won". A young producer was in the booth with Page and remarked how Bonham missed a beat and he was going to "fix it". Page flipped and told him to leave it alone! Saying "If he dropped a beat, it's because he meant to!"
Great album
Yes, there are mistakes on every Zep album, some more obvious than others.
It's what happens when humans make music. The humanity adds to the experience.
@@fredjones7425 I heard Down By The Seaside probably a hundred times and never noticed a mistake until a musician friend of mine pointed out where Page missed a chord completely around 4:40.
@@redpine8665 Im obsessed with Zeppelin and I can tell you there are genuine mistakes all over the place. And I'm not going to pull any of that 'bUT ThE miStaKEs maKe iT beTteR' it's that they just don't matter, and fixing them wouldn't make the song any better.
On top of that, changing even the most minor of details would INSTANTLY stand out to anyone even moderately familiar with their songs because they're so ubiquitous.
@@fredjones7425 I love the squeaky pedal that is not there on some remasters.
You are the most polite “ranter” on earth. Love it!
Hey Fil,
Your musical analyses are both enlightening and by turns hilarious! Your genuine respect for those artists you review is quite obvious, so when you have to offer criticism of choices, technique or production, your comments are always rife with love, humanity and respect! Watching you juggle both appreciation and disgust is a thing of beauty! Stay the course young man…
In regard to the whole “auto tune” and pitch correction business, I still think that “Dark Forces” are at work here, trying to suck all of the joy and spiritual nourishment out of our music!
But they didn’t reckon on you, Fil! Keep on doing what you do so well, and the forces of nescience and entropy don’t stand a chance!
- Namaste, Glenn
Well said 👍🏼
Agreed
I agree with Glenn wholeheartedly, Fil's passion for the art and respect for the artist both shine through in this analysis.
I don't understand who it is in the music industry believes running auto tune software against Eric Clapton performing "Layla" live at the Royal Albert Hall is a good idea.
Glenn, well done!! The dark forces have come after us through every avenue of human existence. But when they changed the "A" tuning standard from 432 hz, a frequency which is in harmony w humans, and Nature, to 440, a frequency which is DISSONANT to humans and Nature, that really sealed it. Evil. We need to go back to tuning that is life-affirming, not threatening us.
Wow! You know this guy!
Clapton has always been a blues singer. Who the hell would decide to auto tune a blues singer? It's all about the nuance and the notes between the notes. I wonder if this footage is available without the auto tune?
Agree 💯. The words “auto tune” and “blues singer” don’t belong in the same sentence; hecc, they don’t even belong in the same county!”
Another excellent analysis on how Auto Tune has killed the feeling from the original human voice that was recorded on the night of this performance. also love the little details you point out that we might have overlooked. thanks Fil. 😊
Cher
That is really pretty scary when you think about it, we may all become deaf to the shades of expression we use!
I blame Cher for popularising this awful fad.
I felt the same when cd's first came out to replace vinyl lps, lost some feeling in the music...
One of the Spice Girls did a Solo album. I read a review where they said it was auto-tuned so much she sounded like a dalek! Some people shouldn’t be allowed into a studio!
Fil I love the smile that breaks through as you watch something you really like, or when the video gives you an excellent example of what you want to emphasize. Keep on smiling!!!
Gay.
@CrankCase08 what is THAT suppose to mean? And what bearing does it have on my comment? Perhaps you've aptly named yourself.
He really does have good taste in music
@CrankCase08 Judgmental jerk.
Nothing wrong with gay, fyi.
Yep your right that smile
Imagine if someone went smoothing out the lines in an artist's paintings or sanding down their sculptures, just because they feel it makes them more pleasing to the eye.
Changing Picasso's paintings to be more symmetrical. 😲😭
sharpen up Van Gogh's sunflowers a bit. It's a bit blurry, isn't it?
True! Mona Lisa’s smile shouldn’t be ambiguous, we must Photoshop it!
I think that is actually, in a way, exactly what is going on. The rise of DAW software introduced a strong visual element to recording and mixing for the first time. I've seen it happen many times with mix engineers who just can't stand it when the transients of say a live drum take don't sit perfectly on the time grid, or when certain notes are a cent or two off the exact pitch. Despite the take already sounding fantastic and full of energy when you ignore the visual element.
There’s nothing wrong with his original voice
You’re spot on here Fil, Autotune is the modern soul vacuum, sucking the humanity from music one “correction” at a time. Such a drag….
Its blues for goodness sake!
Eric Clapton is the 20th century soul vacuum, sucking the humanity from music one album at a time.
@@carlmarks8170 So true, has the heart of a business man, not a blues man!
I hate it because it ruins a great concert or singer for me.
When people play the organ they're playing an autotuned instrument. I don't mind autotune at all.
As a singer, I'd be positively livid if I was autotuned by some tech. The entire artistry of a vocalist is in the "life" of the voice. The grace and emotion is in the hints of dissonance. Tragic abuse.
I’m not a fan of dissonance. I think that auto tune creates dissonance, when I hear its mechanical artifacts.
Singers put their should into their performances. With autotune there is no point in bothering.
@@SuziQ. Natural, deliberate dissonance is a different thing. It can, used properly, contribute to the emotional voice of a song- not like just being off-key. But I get what you're saying about mechanical dissonance. That's more of a mood of it's own. I think sounds like that too can contribute, but not when they're stealing the texture of a natural voice.
@@Kaotiqua the red shoulder hawk in a nearby pine pierces with dissonance that adds meaning to its cry.
'If it ain't broken, fix it' is the modern day mantra. If somebody needs auto-tuning, then they shouldn't be singing in the first place.
Thank you!
Eric Clapton was nearly 70 yrs old when he did that, and has been playing for a lot more years than you have been alive.
Who the F#@k do you think you are that you can critique a music legend. If he wants to use auto tune so what. Go back to mummys basement and keep practicing.
