Clapton is right when he says that he can't play it completely right. Robert Johnson's finger style was just more technical. RJ didn't always just hit open strings for the bass lines, he does a little more complex bass patterns.
@dano555666 Firstly you're an idiot. Secondly maybe if you knew about music and weren't just spouting some generic ass bands you'd have heard of some good american bands by now. Not to say the bands you brought up are bad, you're opinion is just very narrow minded.
@Norwegianthrower im not saying im a better guitarist than clapton, ofcourse not, im just saying i practiced this style of music ALOT, i got the point of it and now i play this song with paying less effort than clapton. try watching the video of this song on my page.
@Madakhaled It's not a question of physical effort but of emotional maturity that is conveyed in the playing. Not a question of years either. Emotional maturity comes through life's experiences and how one approaches / deals with them.
@Lindsay189037 well actually its not all about physical effort nor years, but they are something. it is a question of everything together, what you learn, listen to, along with life experience of course. all of these things are mixed to produce who we are and what we do, and this mixing process counts in too as a factor.
There is no doubt that EC is a master guitar player, but you only need to look at Leo Kottke's playing to know that Robert Johnson's ability was not impossible. I can pick with 2 fingers and accompany myself with my other fingers, 6 or 12 strings, in the background. Its not so easy, and Leo has had many surgeries, and will never play the same again.
Respect needs to go where it is due, Mr Johnson is is grandfather of the blues.
When we wake up to the truth of life, inspired music like this will emerge and flourish again. Search "Truth Contest" in Google and click the 1st result, then open The Present and read what it says to learn the truth.
Yeah the blues robert johnson was way ahead of his time try and copy any good player you really cant its a spirt thing and the really good ones are mostly untrained and cant read music
I agree...if EC says it's hard...it must really be hard. He does make it look really easy however. But that comes from a lifetime of playing his instrument. For all the Clapton naysayers...I say this is an impressive interview and shows a side of Eric that I've always seen and appreciated. He's a really cool guy in my opinion, and quite humble.
I'm kinda glad that we're argueing about real music here ( blues..)... I mean it's not some fight about how gay justin bieber is, or some hip hop stuff. It proves that true music is not dead yet- blues, jazz, rock n' roll, swing,.. I mean wtf Am I talking about, afkors it's not dead it will never be..! :D
Remember that Eric has never needed to earn his bread as a solo acoustic player, much unlike Robert Johnson.
Conversely, Robert would probably have to go through an uncomfortable birthing process to be able to blow over a modern, electric blues band where the accompaniment is already taken care of.
At any rate, all praise to both of these gifted musicians. Very inspiring stuff.
I love Eric's modesty. Also, all this selling the soul to the devil stuff is nonsense. Utter nonsense. There was a Tommy Johnson, also a blues player, no relation that used to give out that line to get girls, 'cause women like bad boys. Tommy was featured in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou film. Tommy was a real person and that was not meant to be Robert in disguise. Somehow Tommy and Robert got merged and the devil talk juiced up the legend. RJ had Marfan's Syndrome and had extra long fingers.
Wow... this truly does show how he had to sell his soul to the devil for the kind of guitar playing skills he has. But it seems to me that if robert johnson was alive today, he would just tell clapton to improvise it and feel the blues of the tune. If there ever was a song that you can't imagine NOT existing, it's this one
I'd love to bring Robert Johnson back to Earth for one day, and show him how much he has changed music forever. And during that time, I'd like to learn guitar with him. His life might have been short, but he's given nearly 80 years of musicians and fans endless joy.
Wow, Eric Clapton really struggled to match the original recording, and didn't. Now I fully understand why people said Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil to play guitar.
Estimated friend, if you want to listen again this song and an endless number of successes of the love I suggest you to visit Radio MUSICA PARA MIMOS - looks for his direction URL in Google ( search Musica para Mimos in Google)-. best romantic music of all the times in Internet, is great, is very good ...!!!
As for the location, in the full length DVD they talk about Clapton setting up the a portion of his "Sessions for Robert J" in the same building in Dallas where Robert Johnson recorded in 1937. The address is 508 Park Avenue in Dallas Texas, which I believe today is an office or warehouse building.
Estimated friend, if you want to listen again this song and an endless number of successes of the love I suggest you to visit Radio MUSICA PARA MIMOS - looks for his direction URL in Google ( search Musica para Mimos in Google)-. best romantic music of all the times in Internet, is great, is very good ...!!!
@TheExplodingPumpkin Possibly one of them but I think its a hotel suite, based on the rest of the look of this section of the DVD. They may have rented it out just to record this and the CD. He's Clapton, he can do crazy stuff like that.
The idea that Robert Johnson was fortunate enough to get a full tune up lead me to wonder what would happen if by yourself you raised to full consciousness your own most superlative intention in terms of proving for the second time your own ability to match harmonically to an objective involving legendary virtuosity. I'm not trying to be flippant but it seems to me that setting a completey absolute ultimate objective to achieve ones own mind would make realisations that are variously progressive
it is just talking about a man: Robert J. Clapton is good, he got the blues... that shows to those who don't know Robert Johnson his level in 1930's. I am a fan of them
Great to know that there's another guitar player in this world who knows his roots and greatly appreciates it =] More than 90% of the musicians in my school don't even appreciate artists such as Johnson or even later greats such as Hendrix and Clapton. They tell me they can't stand the style and the only thing they can play is mainstream hip-hop transcribed onto the guitar. Tells me I was born in the wrong generation.
the only difference between Clapton and Johnson is that Clapton is wearing some trainers, isn't he. On the other hand, Johnson wrote the songs, at least with some help of others. Other than that, they are really quite similar. I'd like to see Johnson play Layla on a Strat with two blokes backing him up. For that I would play good money.
To anyone posting the same old crap about Clapton not being able to play like Johnson or not being bluesy enough, or not being black enough or not growing up in a dusty old corn field without home-made shoes in Lousiana bla bla bla, I can only say one thing:
Try and do it better and upload your video so we can all slag you off.
@SuperSeb81 I will upload a video of an original song, that i wrote, i will repeat, I will upload a video of an original song, that i wrote, with equipment i worked for to buy to use on it. SHut the fuck up! YOu dont even realize that eric clapton wouldnt even sign an autograph for you if you asked. Prick!
