Eric Clapton

Robert Johnson Sessions

[@microtechg7]

Clapton doing these songs has raised my respect for the man.

[@Rhuarc]

I really admire Claptons acoustic playing. He channels Robert Johnson very well. Amazing!

[@garydupuis]

Ya know, Eric's always been a blues player but it's cool to see that he's finally become an elder statesman of the blues, just like BB and Buddy.

[@christianbelena]

I would love to see Eric travel to Bentonia and play with those guys - the REAL elder statesmen of the blues. The men who grew up with the music, struggled, and got nothing for it. The men who are the last of the true bluesmen - front-porch singers who never got the chance to sell out Albert Hall.

[@ianasplund]

he's no robert johnson but he is still a legend. robert is just the perfect mentor to so many rock guitar legends.

[@radcam69]

Admiration of Eric for paying tribute to RJ, thanks for posting.

[@realfuckinggas]

That room, wherever it is....It looks like hes sitting in the sky!

[@cochemartin]

Dallas, same room where RJ made one of his few recordings

[@Daveus97]

Even ERIC CLAPTON is having a hard time playing Robert Johnsons' song...

[@isaiahparadiso8044]

Considering how good Clapton’s ear is, this says a lot about how difficult it is. This is the guy who went from a noob to lead guitar of the yardbirds in 3 years.

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

Eric played with the best artists worldwide...much ❤and respect 😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@Mr.Altavoz]

Still the best white boy " alive" who can play blues with the Soul

[@commanderthorkilj.amundsen3426]

Realize that only in today’s warped society could you make a back-handed, half-ass, raczist compliment about anyone other than a white male and not be chastised.
Clapton is a walking encyclopedia of blues songs and folklore.
But forget stereotypes….there are Asian girls, Euro chicks, Native American dudes, Scandinavian grandmas playing credible blues

[@mdhookey]

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.

[@GarrettHeadden]

17 fingers slipped and hit the wrong button...Clapton is absolutely incredible!

[@shanecrossley9079]

Robert Johnson was and still still is the greatest guitar player

[@jefferyakathedude]

Having just giving the original version a good listening to and seeing how it's done via Eric here-kinda makes one appreciate exactly how advanced RJ was in his day. Incredible stuff!

[@DFendrrr]

Eric Claptons blues voice is incredible

[@mairimillar8866]

Love the high "woo-hoo" 's EC sings.

[@JerichoDitch2]

agree... high praise from the Jedi master of the fretboard... when Clapton reports having trouble nailing your guitar work, you have arrived.

[@petatownsent]

Game recognizes game.
The sheer humility of a master at his level to acknowledge the intricate nuances of another master's work,yet still in admission of the difficulty of executing it, it is just refreshing.

[@1ginner1]

the thing is Robert was playing this stuff two generations ago im sure he would be amazed and delighted that one of the foremost artists of today would be praising him in such glowing terms,oh and by the way Clapton has never sounded so alive as when he is playing something that he really belives is so so special AMAZING

[@boxmanmammogram]

That explanation he gave of what he was having to do to cover rj just gave me even more of an appreciation for this music.

[@piyabiswas9475]

He is a class musician. Great guitarist and singer. 🙏🙏

[@poorperson2181]

claptons a great blues player...

[@dumena]

Thank you very much for posting this. Amazing to be able to get that close to sit in a room with Eric Clapton performing - and explaining what he does on top of it. Great.

[@microcosm6871]

Wow, Im glad I found this. From a musicians standpoint it really puts in perspective the talent of Robert Johnson. If Clapton's struggling with it, its f'ckin tough to play. Sounded great though.

[@paul_wj_lee]

Man when Eric explains it I can appreciate the music so much better. Not dismissing the fact that its beautiful without the edification.

[@shabbirkhanbhai3238]

Nice to hear Eric say that. I was feeling the same way when playing along to his rendition of Terraplane Blues

[@Featster74]

Very very true! I met Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo several yrs ago at a concert in Caldwell ID near where I live and Roy played "Terraplane Blues" with Norton when I said: "Hey, you guys should throw in some Robert Johnson!" after he signed my acoustic guitar and asked ME to play Blues I knew for him before he signed it! Talk about being put on the spot! But it rocked! Also check out Rory Block for a chilling rendition of RJ. She's got serious soul!

[@TomMilleyMusic]

i agree. i really like his vocals on this. i beleive every word he says.

[@Rugbytim1]

My boy....Thats my boy there....my master, my guitar god. Clapton is the songtrack of my lie and his guitar the heartbeat

[@martinconnors6200]

I'm deeply impressed, by Eric. Taking on a classic piece by a Blue's Legend (Johnson). Clearly Johnson was a "Force Of Nature".

