I've always thought Clapton had a really distinctive and awesome vibrato and now I better understand why. His guitar really is the third voice here. Thanks for pointing out his technique, Fil!
Hi fil, charlena here from caldwell Idaho in the USA. I liked your show tonight. You really explain everything so that even the.. people who don't play the guitar can understand what you are talking about. ❤🎉
Thank you for a riveting second half, Fil. As a singer, I am really beginning to understand the concept of melodic guitar playing & the importance of vibrato through watching your videos. When you were speaking about the space to breathe, it reminded me of your recent discussion with Phil Palmer & the music is the space between the notes. (DeBussy quote).🤓
Great analysis FIL! The way Eric, plays the guitar on this is as though he is singing along through the guitar. He sings with them and he doesn’t try to outshine Luciano or the choir. He works in unison with them making them sound better through his guitar. I researched this song, and it is truly a prayer that he wrote after the loss of one of his bandmates and when he was at the depths of his alcohol addiction. He wrote this as a prayer and if you read the lyrics, you can see that. He plays it with the respect that it deserves and you can hear that respect through his guitar and through his vocals. Thank you so much for reviewing this video.
What a performance! Eric's solo gave me chills as well as Pavoratti's amazing voice. It's amazing how two artists from different genres, can play and sing so beautifully together like Freddie Mercury and Monsterrat Caballes, and Bing Crosby and David Bowie as well as others. Thank you Fil for another fun and amazing analysis, I enjoyed your guitar demonstration too!
Original analysis of what these 2 artists of very different genre had in common: the controlled, even vibrato of both vocalist - Pavarotti and guitarist -- Clapton. Liked the guitar demo.
Part two! ☺️ I love the smile on Pavarotti's face... seeing him enjoying himself so much, in turn, makes me feel good! Again, what a collaboration this was. Thanks Fil!🌷
You can tell when someone is a true musician because they appreciate other true musicians no matter the genre and no matter what instrument (including the voice) they play.
I absolutely love Eric's solo! I've listened to it too many times to count. It may not be the most technically difficult but it is simply perfect! Which is the point! As you said, less is more. It takes the listener on an emotional, spiritual journey that is transcendent, all the while fitting the song perfectly. The whole performance of these two legends is incomparable! Thank you Fil for once again providing thoughtful, insightful and entertaining analysis.
What a unique collaboration! Two top artists from different genres combining their talents so beautifully! And your analysis is so detailed, helping us appreciate the finer points of their performance. Well done, Fil!
This discussion at the beginning is interesting. I have never had a good enough ear to pick up on the difference between string bending vibrato and even vibrato. Perhaps, my ear naturally tunes out to the former, though, it is nothing I have really thought about. Very interesting analysis on this.
Nothing is more central to rock mythology than the cult of the lead guitarist. And no one did more to create that cult than Eric Clapton. (2011, The Guardian)
Nice Fil. One of my guitar instructors I think called it the ‘Clapton Flurry’. Majority of the time he’s hanging on a few notes making them speak then all of a sudden he bursts out with excitement. Cheers!
Great analysis of Clapton’s floating vibrato and his ‘less is more’ approach, Fil :) I’d just add that, imho, his guitar tone was absolutely perfect for the performance - the creamy sustain and piercing highs really allowing the notes to sing out …
Thanks for showing this. As a lover of many types of music, I love both Pavoratti and Clapton. I did see Clapton perform live with Cream many years ago. He’s always been one of my favorite guitarists.
Clapton and Pavarotti again! This is wonderful This song always lifts my heart. Eric Clapton is my favorite guitarist and your explanation of his vibrato techniques makes me appreciate his playing even.more.
Maybe look at the version from the 80s, the tube, old programme with Jools Holland and Paula Yates. Live at the NEC Birmingham. Along with the same concerts version of white room.
Hi Fil. I have a suggestion. Stevie Ray Vaughan singing Life Without You at the Capital Theater in Passaic NJ. It's his best vocal to me and others I've seen. You might enjoy doung it. Thanks so much
Had to come throw a "like" on this one, even though I'll have to watch it later. I've actually see part of this video before- looking forward to you analyzing it for us all.
