Description
The definitive early recording of the Pilgrim Tour! An ALD recording master! A stunning master has arrived from a veteran taper based in the UK! This is a clear and expansive mono recording master of the May 29th show at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, from the early American leg of the 1998 World Tour, which began simultaneously with the release of the album “PILGRIM.” The recording was made by plugging into the venue’s ALD (Audio Live Display) system. Due to the characteristics of ALD, the sound image is close to a mono soundboard, but the audience’s cheers are also included, and above all, the sound balance is outstanding. I don’t think there is a more listenable recording from the early stages of this tour, which featured a large number of instruments. There have been previous releases of this recording, but this time the veteran taper has sent us the original master he owns, so naturally, it is the highest sound quality ever. Many excellent recordings have been released from the 1998 tour, including soundboard sources, but the value of this release lies not only in its soundboard-level sound quality, but also in the fact that it is a valuable recording from the early stages of the tour, featuring a 20-piece string orchestra. From this point onward, there were some tour dates where he didn’t bring an orchestra, so we hope you’ll enjoy the exquisite fusion of orchestra and Clapton’s band in this high-quality recording. Just like the album “PILGRIM,” it’s a delicate yet magnificent stage with a string orchestra! So, let’s review the tour dates for that year. ・March 10, 1998 <Album “PILGRIM” released worldwide> ・March 30 – April 26, 1998: American Tour – First Leg ・May 11 – June 6, 1998: American Tour – Second Leg ←★HERE★ ・September 5 – September 18, 1998: Short-term US & Canada Tour ・October 13 – December 11, 1998: European Tour including the UK and Scandinavia He had been to Japan the previous year, so he didn’t tour Asia, but like the album he put so much effort into, it was a tour on a scale almost equivalent to a world tour. The reason for this intense focus is that the album was created as a tribute to Clapton’s young son, who tragically died in an accident in 1991, and as a result of his reflection on his own life. Filled mostly with his own compositions, the album was rich in Clapton’s introspective messages, and he intended to deliver those messages to fans worldwide on stage by featuring songs from the album during the tour. This is evidenced by the fact that he played six consecutive songs from the album right from the opening. In these six songs, Clapton was in full swing, delivering a passionate and emotional performance even more intense than the studio versions. His performance of “She’s Gone” in particular is breathtaking. To express the album tracks even better in this section than the original versions, Clapton enlisted Andy Fairweather Low and Alan Darby (formerly of Asia) as side guitarists, creating a triple-guitar setup (plus the added richness of the sound from the double keyboards is outstanding). Furthermore, just like on the album, he was accompanied by a 20-piece string orchestra, achieving a complete recreation of the album. This is a highlight in itself, but the addition of string arrangements to the subsequent, more traditional numbers makes these rare takes that can only be heard at this live performance by Clapton, which is another major draw. After concluding with the Pilgrim numbers, he moves into a more subdued acoustic set, as if to cool himself down. The interplay between the orchestra and the guitar in this acoustic set is superb. The string orchestra joins in on Tears in Heaven, Layla, and Change the World, creating an exquisite sound woven from acoustic guitar and strings. In particular, Clapton’s emotionally charged acoustic guitar solos are featured in Layla and Change the World, further enhancing the appeal of the songs. The first song back on the electric set is Old Love. Here, Clapton plays intensely from the intro, and his solo in the middle is the epitome of emotion. The interplay with the orchestra in the second half is also a highlight. In the outro of “I Shot the Sheriff,” Clapton plays freely and spontaneously, seemingly without any regard for the ending. It’s an incredible performance. “Wonderful Tonight” is an excellent take, with the addition of a string orchestra, making the song even more romantic. The show then concludes with the classic hit “Cocaine.” For the encore, “Sunshine of Your Love,” the middle solo begins with the melody line of the standard “Blue Moon,” taking into consideration how it will match the orchestra. However, as the ending approaches, the band and orchestra become one in an incredible jam session. Clapton finishes with an all-out, unrestrained performance. This is an excellent recording where you can enjoy the sound from beginning to end, with a multi-instrumental band unique to this tour, combined beautifully with the sound of the string orchestra. Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA, USA 29th May 1998 ALD(from Original Masters) Taken from the original ALD Master recordings Disc:1 (59:56) 1. My Father’s Eyes 2. Pilgrim 3. One Chance 4. River Of Tears 5. Going Down Slow 6. She’s Gone 7. Driftin’ 8. Tears In Heaven 9. Layla 10. Change The WorldDisc:2 (59:03) 1. Old Love 2. Crossroads 3. Have You Ever Loved A Woman 4. I Shot The Sheriff 5. Wonderful Tonight 6. Cocaine 7. Sunshine Of Your Love Eric Clapton: Guitar, Vocals Andy Fairweather Low: Guitar, Vocals Nathan East: Bass, Vocals Alan Darby: Guitar, Vocals Tim Carmon: Keyboards Kenneth Crouch: Keyboards Ricky Lowson: Drums Katie Kissoon: Backing Vocals Chyna: Backing Vocals Charlean Hines: Backing Vocals 20 Piece Orchestra Conducted by Nick Ingman
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