Eric Clapton

One of the few musicians of whom I call myself a fan but with whom I truly have a love-hate relationship would have to be Eric Clapton. I am a HUGE fan of his electric guitar playing, not to mention his time in Cream (see earlier blog post) and with Derek and the Dominos. His interpretations of great blues standards are often phenomenal and his dexterity on his instrument is beyond reproach. But the majority of his solo work absolutely LICKS! He treads on the same ground as Michael Bolton and Phil Collins. I should not be hearing Eric Clapton songs on 98.5 The Ocean (as I did when I was in a store recently). He should not be catering to the AOR/soft rock fans that listen to garbage like Air Supply and Yanni. There are times that I am ashamed to admit that I am an EC fan, but I came to realize that there are two Claptons: the good Clapton who plays the blues and rocks out and the evil spawn of soft-rock Clapton who writes and plays bland, sissy, wuss-rock that I wouldn't allow my worst enemy to listen to. Newsflash to Mr. Clapton: You did not get the sacreligious moniker "God" for writing songs like 'My Father's Eyes' or 'Tears in Heaven' (I may make enemies for that one!) but rather for songs like 'Layla' and your radical re-interpretation of 'Crossroads' (complete with one of the most blazing solos in the history of the electric guitar). So cut the prissy garbage and PLAY THE BLUES!!