@SuperSeb81 you are so right not many could or can do what Eric's done,he's still here going strong,people forget he's getting older and evolving all the time,in my humble opinion,i think he is getting better with age,lets see how many of todays musicans will stand the test of time
@jpvnk1968 What makes Johnson rather difficult (and he's not the hardest by far - try Lonnie Johnson!) is that there's really no structure - or very loose structure. These guys didn't learn music in schools or books they just picked up what they could from other players and moved on. That's why the music has so much soul - it's all feeling (coupled with immense skill!).
I am diehard realist, but when i think - Johnson had average guitar skills at age 20-something, and then, after 2 years he became virtuoso in composing, skill, felling, singing, everything. HE LEARNED IT IN 2 YEARS. And Clapton - god with 50 year old experience in guitar says he can't play Johnson's songs properly. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. Deal at the crossroads starts to make sense.
@wojtekmetal Nah its in the ethnicity, Black People have always been very musical, A english man cant emulate a southern black man who was raised on a pea farm who sang in the fields for 15 years. At 20 clapton was shooting heroin and buying cars and houses in Surrey and Miami, while Robert was drinking and dying. I dont know all the facts but it makes sense to me why clapton will never ever sound anything like RJ!
@Bigrusssthefuss actually it has nothing to do with "ethnicity". Pierre Bensusan is an Algerian-Jew who can play celtic music better than almost anybody in the world. Clapton (to my discerning ears) does quite good here capturing the feel and emotion of the original. I think he's quite respectful in saying how difficult he finds RJ's playing to be. Of course RJ didn't think in bars or structure - he just played the blues. Music has nothing to do with race or color. Grow up already.
@bluesgurugod Sorry,but i feel what i said was more factual then your statement. I hope you are not offended by this. Clapton did show respect by saying that, it just goes to show that even he will never master that. It wasnt about skills, it was about soul for robert, he really knew pain, eric didnt learn about pain till he was alot older, and even then he had sooo much money there were alot different therapies for him, robert on the other hand, only knew how to cope by strumming a 6 string
@Bigrusssthefuss It's not Clapton's job to "master" RJ any more than it would be RJ's job to master Clapton. Of course Clapton wouldn't know the suffering of a black man in the 1930s south US... but that's not what this is about. Clapton's paying homage to one of the greats and is doing a respectful job at it. Clapton will never be RJ and RJ will never be Blind Arthur and Blind Arthur will never be Lonnie Johnson and Lonnie Johnson will never be Django Reinhardt etc...
@bluesgurugod you are right about apples and oranges, but rj would never try to play claptons music, because claptons music is roberts music. Clapton will never truly know this kind of music, its primal, its cultural. Eric Clapton should stick to what he knows, banging italian models and getting free gear. His licks would never hold up today if they were under a pseydonym, he tried that and it failed miserably! I hate eric Clapton I hate hate hate hate eric mother fuckin clapton!
@index1001 its funny, my last comment to BLuesgurugod, about clapton holding up today is so true, no one even says shit about that. He tried it. He got a bunch of no name musicians, he produced and directed the whole thing under a fake name. Not one person gave it the time or day. When the press found out, the gig was up and he ended up just recording the album Reptile. which was all the same songs. My point is, Hes only good because of what he once did, when he was hungry and loved it.
@Bigrusssthefuss Sorry mate but that is clearly not the case, since when has popularity equalled good. No matter who the artist is if they record and release under a different name then it will take time for it to become known,This is no reflection on the standard of the work at all. Oh and where is the video you said you would post putting EC to shame? Is it coming? No, didn't think so.
@index1001 Well, he did wait, he toured a bunch of smaller venues, and no one reacted, but once the press got ahold of it, it blew up. So people bought it just because eric did it.
Unfortunately,I don't have the means to put a video up. God I want to so bad. I want it to sound good and I want it to be done proper. Nothing extreme, but not grainy and weak so it doesnt influence you. The problem is that i dont think you will be impartial because of this debate we are having. it might be a waste
@Bigrusssthefuss - No, if you are good i will happily say so. I love finding great music especially new blues players. Your ability to play and your opinions on EC are completely separate.
@bluesgurugod i think your wrong about Clapton not suffering,,his son fell out of a window and died how much suffering do you need,blues is about a goodman feeling bad its not about who is the best guitarist or singer its about how you feel,if other people can feel what your playing then your half way there,as you say Clapton does a half decent job,at the end of the day there is only one Robert Johnson,as there is only one Eric Clapton
@retardedjoe12 I didn't say that Clapton hasn't suffered. Years of drug abuse/depression, loss of his son... obviously he's suffered. I think, however the type of suffering can't really compare to what Robert Johnson endured being a black man living in a racist south and struggling to survive. There's hard.. and there's really hard. We all suffer and endure in our lives - that's precisely why the blues is so universal. Clapton is a great guitarist and so was Johnson. Let's celebrate both!
@Bigrusssthefuss it works both ways,could Robert Johnson have played as Eric does today blistering guitars solo's i dont think so, Blues is not about being black its about feeling pain you dont have to be black to feel pain,if it had not been for the likes of clapton and other white guitar players no one would have heard of any of these great blues men,Blues boom in the 60's they had to come to the uk as they were not wanted in US
@Bigrusssthefuss "It's in the ethnicity, Black people have always been very musical". Mozart, Beethoven, Schoenburg, Steve Reich. All white and talented musicians. Are you black? If so, can you play better than Eric Clapton? No. I'd assume you can't, white or black. Stop stereotyping races.
@wojtekmetal Clapton is an electric guitar specialist. He is not well-known for fingerstyle (although he's no slouch either). I think RJ learned guitar so quickly because he needed to be good enough to earn a living. There are several great guitarists from that era - check out my page for examples of other greats including - Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Blake, Scrapper Blackwell and many more.
RJ is very well known now mostly because of Clapton + greatness
@wojtekmetal probably was possessed with musical desire. Many great musicians come from extreme stress and the desire to be great above anything. Deal at the crossroads is the same thing as saying "oh he was just so talented". There are logical explanations and 2 years can be a world of difference if approached with the right zeal.
@steinsteel good point. Without Clapton probably nobody would have every heard RJ among others. Yeah he's white and rich but he still works hard to be the best he can be. At the end of the day it's sitting on the porch playing your soul out that all great players want.
who has more soul than robert johnson? Im serious, send me a name of a blues guitarist with more soul than robert, and dont say eric, or kieth, or jimmy.
@116connor "more soul"? That's gonna be very subjective. You could start with Blind Willie Johnson and Blind Boy Fuller and even Son House. It's apples and oranges - RJ was just one of many great players from that era. He's not the be all and end all of acoustic blues. Do yourself a favor and listen to some others...
clapton is obviously better, but then again there is a 30 year gap so techniques changed, robert was pretty good for a black guy in the 1800's with out taking any lessons and no knowledge of music theory
Robert recorded in the 1930's.........Robert was good for any guy, not just a "black" guy, dumb comment.........
Debatable who was a better player, but this is for certain.....Robert was one of the pioneers of a new genre, .......Clapton plays the genre that Robert helped create over 70 years ago....
yeah.. its not always a thing that you can play... its a feeling that's flowing inside. And probably Clapton and Johnson has a big difference. Maybe for Eric, it's just a matter of performing it but for Robert it's down deep in his soul and how he put his feelings into his art... A talent extraordinary...
@yeyeresma I beg to differ with you. Clapton is indeed a true blues guitarist. Playing someone elses blues song and getting the exact feeling is impossible. That's not to take away from ether as far as their talent goes. They are both outstanding blues artists with very deep blues souls.
robert johnson was great, so is clapton. while clapton is humble and modest, could robert johnson attempt the same licks and notes in a song of claptons? something to think about...
@ColtonSaylor713 Well said! Clapton is one of the best "technical" guitar players of all time. I think his unique changes to classical, jazz, blues and rock would be extremely difficult for Johnson to play. It is just different times and they both learned to play different. But they are both unbelievable guitar players.
it's amazing to come across this Clapton piece. I listen to his greatest album on my ipod all the time, and i'm glad to see him play some Robert Johnson
Sir Robert Johnson was the Mozart or the Bach of the Blues. The rest followed him -- Hendrix, Richards, Clapton, etc..... Eric does a great job explaining the sublime to subtle genius of Sir Robert Johnson. Absolutely wonderful . Thx U, ERIC !!
@hanghang71 i dont know if henrix played exactly like this but he did put alot of robert johnson in his music like chords and liks and stuf, like the beginning of red house, that chord is a chord of robert johnson
Sir Robert Johnson is in the same league as Hendrix, Van Halen, Clapton, Albert King, SRV, etc..... His music is played yesterday, today and forevermore...... A true legacy for the ages that echos an eternity
just try it you gonna understand it's pratically impossible to completely copy robert johnson + keep in mind that it was in 1930 approx . my guitar should be at least 10 time better that robert johnson had
Don't be mistaken. It was mid-30's when Johnson recorded, and his guitar, as all vintage guitars from that time, was surely MUCH more better than any modern guitar.
Okay guys chill out and enjoy the music whatever turns you on. I remember an interview with Albert King, he said " You don't play the blues,the blues play you! My favorite work of Clapton's is on John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers album. Hideaway, Have you heard and Steppin' out. I once stood next to him in the Magic Village bar, Manchester in about 1966. Words would not come out of my mouth, he did open doors for white blues guitarists. There is a lot of good music and You Tube is wonderful!
exactly, to do what eric is saying, to do the vocals and the guitar in a total different tempo is really difficult to pull off, it takes pure extreme concentration.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Life's work? Clapton is exaggerating. Any musician worth his salts can figure this out in a day. We're talking three chords not three movements of a symphony.
Okay so damn near every great musician ever agree's that Roberts Johnson's style is all but impossible to replicate, but they are all wrong and you're right.
How about Eric Clapton? If Clapton's word isn't good enough for you I really don't know what I'm going to say. I've seen interviews with Jimmy Page, BB king, and Steve Ray Vaughn they all said RJ was the greatest guitar player ever and all indicated his music was incredibly difficult to reproduce.
A lot of time there is a lot of hype to music -- "Clapton is God" is an example. Johnson and Clapton are talented but when I hear Clapton comparing himself to Mozart (I remember reading he said this), I have to laugh. I go to blues jams and see guys play just like Clapton or better. And they are nobodies. The music Clapton plays isn't all that complicated, but for some he is the ground they walk on. I just think he likes to exaggerate.
You clearly have no clue what you're talking about. I am not going to try any further to explain why you're wrong cause I have no faith in you're ability to grasp what everyone on here is telling you.
ok its not that the music may be complicated its who is the one that sold the song to the publics interest and how popular are they becuase of it is what makes them great
I don't deny Clapton's popularity. Clapton is popular for hit songs songs like Layla and he is popular amongst guitar players for songs like Crossroads. I just don't buy everything he says.
i enjoy the music in 1984 cocert behind the song it was if he had re invented/wroteevery old song he performed . i noted you could here NO-ONE(the crowd) as he played
Who do you think you are to feel you have any right to destroy our dreams ?
If Clapton didn(t exist I would never have discover R johnson . If Mozart never exist perhaps R johnson wouldn't .... this is not a competition Everyone in this world is here to help to build the world with his own little action , and Clapton very well did his own part
I'm telling the truth, the way I see it. I agree this is not about competition, and if it was I don't even know what is being competed for -- mind you, from what I read Clapton was quite competitive with Hendrix and Van Halen. He became friends with Jimi and slagged Eddie (who admired him growing up). But that is just human nature -- can't love everybody. I don't know what I said to destroy your dreams but it was unintentional. Dream on.
WTF!!?? If Mozart never existed perhaos R J wouldn't?! My god, the things one has to read...
Ignorance in this topic, Robert Johnson and the blues, is enormous. Just have to listen anyone say RJ was the best blues guitarist ever to say his a complete ignorant.
Don't repeat what MTV or Eric Clapton say, go further in the roots, investige for God's sake!!!
wow
carbonquiznoz1 16 hours ago
Clapton is right when he says that he can't play it completely right. Robert Johnson's finger style was just more technical. RJ didn't always just hit open strings for the bass lines, he does a little more complex bass patterns.
ryanhashton 3 weeks ago
Sessions for Robert J is by far and away my favorite album by Clapton.
beachallstar 1 month ago
Why is it that every time I think of an amazing musician or band, they're british?
Like, really. Who is American and truly awesome? Even stuff post 70's, Joy Division, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Clash....it goes on and on.
Britain just seems to deliver.
dano555666 2 months ago
@dano555666 Ever hear of Robert Johnson? You should look him up. He's an American.
I wonder if Eric Clapton has ever heard of ROBERT FUCKING JOHNSON THE AMERICAN.
1UTUBEUSERNAME 2 months ago
@dano555666 Firstly you're an idiot. Secondly maybe if you knew about music and weren't just spouting some generic ass bands you'd have heard of some good american bands by now. Not to say the bands you brought up are bad, you're opinion is just very narrow minded.
ponyman13 1 month ago
2:21 Press Many timse...He does a RAP!!
gitarbest 2 months ago
I think robert johnson would be stunned and knocked over by all this attention.
zyxquark 3 months ago
accidently i play "this song" better than Clapton does. and a couple of more songs for Robert Johnson too.
and trust me, -it is a life's work-
Madakhaled 5 months ago
@Madakhaled dude you got to be trippin!
Norwegianthrower 3 months ago
@Norwegianthrower im not saying im a better guitarist than clapton, ofcourse not, im just saying i practiced this style of music ALOT, i got the point of it and now i play this song with paying less effort than clapton. try watching the video of this song on my page.
Madakhaled 3 months ago
@Madakhaled It's not a question of physical effort but of emotional maturity that is conveyed in the playing. Not a question of years either. Emotional maturity comes through life's experiences and how one approaches / deals with them.
Lindsay189037 1 month ago
@Lindsay189037 well actually its not all about physical effort nor years, but they are something. it is a question of everything together, what you learn, listen to, along with life experience of course. all of these things are mixed to produce who we are and what we do, and this mixing process counts in too as a factor.
Madakhaled 1 month ago
SuperSeb81 : u r right man!!!! I agree... at all
MrDemeter69 6 months ago
agree... high praise from the Jedi master of the fretboard... when Clapton reports having trouble nailing your guitar work, you have arrived.
JerichoDitch2 6 months ago
clapton or hendrix
bubbatvbitch 6 months ago
@bubbatvbitch Glad we got to hear 'em both!
circlecloud1 5 months ago
Much better with short hair Eric! :)
redstratocaster1942 6 months ago
how freaking good is robert johnson, i mean to say if eric clapton still cant do it who the f*ck can
gunn2040 6 months ago
Shouldn't have tried Eric. Not even close. Killed it. Annoying. It is good enough to be you, leave him alone.
justfrancisko 6 months ago
@justfrancisko lets hear how good you can do it!!!!
sinnerboy74 6 months ago
eric almost sounds like a noob when talking about johnsons ability...as if he is daunted by it. jesus, if clapton is struggling with it...........
boomboxbadboy1 7 months ago
if you only listen to him not look at him playing he sounds relaxed
m16nut1 7 months ago
Fantastic Blues! from a blues fanantic.
bigmangiff 7 months ago
There is no doubt that EC is a master guitar player, but you only need to look at Leo Kottke's playing to know that Robert Johnson's ability was not impossible. I can pick with 2 fingers and accompany myself with my other fingers, 6 or 12 strings, in the background. Its not so easy, and Leo has had many surgeries, and will never play the same again.
Respect needs to go where it is due, Mr Johnson is is grandfather of the blues.
dclifford400 8 months ago
so relaxedd
Mastahboys 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
When we wake up to the truth of life, inspired music like this will emerge and flourish again. Search "Truth Contest" in Google and click the 1st result, then open The Present and read what it says to learn the truth.
vividDC 8 months ago
Yeah the blues robert johnson was way ahead of his time try and copy any good player you really cant its a spirt thing and the really good ones are mostly untrained and cant read music
BurkholderBunch 8 months ago
Tags: Clapton
say no more, 600k views
Spinking11 9 months ago 3
I agree...if EC says it's hard...it must really be hard. He does make it look really easy however. But that comes from a lifetime of playing his instrument. For all the Clapton naysayers...I say this is an impressive interview and shows a side of Eric that I've always seen and appreciated. He's a really cool guy in my opinion, and quite humble.
dougww1ectebow 9 months ago
if Eric Clapton can only get an approximation, don't even dream of getting close to it!
its gna take 3 or 4 life times!
MrRalphsamaha 9 months ago
I'm kinda glad that we're argueing about real music here ( blues..)... I mean it's not some fight about how gay justin bieber is, or some hip hop stuff. It proves that true music is not dead yet- blues, jazz, rock n' roll, swing,.. I mean wtf Am I talking about, afkors it's not dead it will never be..! :D
NelcinA321 9 months ago
Remember that Eric has never needed to earn his bread as a solo acoustic player, much unlike Robert Johnson.
Conversely, Robert would probably have to go through an uncomfortable birthing process to be able to blow over a modern, electric blues band where the accompaniment is already taken care of.
At any rate, all praise to both of these gifted musicians. Very inspiring stuff.
flatrounds 9 months ago
I love Eric's modesty. Also, all this selling the soul to the devil stuff is nonsense. Utter nonsense. There was a Tommy Johnson, also a blues player, no relation that used to give out that line to get girls, 'cause women like bad boys. Tommy was featured in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou film. Tommy was a real person and that was not meant to be Robert in disguise. Somehow Tommy and Robert got merged and the devil talk juiced up the legend. RJ had Marfan's Syndrome and had extra long fingers.
