Eric Clapton/GA,USA 2001 Upgrade

A new master has been brought to you by the famous British taper who is familiar with Eric Clapton’s treasured sound source! From the 2001 “Reptile American Tour First Leg”, it is a complete recording stereo soundboard master of the May 21st Atlanta performance. Although there is a previously released version of this sound source, the master to be released this time was obtained from a leaked master from a member of The Impressions, a black vocal group who participated in the album “REPTILE” and also participated in the first leg of the tour. That’s what it says. Both the previously released version and this version have the same highest sound quality as the official live version, but while the previously released version has a slightly flat impression, this version has a more dynamic and three-dimensional sound image, and the upgraded version has a more dynamic and three-dimensional sound image. One thing is clear. The stage begins with an acoustic accompaniment, and the delicate sound of the Martin guitar that pierces the heart and then spreads out is also beautifully captured. And Clapton’s carefully sung song is so clear that you can even hear his breathing. There is no doubt that it will be the new title that reigns as the definitive version of this tour. Now, let’s take a look at this year’s tour schedule. ・February 3, 2001 – April 11, 2001: European tour starting with London and Royal Albert Hall, including Russia and Northern Europe ・March 13, 2001: <Album “REPTILE” released> ・2001 May 10th to June 23rd: American Tour First Leg ← [Here] ・July 17th to August 18th, 2001: American Tour Second Leg ・October 4th to 10th, 2001 November 19th, 2001: Central and South American tour November 19th, 2001 – December 15th, 2001: Japan tour When you look at it like this, you can see that it was a world tour that was expanded on a large scale. Clapton had a considerable level of attachment to the album “REPTILE” (he touched on the news of the death of his uncle, who loved him when he was young despite his complicated upbringing, and expressed his nostalgia for his childhood), but after that. The tour was also very exciting. This is because, at the start of the tour, Clapton declared that he would retire from live activities with this tour. My reason was that I wanted to place more emphasis on my family, in order to cherish my current family due to my feelings for my deceased family. So Clapton fans all over the world panicked. “This will be the last time I see Clapton.” With this in mind, venues around the world were sold out, and all performances in Japan, which lasted for almost a month, were sold out. At the beginning of the tour, it was announced that the Los Angeles show on August 18th would be the last concert, but later on, additional tours in Latin America and Japan were announced, giving Japanese fans the opportunity to see them as well. Despite such a fuss, please take a look at Clapton, who performed in Japan again this year 18 years later.) The great thing about this first leg of the American tour was that The Impressions, who participated in the album, also accompanied the tour and were featured in the middle of the stage and during the encore. The late Curtis Mayfield, whom Clapton respects, used to be a member of this group and is still active today.It can be said that this was one of the goals Clapton wanted to achieve in his “last days.” With their participation, Clapton was able to recreate the “nostalgia = old school” feeling he was aiming for on stage. With their participation in the doo-wop chorus, the R&B color of the stage increased at once, making it one of the most soulful stages in Clapton’s live history. From this tour, an official live album has been released that combines the aforementioned Los Angeles performance on August 18th and the Nippon Budokan performance on December 3rd, but this does not include the take in which The Impressions participated. It was. Therefore, it can be said that this tour, which reproduces the taste of the album that Clapton originally aimed for, can be experienced only on this board. It is also noteworthy that in addition to the participation of The Impressions, keyboardist Billy Preston, who boasts a brilliant history of co-starring with the Beatles and Stones in the 1960s and 70s, was also used. His unique organ work can be heard throughout and colors each song. By the way, keyboardist David Sancious plays the intro to Layla, the obbligato and main riff in the chorus part on the guitar, Andy Fairweather Rowe plays the first solo on Cocaine, and Billy plays the second solo. It was probably a comfortable band for Clapton, who had decided that it would be his last tour, so much so that he could entrust important parts to the members he trusted. This time, the sound pressure has been increased to bring out a more dynamic sound image. If you listen to it and compare it with the previously released version, you will be able to understand the difference. It was a tour that at one point Clapton even thought he could finish it and retire. Live at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, USA 21st May 2001 STEREO SBD(from Original Masters)*UPGRADE Disc 1 (60:57) 1. Key To The Highway 2. Reptile 3. Tears In Heaven 4. Bell Bottom Blues 5. Change The World 6. My Father’s Eyes 7. River Of Tears 8. Going Down Slow 9. She’s Gone 10. It’s Alright * 11. Finally Got Myself Together * Disc 2 (61:43) 1. Got You On My Mind * 2 . Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight * 3. Travelin’ Light * 4. Hoochie Coochie Man 5. Stormy Monday 6. Cocaine 7. Wonderful Tonight 8. Layla 9. Sunshine Of Your Love 10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow * The Impressions – vocals * Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals Andy Fairweather Low – guitar, vocals Billy Preston – hammond organ★ David Sancious – keyboards, guitar, vocals Nathan East – bass, vocals Steve Gadd – drums STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING