Eric Clapton is a hero to me, in so many ways. He's always incredibly humble in spite of his tremendous gifts, and always has something nice to say about his fellow musicians. A real "class act." I'm glad that Jeff Beck is still around, still alive to hear all of the accolades that he's earned over all the decades as an amazing musician and innovator. So many, too many, of his contemporaries are long dead, victims of the same drugs and craziness of the era that created and sustained them.
Time flies just like that, doesn't it? Jeff was just beautiful with his work. He's done a mammoth work in the music world and he'll be listened to for many many manyyy years to come.
@@pabloperez4063 He's always respectful of others on stage as well..he always stands back or behind other musicians and let's them shine. I've noticed this for 40 years both seeing him live and in all these you tube videos on here. He is a class act through and through..well except maybe that one little issue of stealing George's wife. But no one's perfect! ❤
Eric and Jeff are both great guitar players. Eric's style is more commercially successful, while Jeff shows greater depth and technical command of the instrument. Buddy Guy, Freddie King, and Jimi Hendrix are all great guitarists too. Beck's genius, IMHO, is that he goes beyond the blues/rock genre into a place that jazz doesn't even describe.
I read a Rolling Stone interview in 2011 or so and found out these guys became close friends after being rivals, following each other in The Yardbirds, and it's an amazing story. Now they're Neighbors in the same sticks of England. Rural England somewhere
Beck, Clapton, Townsend, Page, to just name four are in a league of their own. There are unknown guys who are fantastic too. Clapton is one humble person , and his style is rooted in the Blues while Beck is more into Jazz. Clapton being a great vocalist as well gives him the commercial edge of course. Both are great guitar players , more than just guitar players, true artists. Exceptionally rare talent.
He means never changed in the way that he has always focused his interest on the development of his guitar playing. Eric went through a pop career and accoustic stuff.
Guitar is almost a casual after thought for beck. He builds hot rods and then casually picks up a guitar & does things no one else on the planet can do with it then puts it down & picks up a wrench and goes back to work like nothing ever happened. Incredible human being!
Ever since the beginning Beck has done interesting,remarkable,ultra spot on creative things.When Beck "TRUTH' came out with new vocalist Stewart,i just went nuts with how creative and smack in the pocket he always was.I immediately loved his always evolving style even then,which was not like his Yard Birds style.Truth brought this crunchy Marshall sound,astounding,first time i had heard that,so much grace,and attack.This is rock forefather of huge importance.Few now can even carry his ax
brian may was asked who was his fave guitarists , he named evh , vai etc , then went quiet and said beck - he 's just OUT THERE - in another league , so inventive etc may and beck get on so well , i love em both , both legends
Agreed...Some have said that unlike Clapton & Page, Beck is just as on it as he was back in the day. Beck still has the fire...Watch the beginning of "Little Brown Bird" when Clapton joins Beck onstage. Beck "playfully" flips off Clapton. That's right, Beck flips off Slowhand! All in good fun? You be the judge. Either way that competitive drive is till there and it is a pleasure to witness...God bless 'em both.
In Eric's defense, may I offer my that in my opinion, Eric Clapton has finally become the player he always wanted to be -- after Jimi showed him how far he needed to go. His Sessions For Robert J is quite impressive and could not have been done at his former level. He, like Jeff, loves and misses Jimi to this day. After he lost his friends, Jimi And Duane, he turned to heroin. He is a good person and doesn't not warrant the slagging he has gotten on here from some. Blessings
I won't deny that Eric continues to impress me with his improvisation chops, but have you not heard Eric's work with John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers? To this day it's his best playing. Eric was always capable of amazing things.
Lauren Peot I never once thought Hendrix was a "better" player than Clapton. I think those that do are fairly immature musically. They were different players, Hendrix was certainly at the head of the curve creatively, but I never once listened to Jimi and thought "wow, he has so much more soul than Clapton." For me it was almost the other way around. I loved them both but to me Hendrix was more about the performance and the show while Clapton was more about the music. I felt Clapton's playing deeper than Hendrix. But that's not an objective statement, that's merely my personal opinion. I still think that anyone making the statement that one is objectively "better" than the other is moronic.
I read Clapton's autobiography and was struck by his devotion to the guitar. What impressed me most, however, was his continual attempts to become a better person than he was. At the end of the bio, it appeared that he had done just that.