That's only half true....um... nobody sings "on the line" , Tom Petty for instance, people may say he's not a great singer or Dylan, or a million others who aren't Whitney but, I'm not sure why this is now industry standard, there are a million people who are flat on all of our favorite records....i dont know what happened, why pitch correction is "needed"
@@foxholiday4308 I agree totally. Petty and Dylan are definitely 2 of my favorite artists, and this is subjective I know, just a matter of taste but the power ballads of Streisand and Whitney et al never were my thing, possibly because when they did duets with other singers it always sounded like a competition and sort of pointless IMO, just me. But definitely, autotune, pitch correction very bad thing and here, desecration.
@@EvelynBaron yeah Whitney isn't really my thing either, but I can definitely appreciate the almost pitch perfect performances she gave, probably as close to being on the line as you can get, Mariah too...or Celine but if they came out today they would be pitch corrected and really I don't understand why, when cher did it was an effect it wasn't to fix a voice, it's all the imperfections that make music magical
Eric doesn’t need auto tune. Snapping the notes inhibits his trailing voice that is soulful. He sounds more like Randy Newman instead of himself. Not necessary.
He doesn't sound anything close to Randy Newman.
@@lemonnlimelight2760 He does on autotune. I like Randy Newman, he’s a talented pianist, vocalist, and great songwriter, but Eric Clapton doesn’t need auto tune even if it is popular.
People don't use it because they "need" it. I agree it was horribly used, though.
this version fails for the simple reason, as i'm sure someone else must have pointed out, that it completely lacks the pain, the anguish, the trainwreck of emotions involved in the loss of a meaningful relationship. this version shows the pain of losing a penny from a hole in your pocket.
The rhythm seems to be too "cheerful" for the pain to be expressed. Sounds more like "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" than a song about the pain of the end of a relationship.
Great way of putting it. I'm calling it the "dad" version. Its a real pipe and slippers nothing.
@@Queen-of-Swords That isn't fair on dads!! 😄
I think that this criticism fails to accept that this is the original artist's mature version of his original song, one in which the beauty and power of the music remain while the pain and poignancy are no longer as relevant as they were decades ago. In the same way Cream's version of "Crossroads" at the 2005 Reunion Concert doesn't replicate the intensity and overdrive of the "Wheels of Fire" recording yet it retains the sheer essence and enjoyment of the music. It really is a form of ageism to judge the later versions through the lens of the originals. I saw Cream in the '60s and enjoy the original recordings as much as I ever did but I also appreciate the evolution of an artist's experience of their own music.
@@coinneachmaclellan3121 Interesting way to look at it.
Indeed. The beauty of a live performance is in the imperfection. I don't like any perfection if it can be helped, even in the studio, but particularly in a live setting I want to hear the actual performance as it was and not someone else's interpretation of how it should have been. To me some of the greatest moments in music come from the "mistakes". It gives the music its character that pulls you in.
Nothing wrong with perfection is a long as its natural because the performance was actually perfect and not made perfect after the fact .
It's not even another person's interpretation of how it should've been. It's a bloody machines.
Neil? Is that you? 😂 Anyway, great comment!
I hate auto-tune. I like the real thing, and Eric is perfect just the way he is. Who the heck thought they could or should improve his voice for public consumption??? Clapton fans will love him even if suddenly croaked like a frog. My favorite EC song is 'River Of Tears'. Every time I hear it, you have to mop me up off the floor. As always, you're adorable! LOVE THE HAIR!!
Speaking of croaking like a frog, I wonder what autotune would make of Bob Dylan. Can you autotune frying eggs?
@@Ubu987 HAHAHA!!!!!
@@Ubu987 I like your perceptive description of Dylan's voice sounding like frying eggs.
Hard for me to pick a favorite Clapton song but as far as the vocals go, every time he sings, "I don't wanna fade away", from the song "Bell Bottom Blues" I tear up.
@@coinraker6497 When I was in HS, Bell Bottom Blues was my favorite from EC.
I despise auto-tune, it's a deception that strips emotion from the performance. Eric's style has always been blues-based and is cathartic, passionate and emotional at it's best (it's supposed to be raw & dirty). I just bet a young person with no understanding of this type of music overdid auto-tune when it shouldn't have been used at all. Shame on Eric for not being more involved in the post production.
Either Eric was directly involved in the decision to use auto-tune, or he gave it the ok after hearing the "corrections", or perhaps he's like our president and probably too old to change his own diapers, let alone be throwing concerts. I'll leave it up to you, but those are your only 3 choices. And who can blame him? Especially when he sees so many other old has-been rockers getting heckled in the RUclips comments for taking too many drugs, booze, and smoke in their younger days. These cats can't win, I tell ya😼
Damn. Once you hear it you can’t stop hearing it! As you say, this is not an artist that needs auto tune and it’s the tiny imperfections that give everything character. Can’t even begin to imagine how angry I would feel if someone applied this to my performance without asking!
He is not my favorite voice, but AutoTune ruins it for some performers.
Clapton sucks
so much autotune in music. Once your ear learns how to spot it, you can hear it in song after song by 100s of artists
I would argue that he wasn’t just asked, but that he gave the go 😉 maybe it was the artist after all who decided and is not in line with self-acclaimed „purists“. Just a thought …
If they did it without my knowledge, absolutely. That's unacceptable.
But are we really imagining he didn't have the final word on the entire production process for this? If it sucks, it's on him, and the piss poor job the hack engineer did implementing the "pitch correction." This tuning job the audio equivalent of using a chainsaw where a butter knife would do, if the person had never used a chainsaw before and also had late-stage Parkinson's.
I took that intro as a homage to George Harrison. It is a sitar sound over the buzzing or droning bass note. After all, both men loved the woman the song was written to honor. He is honoring his friend. Probably one of the most moving parts in this entire performance.
Dude your comment just blew my mind. Thanks!
To set record straight, Eric is a backstabbing wife stealing man, not a friend, never. People love same person all the time, only people like Eric does what he did to George.
Yes, I thought that same thing exactly!
Great observation - even if he didn't do it consciously it's there.
(Not saying it wasn't deliberate - it may well have been)
Would love Fil to look at that song. Remember thinking "you can't do that"
It’s obvious that a great song can have a lot of different lives. Too bad that Eric’s voice hasn’t been allowed have a different life also.
Until mentioned, I was thinking how well Eric's Quality was. Fil's right; if they would have just let it alone.
Eric admitted he never liked his singing voice, claiming he sounded like a 16-year-old boy from Surbiton. His exact words: "I hate my singing. I don't like the way I sing. It all sounds like I'm 16 years old from Surbiton. I do my best to try and feel it. You know, when I watch Ray Charles sing, I think 'That's it, that's how it's done.'"
True, it’s a good thing EC could play well, as his voice has always been weak & sounds to me as if he’s always straining to sing. EC didn’t sing until Delaney Bramlett of Delaney, Bonnie & Friends encouraged him to sing.
Too many Ferrari's. :0/
@@ClassicTVMan1981X But after he broke his nose... :0!
I just can't get into this version of Layla. I was 16 in 1970 when Layla came out and I freaking loved it, it was a great time in my life and the song brings back so many good memories. I still listen to it often, never gets old, but this new version bores me to tears...snore. Thanks for the video Fil!
Agreed. That acoustic version sounds lame to me. It lacks that edge.
In fact, almost _all_ acoustic versions of rock songs are kind of weak.
I also agree. The original version was full of intensity and angst that corresponded to my teenage imagination. The one band I thought did unplugged versions really well was Nirvana.
If there wasn't the original Layla and this version had come out I don't think it would have been considered anything more than a boring filler song.
You don't say anything about the _original_ acoustic version, though. What do you think about it?
*MrClassicmetal* says that almost all acoustic versions of rock songs sound weak to him --- do you agree? My recollection is that the MTV Unplugged version of Layla was _apparently_ almost universally appreciated.
The Unplugged version was the first one that I heard, but after many years of listening to it _and_ the original, I honestly believe that the Unplugged version is a better rendition of the song --- just like I believe that the Carnes version of Bette Davis Eyes is superior to the original.
@@bricaaron3978 Although the one in this video is even worse, I never quite understood the popularity of the original acoustic cover either.
One guy who did play great acoustic _covers_ of popular songs is José Feliciano. Because he's a fantastic guitarist, and he his playing was adventurous.
But in general acoustic renditions of popular songs are lacking. It all sounds so safe and generic. It's not much different from elevator music.
You and Rick Beato really opened my eyes to how Autotune and Protools have RUINED music.
I'd argue that protools is the far worse culprit.
Protools just records. It doesn't ruin music. The engineers do. Protools is just a recorder.
Some music, but as a whole music is certainly not ruined in my opinion.
A digital audio workstation is for tracking, editing, processing and mixing multiple tracks. It doesn't do anything the engineer/producer doesn't want it to do, it doesn't force anyone to make any specific artistic or technical decisions. I don't get this silly pseudo-wisdom people keep parrotting. Back in the day you did the same things except waste a shitload of expensive tape, run a plethora of hardware processing/fx units through a console and being significantly slower and less environment-friendly in the process. Nobody forces anyone to use autotune.
@@CasperLD I understand what you mean by this. It's a bittersweet relationship. On one hand DAWs have revolutionized the recording process making it easier and less expensive for most anyone to record. On the other hand DAWs led to VSTs and the like which auto tune is one of. It created a sort of perfectionists mindset with the listeners and the engineers also (though engineers arguably have always been that way) so if you're the type that likes raw "imperfect" music the days of pure analog or even ADAT was the golden era.
However, you can actually achieve a raw "imperfect" recording digitally today if you want it and much easier. You just don't over engineer it and record it as live as possible.
Brilliant analysis, FIL!! Love Eric. Saw him live in the early 80s at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in upstate NY. He was fabulous!!! Unfortunately, it started raining, so my husband, the carpenter, ran to our truck, got a 100-foot roll of plastic sheeting, and it was unrolled over the entire crowd on the grassy hill surrounding the covered stage. Soon the area beneath the plastic was filled w pot smoke as the rain poured down on the plastic above us... And I can still hear the sounds of Layla overriding the noise of the rain as we fell under Eric's spell. They don't make nights like that anymore!!! Much love from Vermont, Fil!
That’s a great story!
Did he play “let it rain” too?
There's a Layla I'd like to hear. Thanks for evoking it for us.
Saw Clapton in the 80s at a show in LA called The ARMS benefit. The artists were Clapton, Jeff Beck, and a band that would become The Firm (Jimmy Page, Paul Rogers). They were all great. Page wasnt his best, but it was still good. Clapton was Clapton, amazing music....subdued performance. The guy that absolutely brought the house down was the middle act, Jeff Beck. I love Beck, everything from Greensleeves to There and Back. I had seen him before and he was always great, but this particular performance was out of this world, and the crowd let him know. Then at the end all three artists came out and did Stairway to Heaven. One of the most memorable concerts in my life, and there were 100s to choose from.
I saw that show in sf. Awesome
Don't forget Charlie and Bill!
Auto tune is an insult. To the singer and our ears 😁
True. why use autotune if Eric Clapton is a great singer? I understand if there's some good reasons why some artists in hip hop and pop music use autotune and of course, pop music and hip hop music back in my childhood years still make sense, it's just that if too much autotune, like heavily autotuned, then it's not good, like too much junk food:(
As the saying goes: "The fad that won't fade away!"
It may not be an insult to those who make millions, but still need this gimmick.
It's just fixing his out of tune singing.
Maybe we can see this performance without auto-tune
@@Markothunder
Great Singer..
Eric should have it in every contract to NOT auto tune him. I'd rather here an authentic CRACK in his voice than to altar it!! He's a professional!! He knows exactly how to recover from not nailing a note IF it ever happens!!!
I doubt anyone forced him. Was most likely requested by him. He’s getting old, and a lot of singers who now are in their 70’s use autotune.
