Eric Clapton: S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios 1997

[itsjustme2.0]

Eric Clapton
S.I.R. Rehearsal Studios [Mid Valley, 2CDs]
Hollywood, CA. probably June 1997

Clapton The Jazzman? Actually, it's more like Eric Clapton plays jazz, R&B, funk and blues. Those who picked up the Legends - Live At Montreux 1997 DVD, which was only released last year, would have an idea of Clapton playing jazz. It's one of those rare jazz forays that Clapton made but don't expect cutting edge jazz here.

The lineup is quite stellar, though on the mainstream side - Marcus Miller on bass, David Sanborn on saxophone, Joe Sample on keyboards and piano and Steve Gadd on drums. For example, the opening track on Disc One (of the Rehearsals) is more funky than expected though it is David Sanborn who seems to be giving Clapton a run for his money. It's only on Ruthie and Put It Where You Want It that one hears the "usual" Clapton striking out.

Whether Clapton formed the group (in the summer of 1997) specifically to play the jazz festivals or this was a new direction he was trying out is anyone's guess. Mid Valley Records has released Legends Flawless, an eight-CD set that comprises two rehearsal discs and appearances by the group at the Montreux Jazz Festival (July 4, 1997); North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands, July 11, 1997) and the Festival de Jazz de Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain, July 17, 1997).

Thanks to BluesFan for sharing the tracks on the internet. In his notes on these two Rehearsal discs, BluesFan says: "I am somewhat skeptical as to what these tracks really are. Disc Two does sound like rehearsals but pretty darned polished ones. Disc One, on the other hand, could be pretty final takes for an album. The scuttlebutt amongst my Claptonophile cronies is that Roger Forrester (EC's manager at the time) was mortally opposed to anything where Eric had to share the billing with anyone else, and killed the album."

Not exactly drive time jazz, it's still easy listening and fairly entertaining. The idea of Clapton playing jazz is too good to pass by and the pristine sound here makes this set a definite must for Clapton fans.

Disc 1
Track 01 Snakes*
Track 02 Marcus #1
Track 03 Marcus #1
Track 04 Full house*
Track 05 Full house*
Track 06 Ruthie*
Track 07 Ruthie*
Track 08 Put It Where You Want*
Track 09 Suggestions
Track 10 The Peeper*
Disc 2
Track 01 Going Down Slow
Track 02 I Got You I Feel Good
Track 03 Silver Rain
Track 04 Layla*
Track 05 Rock Me Baby
Track 06 Jelly Roll
* These songs were performed live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1997.

http://rapidshare.com/files/4151860/sir1.rar.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/4154482/sir2.rar.html

[savvysam]

thank you

[orlando]

Ola itsjustme2.0


much thanks this great 4ever thanksĦĦĦ

[binky2]

Looks interesting. Thanks!

[manmeetsdog]

A side of EC I don't have much of, but look forward to hearing. Thanks for posting it and for the info as well.

[MrFreddy]

Thanks

[aayan]

Music rehearsal studio

Empire Rehearsal Studios was founded by a musician who is part of a band and had difficulty finding a convenient and inexpensive location to practice. They have 38 specially designed, sound proofed music rehearsal studios. In case you are in the area, the studios are located a few minutes from Manhattan, New York via train, bus or car and offer high quality music studios at a fraction of the cost charged by others in New York.

For more information, you can visit their music rehearsal studio website.

[iye]

Much thanks for the boot. Still wish I could find some of the live bootlegs around, though... would anybody happen to have some?

It should be noted that all of the songs on disc one were played at Montreux. A couple of them were given different names, though: "Marcus #1" => "Groovin'" and "Suggestions" => "In Case You Hadn't Noticed". Also, Goin' Down Slow from disc two was played at the concert, but the rehearsal is very different from what was played live.

[bolerob]

Thank's