Katmido302 9 months ago
I hate when you hit the wrong button and can't fix it on youtube
eshie001 10 months ago
Wow... this truly does show how he had to sell his soul to the devil for the kind of guitar playing skills he has. But it seems to me that if robert johnson was alive today, he would just tell clapton to improvise it and feel the blues of the tune. If there ever was a song that you can't imagine NOT existing, it's this one
porkpine123 10 months ago
I'd love to bring Robert Johnson back to Earth for one day, and show him how much he has changed music forever. And during that time, I'd like to learn guitar with him. His life might have been short, but he's given nearly 80 years of musicians and fans endless joy.
mdhookey 10 months ago 2
Comment removed
mdhookey 10 months ago
Wow, Eric Clapton really struggled to match the original recording, and didn't. Now I fully understand why people said Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil to play guitar.
wowomatic 10 months ago
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Don't miss this!!!
Listen to this wonderful cover of “I'll Be Waiting“!
youtube.com/watch?v=pyI70m7ImGU
NonOfYourBus9 11 months ago
Clapton lives in the sky ... or in a tower Oo
VictorPRGP 11 months ago 13
@VictorPRGP The video was shot in the actual hotel room Johnson recorded in. (In San Antonio I think)
LynkJDL1 1 month ago
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VictorPRGP 11 months ago
The way clapton praises johnson and looks up to him..
i do the same about clapton!
hujaqaa 11 months ago 4
This has been flagged as spam show
Estimated friend, if you want to listen again this song and an endless number of successes of the love I suggest you to visit Radio MUSICA PARA MIMOS - looks for his direction URL in Google ( search Musica para Mimos in Google)-. best romantic music of all the times in Internet, is great, is very good ...!!!
robertoamor2011 11 months ago
What is that style or technique called that he is using with his right hand when playing this song?
JimHardie747 1 year ago
@JimHardie747 fingerstyle/finger picking?
happyface4444 11 months ago
I can't believe there are 17 people that didn't like this
MrBiggyMike 1 year ago 2
ty
bubbatvbitch 1 year ago
As for the location, in the full length DVD they talk about Clapton setting up the a portion of his "Sessions for Robert J" in the same building in Dallas where Robert Johnson recorded in 1937. The address is 508 Park Avenue in Dallas Texas, which I believe today is an office or warehouse building.
YTSlide 1 year ago
Comment removed
buihuynt 1 year ago
@buihuynt im glad you know it all thank you
ragingstorm33 1 year ago
Estimated friend, if you want to listen again this song and an endless number of successes of the love I suggest you to visit Radio MUSICA PARA MIMOS - looks for his direction URL in Google ( search Musica para Mimos in Google)-. best romantic music of all the times in Internet, is great, is very good ...!!!
musicaparamimos 1 year ago
My boy....Thats my boy there....my master, my guitar god. Clapton is the songtrack of my lie and his guitar the heartbeat
Rugbytim1 1 year ago
What the... Hugh Laurie looks like Clapton :D
MrDraker23 1 year ago
Is this in his house
TheExplodingPumpkin 1 year ago
@TheExplodingPumpkin Possibly one of them but I think its a hotel suite, based on the rest of the look of this section of the DVD. They may have rented it out just to record this and the CD. He's Clapton, he can do crazy stuff like that.
Featster74 1 year ago
clapton is god!
aguelbagu 1 year ago 2
I think he's doing mighty fine on that music... but i really wish youtube would allow me to watch the old robert johnson things instead.
i do need that music now! and original i mean, although clapton's real good.
Naruin 1 year ago
When Eric Clapton says hard, it means it is really fucking hard.
ctyuang 1 year ago 198
@ctyuang thats what she said
fcbtim 1 year ago
Comment removed
index1001 1 year ago
LOL 2:09 his impression of RJ
yanis3 1 year ago
nice!!!
Doddlepops 1 year ago
Hello great vid great musicians in europe europeantourvideos dot com on line viewing movie clips check out europeantourvideos dot com
jsteelman1000 1 year ago
The idea that Robert Johnson was fortunate enough to get a full tune up lead me to wonder what would happen if by yourself you raised to full consciousness your own most superlative intention in terms of proving for the second time your own ability to match harmonically to an objective involving legendary virtuosity. I'm not trying to be flippant but it seems to me that setting a completey absolute ultimate objective to achieve ones own mind would make realisations that are variously progressive
1hipguitarist 1 year ago
Nice video, I love it. Watch out for BRANDON JAROD new release, late OCT. Just Great!
11181001 1 year ago
if anybody could do it , would be clapton
jnewton1960 1 year ago
17 fingers slipped and hit the wrong button...Clapton is absolutely incredible!
GHGuitar123 1 year ago
Great to see the master @work
DocDieze 1 year ago
You gotta trade souls with the devil to play like Robert Johnson~or else you would be spending a life time practising his songs~
josephkallifffraude 1 year ago
it is just talking about a man: Robert J. Clapton is good, he got the blues... that shows to those who don't know Robert Johnson his level in 1930's. I am a fan of them
mbasek 1 year ago
I can play like 1/2 of crossroads now :) Not as fluent as robert ofcourse but still .. kinda proud seeing i only play 7 months now
Veldje040 1 year ago
@Veldje040
Great to know that there's another guitar player in this world who knows his roots and greatly appreciates it =] More than 90% of the musicians in my school don't even appreciate artists such as Johnson or even later greats such as Hendrix and Clapton. They tell me they can't stand the style and the only thing they can play is mainstream hip-hop transcribed onto the guitar. Tells me I was born in the wrong generation.
pastyourhorizon 1 year ago
the only difference between Clapton and Johnson is that Clapton is wearing some trainers, isn't he. On the other hand, Johnson wrote the songs, at least with some help of others. Other than that, they are really quite similar. I'd like to see Johnson play Layla on a Strat with two blokes backing him up. For that I would play good money.
Calyton21 1 year ago
To anyone posting the same old crap about Clapton not being able to play like Johnson or not being bluesy enough, or not being black enough or not growing up in a dusty old corn field without home-made shoes in Lousiana bla bla bla, I can only say one thing:
Try and do it better and upload your video so we can all slag you off.
SuperSeb81 1 year ago 120
@SuperSeb81 I will upload a video of an original song, that i wrote, i will repeat, I will upload a video of an original song, that i wrote, with equipment i worked for to buy to use on it. SHut the fuck up! YOu dont even realize that eric clapton wouldnt even sign an autograph for you if you asked. Prick!