I have a hard time finding the words to describe the journey your analysis of this video has taken me. It is all positive and amazing, leaving me awestruck by all that is going on in this song. I am so glad you took your time on this and made a part 2. Thank you for your time and effort to share your valuable input and opinions, SPOT ON. P.S. Pavarotti and Clapton, I would have never thought of that combination ever. (paul mackenzie)
I have said it before, his vibrato comes from his elbow, very disctint. Like a some gypsy jazz players. I used to think Josco Stephano's vibrato was the same but his vibrato seems to be from the fingers.
Let us not overlook the wonderful, wonderful choir and its director. They sing like angels. Everyone on the stage is united in making this an extraordinarily beautiful, spiritual, performance.
Hi fil, charlena here from caldwell Idaho in the USA. I liked your show tonight. You really explain everything so that even the.. people who don't play the guitar can understand what you are talking about.
Nice analysis Fil. Strange you should mention not playing. I think I once saw an interview with Dave Gilmour where he was asked when he thought he became a good guitar player. His answer was when he realized the importance of silence. He didn't have to always be playing something. This is one of my favorite EC solos.
The more I listen to it, the more this performance mesmerises me. I appreciate the way that you analyzed Clapton's "less is more" technique. I'm not a fan of guitarists who feel the need to show off and "go off on one", and assault my ears with unnecessary notes. I've seen some guitar players really going for it, and all I can think of is "Spinal Tap". 😂
Excellent demonstration of what Eric Clapton is playing, I have never heard Pavarotti voice falter in any live performance that I have seen, I am sure it had happened, but it would be rare.🎸🎤🎶
When I started to learn guitar in 1990 I studied Eric's playing in videos. Now that vibrato style is second nature to me, no connection with the back of the neck. As it's how I started I didn't know any different. It's literally just the finger tip on the fretboard. *edit - check out the Birmingham 1986 version too. The one note start to the solo.
True. Long guitar solos are boring unless there's change ups. I do like Eric's voice better overall. Thanks for another good analysis Fil & Happy Sumner Solstice 🎸🎼😊🌞✨️🐸🌷
Did Pavarotti ever do a similar "duet" with Jeff Beck? This performance leaves me with the distinct impression that it is easier for the vocal to take the lead that the guitar can then dance on top of rather than the other way 'round.
This performance is so breathtaking it's hard to describe. From the sublime Pavarotti to Eric Clapton's phenomenal guitar solo. it's amazing how effortlessly and beautifully he's able to play. This is one of the best technical analyses I've seen. Interesting points about controlling vibrato and the importance of silence. Thank you Fil for sharing this with us.
A great pairing, two of my favourite performers together (I'm a Blues/Rock and Opera nut). The explanation of Eric's playing and timely sparseness of notes is echoed by Jimmy Page, when asked what he thought of a Joe Bonamassa cover of Dazed and Confused (actually a medley of tracks from the late 60s and early 70s rock/blues) his reply was "Too many notes!", that always makes me chuckle.
Eric has been my favorite guitarist since 1967 when I at 13, I saw CREAM "LIVE" in NYC. You try to explain his playing as well or better than most people. You fail to mention that the biggest thing about his playing is the sound he gets from his fingers. You can play the notes, but his fingers produce a sound like no other. I like your playing and ability to figure out riffs very much. I never use the word "best" with musicians, but I'll say that as a fairly good guitarist myself, that Eric Clapton is easily my favorite guitar player. Thanks for putting up this video.
Hi Fil This was a very interesting performance. The blending of essentially three styles of music, rock, classical and gospel is fabulous. I love how you demonstrated Eric’s technique for us. It is very helpful to understand what he is doing and how he gets his unique signature sound. This was a great analysis that I really enjoyed. This song like Eric’s playing and Pavarotti’s voice is nothing short of heavenly. And let’s not forget your own amazing guitar playing…thank you for a great video. You Are The Best… love ya’… Debbie☮️
I loved the duets Pavarotti had with other musicians. But, Eric is my musical obsession. My nerves would have been wrecked just standing next to Pavarotti