@@Psykel Robert Plant is about 82? , and he still doesn't rely on autotune
@@godetonter4764 Robert Plant is 74, thus younger than Clapton. There’s also been some debate on him using autotune with Allison Krause. Even if he’s not using autotune, that’s one single example. Lots of old rock guys use it because they simply can’t hit the notes anymore.
I'm not sure you get to be the musician that Clapton is by worrying about anything other than your personal performance. I know plenty of performers (heck I'm on of em') who considers themselves a GUITARIST who also sings. If I flub a line in the lyrics I laugh it off, but if I tank a solo I am really very angry with myself. Assuming he heard this, maybe it's just not that important to him. I mean he can hear Eric Clapton play guitar and sing whenever he wants!
@@PsykelOf course he knows.
Do we know for sure he wasn't using auto-tune live, or is this conjecture? If he knew the recording was being made for release it's possible he was using auto tune. Why shpuld we assume Clapton would be above the practice? The Eagles are lip synching, countless other acts are using tracks. Why would Clapton get benefit of the doubt versus these other acts? How do we know Clapton didn't approve if it was done ex pos facto? Is he a paragon of musical integrity? When 💲💲💲 is involved everything changes. Tom Petty relied heavily on tracks when he played live in his later years. KISS ranted against lip synching for years. I wouldn't put it past anyone.
I really dislike this version. I can't discuss it rationally. I appreciate your insights and respectful analysis. I'll refrain from saying [edit: further] what I feel about this rendition.
Scott from Baltimore....Agree.. I love Layla. But this is my least favorite version.
Never loved this version either. The rock/electric version is just sublime and as they say don’t mess w perfection….
In the title it says: "Why do it?"......I agree......why do this version at all? It's disgraceful imo and I turn off the radio if I hear it. Yes, I'm a Clapton fan, but this re-make of an epic song has as much impact as a wet bus ticket!
I agree. I was expecting the version I listened to in the early 1980s. What the heck is this?
This is why I am a subscriber. You are a class act in your picking apart a song without ripping into the artists. Well done.
Thanks!
Exactly!
IMHO I never loved this version. Gimme the Derek and the Dominos version any day. And on that note (pun intended) I LOVED their version of Little Wing.
Hello Deborah 👋 how are you doing today
100% … this version has always been like doctor’s office muzak to me. I’m comparison to the raw Derek and the Dominos version, it just falls so flat.
And I don’t know why folks don’t talk more about their “Little Wing”, which to me is the standout track on that album.
I've never been particularly fond of it myself. I had trouble liking it as much as I had been after a friend of mine went on a total rant about how much he HATED the unplugged version back in the day and I was like, "Huh huh. Yeah, it's kinda lame."
The original layla is fucking awesome, also their version of little wing should be more talked about its awesome
THIS IS SUCH A MEANINGFUL VIDEO AND DISCUSSION (just check out the fantastic comments). As someone who is a musician and is living in the tech glamor capital of the Silicon Valley. I think this subject is one of THE most important discussions we can have today. What is it to be human? The hubris and lack of any humility in the field of tech and in this case recording of artisic expression, is astonishing. As you said here. WHO ARE THEY TO THINK THEY CAN OR SHOULD ALTER A PERFORMANCE? Their pocketbooks are full and their sense of power in society is taken for granted now for no real reason but to create momentary baubles for the consumer. Is our purpose in being human to sit back and simply purchase "perfect" THINGS or to participate in the profound gift of the creative process? Learn from it. Grow from it. Feel it. And most importantly to 23:26 cultivate discernment.
Preach!👍🏼
"Why do it", is spot on, Phil! I'm surprised that Clapton himself would be okay with using autotune in the first place. It seems so counterintuitive to what his music has evoked over the years including emotion, improvisation, and authenticity.
Eric likely had no knowledge of or involvement in the post-production done by someone for You Tube.
I can’t believe he’d knowingly allow that
@@markmiller6402I can't believe you can't believe that.
@@sean-in-wnc believe it😂😂
Maybe it's part of the contract. Most music companies own the musicians.
He is not really a singer. Jack Bruce was.
Wrong.
Someone literally heard a blue note and thought "WE SHOULD TUNE THAT"
The irony being it was probably Eric who wanted to auto-fix it. Try being 70+ years old and getting up in front of a bunch of people to perform a classic, then tell me you wouldn't entertain the idea of auto-tune. Even if Eric doesn't do all of the production and editing, he certainly would be the one who made that call, or at least he gave it the ok after it was done. Most artists do it now a days, but you just can't always tell, like you can here, which actually adds to my point. You see, the worse the performance, the more obvious the auto-tune becomes detectable. And conversely the better the vocals were originally, the less obvious it becomes. See how that works?
@@Rick-the-Swift People managed for thousands of years without autotune.
@@Dekoherence-ii8pw People also lived in caves and huts thousands of years before autotune. See how that works? Nothing against caves, huts, or autotune. Just sayin 💆♂
OK, I was waiting for the artistic disgrace and then the autotune kicked in.
Over the years, James Taylor has also changed how he performs many of his songs. "You've got a Friend" and "Shower the People" are the first two that come to mind. Yes, such talent that can perform a song solo with his guitar, with a band backing him, as a duet, and with backup singers. And they all sound quite different, but all great. I am not as familiar with Clapton's work, but this is such a soft song, un-reminiscent of the 1970's-80's Clapton that I knew, but still a great song.
To paraphrase Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Saturday Night Special", we should "dump 'auto-tune equipment' to the bottom of the sea." Let us appreciate who Clapton is now - so what if he misses a few notes at the age of 70! Would much rather the real thing than some sanitized version.
Thanks for your video.
