Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood: Live from Madison Square Garden [Blu-ray]

the DVD is preferable to the CD, though the CD is quite good I bought the CD and the DVD versions of the Clapton/Winwood MSG as a combo from Amazon. The CD (which I reviewed in its listing) I gave four stars to - it's very good, but now that I've seen the DVD, I'd give the DVD five stars, mainly for what it ...

Format : Live, Widescreen
Publisher : WEA/Reprise
Company : WEA DES Moines Video
List Price: ~~$34.98~~
Our Price: $18.99
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Features

Blu-Ray Disc
Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood

Product Description

History rocked and rock made history
during a sold-out three-gig stand at
Madison Square Garden in late February 2008 when icons Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood performed a concert together
for the first time since their all-too-brief days in the legendary Blind Faith in 1969. Whether they will ever team again is unknown. But with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Live From Madison Square Garden, on this Blu Ray, fans everywhere are able to experience the sound and the glory of a performance on that famous stage by two of rock's greatest artists.

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Customer reviews

the DVD is preferable to the CD, though the CD is quite good by .. T. Scarillo (Studio City, CA)
I bought the CD and the DVD versions of the Clapton/Winwood MSG as a combo from Amazon. The CD (which I reviewed in its listing) I gave four stars to - it's very good, but now that I've seen the DVD, I'd give the DVD five stars, mainly for what it adds to the equation: the visuals. While it might seem counter-intuitive to grade musicians of this caliber by `what you can see', the DVD added such a great dimension to the show, in terms of WATCHING them solo and seeing the interplay between them, and their excellent band (these guys have serious CHOPS), that I think the DVD ups the ante, hence I'm giving the DVD 5 stars. The musicianship is excellent (they make it look so EASY....i guess that's what the best guys do when they're on their game? Plus they're clearly having a good time up there), and it's great to be able to see who's playing what (namely, that Winwood plays guitar on the first two cuts, and then on several others toward the end - he's a very good guitarist, and holds his own with Clapton, sometimes trading solos. I wasn't exactly sure what SW was playing on, just from listening to the CD - Chris Stainton is the other keysman). The picture is very good, and the camera work/composition is excellent, with nice close-ups and some striking angles where they got both guys in the same shot, Winwood on keys and Clapton on guitar. Some have pointed out editing inconsistencies w/ the visuals, but I didn't really notice it, as I was enjoying the show so much. I listened to the sound in DTS-mode (as opposed to straight 2-channel stereo) and it was excellent - really good mix - much preferable to the CD mix. I guess if you couldn't be there, this DVD (with a good A/V system) is about as close as you can get.

As for the extras on Disc 2, they're good - interviews, some background on Clapton and Winwood's 60's exploits, their time together in Blind Faith, and behind-the-scenes prep for the MSG shows. There are also a couple of bonus cuts, which didn't make the `main' concert as presented on Disc 1 - I noticed in spots, there were synch problems (from watching the drummer) between audio and video, but the extra cuts are nonetheless good (including a 7 minute "Crossroads"). Overall, the disc set was definitely worth the dough, and if you're a fan of either Clapton or Winwood, and have any inclination to buy this, then absolutely do so. You won't be disappointed.

Some things are meant to be! by .. A. Vince (South Florida)
Clapton And Winwood have just dropped a forty year Time Bomb on the Baby Boom Generation with this release. Soul Psychedelisizing, Electrifying, Riveting performances...Very Special! What a great Mix of tunes...Awesome tributes to many of the greats who have left us...Ray, Buddy and Jimi to name a few. WOW! Absolutely incredible Sound and Video...I was very lucky to have seen Blind Faith Live at the old Olympia Stadium in Detroit, Michigan during the Summer of 69, when I was just a boy. You won't want to miss this Dynamic Duos show if it comes to your Neighborhood In June. I have never seen Winwood and Clapton having so much fun! Great Stuff...Get it!

Time Travel At Its' Best !! by .. Bart D. Ravin ()
Maybe it's my age and the music that formed me and my generation, but even if you didn't grow up during the time of the Blind Faith releases, you will still be amazed at the quality of this reunion. Steve Winwoods voice is still clear and strong, even pushing 60, and Clapton is, well, still getting better at 60 + !!! His voice is also strong, and when most of the other bands still touring who are approaching 60 tend to limit the upper register of their original recordings, both Winwood and Clapton are still hitting the high notes with ease. I only wish I had seen this concert in person, but the video and audio quality are excellent, and if you have a decent home theater system, you too will be transported right into Madison Square Garden as an audience member. Awesome DVD... Cudos to Clapton and Winwood for finally reuniting and bringing back to life the incredible tunes of Blind Faith..

An embarassment of riches by .. Mr. Clifton Jones (Belper, Derbyshire United Kingdom)
I heard Hendrix's first album described as 'an embarassment of riches' and I think that fits too. The use of a term directed at Hendrix is fully appropriate here as there are as many songs written by him as by Clapton and there are songs off three of his albums. The Buddy Miles song (off 'Band of gypsies') was worked up days before he died and acts as a tribute, Eric has done 'Little Wing' for years, but the real jewel is when they tackle 'Voodoo Chile' - the long one, not the 'slight return'. Eric describes it as stepping off a cliff, and so it is. Steve Winwood, of course, played on the original 'Electric Ladyland' version. I doubt if there are many who could have pulled this off, but they did.

Other highlights include tke solo pieces (Eric on just acoustic guitar for 'Rambling On My Mind' and Steve just on organ for Georgia), the three J J Cale songs and the finishing Duo of 'Dear Mr Fantasy' and 'Cocaine'. There are four Traffic songs ('Glad', of 'John Barleycorn' is another goody), all of the first side of the Blind faith album (stand out, if there is one since they are all good, being 'Presence of the Lord') plus 'Sleeping in the Ground' which Blind Faith used to play live and is on the 'Crossroads' compilation. There are also a few from other parts of Eric's career (including 'Crossroads' on the bonus disk) but strangely few of his compilations.

Altogether, first class rock music, definitely five stars.

A "Super" Show by .. Perry Bookstein ()
Saw two out of three nights at MSG. Blind Faith was a so called "Super" Group. Perhaps, at the time, the members of the group were not on the same page musically. These shows were not the case. It was not about one out dueling the other but was about playing in unison. From their guitar styles to vocal styles this duo was meant to jam together. From Winwood sharing a vocal turn on Forever Man to Clapton electrifying the Instrumental Glad all their musical selections those 3 nights just worked. They paid their respects to the Blind Faith album, their Golden Age and to each other. It was a "Super" Show.