Eric Clapton News
“Sweet Home Chicago” To Be EC’s Next Single
"Sweet Home Chicago" will be released as a single to US radio stations on 30 November 2004. The track will...
Cream Reunion Rumours
The rumoured news of a possible Cream reunion by Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce initially appeared on 9 November 2004 in London's Daily Mail Newspaper. Billboard, a music publication in the US carried the story later that day and sent it out via its wire service partner, Reuters. Billboard qualified their story with "a spokesperson for Eric Clapton had no comment." In the hours following these initial reports, numerous other news outlets around the world have picked up on the rumor of Cream playing dates at the Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
“Live Aid: The Greatest Show On Earth” Released On DVD
Warner Vision International has released "Live Aid: The Greatest Show On Earth," on DVD worldwide. The 4 DVD set features performances, a "prequel" and bonus extras. "Live Aid" was uniquely staged simultaneously on two continents on Saturday 13 July 1985 at London's Wembley and Philadelphia's JFK Stadiums. The unforgettable global event was watched on television by over 1.5 billion people around the world. It led to pledged donations and royalties of over $140 million towards the devastating famine in Africa.
Crossroads Guitar Festival DVD and Broadcast Update
The highly anticipated double DVD from Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival has been delayed until mid-December 2004 in the UK. It was released in the US on 9 November as previously announced. The US tracklist is revised from what was reported. The duet between Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton has been deleted , Steve Vai's contribution has changed and material from Carlos Santana and John Mayer have been reduced from two tracks to one each. However, an additional Eric Clapton track has been added to the second disc ("If I Had Possession of Judgment Day").
Hubert Sumlin’s “About Them Shows” Features Guest Appearance By Eric Clapton
Blues guitar legend Hubert Sumlin's new CD, "About Them Shoes", will be released by Tone-Cool / Artemis Records on 25 January 2005 in the United States. Produced by Rob Fraboni, Sumlin is joined by guests Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, David Johansen and Levon Helm. Specific track details for the entire CD are not yet known. Clapton joins Sumlin for Willie Dixon's "I'm Ready" and Muddy Waters' "Long Distance Call."
Three Eric Clapton Back Catalogue Gems Due In November On SACD
On 9 November 2004 in the United States and 22 November in the UK, three back catalogue gems will be released as Hybrid / Super Audio CDs (SACD). The titles receiving SACD treatment are Derek & The Dominos "Layla" and Clapton's solo efforts "461 Ocean Boulevard" and "Slowhand". Hybrid SACD discs can be played on all CD players but to enjoy the full audio impact of these discs, a SACD playback system is needed.
Eric Clapton Made CBE At Buckingham Palace
On Wednesday, 3 November 2004 in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Eric Clapton was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE. The honour was conferred by the Princess Royal (Princess Anne). He described it as "the icing on the cake" of his career. The award was announced in the 2004 New Year’s Honours List by Queen Elizabeth II on 31 December 2003. In 1994 the Queen granted him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for “contribution to British Life.â€
Wyclef Jean’s All Star Jam At Carnegie Hall DVD Out 7 December
Eagle Rock Entertainment releases ex-Fugee Wyclef Jean's "All Star Jam at Carnegie Hall" on December 7 2004. The 140-minute DVD captures the first annual show at the legendary New York City venue to benefit the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which funds musical education for inner-city youth.
Eric Clapton’s “Sessions for Robert J” Due 7 December
On 7 December 2004, Warner Brothers will release a combined CD / DVD package entitled "Sessions For Robert J." This set is an audio / video companion to Eric Clapton's "Me and Mr. Johnson" CD released earlier this year.
Clapton Donates Song To “For The Lady” Benefit CD
"For the Lady," a benefit album for imprisoned Burmese peace activist Aung San Suu Kyi is due out 26 October on Rhino Records. Eric Clapton has donated his well-known song, "Wonderful Tonight," to the cause. Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest by the Burmese government for 14 years. She won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Mun Awng, another political prisoner, wrote the closing track, "Tempest of Blood." The double-disc set also features songs from U2, Paul McCartney, Sting, Coldplay, Avril Lavigne, Ani DiFranco, Bright Eyes, Peter Gabriel, Travis, Guster and Matchbox Twenty.