April 15, 2024

1992 - August: Eric Clapton ”Unplugged”

46 minutes

Eric Clapton is a living legend in the rock world. He was a member of the Yardbirds from 1963 to 1965, a founding member of the supergroup Cream, founding member of Blind Faith, founder of Derek and the Dominos, and a multi-album soloist. He has received 18 Grammy awards, sold more than 280 million records world-wide, and is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Unplugged was recorded in front of an audience at Bray Studios in England for the "MTV Unplugged" series. This series was started in 1989, and several artists would release albums from this show, including Mariah Carey, Nirvana, and Page and Plant. Clapton's Unplugged album was a monster hit, winning three Grammy awards in 1993. It was Clapton's bestselling album, and the bestselling live album of all time, selling 26 million copies. Clapton recorded this in January 1992, and it contains a mix of his solo material, songs from previous groups, and blues standards from long ago.

Eric Clapton continues to play and tour today. He recently released a song called "Voice of a Child" in late 2023 and organized a charity concert to raise funds for children in the Gaza Strip. He also collaborated with Van Morrison in November 2020 on an anti-lockdown single called "Stand and Deliver," and said regarding vaccine mandates that he would not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present.

Bruce presents this laid back live blues album in this week's podcast.

Running On Faith

This track was originally on the Journeyman album from 1989, Clapton's eleventh studio album. Jerry Lynn Williams wrote this song, as he did several other Clapton songs including "Pretending" and "Forever Man." They lyrics tell of taking each day as it comes in confidence that love will come to the singer in due time.

Tears in Heaven

This song originally appeared on the soundtrack for the 1991 film "Rush." In March of that year Clapton's 4-year old son Connor died in a fall from a New York City apartment, causing Clapton to isolate himself for a while. Scoring the music for the film gave him a way to cope with the loss. He wrote the first verse and asked Will Jennings to write the rest. It is deliberately ambiguous, as it is about his son, but also meant to be part of the film. It is his best-selling single in the United States.

Rollin' and Tumblin'

The recording of this song picks up mid-verse because it was recorded in a break when the cameras and recording equipment were off. Clapton began performing this Muddy Waters blues song impromptu, and the musicians around him joined in. It was last performed by Clapton when he was with Cream, and the audience clearly loves it.

Layla

The signature song from Derek and the Dominos was significantly altered by Clapton and acoustic guitar player Andy Fairweather. They changed it to a shuffle beat, removed many of the familiar riffs and piano exit, and jazzed it up. Clapton is also singing an octave lower than the original, which was at the top of his vocal range back in the day.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the television series “Martin”

Martin Lawrence had a comedy series popular in the US at this time, with Martin playing many characters, both male and female.

STAFF PICKS:

Sister Shade by Mary's Danish

Wayne brings us an unfortunately underrated song from the 90's as his staff pick. This grunge group actually featured two female lead singers: Gretchen Seager and Julie Ritter. Mary's Danish formed in the late 1980's and released four albums. Unfortunately, they became a victim of mismanagement, incompetent promotion, and a difficult contract that left them without money from the royalties.

Even Flow by Pearl Jam

Lynch's staff pick is a signature song from Pearl Jam. The music was written as an instrumental demo before Eddie Vedder's arrival as front man for the band. Vedder wrote the lyrics focusing on the life of a homeless person overlooked by society. Originally performed live in October 1990, it has become Pearl Jam's most performed song.

These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs

Rob showcases another group with a female lead for his staff pick. The song encourages the listener to recognize the miracle in front of you, to live in the moment. Many associate it with the birth of a child, though the meaning is left ambiguous. This song is one of 10,000 Maniacs' biggest hits, and is one of the last the group did before Natalie Merchant left to pursue a solo career.

Runaway Train by Elton John (featuring Eric Clapton)

Bruce wraps up the staff picks with the second single from John's 1992 album "The One." The song includes contributions from Eric Clapton, who plays guitar and provides vocals in the second verse. "The One" was Elton John's 23rd studio album, and his biggest selling album in the US since 1976. The lyrics compare trying to get back into control of life to a runaway train.

COMEDY TRACK:

Taco Grande by “Weird Al” Yankovic

You can't go wrong with the sultry parodies of Weird Al as an exit from today's podcast.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings