Artist: Clapton, Eric
Label: Polydor Records
Release: 1975
Running time: 44.18
E. C. Was Here is yet another in a line of phenomenal live recordings from the legendary guitarist. The tours that followed the big success of 461 Ocean Boulevard are a unique challenge for Eric, since this is the first time he steps out as a purely solo act. This time there’s no trace of all-star lineups “hiding” behind his back, giving him the much-needed support, musical and moral alike. So Clapton takes full responsibility for how well his own work lands, as well as for the instrumental tightness of the backing band. A tall order, but one that doesn’t give Eric much trouble. Despite the huge commercial success that his, for many people unexpected, cover of Marley’s I Shot The Sheriff brought him, Eric still puts the biggest emphasis on the blues when he’s up on a live stage, which, as usual, makes the best foundation for his passionate improvisations.
So what makes Clapton so special? Above all, his sharp feel for the emotional side of a melody, which is often closer to the black blues tradition than to the white players’ habit of rehashing worn-out blues phrases. The colorful mood that pulls us into the opening Have You Ever Loved A Woman recalls his John Mayall era, at least until an avalanche of the most fiercely spiced guitar tones breaks loose from under his fingers. This gorgeous rendition of the Freddie King classic is polished up in a heavier, almost downright fiery way, with Eric’s colleague George Terry carefully making up for the original’s lack of bite. Their stormy guitar interplay is gently interrupted by the acoustic intro to Presence Of The Lord. This is Blind Faith as you’ve never heard them, because the song, above all thanks to Yvonne Elliman’s intensely soulful and emotional vocals, plunges deep into a musical sphere that was, until then, fairly unexplored territory for Clapton. With its constant jumping into a punchy chorus, the song brings the dynamics right from the very start, at least until the guitar motif we already know so well proudly announces the arrival of a superb up-tempo groove, over which Eric can’t resist his trademark improvised antics.
Ever since the good old John Mayall days, Eric has, on top of showing off his incredible guitar skills, increasingly stood out as an excellent interpreter. You can check out everything he’s learned in the meantime on Ramblin’ On My Mind. The song shows up in different forms no fewer than twice, first as a cleverly slipped-in intermezzo that pours even more oil on the fire of an already almost red-hot Driftin Blues. Here, the biting slide arrangements show us another side of the master’s guitar playing that we hadn’t seen before. Still, the most attention goes to the aforementioned cover of the Johnson classic. Especially at the end of the album, where Eric takes on this unforgettable blues anthem in full, a whole division of dirty blues tunes lies slyly in wait for us, with a heaping helping of wicked intentions. Think twice before you step into a duel with the devil! A message that Eric Clapton inherited straight from Johnson.
E. C. Was Here is certainly not the ultimate document of Clapton’s work, but it is an important step in the guitarist’s effort to establish his new image as a solo and fully independent artist. The real value of his legacy lies in the fact that Eric Clapton doesn’t just coast on replaying the hits from long-gone days that made him immortal. Instead, he offers us a heaping helping of genuine rock, brilliantly executed guitar improvisations, and of course plenty of blues. The latter speaks volumes: Eric Clapton always was, and always will be, first and foremost an outstanding blues guitarist.
Lineup
Eric Clapton: vocals/guitar
Jamie Oldaker: drums
Carl Radle: bass
Dick Sims: keyboards
Yvonne Elliman: vocals
George Terry: guitar
Marcy Levy: tambourine
Production
Tom Dowd
Track list
1.Have You Ever Loved A Woman
2.Presence Of The Lord
3.Driftin’ Blues
4.Can’t Find My Way Home
5.Ramblin’ On My Mind
6.Furter On Up The Road