I must admit, Clapton is one of my all time faves, but watching you watch this was the BEST part! Thank you for sharing your passion for music with all of us…but me me me😂
His cheeky grin does it as he sways his head 😁
I never really liked the "unplugged" soft-rock version of "Layla." I guess it's because there's such a verve and breathlessness to the original and Duane Allman's lead guitar going into and under the verse vocal was such a brilliant idea and carries so much class. Most all rock fans know the story behind the song so I won't spell it out, but the immediacy of the romantic situation at the time the song was recorded makes me feel like Clapton doing it in its original feel in subsequent live performances even pales in comparison. By comparison, this version just seems smarmy and forced.
I agree wholeheartedly. I think if this had been the version Pattie first heard she would have stayed with George (I jest, of course) The urgency of the original Layla is just not there. The unplugged version is played like there is no history to this song. Sorry Eric...
We all have our own tastes - some think it's soulful, I think the complete opposite - for me it lacks soul. It just kind of drags. Listen to the singing in the slow version, then the original. NO comparison whatsoever. He's singing his heart and soul out in the original, in the other one he's barely singing. Same kind of thing musically. It's an OK thing to play around the campfire, that's about it.
I agree and have always felt the same.Unplugging and milking the tune for another lifetime.But,that’s what tunes are for.
I just shrug and consider them two very different songs even if they have the same name and words. I don't love the later version, but I don't really hate it either, and if you're allowed to cover someone else's tune and "improve" it, I suppose you're equally welcome to "cover" your own tune in an entirely new way!
Now if you want smarmy and forced... that's what Tears In Heaven became quite quickly, even if it was in earnest to start with.
@@NoviJimB gee golly, when he sang it all those years ago, the pain of the relationship was pretty fresh, perhaps years later the angst ain't so strong. Could explain the difference in intensity.
I was 15 when the original came out, I could listen to it for hours and never get bored. Seen him twice and if you listen to his days in Cream on vinyl his true voice shines through.
I just miss that PUNCH that Cream had so much 🙏🙏 Music not always used to be something to be listened "in the background"... I fucking hate that... I'm not old enough to need Morphine just yet 🤣🤣🤣
@@FeelingShred it was my elder brother that first had a Cream LP, I listened to it and after a few plays all the small nuances just built up to a great sound. I know I sound like my father back in the day, but there does seem to be a lack of musicians that better those from earlier days. Having said that I enjoy listening to Linkin Park ( Chester, sadly missed ), Stains and Foo fighters to name a few.
That's because Eric had an absolute Genius musician in the Band to carry him in Jack Bruce, virtuoso Bass player, superb Vocalist and good Songwriter, Ginger was also a pretty handy Drummer.
@@wayneelliott7011 Correct! Jack Bruce is the man by Cream by far.Ginger not bad....Clapton has no skill to play guitar on high music level and he is the most overrated man in rockmusic history. Feeling? Oh yes...but you must have just a little bit skill...Slow hand? I must laughing...Its strange how some people have a carisma and iMO there is no reason for that...
Eric's not doing bad considering his full of arthritis in his hands.
The original is my favorite. Was my favorite song 1973 I think I was 14. I’d listen to radio for hours waiting for them to play it and fall asleep but it when it came on It would wake me. I wore out the LP, eight track and cassette. Now I’ve worn out the CD. 😜. Sure love being able to hear it anytime online. Love Eric Clapton. Lucky I saw him in Dallas TX in the eighties with “the British are coming” concert. Once in a lifetime gathering of musicians.
Same here. Always ticked me off if the radio stations would cut off the last note!
I was 14 when I first heard it and its been one of my favorites ever since. I know a lot of people love the newer version and I appreciate it, but at the same time I just dont like it at all. To me its just dont even come close to the original song. Thats my honest opinion.
I was 17. And i did the exact same thing. Lay awake for hours waiting for Layla to come on in bed. The DJ would say in the next hour we have so and so ...and Lyla. Id wait the whhole time for Layla. I bought a double album for that song!! Amazing to hear someone did the same thing. My all time favorite song. I hate the butchering and bastardizing acoustic version
@@phil36135 Both the MTV Unplugged version and this one lack the raw passion of the original.
This is ridiculous. I hate autotune. Good singers don't need it. If someone needs autotune to be good enough for a recording, maybe they shouldn't be a singer. Let the people who can actually sing well get famous, and then don't try to dehumanize them into a robotic sound!
What a retrdd perspective! Zero creaitvity! You are not an artist.
Stars 🌟 are chosen by bloodlines and talent isn't necessary
I've hated the computer/robotic sound for years, before I ever had a clue what the heck it was. Hate it even more now that I do know what it is!
@@kellyhoward6941 ok boomer. This comment section is full of boomers who are stuck in time.
@@Woodsaras if autotune and click tracks had been used in the 60’s and 70’s, Boomers would not only defend but also extoll it.
Each of Eric's performances of Layla is like telling and retelling and retelling a compelling story again and again, each time different according to his mood and memory 😍 He's directing his art, we don't question.
@@JackFalltrades real life for him....
@@JackFalltrades I'd question the validity of such a brief love but I'm not a singer.
@@voulafisentzidis8830 It only takes a few seconds to change the entire planet. A few years with a woman impacting the rest of his life is not that strange. Someone can break their back as a child in less than a second, but live with it for 70 + years
@@godetonter4764 I agree with your sentiment. But I'd still question one's ability to love without fidelity.
@@voulafisentzidis8830wow, how could you possibly know? You couldn’t.
I always associated the unplugged version with what happens to a man as he gets older remembering unrequited love or an illicit affair. As you age and your energies and passions cool you are likely to sing the same song differently.
Artists who promote flaccid versions of their pieces are…well….already dead.