Bigrusssthefuss 1 year ago
@SuperSeb81 lol. dude that was so funny. dusty old shoes in a cornfield. xD xD. made my day. clapton is a white black guy.
kermicheo 1 year ago
@SuperSeb81 you are so right not many could or can do what Eric's done,he's still here going strong,people forget he's getting older and evolving all the time,in my humble opinion,i think he is getting better with age,lets see how many of todays musicans will stand the test of time
retardedjoe12 1 year ago
@SuperSeb81 I agree. If some of you are so damn good and such experts on the blues grab your ax and show us what you got.
ptpop 8 months ago
This is a real eye opener on how good Robert Johnson was. That explaines why I have such a hard time playing and singer a lot of this stuff.
jpvnk1968 1 year ago
@jpvnk1968 What makes Johnson rather difficult (and he's not the hardest by far - try Lonnie Johnson!) is that there's really no structure - or very loose structure. These guys didn't learn music in schools or books they just picked up what they could from other players and moved on. That's why the music has so much soul - it's all feeling (coupled with immense skill!).
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
He's the man.
AcousticMax 1 year ago
white boy
pietrrocks 1 year ago
@pietrrocks sad, ain't it that a white boy is so good at black music and did a great deal to make the blues as popular as it is today.
toti82c 1 year ago
CLAPTON IS GOD... LUCHIO A.K.A MJ 23 SP 33
luchomaggio 1 year ago
@luchomaggio we're all in big trouble then!
pietrrocks 1 year ago
@pietrrocks SURE That is really human CLAPTON IS A GOD
luchomaggio 7 months ago
ah, I need to give this a try
willwelsh816 1 year ago
@willwelsh816 good luck. seriously.
kermicheo 1 year ago
its imposible that robert johnson played the guitar from nothing in six months its clearly that he made pact with the devil exactly like his song
GoNoRdEaTh 1 year ago
I am diehard realist, but when i think - Johnson had average guitar skills at age 20-something, and then, after 2 years he became virtuoso in composing, skill, felling, singing, everything. HE LEARNED IT IN 2 YEARS. And Clapton - god with 50 year old experience in guitar says he can't play Johnson's songs properly. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. Deal at the crossroads starts to make sense.
wojtekmetal 1 year ago
@wojtekmetal Nah its in the ethnicity, Black People have always been very musical, A english man cant emulate a southern black man who was raised on a pea farm who sang in the fields for 15 years. At 20 clapton was shooting heroin and buying cars and houses in Surrey and Miami, while Robert was drinking and dying. I dont know all the facts but it makes sense to me why clapton will never ever sound anything like RJ!
Bigrusssthefuss 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss actually it has nothing to do with "ethnicity". Pierre Bensusan is an Algerian-Jew who can play celtic music better than almost anybody in the world. Clapton (to my discerning ears) does quite good here capturing the feel and emotion of the original. I think he's quite respectful in saying how difficult he finds RJ's playing to be. Of course RJ didn't think in bars or structure - he just played the blues. Music has nothing to do with race or color. Grow up already.
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
@bluesgurugod Sorry,but i feel what i said was more factual then your statement. I hope you are not offended by this. Clapton did show respect by saying that, it just goes to show that even he will never master that. It wasnt about skills, it was about soul for robert, he really knew pain, eric didnt learn about pain till he was alot older, and even then he had sooo much money there were alot different therapies for him, robert on the other hand, only knew how to cope by strumming a 6 string
Bigrusssthefuss 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss It's not Clapton's job to "master" RJ any more than it would be RJ's job to master Clapton. Of course Clapton wouldn't know the suffering of a black man in the 1930s south US... but that's not what this is about. Clapton's paying homage to one of the greats and is doing a respectful job at it. Clapton will never be RJ and RJ will never be Blind Arthur and Blind Arthur will never be Lonnie Johnson and Lonnie Johnson will never be Django Reinhardt etc...
apples and oranges...
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
@bluesgurugod you are right about apples and oranges, but rj would never try to play claptons music, because claptons music is roberts music. Clapton will never truly know this kind of music, its primal, its cultural. Eric Clapton should stick to what he knows, banging italian models and getting free gear. His licks would never hold up today if they were under a pseydonym, he tried that and it failed miserably! I hate eric Clapton I hate hate hate hate eric mother fuckin clapton!
Bigrusssthefuss 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss man that jealousy is eating you up you sad bastard
index1001 1 year ago
@index1001 its funny, my last comment to BLuesgurugod, about clapton holding up today is so true, no one even says shit about that. He tried it. He got a bunch of no name musicians, he produced and directed the whole thing under a fake name. Not one person gave it the time or day. When the press found out, the gig was up and he ended up just recording the album Reptile. which was all the same songs. My point is, Hes only good because of what he once did, when he was hungry and loved it.
Bigrusssthefuss 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss Sorry mate but that is clearly not the case, since when has popularity equalled good. No matter who the artist is if they record and release under a different name then it will take time for it to become known,This is no reflection on the standard of the work at all. Oh and where is the video you said you would post putting EC to shame? Is it coming? No, didn't think so.
index1001 1 year ago
@index1001 Well, he did wait, he toured a bunch of smaller venues, and no one reacted, but once the press got ahold of it, it blew up. So people bought it just because eric did it.
Unfortunately,I don't have the means to put a video up. God I want to so bad. I want it to sound good and I want it to be done proper. Nothing extreme, but not grainy and weak so it doesnt influence you. The problem is that i dont think you will be impartial because of this debate we are having. it might be a waste
Bigrusssthefuss 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss - No, if you are good i will happily say so. I love finding great music especially new blues players. Your ability to play and your opinions on EC are completely separate.
index1001 1 year ago
@bluesgurugod i think your wrong about Clapton not suffering,,his son fell out of a window and died how much suffering do you need,blues is about a goodman feeling bad its not about who is the best guitarist or singer its about how you feel,if other people can feel what your playing then your half way there,as you say Clapton does a half decent job,at the end of the day there is only one Robert Johnson,as there is only one Eric Clapton
retardedjoe12 1 year ago
@retardedjoe12 I didn't say that Clapton hasn't suffered. Years of drug abuse/depression, loss of his son... obviously he's suffered. I think, however the type of suffering can't really compare to what Robert Johnson endured being a black man living in a racist south and struggling to survive. There's hard.. and there's really hard. We all suffer and endure in our lives - that's precisely why the blues is so universal. Clapton is a great guitarist and so was Johnson. Let's celebrate both!
