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.

[David]

So are you going to the Eric Clapton show?

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by chiliD

DEREK TRUCKS?!?!!?

While I know it's not an uncommon name, I always wondered if he was named after "Derek & The Dominoes," which featured an actual Allman?

Originally Posted by chiliD

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.

And, he played on Billy Burnette's "Coming Home."

Originally Posted by chiliD

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

I wish Eric would/could have gotten the band I saw opening for Robert Cray a few years ago...Booker T. & The M.G.s (I actually left after their set). The last time EC toured, Robert Randall opened, and was absolutely killer. I'd never heard of the guy, and was completely blown away. I've tried to like Robert Cray, but he really does little for me.

[DavidMn]

I've got a good feeling he wont be one of those old fossils just out there to cllect a big payday. Good for him!

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by David

So are you going to the Eric Clapton show?

Well, yeah...unless Cream books their SoCal show first. I doubt I'll be able to afford to see BOTH Cream and a Clapton solo show, too. (but, damn, I'm gonna try) Cream takes precedent, though because I've seen Clapton's own tours a couple of dozen times already...although I've missed the last three tours. Don't want to miss another Clapton tour again. Haven't seen him since the Pilgrim album's tour.

The bummer is that Clapton won't be able to do Blind Faith or Derek & The Dominoes reunions due to the passings of members. (unless they do some bogus "fill-ins") Cream's the only band he's been in that still has all its members in playing shape. Blind Faith lost bassist Rick Grech; Derek & The Dominoes lost bassist Carl Radle (who was also in Eric's own band from 73-79, too) and, of course, Duane Allman...drummer Jim Gordon is in San Quentin serving a life-sentence for killing his mom with a ball-peen hammer and suffers from severe manic-depressive schizophrenia...and apparently, Eric & keyboardist Bobby Whitlock have been estranged for years (although they did do a vague "reunion" show of sorts a few years back...but it was a one-off thing)

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

While I know it's not an uncommon name, I always wondered if he was named after "Derek & The Dominoes," which featured an actual Allman?

It wouldn't be out of the question.

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

And, he played on Billy Burnette's "Coming Home."

Yeah! I forgot that, but I know Willie has been on the "short list" of session bass players in Nashville the last 10 or 15 years.

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

I wish Eric would/could have gotten the band I saw opening for Robert Cray a few years ago...Booker T. & The M.G.s (I actually left after their set).

Booker T & the MG's was the "house band" for Bob Dylan's 30th anniversary concert. (plus Duck Dunn played bass for Eric during his 83 & 85 tours) Eric just kicked some major butt on "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" during that concert (he also did "Love Minus Zero/No Limit", but that didn't make the CD...haven't seen the DVD, nor heard Eric's take on the song)

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

The last time EC toured, Robert Randall opened, and was absolutely killer. I'd never heard of the guy, and was completely blown away. I've tried to like Robert Cray, but he really does little for me.

That would be Robert Randolph (& the Family Band) Yeah...he's been touted as "the Jimi Hendrix of pedal steel guitar". He's one of the featured guys in Eric's Crossroads Festival DVD.

I was heavily into Robert Cray 10-15 years ago, but each album started sounding just like the previous one, so I lost interest. He just released a new album within the last few months, so I'm interested to hear if he's changed at all. (Other than ditching the horn section, which was a good idea).

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by chiliD

That would be Robert Randolph (& the Family Band) Yeah...he's been touted as "the Jimi Hendrix of pedal steel guitar". He's one of the featured guys in Eric's Crossroads Festival DVD.

Randall, Randolph, YOU knew who I meant (j/k). Actually, I'd be more apt to tout him as the "Sly Stone of pedal steel guitar" than Hendrix. The vibe, for me, was more along the lines "Higher" or "Dance To The Music." Either way, he kicks ass.

[madformac]

Well I'm going to see him at the Royal Albert Hall in May. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm a little sad Nathan East won't be there...