I always thought of it as the Prozac version, and the original is cocaine… 😄
@@5roundsrapid263he sang that too 🤣
Autotune never sounds good. Live singing shouldn't have pitch correction. However, manually fine-tuning vocals via Melodyne on recordings is very convenient. In the past, you'd have to sing over and over to get it just right. With Melodyne, for example, you can keep any note the way you want. If you sing a note intentionally flat, you can keep it flat (bluesy/jazzy sound).. If you slide up to a note, you can keep the slide/portamento and then adjust a note if you want to alter it (pitch, straighten, etcetera). You can cut the note anywhere you want and edit only certain parts of the note. The result actually.should sound imperceptible. Of course, engineers who use autotune just apply the correction globally and don't put in the time and dedication to adjust only certain notes in very nuanced ways. In fact, there are times when a note is sung with such a strong attack and so straight that it sounds autotuned without any pitch correction. In that case, one could make the note less staight and slide more resulting in a more natural sound. Melodyne can also allow you to adjust formants so notes sounds more cohesive. If you raise or lower a note, the note slightky changes in tone. All of these subtle alterations on choice note can actually be artistic.
“My parents had the Unplugged album.” You just broke me.
I dont know about auto tune and pitch correction, I wish it didnt exist.
I prefer to listen to the natural voice of the singers, mistakes and all. That's what makes them unique. To me, if you perfect a voice, you're taking away the singers emotions that he/she is trying to portray in their song. Eric Clapton's voice didnt need any help from auto tune, hes "perfect" in his own way. It was another awesome analysis! 🙂
Thanks!
Gotta love the hyped up people in the audience who scream "whooo hoooo" for every little reason, and many times for no reason at all. They are insufferable.
This is sad... there should be an 11th commandment:
🎸Thou shalt not auto-tune Eric Clapton! 🎸
Auto-tune is a soul-sucking vampire. Side note: As a professional dancer who has judged dance performances, I have always given more points to a dancer who has made missteps but has incredible passion and expression over a dancer who is technically perfect but can't make me feel his/her performance. I feel the same about vocal performances; I'd much rather hear someone hit wrong notes, screw up the lyrics, anything, because I know they are feeling the performance and giving us all their love and passion! That being said, I have never been a fan of the unplugged version of Layla. The original version gives me the feels 100% and, for me, has so much more passion (with Eric's growls and gravel!)...it will always be my favourite version💜. Thanks for another great analysis Fil!
I dont like what has happened to music ,i record in real time i dint cut or paste or voice tune,, i record the instruments from begining to end ,,music has been made squeaky clean sanitised boring and sterile ,listen to the charts all music is done on a computer every thing made perfect through tech
'Perfect' is not music. It should have real feel and flexibility. Many great songs have players who play behind the beat, or ahead of it, and adjust the tempo as the song requires. No button pushing idiot, who has probably never played a note, should be interfering with the performers art.
And, if the singer can't sing without it, make room for someone who can!
My favorite version of Layla is the jazz version that he did with Wynton Marsalis. It's really incredible.
Haven't heard that yet! I'll be checking it out!👍👍Thanks!😊
That is GOOOOD STUFF! Thank you again for mentioning it!
🤗💖 Here's a link in case anybody else wants to check it out-
ruclips.net/video/RvNIivHdy0Q/видео.html
Saw it, and saw Eric intimidated by the great Winton.
@@michaelgreenberg106 Many rock players (including Eric) admit to being a bit intimidated by jazz players like Wynton. That was certainly not my main takeaway from this performance, though.
Yes, the version with Wynton's New Orlean jazz guys was amazing. Eric said the arrangement was not his idea. It's a great version. Much more bluesy and emotional. Thanks for bringing that incredible version up.
I do appreciate that as an artist he has every right to reinterpret his music, but I do love the early Layla much better! I was young back then too, so it speaks to my heart more. I don’t play instruments so I can’t follow some of what you are sharing musically but my old self is totally in love with the electric guitar!!❤️
I think it's fair to say that Clapton these days has a fairly niche audience, and that audience - like me - would (in the main) have been listening to him since the 1960s. Like many I guess, I always considered him a guitarist who sang, rather than a singer who played guitar. But his sound is his sound - and pretty unique. I respect and appreciate him "still going at his age" and indeed understand him dropping an octave in his vocals if he has to. But that's what I want to hear, not someone's idea of what I ought to hear. Keep your Gen Z edits for your own musical genre. I'd rather listen to my generation of artists unaltered and make my own judgements on quality, thank you.
Agreed!
It's also really impressive that he plays very cleanly live. He still has his chops unlike so many other ageing greats.
Unaltered?......except for Autotune. Layla original 1970/1972; Unplugged ~1992. Autotune introduced 1997.
my opinion of your opinion of their opinion on an opinion based platform is that this is RUclips and their business model was developed to encourage this
There are plenty of young people that hate this stuff too
I was lucky enough to see Eric play the original version of "Layla" live back in the 70s but it wasn't auto-tune that bugged me. It was his taking all the passion and angst out of the song that Eric did with this version. I thought he should be doing it sitting in a rocking chair.
Totally agree. It wasn't written as a ballad, although I suppose the author has every right to rework it. The original is full of desperation, hurt and passion, as is most of that masterpiece of an album. made more so by Bobby Whitlock's superb backing vocals.
The thing that got me about this arrangement is that as a kid, my favourite part of the song was the big guitar/piano outro. Watching the unplugged show for the first time I thought it was an interesting take, wonder how they are going to do the end?
Was as much then as it is now a disappointment that rather than adapt the solos, the choice was made to simply omit the ending.
I personally think because this was a solo performance singing it as a ballad is fine. It doesn't substitute for the original, but allows him to perform the song in a different more pensive style.
@@ianlaker9161 I agree. That version might as well of been done by James Taylor.
With his slippers on and a mug of cocoa. Back in the day I imagine him with his cool shades, ciggie in his lips, George Harrison's wife on her knees directly in front of him (back of her head obscuring her lavish oral attentions)
What if this was someone's 1st Clapton experience? They might be like he has no soul and not circle back to him. A tragedy! Autotune is terrible, but it always feels worse with singers who are more soulful, folky-bluesy. Pop singers and belters can handle a smidge of Autotune even if I hate it.
You're quite right; someone's turned Eric into a travesty of himself. I'm becoming more and more inclined to listen to my own musical library than to bother looking up tunes on RUclips. Everything on RUclips is digital and anything digital can be easily mucked about with in our age of artificiality. "Remastered" is slowly becoming synonymous with "buggered."
