Eric Clapton, Chicken Shack Eric Clapton/UK 1986

Eric Clapton is well known for his extensive history of sessions with other artists, due to his wide network of contacts and deep popularity. Moreover, it is known that such crossovers often inflame him, and many great performances have been left behind. This week, we will release a completely rare session sound source that is being released for the first time among the many sessions of his that have been released, both official and underground! The first generation master of the charity match and concert held at the Finchley Cricket Club in the suburbs of London on August 15, 1986 was brought to us by a heavyweight taper living in the UK, who is familiar to us. In the past, the average level audience source of this sound source was sometimes distributed among tape traders in Europe, but it was an incomplete recording version with few songs and the sound quality was about “middle”. This time, we will deliver the clearness of Donpica, the quality of a soundboard recording, and the first complete recording version. The sound quality is so wonderful that you will have the illusion that the sound coming from the narrow stage of the cricket club clubhouse is ringing right in front of you. Now, let’s clarify the significance of these events in this year in chronological order. ・February 23, 1986: Appeared at a memorial gig for the late Ian Stewart (support pianist for the Stones) at the 100 Club in London. During this time, they recorded the album “AUGUST” with a new lineup including Phil Collins. ・June 20, 1986: Appeared at the “Prince’s Trust Concert” at Wembley Arena in London. ・July 3-15, 1986: Short European tour with a new band ・August 14, 1986: Made a surprise appearance at Prince’s concert at Kensington Roof Gardens in London. ・August 15, 1986: Made a surprise appearance on the special stage at a charity cricket match held in Finchley, England. ←★Here★ ・August 16th, 1986: Filmed a promotional clip for new song Tearing Us Apart at Ronnie Scott’s, a club in London. During this time, <<October 1st, 1986: Released the album “AUGUST”>> ・October 16th, 1986: Appeared at Chuck Berry’s 60th birthday celebration live show, filmed in St. Louis (this was later made into a movie). ・October 27th, 1986: Made a surprise appearance at Lionel Richie’s concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. ・November 8th, 1986: Made a surprise appearance on stage with the Robert Cray Band, who appeared at the Mean Fiddler club in London. ・November 20th-24th, 1986: Appeared at the Metro club in Boston and The Ritz club in New York. Keith Richards made a surprise appearance on stage on the 23rd.・December 23, 1986: Held a charity show at Village Hall in Surrey, England. While energetically recording and promoting his ambitious work “AUGUST,” Clapton also made guest appearances and popped in at numerous events and concerts. That’s how full of vitality Clapton was that year, and it can be said that he was “eager to play.” It was this momentum that led him to participate in the charity show included in this album. The main performers on this day were Chicken Shack, a band that will never be forgotten in the history of British blues rock, led by Stan Webb. Clapton joined their blues-filled stage. In the published photo, there is a two-shot of Webb holding a Les Paul and Clapton holding a Torino Red-finished Strat. That was exactly what happened on this day. The first half is a performance by Chicken Shack only, and Clapton appears on disc 2. Webb’s tone and phrasing are wild, while Clapton’s playing is neat and elegant (Webb’s guitar is on, and Clapton’s is off). At this point, they play I’m Tore Down, which will be included in 1994’s “FROM THE CRADLE”, Hideaway, an instrumental number that raised Clapton’s reputation during his time with the Bluesbreakers, and Peter Gunn, which is famous as a part of Roy Buchanan’s repertoire, making for a very interesting set list. You can see how the dull stage performance of Chicken Shack in the first half becomes much tighter with Clapton’s participation in the second half. Clapton’s presence is evident even in sessions, and he is truly dignified. This is the first time that this complete version, with this superb sound quality, has been released in Japan, and it is a valuable session recording from 1986. This is the first time that the highest quality version of this historical recording will be released, which British blues rock fans and Clapton enthusiasts will be able to listen to. Live at Finchley Cricket Club, Finchley, UK 15th August 1986 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (52:16) 1. Everyday I Have The Blues 2. The Thrill Is Gone 3. The Very Thing That Makes You Rich 4. Instrumental 5. Direction 6. Baby What You Want Me To Do 7. I’d Rather Go Blind Disc 2 (49: 40) 1. Intro 2. Tore Down 3. What I’d Say (with Barry Gibb on vocals) 4. Peter Gunn 5. Hideaway 1 6. Hideaway 2 7. Hold On 8. A Blues Song Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals Stan Webb – guitar, vocals David Wilkinson – keyboards Jan Connolly – bass John Gunzell – drums Dave Winthrop – Saxophone