My late husband had to be Eric's biggest fan. He owned every album from every band Eric has been in. He played them daily. Eric plays & sings with so much emotion.
My late husband and I were also fans. We saw Eric for his Journeyman tour. I lost him to cancer 5 years ago. Together 30 years. I’m sorry for your loss ❤😢
Eric is 77 (in 2022). He suffers from tinnitus, lower-back pain, and is going deaf. He is living with peripheral neuropathy, which sometimes affects his ability to play guitar. But he is still here. Play on brother.
The most difficult thing for any musician is to transmit emotions. You can practice a lot and be very fast and clean, but you have to feel what you play for your listeners to feel it as well. Clapton does it wonderfully.
Exactly I heard this song for the first time live on 9/8/22 (same day QE2 passed). This song stood out among all the great songs he played for the emotion he transmitted and I felt.
I was never big Jeff Beck fan.He was great.I just listened to EC,more.And someday,we'll all be drowning, in a river of tears.So many great players.Never has there ever been,a best guitarist.But you can usually gauge,just by the way they make you feel.So,thank you,Eric
I only saw your comment today, but definitely agree with what you said! I’m almost 70 yrs old now and was trained as a classical pianist and organist since I was 5. It’s one thing to be taught to read notes on paper and apply them to an instrument. I learned at an early age that this alone doesn’t mean that a person is, or will be, a talented musician (with any instrument). Technically it could make them ‘good’, but to be ‘great’ all around can only come from within the heart and soul, and ‘felt’ by them AND those who listen/watch them play! *** Another Clapton performance where this is clearly visible to the audience was in his performance of ‘Have You Ever Loved a Woman’, which I believe was the one done at the Fillmore East (he also played it at the F. West) quite some time ago. I’ve NEVER seen Clapton play with the amount of feeling and visible emotions as he did in this one - even more than River of Tears - and that says a lot! He’s really one of the very few guitarists who can play so well, and yet makes it look so easy!
That pain, the tears, his guitar and vocals dovetailed into the very cry from his soul, I just can't stop falling in love with this song and listening to it over and over......Sir Eric Clapton, thank you.
Clapton has more emotion in his fingers than most have in their heart. It amazes me that he can use a guitar to invoke what you can see and tell that he's feeling. Many criticized his PILGRIM album for being too "dark", yet I feel like it's one of his best. I love every song on that album.
I still cry every time i listen. Don't know why but can't help it. Thank you Eric for being you. I'm 67 and my hope is to be able to see you in concert before I leave this world! Never had the opportunity.
I don't know where you live but he's going to play in New York and California this year. Google dates. I finally saw him three years ago in Houston...happy life moment. Go - you deserve to see him!
Stephen Jones good call ! One of my favorite tracks ! He's more phenomenal live than you would ever have thought !!! I hope you get to whiteness the greatness !
I love seeing all the comments praising Eric Clapton's voice. I feel like his amazing guitar playing overshadowed his also amazing vocal ability. I know it's a completely different song but the run he does in Tears in Heavan at 2:25 (official music video time) while singing the word please is low and subtle but sounds so beautiful and gives me chill bumps just thinking about it.
Eric, thank you for teaching the world how to make the guitar weep with sorrow and pure emotion. The sadness of this song has always lifted me through my own sad and lonely days. Long live Eric Clapton, king of guitars!
Beautiful Eric. I cry each time I listen. I Pray to be able to see you before I leave earth. Bucket list since 17yrs old to see you.i am 65. Thank you Eric Clapton for your music. Gets me through most days
My dad past away in 2009 and he was listening his music so much, so we've played Eric Clapton's music on his funeral. Thankful that my dad gave me that love for his music too 🙏🏼 really love Eric Clapton's music so much. It gives me good memories 🥰 Eric Clapton is legend 💯
My youngest brother passed 6 months ago unexpectedly We were so close yet we were living in different Countries Face timed each other all through lock down times I will never get over losing him Eric Claptons songs and music are so great , he writes sing and plays from his heart, an excellent singer & musician, this man is a gift to the world
Sadly, when this man puts down his guitar for the last time, there will be no more blues, no more of the most meaningful music ever. He has carried it on his shoulders for 5 decades, kept it alive, honored the best by doing so, taught millions what real heartfelt art is all about and it will all be gone. What a shame.
It won't all be gone. All you have to do is watch the way he has been mentoring young guitarists on stage for decades now. He often stands back to give them room to fly. He said himself that he feels a certain obligation to make sure the Blues keeps on. Clapton was a young guy once himself, and band mates have said he was good, but not yet great. Give the next generation time, there may, or may not, be another Clapton in there, but there are some outstanding musicians in the crop.
This song gets to me every time. I was lucky enough to see him 3 times live. I’m 70 now and I can die happy after seeing such a genius live. Thank you Eric, your my guitar hero
Eric Clapton has been my favorite guitarist since I was 16 years old..my youngest 31 year old son took me to see him at MSGarden this past Monday...seeing him play has been my dream for 50 years and he was every bit the greatest guitar I imagioned and then some!! Your guitar still shoots straight into my heart...thank you Eric and my dear son Jonathan for making my dream come true.....Love you both forever!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Cried the first 3 times hearing this. The amount of emotion Clapton can get from his guitar is overwhelming to hear. I’m not sure if there is a more emotional song I’ve ever heard. Unreal
I love this song so much. Sorry to have to say, but this is the worst version of this I have ever heard. Sloppy, stiff & forced. There is a wonderful deeply emotional studio version and an earlier live one that are perfect.
I agree! Mostly! Eric has overcome his very real pain by understanding, through It all and dispite his self inflicted pain and internal relentless struggle against his personal "demons", that he can successfully channel such highly consuming energy into something which benefits so many - his soulful and heartfelt music! This Is not negative nor judgemental concerning his choices but rather a comment concerning the reality that many of his poor choices have given him - so much fuel for his creativity. And this Is a truly magnificent human response which identifies his ability to overcome such adversity by turning It into a creative force. A creativity (and personal story) for which we have benefitted without end (and thankfully so has he)! So Mr. Clapton Is truly deserving of the adulation surrounding his creativity, his longevity and his ability to maintain control over those very real, almost demonic attempts to destroy him all the while creating, for those of us who render to him undivided loyalty and gratitude and many many others, music that touches us to our very soul. It Is my prayer that this man continues to benefit from the heartfelt graditude we share as "fans" and grateful recipients of his gifts of music - music that heals, warms and embraces the very soul of all Who hear, and most importantly listen to, his music endlessly! Thank you Eric for overcoming and hanging on to keep us from all from drowning in our own very real tears!
Eric is such a huge inspiration to me! I have also suddenly lost a son and I don't know what I would have done without my wife, daughter, and the Pilgrim album. It got me through the hardest time of my life and even though it reminds me of that time I still come back to it all the time to remember my boy... RIP Nolan. Love you buddy!
this is some otther wordly stuff right here! im with ya bud.He sings with that guitar like no other imo.The version from one more car one more rider might be even better idk its tough
And..he still remains..12 years after..the King of guitar! I saw him yesterday in Bologna,Unipol Arena! He is 77 but looks and plays and sings like a young one!
I should mention, maybe not everyone in the world is aware of it, Clapton plays different solos every night. Some of the short little fills between song lines might be very similar, but when it's time to step up and play he opens his heart and mind and plays what he feels each night. And on this night there was something especially beautiful.
Annnd......That is without a doubt the best guitar player if not the best musician in the world folks!.....soo much heart in the way this man plays his music for us!
Steve Gadd plays perfectly on this song. His dynamics and tasteful fills show why he is one of or the greatest studio drummer ever. Clapton, Nathan East, the band plays flawlessly. Breath taking live performance.
I seen Eric play last Tuesday in Nashville, we had great seats, I've seen many great artistic people perform, and now I can easily say I have seen the best. So much heart, soul and emotion displayed by one individual is almost overwhelming . I felt like he was singing my life in his music. Thanks Mr. Clapton.
I saw him on the 14th June this year in Copenhagen. It was the highest experience of my life. Thank you Eric for giving me and so many others this wonderful feeling by hearing your song and guitar playing. I listen to you and your music every day😍❤️
@@brianstewart2032 why try to "one~up" this magnificent tune and video with Gary? Just enjoy this mystical wonder while Gary sits on the back burner .. smh
@@brianstewart2032 Oh yeah .. I tried .. and I love(d) Gary Moore .. but no way I could make it through 9 minutes of that shrill~ness .. no comparison .. EC in a landslide ☝️
God has blessed with such wisdom, not only you make your guitar SING, but you bring peace to everyone that has suffered just like you.😔 May God fills your heart with PEACE, Happiness & Faith.🙏🏾🙏🏾😇🙏🏾🙏🏾
Personal turmoil, anguish & grief never sounded so phenomenal. He absolutely knows how to make that Stratocaster cry.. sends shivers up my spine & brings tears to my eyes. Superb !!!