I feel your frustration, but really ? Saying the everything on RUclips is digital is a whole load of rubbish isn't it? 🤣 Not sure who and what you are listening too, but I don't waste my time listening to anything that falls into that category. There's some fantastic artists, old and new on this platform.
@@MrPnew1 Of course everything on RUclips is in a digital format, because RUclips is accessed via the internet and the internet is digital. Do you want to upload a vinyl LP or a CC to RUclips? You have to run their analogue signals through an A/D converter first. End of story. Period.
Hahahaha .. true.
¡it was the covid vaccination!
Really great analysis Fil. I am not a music pro so I can't tell what auto tune sounds like. To me his vocal just sounds a little 'odd'. I thought that the backing singers were too high in the mix when they were singing in tandem with Eric. That aside it's a great version of the classic.
From a technical point of view, this is a very LAZY performance or a great song - but by "lazy", I don't mean laid back and relaxed,. What I mean is "can't be bothered" lazy.
From a professional point of view, ..... personaally, ........... I think Clapton has lost it!
Fil is amazing the way he breaks music down. I true talent.
A very spot on, welcomed, and appropriate rant! Thank you. Autotune is like fingernails on a chalkboard. It is like telling a chef to microwave a frozen dinner for a formal banquet. I seriously doubt this was sanctioned by EC. It is amazing how often artists do not have control - even when producing studio recordings. I'm sure Fil can relate to this. Thanks for your channel, Fil.
AutoTune and AutoCorrect for computers are way past being annoying.
@@richardmindemann6935,
Autocorrect has made more work for me, when typing something. I hate it as much as my ears hate hearing auto tune.
@@richardmindemann6935Every time they invent some new digital gimmick that does the work for us, another skill goes out the window.
@@SuziQ. oh god me too.
Auto tune cheats the listener. Period.
As for the song itself, I think I'm probably one of the few who, from day one, has never liked, or felt moved by, the exalted and constantly heard "hit" version of "Layla", especially the increasingly squealing guitar which, for me, becomes too manic to the point of irritating rather than soul stirring and irrespective of the story behind the lyrics. Whilst, for those reasons, I massively prefer the acoustic version, I could also think of a number of his album tracks that, in my view, deserved at least equal if not greater "status" than "Layla" but it's probably too late for that now!
You are SO GOOD! You mentioned the sitar and I thought NO ONE is going to notice that because it's so obscure! Since the song is an Arabic story that also has a somewhat mirror image with Patty I heard what I thought was EC making a guitar sound like a sitar to put a backstop to the Arabic story. And you - YOU! - made mention of the sitar! I am so impressed! On a side note - I think the original backing guitarist on the MTV acoustic original (Andy Fairweather Lowe) is one of the GREATEST guitarist of all time!!
Not ONE TENTH as horrible as Tears in Heaven.
I like the way you put that a conversational quality to it, that's good.
Ah, the GERIATRIC version of LAYLA. Sad, really, and sitting down too. SHITE.
Eric Clapton is one of the coolest guys and he's singing one of the coolest songs ever and they ruined it. Autotune is a crime against humanity!
A cool guy? Made his name from blues, doesn't like black people. If that's cool, so is this heatwave.
@@AlexAlexon3897 Thank you!
@@Terry-lh8cn: Thank you too!
Crapton is not cool. Long winded boring solos with no audience thought mostly, bland since c. 1967, racist rubbish, anti vac , friends with Ivan Morrison....
@@marksimpson2321: Crapton and Moanison, haha! Imagine being stuck in a lift with them...😆
I've beena fan of Clapton since the Cream days. I'm getting much better recognizing auto tune, it's a shame somebody thinks they know better, in reality they need to leave these amazing performances alone. Thanks Fil I've learned so much from you
He's the greatest -- just ask him.
🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏
Was lucky enough to meet Mr Clapton before a tour, years ago. They had rented a building in the North Dallas area to rehearse.
He was interested in YOU. Asking what guitars, strings, pickups, etc., that you liked, but would share his expertise and experience without making you feel embarrassed or hurt. He was interested in what it was like being born, growing up and living in Texas. No question offended him. 🤗❤️
Very gracious and kind man. After his adverse COVID vaccine response, even some family and friends turned on him. Very, very sad for him.
You should watch
Ericic Clapton Documentary "Life In 12 Bars"
And
"Eric Clapton, Sessions for Robert J".... Referring to Robert Johnson. This was filmed in the 508 Park Avenue building in Dallas, Texas, that served as a makeshift studio in 1937 for Johnson to cut his legendary recordings.
I promise you'll enjoy them and be amazed.
Thank you for sharing
Right but millions support him ❤️🕊️
I saw his interview after the vaccine injury. It was heartbreaking to watch. I hope he has regained the use of his hands well enough to play again.
Clapton is great but he’s been a right wing fruitcake (as Brian May calls him) for decades. See his support for fascist politician Enoch Powell during his racist rant at the Odeon theater in 1976; and his recent posing for photos with TX Governor Greg Abbott in 2021. In his memoir, Clapton admits to having a “conspiracy phobia” about politics… and, from time to time, it shows.
A disgrace indeed! I heard "Layla" was originally going to be recorded as that shuffling-funeral-dirge that plagued that 1990's until Duane Allman put Clapton on the right track. Sorry, but your hero owes his greatest success to a superior guitarist...
Do you mean Duane Allman?
Duane Alman better than Clapton?🤣
Duane Allman was the guitarist not his brother Greg who was a keyboard player
I guess it would be nice to absolve EC from any of the decision making here but there is no evidence of that. EC may have delegated the editing of the performance, including autotune and he may have signed off on the work that was done. There is no way to know.
It's the subtleties in any instrument that makes it unique. Auto Tune strips the feel right out of everything. It's quite a gift to know how to be so versatile in performing a song. This gives you new flavors to enjoy. I actually like his version of Layla because it's more soulful. The original doesn't do it for me.
