2006: The Year Of Slowhand (?)

[chiliD]

2006 is shaping up to be "The Year Of Slowhand"...Eric Clapton looks as though he's going to be majorly ubiquitous this year:

1) His first solo album (from 1970) is being remastered & re-released as a 2-disc set:
Disc One: The original album mix (by the legendary Tom Dowd) plus bonus tracks
Disc Two: The infamous Delaney Bramlett mix (which was Eric's preference; refused by the record company upon Eric's initial submittal) also, plus bonus tracks.

2) The film of Blind Faith's first concert is being released on DVD in April

3) Eric's spring/summer European/UK tour (see below for his new touring band)...is going to be expanded to the US, as well.

4) Eric's finishing up on an album he recorded with JJ Cale (whose "Cocaine", "Traveling Light" & "After Midnight" were Clapton hits)...its a "duet" album in a similar fashion as the one Eric did with BB King a few years back.

5) There's rumored to be more Cream shows...this time on the West Coast (LA? SF?) this summer.

6) Eric's the featured "guest" on a new Otis Rush DVD that will be released later in March

From "Where's Eric?" Magazine:

Eric's 2006 tour band will consist of:

Eric Clapton - Guitar, Vocals
Doyle Bramhall II - Guitar
Derek Trucks - Guitar
Chris Stainton - Keyboards
Tim Carmon - Keyboards
Willie Weeks - Bass
Steve Jordan - Drums
The Kick Horns: Simon Clarke, Roddy Lorimer, and Tim Sanders on Brass
Michelle John - Backing Vocals
Sharon White - Backing Vocals

A little background on the crew:

Doyle Bramhall II. He's been Eric's #2 guitarist for a few years now. He was Eric's opening act on the "Reptile" tour and has been IN Eric's band ever since.

DEREK TRUCKS?!?!!? WOW, this is a shocking surprise! At age 19, Derek originally took Warren Haynes' place in the Allman Bros Band, (then Warren returned to take Dickey Betts' place) So, I guess this means the Allman Bros Band won't be touring this year! Derek's an amazing slide player...and he's still only 26!! He has his own band, as well. He's the "cover boy" for the current edition of Guitar Player magazine. According to the new article, between the ABB & his own band, he plays 300 gigs a year...so I guess he needed an EXTRA gig with Eric to fill up those other 65 days? Derek is featured on slide guitar on the aforementioned JJ Cale/Eric Clapton album. He's married to blues singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi.

Chris Stainton is back again...he's been in & out (mostly "in") of Eric's bands since the early 80's.

Tim Carmon. Was in Eric's "Pilgrim" album tour band.

Willie Weeks! He's been around forever...played on Ronnie Wood's first two solo albums, did a spell in the Doobie Bros, a major session guy, too. I'd be here all day listing the people he's played with.

Steve Jordan. Was the original drummer for David Letterman's Late Night Show band (was replaced by Anton Fig)...also was/is Keith Richards' X-Pensive Winos' drummer...as with his fellow rhythm section mate, Willie Weeks, he's played with just about "everybody".

The horn section & background singers are the same folks who are on Eric's latest album Back Home.

About those no longer in the band:

It is VERY surprising that Nathan East, who's been Eric's bass player for nearly 20 years, is no longer in the band. (but, in the meantime, look for Nathan in his jazz-fusion band "Fourplay".)

Billy Preston's health has been an issue (he's had to undergo kidney dialysis almost daily since his body rejected a transplanted kidney 3 years ago) and it must be due to his health that he's not in the band for the tour (although there's been no announcement to that effect).

Drummer Steve Gadd...one of the best drummers around, surprisingly is no longer in the band, as well. He probably just missed doing sessions and the income those generate.


And, just announced yesterday (again via "Where's Eric?" magazine)...Eric's opening act for his tour is the fantastic Robert Cray Band.