Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11585 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-10-29
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Colour, DVD-Video, Live, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Special Features
4:3
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English\DTS Surround English\Linear PCM Stereo English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
DTS Surround
Linear PCM Stereo

Synopsis
Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton is filmed performing live in one of the most beautiful parks in his native England, London's Hyde Park, for the annual Prince's Trust Charity Concert in 1996. In his usual breathtaking way, the man they call "Slowhand" masterfully performs renditions of some of his most adored classics, including "Layla," "I Shot the Sheriff," "Wonderful Tonight," and "White Room."

Customer Reviews

No Jekyll and Hyde Performance here!!
To put this concert DVD in perspective, Eric Clapton headlined a gig at Hyde Park in which he followed acts such as Jools Holland, Bob Dylan (with Ronnie Wood) and The Who (for whom this was their first gig together since Live Aid, I believe, and to whom the day really belonged). I know this because I was there (and I am fortunate that I can be seen on the cover of this DVD), and remember vividly that I turned to my friend after the Who finished their first ever complete live performance of their Quadrophenia album and said, "Much as I love Eric, he could never top that. The Who should have been the headline act." Eric, if you ever read this I'm sorry I doubted you...

Clapton strode onto the stage as if it was his own living room and blew everything that went before him away with a blistering set containing most of his classics. Opening with the Acoustic version of Layla he then delivered (amonst others) Badge, Wonderful Tonight, White Room, Have you ever loved a woman and Holy Mother. The set highlights were Five Long Years and I Shot the Sheriff, delivered with real passion and dynamics. The latter's solo built and built with fire and intensity.

Put simply, if you are a fan of Clapton this is one concert you must hear! It is well known that Eric has frustrated some of his fans over the years with inconsistent studio outings, but the real essence of the man can always be found live on stage where he thrives, and on this night he really performed! No inconsistencies here - Buy it!

The best dvd you'll ever own!!
If, like me, your favorite Clapton album is "From The Cradle", than this is most definitely the dvd for you!! In fact, he plays about four songs from that album. Demonstrating his ability to jazz-up a classic number, EC starts the concert wih an acoustic version of "Layla". But wait! Suddenly, there's a horn section that kicks in. (In fact, they're called "The Kick Horns" - Simon C. Clarke, Tim Sanders, Roddy Lorimer, Jim Keltner) They add a real classy element to the concert. I love Roddy's trumpet solo on "Layla". Than there's "Hoochie Coochie Man", a rockin' tune which EC adds his well-seasoned, angst-driven voice to, quite nicely. Later, Clapton switches out "Old Blackie" (his signature, Stratocaster guitar), and really get's into "It Hurts Me Too". Moving on to my favorite performance, "Five Long Years"... Eric and his band go deep into the blues. - "Lord, I finally learned my lesson. Should've a long time ago. Next woman that I marry, she's gonna work and bring me the dough." (What lyrics!!) One thing I have to say about EC, is that he doesn't try to hog the spotlight by completely out-shining his fellow bandmates; even though, he very easily could. No, everyone in the band is given equal opportunity to showcase their talents. It's great to see EC's former keyboard player, Chris Stainton back and playing his heart out. And, Jerry Portnoy's outstanding harmonica playing makes you feel like your sitting at some hole-in-the-wall bar in N'awlins (New Orleans), just taking it all in. Almost a tie for my favorite track is definitely "Everyday I Have The Blues", in which, again, the whole band just blows it wide open - Horns, Harmonica, Drums (Steve Gadd), Backing Guitar (Andy Fairweather Low) and of course the man himself!! Another great performance, is a duet with Katie Kissoon on "Tearing Us Apart". I enjoyed this much more than the original EC recorded with Tina Turner, because Katie's style is much more energetic and her vocal range far exceeds Tina's. I think I've mentioned everyone in the band, except for Tessa Niles, who had obviously lost some weight and was lookin' oh, so great! This is definitely a dvd that won't collect dust in your cabinet. As far as the audio is concerned, I would highly recommend opting for DTS. Simply put, DTS is uncompressed audio, thereby giving the listener a fuller, richer sound that Dolby Digital can't compare to because of the lossy (Yes, that's spelled correctly.), digital compression the latter format employs.

Clapton returns to Hyde Park 30 years on...
Clapton's live concerts are always worth seeing because musically they are far superior to his studio releases. In front of a live audience he is soften inspired to push himself musically, whereas he seems to be going through the motions in the studio.
He returns to Hyde Park nearly 30 years after the Blind Faith concert, and does not disappoint.
The band gels well together, very tight and polished. Clapton excels on 'Five Long Years' and the moving 'Old Love' and moves into jazz rock territory with 'Every Day I've Got the Blues' which is a little heavier than any of BB King's previous versions.

He should however have left 'Hoochie Coochie Man' well alone. It's Muddy's song, and he gave the definitive version. Clapton has always impressed more when he's creating something of his own, embellishing a Freddie King track such as 'Have you Ever Loved a Woman?' rather than imitating the great blues artists of the past.

This is a recording which you may wish to dip into from time to time, as there are some outstanding tracks and some which don't quite hit the heights. (which may be a reason to wait for the DVD release)