Eric Clapton - Sessions For Robert J.

I picked this up this morning its good stuff

dvd/cd combo

i was nonplussed by the cd that came out a year or so ago. me and mr johnson i think?

i felt the arrangments were way too cluttered with the whole band playing

Me and Mr. Johnson came out on March 31 earlier this year.

Sessions for Robert J rocks! I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. I'm listening to the cd right now.

I listened to that release last year and it made me want to vomit. It was pathetic that it had the full band on it and sounded so cheesy. Clapton was much better at covering delta blues songs when Cream did "I'm So Glad."

this is much better than - me and mr johnson

more like it should have been the first time

fr shizzle

I agree with this. But I still really enjoy Me and Mr. Johnson a whole lot. People can't expect him to cover the songs and try to be just like RJ. I know some want that, and it's insane.

no one can sound just like robert johnson. like i said, though, the arrangements on that album were very cluttered, IMO, and that detracts big time from how wonderful those songs are.

Well, everyone can't be satisfied. But if you hear the new cd, or the other live arrangements from concerts you'll probably enjoy them more. Hearing the songs live was amazing for me.

so what's the difference between this one and the earlier one?

the earlier one was a "finished" studio product and the new one is more of a best of studio jam session

its more "raw"

As Tmas said, plus you get a DVD. A DVD I tell you!

Some people at a Springsteen board were wondering where my review was, so I thought I would post it here as well.


A dvd/cd release that is raw and intimate -- just the way it should be. The cd only has 11 tracks, which I don’t understand, but it doesn’t mean it’s not any good. The real gem is the dvd. There are four different sessions with two bonus songs, Little Queen of Spades and Travelin' Riverside Blues, and behind the scenes footage. The two bonus songs are in Session II for anyone who decides to get this, or does have it and can’t find them.

Session I shows Eric and band playing in England and gearing up for the tour, and even though I love MAMJ everything is better here. Testament to that would be Nathan East saying that some of the material sounds better than the album. He's not lying. Session II shows the band later in the year for a nice blues session, and quite possibly my favorite section. I love Stop Breakin' Down Blues, and want to see it live so much. This might be the closest I will get. It's a smokin' performance as well, but I think this is one Eric should be standing for. He can't sit still anyway. Session III is Eric and Doyle performing in a Dallas hotel where Robert Johnson recorded his songs, or some of his songs. It’s a great session, and it’s awesome to see Eric and Doyle interacting. Doyle has some very nice slide playing, and Eric sings with sincere passion as always while playing beautiful acoustic guitar (and yes I'm jealous that I'm so, so, so far from playing that well and always will be I'm sure ). Anyway, Terraplane Blues is killer! I went on a real kick of listening to this song a lot for a week or two afterwards. Ooh, and From Four Until Late. Nice performance there as well. Session IV is Eric alone after the U.S. tour in a hotel room. Hmm, now that I think about it this may be my favorite section. Ramblin’ On My Mind, Stones In My Passway, and Love In Vain. One sweet musical session that clearly showcases his sincerity, acoustic guitar talent, and passionate singing.

The behind the scenes footage is woven throughout if you watch the dvd from beginning to end. It’s great to get a glimpse behind the scenes, to see Eric discuss the blues, his career, and Robert Johnson. Also, if you go to the dvd setup you get to see one of Eric’s cars, and the inscription he has on it. Then he drives away, but not speeding at 135+ mph.

I think if you like something a little raw, live, intimate, and you want to see Eric talking more and in a different setting this is a gem to have. I love it. I guess you all wouldn’t expect less, but I'm admitting it's got what Me and Mr. Johnson didn't have for those that think MAMJ lacked fire. So the only complaint I have is that the cd should have more songs on it. I think it only clocks in around 40 minutes.


Edit: I noticed I made it seem like all the behind the scenes footage was throughout the dvd, but it's not. The "behind the scenes" footage I was talking about would be Eric talking or seeing the band interact. The behind the scenes footage available when you click on that on the menu is different.