I think Eric is gonna be busy for quite a few years. He lives for the music rather than off it in my opinion. He said a while back "no more world tours" but i think he's bored staying home looking after the kids He's always been more of a live artist than a studio artist to me (despite appearing on forty odd albums!) and the stage is where I think he is most comfortable.

Chili, you WILL go to both gigs. Like the Fender Strat you need a 50th anniversary celebration , and Eric's coming over to give you two!!!!!!!!!

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by madformac

Well I'm going to see him at the Royal Albert Hall in May. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm a little sad Nathan East won't be there...

Gimme all the details after the show...I wanna know what guitars he plays, what tunes, how many times he farts...every little detail!

I'm intrigued to know whether it was Eric's or Nathan's decision to leave the band. (ditto with Steve Gadd)

Originally Posted by madformac

I think Eric is gonna be busy for quite a few years. He lives for the music rather than off it in my opinion. He said a while back "no more world tours" but i think he's bored staying home looking after the kids He's always been more of a live artist than a studio artist to me (despite appearing on forty odd albums!) and the stage is where I think he is most comfortable.

Oh, I don't think looking after the kids is "boring" to him...I just think he needs the break from it. (see lyrics in the opening track on Back Home) Unless he's bringing the family on tour with him. I think he made that "no more world tours" comment as a spontaneous remark unfortunately within earshot of the media rather than it being an actual "statement to the press".

I think Eric likes the recording studio as well. BUT, I think he REALLY enjoys the continual concert reviews when they say stuff like "his new material, which is kind of dull on the new album, really comes alive in live performance". (sure it does, because there's 10 additional minutes of guitar solos on the live versions, right?)

Originally Posted by madformac

Chili, you WILL go to both gigs. Like the Fender Strat you need a 50th anniversary celebration , and Eric's coming over to give you two!!!!!!!!!

Sure, I'll take a couple of 50th Anniversary Strats!! Gladly!

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by chiliD

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.

playing in EC's band and then hanging out with W.Axl Rose recently (On Derek's tourbus) listening to the soon to be released 3 disc set "Chinese Democracy":

----------------------------------------------------------------
"Indiana native W. Axl Rose has popped up at a Korn tour-announcement party and a Victoria’s Secret event in recent weeks, fueling speculation that Guns n’ Roses’ long-delayed “Chinese Democracy” album may be released sooner than later.

Let’s add a field report from the Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band to the stack of growing evidence.

The Big Damn Band, an Indianapolis-based roots blues trio, served as the supporting act for the Derek Trucks Band Feb. 23 at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. Rose caught Trucks in action, and then hit a VIP party at upstairs bar On the Rox.

Big Damn Band members the Rev. Josh Peyton, Breezy Peyton and Jayme Peyton also attended the party. Beyond the high-profile gig on the West Coast, the arrival of Jayme’s birthday at midnight gave the group reason to celebrate.

“(Rose) heard us say that it was my birthday, and he came over and bought me a couple of shots of Patron (tequila),” Jayme says. “I thought that was real nice.”

Photographic evidence of the drink can be viewed here.

Rose, sporting the cornrow hairstyle he unveiled during a brief Guns n’ Roses comeback in 2002, displayed a good sense of humor, according to Jayme.

After Rose mentioned his own recent 44th birthday, Breezy jokingly said, “Man, that is old.”

“(Rose) looked at the bartender and said, ‘Hey can I get a Geritol over here,’ ” Jayme says.

Naturally, Rose and the Big Damn Band bonded because of their shared Hoosier roots. In the old days, Rose told concert audiences that his native state of Indiana was Auschwitz revisited.

“I don’t think he really said anything bad about Indiana,” Jayme says of the Hollywood meeting. “Maybe he didn’t say anything especially good, either.”

Jayme says the party eventually moved to Trucks’ tour bus, where Rose produced a CD and previewed some of “Chinese Democracy” -- which the singer said will be sold as a 3-disc collection.

“He still has the ‘Axl voice,’ ” says Jayme, who recalls the 1991 Guns n’ Roses album “Use Your Illusion I” as the first CD he ever purchased. “He was in the bus singing along. I couldn’t believe it was still Axl’s voice, all these years later.”