Eric Clapton/NY,USA 07.03.1983 Complete

The first sound source of the Money & Cigarettes American Tour, Second Leg! From an overseas taper that has provided amazing, unreleased masters in recent years, we have received another astonishing first-time sound source master! This is a complete, high-quality stereo audience recording of the second day of Eric Clapton’s “Money & Cigarettes American Tour, Second Leg” performance at Jones Beach, New York, held on July 3rd, the early part of the tour. This is a genuine, first-time sound source, and it’s high quality. Our engineers have perfectly adjusted the pitch and sound pressure deviations caused by tape aging, so you can enjoy it in the best possible condition. The musical notes are close together, with a powerful sound. While the cheers of the nearby audience on both sides are captured throughout, they are not annoying; rather, they are a reflection of Clapton’s excellent performance that day. This powerful sound set is packed with highlights. There is a previously released recording of the performance at the same venue the day before, recorded via PA out soundboard, but it did not include the opening number or encore. However, this album includes both the opening number and the encore. Additionally, you can listen to the rare blues “Don’t Say You Don’t Love Me,” which was only played during this period. We hope you will take this opportunity to listen to this excellent recording. This was a fascinating day on the 1983 tour. A day with a fascinating setlist! Let’s take a look back at Clapton’s activities this year, including the concert from which this album was recorded. February 1, 1983: Release of the album “MONEY AND CIGARETTES” February 1 – March 3, 1983: First leg of US tour April 8 – May 23, 1983: European tour, including the UK June 6, 1983: Appeared at a charity concert in London with pub rock duo Chas & Dave June 25 – July 17, 1983: Second leg of US tour ←★here★ September 20-21, 1983: Appeared at the “ARMS Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Along with Beck and Page, it was the first time that the three legendary guitarists had shared the same stage, which drew a lot of attention (the 21st was performed under the name “Prince’s Trust”). November 28th to December 9th, 1983: “ARMS US Tour.” Later in the year, he took on the important role of organizing the famous “ARMS Concert,” but even before that, he embarked on a long tour, making it clear that this was a very energetic year for him. This was no surprise, as up until the previous year, he had been comfortably continuing with the all-British band that had produced “JUST ONE NIGHT.” However, during the recording of a new album, Clapton, enraged by the band’s laziness, took the drastic step of firing everyone except Albert Lee. As a result, he now had a supporting cast of talented musicians from both the US and UK. Riding on this momentum, the tour of this year began simultaneously with the release of the album “MONEY AND CIGARETTES.” Perhaps this tight tour schedule speaks volumes about Clapton’s mental and physical energy. During the initial US tour, many tracks from this album were included in the set, but as the tour progressed, new songs were gradually dropped, leaving only one song, “The Shape You’re In,” for the second leg of the American tour (a common occurrence on Clapton tours). However, the reasons for keeping this song are clear in this performance. There are two solos, one at the end and one at the beginning, and the performance there features fiery interplay between Clapton and Albert Lee. This song was a highlight of this tour. Listen to the long interplay at the end of the day! The two were rocking it. Their chemistry was so strong that Clapton himself later cited Albert Lee as “the most inspiring second guitarist.” In recognition of his contributions, he featured him on “Sweet Little Lisa” and even handed over the solo to him on “Lay Down Sally.” Also unusually, Lee plays the signature seven-note phrase that Clapton himself always plays in the intro to “Layla” (he also plays the same phrase in the chorus part of the song). Since 1979, Layla has had an instrumental “prologue” before the intro, but on this day, Clapton showcases Robbie Robertson-esque picking harmonics in this section. Overall, this section was excellent, and it’s no exaggeration to say that this take of Layla’s prologue is the best of the day. Of course, the postlude solo is also superb. Also, in the postlude to “I Shot the Sheriff,” Clapton begins his solo with a gentle low register, exploring the potential of the piece, but the tempo changes that lead to a stunning barrage of speed playing from the middle to the end are superb. It was a day captivated by Clapton’s skill from start to finish. Furthermore, a special number was included in the set. Don’t Say You Don’t Love Me (actually titled Country Boy), featured in the blues medley later in the album, is a song by Clapton’s beloved Muddy Waters. Muddy passed away on April 30th of that year. It’s believed that Clapton performed this song as a special tribute to Muddy during this tour, which was the only time Clapton performed this song (he performed it again during the acoustic set of his 2022 American tour). During his lifetime, Muddy called Clapton his “son-in-law” and recognized him as his blues successor. The two often performed together, and Muddy was a blues mentor who held irreplaceable memories in Clapton’s heart. Listen to this track and imagine the emotions Clapton felt as he sang this song as a farewell to Muddy. There’s even an encore! The encore was one of Clapton’s signature songs, “Further On Up The Road.” This was around the time Clapton had emerged from a critical period of alcoholism and was beginning to overcome it, and his energy was returning. As a result, Clapton and his band’s performance is tight and of the highest quality, demonstrating his maturity throughout the album. The rhythm section, consisting of Donald Duck Dunn and Jamie Oldaker, who had supported Clapton throughout the 1970s since “461,” was nothing short of powerful (a key selling point leading up to the 1985 tour). The setlist, with its signature hits, blues, and new material, was also entertaining. While some have generally said that Clapton’s early 1980s performances were “lackluster,” this album proves that this was completely untrue. Who could say this performance was “lackluster”? This is a must-have from the 1983 tour, and it’s the first time it’s been released with high-quality sound. Jones Beach Amphitheater, Wantagh, NY, USA 3rd July 1983 TRULY PEREFCT SOUND Disc:1 (42:53) 1. Tulsa Time 2. I Shot the Sheriff 3. Worried Life Blues 4. Lay Down Sally 5. Let It Rain 6. Double Trouble 7. Sweet Little Lisa Disc:2 (59:45) 1. Key to the Highway 2. The Shape You’re In 3. Wonderful Tonight 4. Blues Power 5. Don’t Say You Don’t Love Me 6. Have You Ever Loved a Woman 7. Ramblin’ on My Mind 8. Cocaine 9. Layla 10. Band Introductions 11. Further On Up The Road Eric Clapton – guitar / vocalsAlbert Lee – guitar / vocals Chris Stainton – keyboards Donald “Duck” Dunn – bass Jamie Oldaker – drums