Yes Eric Clapton is my favorite top 10 guitarist and a very prolific writer. This happened to me after my 17yr marriage fell apart in 2006 and still grieve over the death of my marriage. I didn't want this and I have remained single since then and I'm 64 yrs old now. Even though that bridge was burnt yrs ago I still get a tear in my eye. My daughter who is 31yrs old now suffered dearly over our divorce. Dec.26th however I celebrate a 40yr anniversary with someone who has never abandoned me walking down this narrow road I have been walking and his name is Yeshua Hamashiach! ( Jesus My Messiah!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
The trick to watching this incredible performance is to get to a point where you’re not totally geared into watching Eric. Watch the other performers, listen to what they add, what they offer. Simply incredible musicianship.
Eric Clapton has given the world so many beautiful songs not to be forgotten, his guitar playing is nothing short of amazing he makes it weep,, such class from a man who has had more than his share of sorrow but bless him for continuing on ,, what a Gift he has been to the world of music,,, unforgettable and unequaled,,, 👌
Just come out of hospital after a big crash on my motorbike......when it was touch and go then Eric pulled me through. Bring a tear to my eyes, this does. Thanks mate.
Seen him in concert twice. Never got to see this song live. When he did Tears in Heaven you could hear a pin drop in an arena of 35000. That is talent. That is God.
magnificently sang by a true genius , who can certainly make the guitar speak God has blessed Eric with true gifts to bestow on us thank you for the music of Eric Clapton
the more i listen to his music, the more i realize what incredible music, he played wrote and sung, there is a touch of genuine sadness coming from within his soul, thanks Eric for your music❤
Clapton is God! I had the chance to hear and see Mr Clapton playing this song on my very first concert, and all I can say, it was the most beautiful and amazing experience in my life! I was crying when Eric was playing the last solo of the song. Thanks Eric!!!!
Stephen Jones, you’re a man of emotion my friend, I know what you mean about the tears. Sadly our hero is suffering from major tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, after so many years of playing loud music on stage. He won’t be doing many concerts anymore but thank God we have access to so, so many of his masterpieces at our disposal here on RU-vid, of which I watch virtually every night before bed. You might not ever see him in person but you sure can close your eyes and imagine your there. Peace!
"River Of Tears" It's three miles to the river That would carry me away, And two miles to the dusty street That I saw you on today. It's four miles to my lonely room Where I will hide my face, And about half a mile to the downtown bar That I ran from in disgrace. Lord, how long have I got to keep on running, Seven hours, seven days or seven years? All I know is, since you've been gone I feel like I'm drowning in a river, Drowning in a river of tears. Drowning in a river. Feel like I'm drowning, Drowning in a river. In three more days, I'll leave this town And disappear without a trace. A year from now, maybe settle down Where no one knows my face. I wish that I could hold you One more time to ease the pain, But my time's run out and I got to go, Got to run away again. Still I catch myself thinking, One day I'll find my way back here. You'll save me from drowning, Drowning in a river, Drowning in a river of tears. Drowning in a river. Feels like I'm drowning, Drowning in the river. Lord, how long must this go on? Drowning in a river, Drowning in a river of tears.
His name,,,, means it all,,,,, Unique. Never ever Will be another . Only one Page, only one Hendrix, only one Gilmour, so is Eric. UNIQUE... Thank you Sir, ,, for providing so much.
Ohhh...Eric Clapton!!...you are one of the fructiferal british musician...how great you sing ever in any style...awesome!!...a master!!...i love you Eric ever!!
Everyone rightly focuses on Eric; however, the rest of the band each brought their A-game to this incredible performance of 'River Of Tears' - live at Madison Square Gardens 1999. Billy Preston - keyboard; Nathan East - bass; Steve Gadd - drums; Andy Fairweather-Low - second guitar; Katie Kissoon - backup singer; Tessa Niles - backup singer
I have listened to many good guitarist , but I always go back to Eric Clapton, their is just something about his music that I love, Like This incredible song 🌹🌹
I am thankful to God for Eric and all the Talent that he has to share with all of us. His own pain he has shared with all of us. And we too all can relate to our own pain and suffering if loss and suffering.
One of the best versions of this song that I have listened to a million times. Eric is inspired, so are the ladies and the guys around him. Follow my advise : don't ever listen to this song when sitting on the side of a river a day of sadness after loosing your love. You'd better stay alive and listen to Mr Clapton for the rest of your life.
LOVE this song. So emotional. Clapton is the man. I've always loved him. And I've always loved his singing voice. So plaintive. I don't know why anyone would say he isn't a good singer.