@Joe Cool...Did you read Clapton's autobiography? You'll understand my comment when you do. My remark has little to do with his teenaged or early twenties years.
@Joe Cool...No prob. Looks like I may have misunderstood your comment. I read Pete Townshend's autobiography, too, and he seemed to be less apologetic about his life. Clapton addressed many of his faults and attempted to correct the worst of them as he got older. And that's what I liked about his life...apart from his talent and abilities, that is.
I'd say it's all in fun - listen to Beck's comment when announcing Clapton: "I might as well f*ck off home now" watch Clapton's smile when Beck quite deliberately plays a real blues cliche turnaround and catch Beck's acknowledgement at the end: "The one and only Eric Clapton". Having said that, listen to Beck's interview after the Ronnie Scotts gig: when the interviewer asks about "Eric", Jeff simply can't resist the opportunity of pretending to look blank and saying "Eric who?"
I agree with you. BECK in my opinion is a master player more than most of the Great players. He is so unique. NEVER plays the same thing twice - always inventing.
music was always a question of taste - isn't it great to have the possibility to watch them all, no matter if they alive or did pass already pass away: Listen to all those hidden talents, living in slums or elsewhere, never having a chance to come out, but they still exist, havin' fun with their own creativity - all kind of good music has got something really divine, unexplainable - I love it all, as long as it is sincere...
I also said you can't judge who's best and then say Clapton was the best.bad day for me! Whoever put the first piece of Graffiti up was probably either drunk or a stalker, but it popped up all over London after that. Clapton gets a hard time because the general level of playing technique has risen so much over the years that what he did on the Beano album and with Cream doesn't seem anything special now but critics don't place him in context, they just say Petrucci or Satch would blow him away.
Eric in an interview after the Arms concert cites Jeff as the finest guitarist he'd ever seen! Jimmy Page said when Jeff is on he can't be beat. Jeff says there is no best. how ever he looks up to John McLaughlin. John gave Jim Page guitar lessons when John was a session player and Page wasn't yet! McLaughlin says Jeff is the greatest Rock guitarist. what Jeff says, it's all about taste buds. what you like. oh yeah, there were fans of Jeff's that spray painted walls with beck is God as well.
@nerad1994: Indeed he is. Truth, The Jeff Beck Group, his appearances on Journey to Love, Blow by Blow, Wired, all pushed ahead of what would become trite Anglo-Blooze. His embrace of funk and World styles during the age of FM radio cultural apartheid (all white, all the time, even though the African-Americans invented rock) during the 1970s was more than rebellious: it was visionary. Jeff Beck is great, and then some.
Guitar playing isn't an olympic sport you can't point to any stats to say who was better than who, its about who you like to listen to and thats it. However, they didn't write 'Clapton is God' in the streets of London in 1966 for nothing. Before Hendrix and Page appeared EC was the best rock player in the world, or at least the best one that made records...He got everything out of his system with Derek and the Dominos and concentrated more on songs and singing after that.
it's weird how people got this image in thier minds that beck mainly works on cars. only picksthe guitar up once in a while people get real Beck practices ALL DAY,EVERY DAY and has every single day since the late fifties
To end all the great comments and opinions They are both great players and both admires the other Followed them since the yardbirds They lasted all the years making great records and many loyal fans as well Im just one loyal one🎸🎸🎸
They are all kings, I don't like comparing, If the music has truth in it, music from the heart no conditioning, no BS, then thats when you tell if it's good music of not. BB King is a sketchy player but he lets his soul sing and thats what is most important not comparing, compare styles and licks and how they are used yea but not "who's the best" that kind of attitude demeans the whole meaning of music
I meant emotionally, his singing and playing on Layla (and assorted love songs) was the rawest it ever got. He was pretty tormented at that time and you can hear it! Catharsis is the big word for something like that, its like he didn't want to go near that place he was in ever again.
I think you've completely missed the point - performances with the same band will tend to fit a pattern, which is why Beck is constantly changing bands and musicians, for example, the band he toured with in 2010 retained Jason Rebello from his previous band but featured Narada Michael Walden on drums and Rhonda Smith on bass. BTW, the last DVD Beck recorded was Rock and Roll Party honoring Les Paul in 2009 - Live at Ronnie Scott's with Tal on bass was released in 2008.
This is proably why Beck is and will always be a far superior guitarist to Clapton. He doesn't suffer from being massively overrated like Clapton. In fact he's sadly underrated.
+Alberto Jorge Soares Eric certainly lost loads in terms of creativity, but certainly not in his playing. His playing nowadays is still mesmerizing! :)
u re funny .. you reformulate in your own way what clapton said clearly we don t need your opinion which is wrong to understand what was clearly said whereas you put into competition cause u like jeff more more than clapton. clapton never turned pop for your information. everytime cream or yardbirds turned commerical he left
I am sad that he was not given antibiotics quickly to kill the infection., and because of that he passed. Modern medicines were not used and he probably thought he could just go on, and used up all his last energies on other people. I am very sad about that. Bless him and his family. Cynthia Allen McLaglen
@gregorypeckory that may be true or not. And your opinion of Clapton as a guitarist is if course your opinion. Jack Bruce has stated more than once that eric is a master guitarist. Do you think Ginger or Jack would have been involved in a band as important and influential as cream with an average guitarist? They formed cream because eric was the best around at the time.
I agree, there's a great Django documentary on You Tube that shows just how awesome he was. Different musical styles of course, Clapton had no interest in playing bebop sax solos on a guitar like Christian or Gypsy Swing but what he did have was that blistering tone that is really what made people think he was great.
@thegrinchl7 Clapton's influenced my approach to the guitar. At least, he was one of my primary influences, and though I listen more to others now, that's where the foundation was.
I reckon if anything he got everything out of his system after CREAM, not Derek and the Dominos. The amount of jamming he did with that band was ferocious, and it totally burned him out. He laid back big time after that.
Give you more colorful adjectives? Hmm, well, to start, Jeff is innovative. He pushed the boundaries of rock guitar and changed the way it was played. He's a very intelligent player. He's a very soulful player. He seems to hit a lick at the perfect moment. He's given the guitar a more vocal role in music. I can keep going. He's certainly not "consistent". He's changed his musical direction, style, and technique so much over the years. People lie in interviews all the time....
Oops, didn't realize how old the comment was.. sorry to time warp you. :) I agree to a point. His skill was used for playing licks that were as hot & fresh as they come, at a time when blues was really ripe for mainstream. But as far as just his technical skill and capability, in an age of guys like Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt, he was certainly above average - but not even close to unprecedented. He even had all of his fingers, unlike Reinhardt.
@AvirtualSwitzerland Yes, possibly, or he could just be devoted to not being devoted. He doesn't have any children. He married a second time a few years ago and has an interest in cars. Not just driving them but taking them apart, etc.
I'm not a big Buckingham fan (Beck, early Mick Taylor and Peter Green, Andrew Latimer are more my type), but would agree that he is sensational and also very unique. His role in F'wood Mac sees him rather subdued, but let loose on his own material he is really quite stunning in terms of sheer passion, ability and performance. Also, it's nice to see someone raise Buckingham's name; some 'guitar heroes' are merely legends, but Buckingham - like Beck - is vital and ever-evolving.
Look man, people like to here what they've grown fond of initially, he brings the goods and he kicks ass. Besides, I'm also an avid follower of Eric Clapton's performance and I can tell you this with confidence : Eric Clapton has become a finer guitar player with the years , adding more experience and playing abilities. He never became dull and repetetive. If you think otherwise, you're entitled to that opinion however misplaced it is. No offence of course. Peace
@ibuprofen303 to say eric is massivley overated is a stupid thing to say. Eric changed the way the guitar was played during the 60's he is hugely influential. To say beck is a better guitarist is of course your opinion. I on the other had think that eric can make the guitar sound like no other player out there.
I think you could argue that about a lot of guitarists, even today. There is always someone who can copy another. Eric Clapton was an original in his time, wailing improvised solos when it was new and while not unique definitely not usual.. A good guitarist isn't necessarily fast, able to produce complex runs or produce weird sounds. It's the mix of technical ability and creativity that really counts. Albert Lee vs Joe Satriani or Steve Vai? Totally different.
Definitely also 10s and 11s but appreciation of a style of music is very subjective. Music can be brilliantly played but not move you an inch and visa versa, when it's an impossible piece to play and stunningly played and makes you cry then you have an 11. Some classical pieces can do that for me and some are just unmoving. But like all subjective things like music, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But Lindsey can play in a contemporary style with real passion and total ability. Definitely
Maybe, but there is certainly mutual respect. I doubt Jeff would’ve had Eric sit in at Ronnie Scott’s, or Eric invite Jeff to every Crossroads Festival if bad blood persisted.
