ERIC CLAPTON – Laguna Hills 1988 (2CD)

Audience 9.4 – Before you write off the late 80’s Eric Clapton, you REALLY need to look deeper for a minute. This performance, and this recording, clearly demonstrates the reason why one should examine the totality of an artist’s career, particularly if said artist was as prolific and talented as Mr. Clapton. The edgy, electrified sound of Clapton’s Cream days is gone and that is ok so long as you still get the TALENT, and many of Clapton’s performances (at least on tape) sometimes lacked the elements that you would have hoped for, despite his undeniable songwriting prowess…it was the PLAYING of the guitar, and the sound of said guitar, that we craved. Here, along with his pal Mark Knopfler, all of that is delivered and the audio quality does the whole thing justice because it is excellent. I think playing with Mark elevated Eric’s game. Hearing them do “Money For Nothing” together was cool, and Mark decided to sing in his own “bluesy” way in deference to Eric. Sweet!

Eric Clapton feat. Mark Knopfler
Irvine Meadows
Laguna Hills, CA
September 23, 1988

Disc 1

01 Crossroads
02 White Room
03 I Shot The Sheriff
04 Lay Down Sally
05 Wonderful Tonight
06 Tearing Us Apart
07 After Midnight
08 Can’t Find My Way Home

Disc 2

09 Badge
10 Same Old Blues
11 Band Introductions
12 Cocaine
13 Layla
14 Money For Nothing
15 Sunshine Of Your Love

Eric Clapton – guitar
Mark Knopfler – guitar
Alan Clark – keyboards
Nathan East – bass
Steve Ferrone – drums
Jody Linscott – percussion
Katie Kissoon – backing vocals
Tessa Niles – backing vocals