I agree, but they're all "his versions." He wrote it.
As Fil stated, this is the original as the hit song was a later version!
I love the original and the slow one, both great..especially the one in goodfellows
I prefer too ,it’s beautifully soulful and the backing singers are wonderful.
If they’d of autoruined Carly Simon’s voice on “You’re So Vain” it would’ve ruined it completely. Part of the reason I’ve always loved her voice is that she always knows when to sing slightly off key in just the right spots, or she can’t help it. Either one. Still great.
Know a couple Bob's in Ontario, Bob Caygeon and Bob Loblaw......I'll see my way out.
exactly, and also a fellow native of 'north ontario'.....Neil Young lol
I hate autotune.
I had a damned hip-hop/r&b studio totally RUIN one of my tracks I had PAID FOR with autotune garbage I NEVER REQUESTED.
The problem with autotuning on pro & semi-pro vocalists (myself) is that it RUINS the vocal expression of a vocalist.
I.
Detest.
Autotune.
"they'd OF" ???
Would've means "would have"
Learning opportunity
totally agree. My favorite female vocalist from the 60s/70s was Mama Cass for the exact same reason. By going a little flat, and sliding into her notes, she could convey so much emotion. A genius.
This is NOT Layla. No Dwayne Allman or Carl Radle in Derrick & the Dominoes.🎸🥁
Great video again Fil. Love the breakdowns for us!😊🥂⭐🎶🎸
I love Eric and always have. He is not the greatest singer but who cares. He is fantastic in in own way that he expresses himself. I could listen to him all day. .. Of course I am from the sixties and seventies and it was a different time.
Maybe not the greatest singer. We've got Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin (or fill in your own) for that. But he is a VERY GOOD singer, at least.
He is an amazing singer
I'd rather hear the song then listen to you analyze everything. I have found your commentary kind of annoying and I never watch the full videos that you have,
And the corporations question the death of the music industry, blaming those who allegedly steal music.
I'm in my late 60s and have been buying music since childhood (the only gifts I wanted for birthdays and Christmas were records). I don't waste my hard-earned cash on today's soulless, auto-tuned, 'music'.
Thank God autotune only came later rather than earlier. And there’s no autotune for my memory of seeing Clapton perform during his 461 Ocean Boulevard tour when I learnt why he was called Slow Hand. One of the highlights of my life. I also saw BB King the same summer.
"--Depressingly! . . ." I love it. "Somebody thinks that they know a better way of . . ." Exactly, the sheer arrogance of some little creep functionary.
How do we fight back? How do we insist that we want the untuned version?
Hello Akeleven 👋 how are you doing today
There is a recording of a the whole performance on RUclips including this performance without auto tune. His vocals actually sound great without auto tune. If you want to find it, search "Eric Clapton Budokan Hall Tokyo Japan 2014"
Fight back? Just listen to the version you prefer. Sheesh. Artists will do what they do. As a listener, just enjoy or appreciate it for what it is.
@@santacruzman Phil's point here is about the producer (or somebody) adding the auto tune after the performance. Perhaps without Clapton's permission?
...I REEEALLY ENJOY it when artists are playing in a manner that they, themselves ENJOY!💖🎶
(I could go ON & ON😄 but instead I'll jump back into your video share!)
Hello Robyn 👋 how are you
Even more egregious is McCartney's Good Evening New York City from 2009. It's autotuned to hell and is just unlistenable.
Even if autotune wasn't used, this is a lobotamized version of Layla. Missing is the passion and immediacy of the 1970 record. Eric phones in the performance. John Fahey recorded an acoustic instrumental version of Layla that puts this unplugged version to shame.
Could not agree with you more. I've said the same for years and made a lot of people angry. Isn't passion what Layla is about?
At your recommendation I listened to the John Fahey version. It's unbelievably beautiful.
I try not to hate anything but my God I loathe this😅
Glad to someone give props to Fahey. His version and the album it's on are great. I'm with Cynthia who commented above. I respect EC for wanting to get away somewhat from his B.B. and Albert King influences after Cream broke up, but feel that he was never able to really find his own artistic voice. Also, he was never a great acoustic guitar player.
How come playing the same song in different emotions isn’t allowed???
It's a shame that auto tune has become such a thing. Why even both to practice to sing? Everyone wants perfection and that's not what music is all about. Great video! Cheers!
It could be argued that the lack of perfection... is perfection ;-)
"It's a shame that lots of people uses electric guitars nowadays"
People in the 40s
I cringe when I hear it so obviously being used on recordings played on the radio (other people's radios usually), especially so when the vocals are so bad that even AutoTune can't keep up!
Where is your data?
@@blackpilledchad1927Now if it was an auto tuning guitar in the 40's, I could see your point. 😁
Absolutely agree with you. The point is to hear as much of the artist as possible and it's often the slipping onto and off the notes that adds the spice.
I never readjusted to Clapton after the first solo album. I loved Layla when it came out. But it wasn't the same after Duane Alman passed away. I had friends from the South who never recovered!
This was a fine analysis and I subscribed.
Thanks!
Allman. Sorry
Helll Cynthia how are you doing ☺
One of my cherished items I own, is an autographed photo of Duane, playing the bird slide at the end of Layla.
Clapton is so moody you never know which Eric is showing up.
I've listened to Eric since the days of Blind Faith and Cream. He's always been good at singing, but I think he's gotten better with age. I really hate that Autotune has been applied to so many artists.
Eric can perform his own song the way he wants. If not, then I quit being a musician. I quit watching creatives on RUclips, I quit it all.
Fil implies that autotune was done after the fact. That might not have been what Clapton the musician wanted.
I would like to tip my hat to Michelle John and Sharon White, the backup singers here! Even with auto-tune, they sounded lovely to me. Thanks for this one, it was awesome to see you playing again!
Thanks!
Agreed, regarding Fil getting back in the geetar drivers seat. Have missed that immensely