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss it works both ways,could Robert Johnson have played as Eric does today blistering guitars solo's i dont think so, Blues is not about being black its about feeling pain you dont have to be black to feel pain,if it had not been for the likes of clapton and other white guitar players no one would have heard of any of these great blues men,Blues boom in the 60's they had to come to the uk as they were not wanted in US
retardedjoe12 1 year ago
@Bigrusssthefuss "It's in the ethnicity, Black people have always been very musical". Mozart, Beethoven, Schoenburg, Steve Reich. All white and talented musicians. Are you black? If so, can you play better than Eric Clapton? No. I'd assume you can't, white or black. Stop stereotyping races.
TheVaughanio 10 months ago 3
@wojtekmetal Clapton is an electric guitar specialist. He is not well-known for fingerstyle (although he's no slouch either). I think RJ learned guitar so quickly because he needed to be good enough to earn a living. There are several great guitarists from that era - check out my page for examples of other greats including - Reverend Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Blake, Scrapper Blackwell and many more.
RJ is very well known now mostly because of Clapton + greatness
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
@wojtekmetal probably was possessed with musical desire. Many great musicians come from extreme stress and the desire to be great above anything. Deal at the crossroads is the same thing as saying "oh he was just so talented". There are logical explanations and 2 years can be a world of difference if approached with the right zeal.
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
Clapton has done a great job making Blues popular,so i dont want to say anything bad about him
steinsteel 1 year ago
@steinsteel good point. Without Clapton probably nobody would have every heard RJ among others. Yeah he's white and rich but he still works hard to be the best he can be. At the end of the day it's sitting on the porch playing your soul out that all great players want.
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
i cant tell on this cruddy computer, which guitar is he playing, i can see the flat head so i know its a martin.
Bluesboyfella 1 year ago
who has more soul than robert johnson? Im serious, send me a name of a blues guitarist with more soul than robert, and dont say eric, or kieth, or jimmy.
116connor 1 year ago
@116connor son house.
Yessirthankyousir 1 year ago
false son house plays roberts chords
116connor 1 year ago
@116connor son house taught jonson to play.
anyway, soul has nothing to do with chords.
Yessirthankyousir 1 year ago
@116connor "more soul"? That's gonna be very subjective. You could start with Blind Willie Johnson and Blind Boy Fuller and even Son House. It's apples and oranges - RJ was just one of many great players from that era. He's not the be all and end all of acoustic blues. Do yourself a favor and listen to some others...
bluesgurugod 1 year ago
claptons a great blues player...
poorperson 1 year ago 3
clapton is obviously better, but then again there is a 30 year gap so techniques changed, robert was pretty good for a black guy in the 1800's with out taking any lessons and no knowledge of music theory
happyface4444 1 year ago
@happyface4444
Robert recorded in the 1930's.........Robert was good for any guy, not just a "black" guy, dumb comment.........
Debatable who was a better player, but this is for certain.....Robert was one of the pioneers of a new genre, .......Clapton plays the genre that Robert helped create over 70 years ago....
CletusColtrane 1 year ago
yeah.. its not always a thing that you can play... its a feeling that's flowing inside. And probably Clapton and Johnson has a big difference. Maybe for Eric, it's just a matter of performing it but for Robert it's down deep in his soul and how he put his feelings into his art... A talent extraordinary...
yeyeresma 1 year ago
@yeyeresma I beg to differ with you. Clapton is indeed a true blues guitarist. Playing someone elses blues song and getting the exact feeling is impossible. That's not to take away from ether as far as their talent goes. They are both outstanding blues artists with very deep blues souls.
StevieRich 1 year ago
z only tin zat I can say is owsome
michaelmergiasibhatu 1 year ago
Very impressed, haven't seen Eric play like that before
CletusColtrane 1 year ago
@CletusColtrane
look for some of the robert johnson covers
cross roads, if i had possesion over judgement day(single version), sweet home chicago,
happyface4444 1 year ago
robert johnson was great, so is clapton. while clapton is humble and modest, could robert johnson attempt the same licks and notes in a song of claptons? something to think about...
ColtonSaylor713 1 year ago
@ColtonSaylor713 Well said! Clapton is one of the best "technical" guitar players of all time. I think his unique changes to classical, jazz, blues and rock would be extremely difficult for Johnson to play. It is just different times and they both learned to play different. But they are both unbelievable guitar players.
eshie001 1 year ago
@eshie001 no doubt. both innovational in their own ways
ColtonSaylor713 1 year ago
eric can play this song exactly alike R.J.'s version..thanks to both of them!
Giorgioooooooooooo 1 year ago
A True Purist.
rohanthapa 1 year ago
Now that is really saying something, when Clapton can't do it. The blues has evoved!
478779 1 year ago
it's amazing to come across this Clapton piece. I listen to his greatest album on my ipod all the time, and i'm glad to see him play some Robert Johnson
paulgrech86 1 year ago
HENDRIX69100 dude slash worths 100 # place ....
caaa1957 1 year ago
buddy guy is the best blues player ever///// slash is not worthy of touting his broken strings
kingchicken40 1 year ago
really, u think of the old recordings and how they sound, with all the technology, and no guys can make that same sound as they use to in recordings
Psionicman2000 1 year ago
Sir Robert Johnson was the Mozart or the Bach of the Blues. The rest followed him -- Hendrix, Richards, Clapton, etc..... Eric does a great job explaining the sublime to subtle genius of Sir Robert Johnson. Absolutely wonderful . Thx U, ERIC !!
Cupidville 1 year ago 2
@Cupidville i would really have liked hendrix to try this stuff,if you have any please put it up
hanghang71 1 year ago
@hanghang71 i dont know if henrix played exactly like this but he did put alot of robert johnson in his music like chords and liks and stuf, like the beginning of red house, that chord is a chord of robert johnson
esbramakopf 1 year ago
@esbramakopf oh yes,your right
hanghang71 1 year ago
He's damn right. It is so hard to sing to your own playing of these song because voice and playing are sort of running against each other.
NickeyWhitfield 1 year ago
Eric is one of the very best guitar player's ever
tomsr12 1 year ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
1. Hendrix
2.Robert johnson
3.Steve vai
4.Slash
5.Srv
6.eric clapton
7.EVH
8.Prince
9.kirk hammett
10.kenny wayne
HENDRIX69100 1 year ago
@HENDRIX69100 wow, you actually put Slash over Eric Clapton :)) Well, everyone's entitled to their opinions I guess.
Victoriaha293 1 year ago
Great video
AZmaxblues 1 year ago
Sir Robert Johnson is in the same league as Hendrix, Van Halen, Clapton, Albert King, SRV, etc..... His music is played yesterday, today and forevermore...... A true legacy for the ages that echos an eternity
Cupidville 1 year ago 2
Robert Johnson is a "MASTER" of the guitar. Right up there with Bach and the classics. His music influenced so many songwriters in music today.
Cupidville 1 year ago 5
What Tunning is Eric playing in
MrWadestar 1 year ago
Open A tuning
stemark1957 1 year ago 2
just try it you gonna understand it's pratically impossible to completely copy robert johnson + keep in mind that it was in 1930 approx . my guitar should be at least 10 time better that robert johnson had
destroydez 1 year ago
Don't be mistaken. It was mid-30's when Johnson recorded, and his guitar, as all vintage guitars from that time, was surely MUCH more better than any modern guitar.
lobizoon1 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
frusciante is god clapton is like under jesus cos jesus is slash
Jordo1900 1 year ago
Okay guys chill out and enjoy the music whatever turns you on. I remember an interview with Albert King, he said " You don't play the blues,the blues play you! My favorite work of Clapton's is on John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers album. Hideaway, Have you heard and Steppin' out. I once stood next to him in the Magic Village bar, Manchester in about 1966. Words would not come out of my mouth, he did open doors for white blues guitarists. There is a lot of good music and You Tube is wonderful!
Treboreno 1 year ago
BlindEyeJones - he ain't buying what you say either..
chadchap 1 year ago
Is this from a DVD? Johnson Sessions? Would love to see the whole thing...OH, BlindEye, you've Obviously never picked up a guitar.
bluetrain69 1 year ago
blindeye knows more about guitar than Clapton. Must be nice...
jokeville 2 years ago 5
exactly, to do what eric is saying, to do the vocals and the guitar in a total different tempo is really difficult to pull off, it takes pure extreme concentration.
bjorkkody 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Life's work? Clapton is exaggerating. Any musician worth his salts can figure this out in a day. We're talking three chords not three movements of a symphony.
BlindEyeJones 2 years ago
Okay so damn near every great musician ever agree's that Roberts Johnson's style is all but impossible to replicate, but they are all wrong and you're right.
Thegoat152 1 year ago
Name me one?
BlindEyeJones 1 year ago
How about Eric Clapton? If Clapton's word isn't good enough for you I really don't know what I'm going to say. I've seen interviews with Jimmy Page, BB king, and Steve Ray Vaughn they all said RJ was the greatest guitar player ever and all indicated his music was incredibly difficult to reproduce.
Thegoat152 1 year ago
A lot of time there is a lot of hype to music -- "Clapton is God" is an example. Johnson and Clapton are talented but when I hear Clapton comparing himself to Mozart (I remember reading he said this), I have to laugh. I go to blues jams and see guys play just like Clapton or better. And they are nobodies. The music Clapton plays isn't all that complicated, but for some he is the ground they walk on. I just think he likes to exaggerate.
BlindEyeJones 1 year ago
You clearly have no clue what you're talking about. I am not going to try any further to explain why you're wrong cause I have no faith in you're ability to grasp what everyone on here is telling you.
Thegoat152 1 year ago
You never explained in the first place.
BlindEyeJones 1 year ago
ok its not that the music may be complicated its who is the one that sold the song to the publics interest and how popular are they becuase of it is what makes them great
smilsmff 1 year ago
I don't deny Clapton's popularity. Clapton is popular for hit songs songs like Layla and he is popular amongst guitar players for songs like Crossroads. I just don't buy everything he says.
BlindEyeJones 1 year ago
i enjoy the music in 1984 cocert behind the song it was if he had re invented/wroteevery old song he performed . i noted you could here NO-ONE(the crowd) as he played
smilsmff 1 year ago
behind the sun
smilsmff 1 year ago
Who do you think you are to feel you have any right to destroy our dreams ?
If Clapton didn(t exist I would never have discover R johnson . If Mozart never exist perhaps R johnson wouldn't .... this is not a competition Everyone in this world is here to help to build the world with his own little action , and Clapton very well did his own part
marcdjan 1 year ago 4
I'm telling the truth, the way I see it. I agree this is not about competition, and if it was I don't even know what is being competed for -- mind you, from what I read Clapton was quite competitive with Hendrix and Van Halen. He became friends with Jimi and slagged Eddie (who admired him growing up). But that is just human nature -- can't love everybody. I don't know what I said to destroy your dreams but it was unintentional. Dream on.
BlindEyeJones 1 year ago
WTF!!?? If Mozart never existed perhaos R J wouldn't?! My god, the things one has to read...
Ignorance in this topic, Robert Johnson and the blues, is enormous. Just have to listen anyone say RJ was the best blues guitarist ever to say his a complete ignorant.
Don't repeat what MTV or Eric Clapton say, go further in the roots, investige for God's sake!!!
lobizoon1 1 year ago
so... are you the devil???
grisintenso 1 year ago
No, and you?
lobizoon1 1 year ago
You're an idiot, BlindEyeJones.
gpair007 1 year ago
you can hear layla in this song
puertoricanfl15 2 years ago
hehe. i don't know but the devil wants him
destroydez 2 years ago
Mmmmm sold his soul for sure, no one can play that good
zumytubes 2 years ago 3
To be fair Clapton plays a sick Robert Johnson.
Claptons played guitar for about 50 years, done sessions with top artists, played all different genres of music and written some great songs.
Just tells you how good Robert Johnson was.
NoriokoTheMagicSkunk 2 years ago 37