Profound words but his deeds back up the esteem he holds Jeff Beck in. Look out for any footage of them playing together. Clapton is a tad inconsistent and sometimes prone to pedestrian repetition; at his worst, he's one of the dullest guitar soloists ever. But when Beck's on the same stage, he digs in deep and comes up with some amazing stuff.
Including his beloved 'Blackie". I read also somewhere that Eric at times quietly sells off certain guitars anonymously, and then later lets the new owners know their provenance. Also I read of some blues shows he did through the US some years ago playing little clubs - 100 to 200 seaters - at a price of around US$30 a ticket - with lots of hoops to jump through to prevent scalping, If anyone listens to what he's saying here he's complimenting his friend - what could be wrong with that?
If you want to post a reply, at least check your facts first. Tal left the band in 2010 and was replaced by Rhonda Smith. In 2009, Jeff recorded "Rock 'N' Roll Party", which is a huge contrast to the 2008 "Live at Ronnie Scott's", and features completely different musicians and a totally different style of music; 2010's "Emotion and Devotion" has all new material, including a instrumental version of Nessun Dorma and this year he's touring with ex Beach Boy Brian Wilson - predictable he is not!
@lewars1912 .....Could it be that he is devoted to his wife? Maybe his children? Perhaps friends and relatives? Maybe he is devoted to jazz instead of blues? Lots of variables and possibilities.
@CubanCheGuevara when in that video did he say Beck was the greatest, he said most devoted and most unique, he consistently says that while Hendrix was the greatest, King is his favourite and biggest influence, but hey, why let a thing like the truth get in the way
being the best is purely subjective. I love Clapton just like I love Jeff Beck....It's about the music . everyone has an their own opinion. and you're opinion doesn't mean any more than someone elses….btw in my opinion Jimi Hendrix is the most overrated guitarist ever the legend far outweighs the talent .
i think jimi's praise has to do with the context of guitar playing at the time, plus his writing and showmanship but i completely agree different strokes for different folks.
Guys toi should listen some more Hendrix. Listen to the verry beginning of "Red House" in the album "Hendrix in the West" I think it is blues at its finest. Btw Jeff Beck is an alien it's unecessary to compare him with human guitarists.
Also, you are correct that modern Clapton doesn't resemble vintage Clapton much. But not because he explored bold new directions on guitar, and eventually arrived at a style nobody can duplicate. The easy listening mush-rock of modern Clapton is far easier to cop than the old, bold blues-rock Clapton of the past. My point was that of course he can be copied; anyone can. What he's done lately however, doesn't give anyone much reason to.
@onnie74: "Your"? Onnie, you do mean "You're," the contraction of "you+are." For your edification during the new year, I advise you thus: 1. See a psychiatrist. 2) Take the Lithium he or she will prescribe for you. 3) Learn to write standard English. 4) Decide what exactly it is that you want to state. 5) Post it only if you're diligently taking your Lithium, advancing satisfactorily in your English lessons, and have the clarity of thought to add something comprehensible to this thread.
i think there is much more about it ,maybe this bending ´´thing´´ is only somewhat like a baby of Clapton an hobby or so.but listen to the cream stuff there is definitely something special in it
@ovnb When was this interview done?. By the look of Clapton I would say in the 80s. I don't give you more clues. But when you only have the tiniest idea about musical history then you will know what I mean and you will understand the EC is point on in this interview. You say I'm cryptic- yes I am. But the real musical experts shall know what I mean.
Clapton is so wealthy, and people keep putting him on the spot like: say something about Jeff Beck, or say something about Jimmy Page." He obliges and is very polite, but the whole time, he's thinking: "I shouldn't have to answer this! I'm Eric Fucking Clapton!"
Having followed his career of since his time in the Yardbirds, it's perfectly obvious to me that after Cream, Clapton quickly found his comfort zone and that, with some noticeable exceptions, like the Cream reunion , he's been perfectly content to stay in it and repetition certainly is NOT good if it comprises rehashing the same old licks! If you think that's "Clapton bashing", I'll remind you that Eric's on record as saying that he doesn't think he's playing as well as he was in the 90s.
