Eric Clapton and Guests
Crossroads Revisited: Selections From The Crossroads Guitar Festivals
(Rhino/Reprise)
Before our complete attention turns to Desert Trip’s jaw-dropping line-up in the Californian desert in October, Crossroads Revisited: Selections From The Crossroads Guitar Festivals finds blues god Eric Clapton curating his own impossible festival bill. The deaths of musical heavyweights JJ Cale, Hubert Sumlin and BB King in the last few years have ensured Crossroads Revisited is a never to be repeated musical event, with this 3CD set drawing from four of the Crossroads Festivals held to date.
If Clapton’s musical enthusiasm on this release peaks at far higher levels than on most of his restrained output in recent years, you can put it down to two things: 1) the vibrant line-up of guests he’s assembled to join him on stage, and 2) the Crossroads project personally being close to his heart. Funds raised by these celebratory concerts and this music package go to Crossroads Centre, an Antiguan rehabilitation facility established by the former addict himself in 1998.
Clapton has called in favours from some of music’s most dextrous practicians with this production. Highlights include the spirited tribal sounds of Drums Of Passion (featuring Clapton and Santana), BB King’s swaggering appearance on Rock Me Baby and Vince Gill holding his own among the blues purveyors with the honkytonk sounds of What The Cowgirls Do. The Robert Cray Band’s soulful Poor Johnny, Gary Clark Jr’s strut through Bright Lights and a lively Los Lobos getting all skronky and squiggly on Mas Y Mas are also live treats.
Not to be outdone by his stellar guests, Clapton’s own classy offerings on "Presence Of The Lord" (with Steve Winwood), a fuel-injected rampage through JJ Cale’s "Cocaine" and the rousing finale of "Crossroads".
Sadly there’s no Bill Murray (who has had fun MCing the Crossroads Festival in the past), but this audio companion to the already available Crossroads DVDs remains a joyful celebration.
- SM