[@MikeTechaholica]

Man of my favorite guitarist playing a cover from one of the greatest blues guitarist. Very cool stuff!

[@Turigamot]

Clapton gets better and better as he gets older... less loud, but much more soulful.

[@marcdjan]

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

[@yikwonjang2978]

Wow. This is the most relaxing music Ive ever listened to!

[@tommymcilwee2504]

nobody, even the great Eric Clap J OHNSTON THE only true blues player in heaven.............

[@ClumsyWoodsman]

+tommy mcilwee
I think those hellhounds would disagree. We all know what he did down by the crossroads.... (¬‿¬)

[@kramred]

the best acoustic blues player ever.... without question...

[@Thegeezerjk]

For me...he's one of the best....You listen to his fluidity, knowledge of the fretboard and verstality and you quickly realised how good he is......I think guitarists appreciate his work more and obviously appreciation of the blues.....
Musically Jazz is the most advanced but for me has no soul or feeling. Goes to show that technicality only has a small amount to do with it when guitar is concerned.

[@borjewahlen6917]

Yes, Eric gets better for every year, started from the mid 90's.
I did not like him before that but know I like and respect him very much. He is almost near bb king,RJ, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Muddy Waters.
Respect

[@technodemic6258]

Great to see Slowhand's undying devotion to reproducing the original - thereby deepening his understanding and feel for what is the most impressive and original blues creativity in history.
He ain't Tommy, but he sure has us appreciate him. Thanks, Eric.

[@dank1176]

imitation is not only the highest form of flattery, as i'm sure you've heard, but it's how you learn. we all take what people have done before us, and we add to it. Clapton has definately added his share to the wealth of music history.
CLAPTON IS GOD

[@CletusColtrane]

Very impressed, haven't seen Eric play like that before

[@a.m8878]

Gotta love Eric. What he did with Cream opened the umbrella for Zeppelin, Hendrix and Sabbath to build the sound of modern rock and Metal. And he masters the Johnson's double tempo like he asked Satan permission

[@MikeyBAAZ]

Hes talks about his hero great blues music

[@shuddupeyaface]

Brilliance all 'round

[@onkelbuke]

love it, listen to this DVD all days!

[@0321Sjoerd]

Melody of the song is just like Milkcow's Calf blues. It's amazing how he can play... wish I could.

[@wojtekmetal]

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.

[@dclifford400]

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.

[@borjewahlen6917]

Eric C is great, I mean really great and I like much of his work, but still it took him 20, 30 or more years to reach the orginals. I do not understand how the original was able to be so good in so short time.
This was fantastic work of Eric.

[@jamalkalikulov9933]

Genius work!

[@boomboxbadboy]

For all you beginners out there, this is a great warm up exercise...

[@flexman22]

Interesting insight. Thanks! Johnson's music really takes you to another place.

[@zumytubes]

Mmmmm sold his soul for sure, no one can play that good

[@conspiracyathome2416]

I was maybe 12 years old first time I heard Robert Johnson. When I found out it was just one man playing in didn't believe it at all. There is something otherworldly about his playing. I swear I could hear two guitars. I also dint know that at one point he just strung up an extra string on the low E spot to make a 7 string sound.

[@BrianJLeong]

Robert Johnson, that man could sing and play two different things at the same time. Could be classified as multi tasking.

[@Kubmek]

I'm 16 years old
Great vid, Clapton in his best

[@mallardgreen]

And to think that someone of Clapton's stature and ability thinks so highly of another player...even if it is Robert Johnson...my hat's off to Mr. Clapton. Saw him last year with Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall in his band. It was a great night...

[@JoeMurphysGuitarlessons]

I know what he means “a lifetimes work” but I sure do enjoy trying to play his songs.

[@golfdom1987]

Never seen this before. Incredible. Thanks for the post.

[@pinmunky]

fantastic! robert johnson a was real guitar boy!

[@YTSlide]

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.

[@GixxerRider1991]

From a musical standpoint, I think it's actually better to learn guitar without any formal musical training if you want to play anything but classical music or jazz. I played French horn for 10 years, but when I picked up a guitar 4 years ago, I discovered, at least for me, that it's much easier and a lot more fun to just experiment on your own and learn organically rather than use sheet music. The only way anyone could come up with something like Robert Johnson's overlapping meters is if they were free of any kind of conception of classical structure (like Clapton says in the video), or else even trying to create such music would seem illogical, impossible, or 'primitive'. Any self-taught musician has to stand in awe of players like Robert Johnson or Django Reinhardt.

[@PorkFrog]

Django kinda didn't have a choice. Be original, or don't play at all

[@Rhuarc]

I really like Clapton on acoustic.
Appreciate the upload

[@kramred]

Thanks God someone else who makes sense...

[@steinsteel]

Clapton has done a great job making Blues popular,so i dont want to say anything bad about him

[@zyxquark]

I think robert johnson would be stunned and knocked over by all this attention.

[@guitaristshawn]

Maybe the problem is that all guitar players learn the "normal" way to play. Back then, Robert could've just taught himself in his own way, with his own rules

[@imaxdigital7052]

Not sure why this isn't common sense for most people. Same thing with Hendrix.

[@henkkman]

Robert Johnson had a guitar teacher...

[@naguitarhero]

yeah but its said that he played guitar before he dissappeared but they say he was really really bad and then all of a sudden he came back less than a year from being away and was the best blues guitar player around.

[@musicplusfood]

lanod321, just take it that they both know what they were doing dude. both are among the finest guitar players in the world. i'm from gallagher's home town, and i'm pissed off he doesn't get enuf recognition, but i also believe that clapton deserves every bit of credit he gets, and this is coming from a blues musician instead of someone who just likes clapton cos of layla or tears in heaven or whatever.

[@dimesy94]

Oh man i give that album 5 stars

[@YouSpamTard]

Rory Gallagher did some of the same things Johnson did that Clapton talks about here. Vocal phrasing, woven around twisted timing, etc etc.

[@sleeplessintokyo]

golden clip. thanks.

[@BullShnit]

Mr. Eric Clapton isn't the best, Mr. Eric Clapton is THE BEST!!!

[@Akmalush]

He is the best one!!!

[@wlacosta]

i agree its hard to differentiate between the two but ur totally right

[@StevieRich]

@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.

[@Alkali64]

Fantastic!

[@chrispywilliams1992]

looks effortless to me. Also Claptons voice is one of the best around

[@smilsmff]

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

[@evanguy]

I find it funny how Eric Clapton acts like a week is a long time to learn how to play Robert Johnson's songs.

[@kramred]

I have seen every interview and Honeyboy has never mentioned recording with him...ever. He has said that he was a walking jukebox and the best he has ever seen. Johnny Shines played with him all the time and has always said Robert would always want his space and play alone even on the street he would make johnny play on the other corner, that way they could make thier own money and wouldn't need to split what money they made.

[@ctyuang]

When Eric Clapton says hard, it means it is really fucking hard.

[@GVIGuitarist]

basically the thing that makes what johnson played so difficult is he playes both the melody and the rhythm at the same time along with singing. There are a few guys that I know about that can do that but I don't think any of them could do it like Johnson. Check out Tommy Emmanuel or Chet Atkins.

[@mherlihy0816]

This is a chilling song given the rumor that RJ was poisoned by a jealous husband.

[@nugget147]

You have to be kidding.
He played a lot, and had talent. If anyone seriously considers the supernatural alternative then their mind is clearly at fault. It's just a myth; harmless folklore that's not to be taken seriously.
Anyway, Robert Johnson made great music, and Clapton does a fantastic cover, Very good video!

[@roderickbalt8993]

I know Clapton is extremely popular with the (sorry for the derogatory term) 'Boomer' generation. But I feel he is not appreciated enough by the younger generation because he is so understated and such a household name, making him much less appealing than say Hendrix or SRV. But he is extremely good, he really is something and at it for so long and so consistantly. I wouldn't necessarily go to one of his shows because they're so 'Boomer' oriented, but Clapton should demand the utmost respect musically from younger players too.

[@rohanthapa]

A True Purist.

[@dank1176]

im 32, clapton is GOD!

[@DrAntonPhibes]

ERIC CLAPTON IS GOD !!!

[@rhettco52]

Damn I wish I could've seen Jimi do some R Johnson like this, I bet you he could really get the feeling. Clapton does pretty decent here...though you can still notice a big difference in feel as compared to RJs original version...

[@Naruin]

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.

[@CorvusCorvidae777]

This is from the dvd "Sessions For Robert J". Widely available.

[@porkpine123]

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

[@classicor]

clapton is definitely close. there's no "best" player, there's only the gods.

[@Carolbloo]

nice video real cool

[@TomMilleyMusic]

lol at people who actually believe the myth. eric in this DVD explains it well. he said he doesnt sound like someone who wanted to be the best ever. he wasnt flashy or anything. everything was just right to fit the music. all he did is what they call woodshedding. guitar wise he didnt do anything that amazing. the real amazing thing was his ability to sing and play in practically two different times.

[@musicplusfood]

lol fair enuf bud. well its good to know that there r still some good blues out there.

[@Featster74]

@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.

[@MrRalphsamaha]

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!

[@surfman53]

Clapton is God

[@m16nut1]

if you only listen to him not look at him playing he sounds relaxed