Eric Clapton / Canada 1985 Rehearsals Soundboard Edition

This release features a rare soundboard master recording from the rehearsals for the second leg of the 1985 “Behind the Sun” US tour. We obtained the original master directly from a renowned UK-based taper known for his collection of Clapton rarities. This stereo soundboard recording captures the rehearsal held on June 20—the day before the tour’s second leg kicked off in Toronto, Canada—at the very same venue. While this recording was previously included in our “COMPLETE TORONTO 1985” (5CD) set, we have remastered it from scratch for this release to present the raw soundboard audio in its purest form. Our engineer adjusted the prominent bass drum sound found in the original master; this tweak allowed the high frequencies to stand out, resulting in a vastly improved listening experience. The sound quality is crisp and superior to previous releases, making this a truly polished edition. While the early rehearsal at London’s Brixton Academy in March is well-known, the existence of this specific rehearsal—conducted just before the start of the second leg—was previously unknown. As is common with rehearsal tapes, there are some minor flaws: a momentary dropout at the 0:10 mark of “I Shot The Sheriff,” static/crackle around 5:12 in “Steppin’ Out,” and cut-outs during “Same Old Blues” and “Lay Down Sally.” These cuts occurred when the engineer stopped the tape at the mixing console—a frequent occurrence with leaked rehearsal tapes. However, these minor issues are far outweighed by the fact that “White Room”—a signature Cream-era track reintroduced to the setlist after 17 years—is performed twice during this session. The reason is that, shortly before this, Clapton had performed the song on the *David Letterman Show* in the U.S. at the request of Paul Shaffer (the house band’s musical director); having rediscovered the song’s true appeal, he decided on the spur of the moment to add it to the setlist for the second leg of his tour. It was clearly a nostalgic track from his Cream days that had deeply resonated with him. Naturally, because the decision was made so suddenly, thorough rehearsal was essential. Also rehearsed during this tour—though performed live only once, at this Toronto show—was Marcy Levy’s rendition of “Try a Little Tenderness.” Presumably, she suggested singing this Otis Redding classic, and Clapton agreed. While there is no Clapton solo in this rehearsal take, the actual performance the following day featured a magnificent solo from him. Throughout the rehearsal, Clapton keeps his vocals somewhat casual, yet—true to form—he holds nothing back in his guitar playing. Conversely, it is delightful to hear Marcy, Shaun Murphy, and the others singing with the same intensity they would bring to the actual show. In short, this rehearsal recording is a must-listen! The second leg of the 1985 tour had already drawn attention for its altered setlist compared to the first leg, but the release of this recording is sure to spark even greater interest in those shows. This is a rare Clapton rehearsal recording—one you certainly won’t want to miss. It showcases Clapton’s outstanding vocal prowess and a relentless barrage of aggressive guitar solos. Let us now clarify the chronological context of this rehearsal within that year.・February 28 – March 15, 1985: European tour (including the UK); during this period, the album *Behind the Sun* was released on March 1, 1985. ・April 9 – May 3, 1985: First leg of the US tour; May 8, 1985: Appearance on the US music program *Late Night with David Letterman*. ・June 21 – July 27, 1985: Second leg of the US tour ← ★Here★ ・October 5 – October 11, 1985: Sixth Japan tour. ・October 14 – November 6, 1985: Short European tour following visits to Alaska and London. ・December 3 – 23, 1985: Technically time off, though during this period he made guest appearances on stage at concerts by Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Sting, Gary Brooker, and Dire Straits. It is fair to say that he spent the entire year promoting the album *Behind the Sun*, which had been recorded the previous year; that is how confident he was in the work. He covered all of Europe and visited North America twice. Moreover, by splitting the tour into separate legs, he was able to vary the setlist. While rehearsals were necessary for this, Clapton’s singing during this tour seemed to have improved dramatically. His confident, commanding vocal delivery exuded a masculine allure. His guitar solos were also more aggressive than ever, frequently featuring rapid-fire passages—a truly thrilling experience. He delivered sharp slide guitar work on “Tulsa Time” and “Motherless Children,” asserted his presence with the solo in the outro of “I Shot the Sheriff,” and then ramped up the intensity in the following track, “Same Old Blues.” In the solo for “White Room,” both takes feature aggressive playing—much like in his Cream days—with the wah-wah pedal heavily engaged throughout. “Tangled In Love” showcases his “Slowhand” style executed at high speed. Although “Behind The Sun” was performed during these rehearsals, it was dropped from the setlist for the tour’s second leg, making this particular take a rare find. The sheer brilliance Clapton displays here—even in rehearsal—is something every rock fan needs to hear. It is undeniable that this period marked a peak in his career, and this release serves as a valuable new addition to the recordings documenting that extraordinary year. The backing band featured top-tier musicians unique to this era: carrying over from the 1983 tour were the legendary Stax bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn and drummer Jamie Oldaker (of the Tulsa Tops)—arguably the strongest rhythm section Clapton ever had. Please enjoy the bouncy basslines of the late Donald “Duck” Dunn and the dynamic, intricate drumming of the late Jamie Oldaker, who supported Clapton only during this period (Clapton hit it off so well with Dunn that he even named his own label “Duck Records” when he launched it in 1983). This tour also marks the only time one can hear the playing of veteran British guitarist Tim Renwick, who would later support the Gilmour-led Pink Floyd. His solid, flawless playing is another highlight; his distinctive style shines through in the obbligato lines on “I Shot The Sheriff” and “White Room.” Above all, his unique character is best displayed in the solo featured on “Lay Down Sally,” where he delivers a performance defined by the stability and skill of a seasoned veteran. Finally, we must not forget Chris Stainton, who continues to support Clapton to this day. From the piano-led prologue of “Tulsa Time,” the keyboards play a starring role—featuring not just piano, but also organ and synthesizer. The bond between the musicians was already incredibly strong forty-one years ago. This is a magnificent performance where, alongside the resonant tone of the “Blackie” Stratocaster, the band’s superb backing work demands close listening. While our shop already carries definitive soundboard titles from the 1985 “Behind the Sun” US tour—specifically “Richmond 1985 Soundboard Master” (first leg) and “Chicago 1985 Soundboard Master” (second leg)—this release is also well worth hearing; it captures the rehearsal sessions that fostered the band unity leading up to the stellar “Chicago 1985” performance. As Clapton’s playing relies on improvisation, every performance is unique. (Remastering Note) Re-mastered from the original source audio. The “big drum” (bass drum) presence was adjusted; this adjustment allows the high-frequency range to stand out, making the overall sound much clearer and easier to listen to. Kingswood Music Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – June 20, 1985 | STEREO SBD (from Original Masters) | UPGRADE (57:26) 1. White Room 2. Try A Little Tenderness 3. Tulsa Time 4. Motherless Children 5. I Shot The Sheriff 6. Same Old Blues 7. Tangled In Love 8. White Room 9. Behind The Sun 10. Wonderful Tonight 11. Steppin’ Out 12. Lay Down Sally | Eric Clapton: Guitar & Vocals | Tim Renwick: Guitar | Donald “Duck” Dunn: Bass | Chris Stainton: Keyboards | Jamie Oldaker: Drums | Marcy Levy: Backing Vocals | Shaun Murphy: Backing Vocals | STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING