CD review: Eric Clapton – To Save A Child – An Intimate Live Concert – 2024: Video, CD cover

This intimate Eric Clapton concert was recorded and filmed in London in December 2023 for a small audience.

Eric’s set included songs such as Tears In Heaven, Layla, River Of Tears, Got To Get Better In A Little While and a very special version of George Harrison’s Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) with a special guest appearance from George’s son Dhani Harrison .

There is also a special bonus track entitled Prayer Of A Child – a brand new studio recording. The proceeds will be donated to the affected children in Gaza.

Both the album (CD or vinyl) and the Blu-ray contain the same twelve songs, with images on the Blu-ray of course. Because the release date is still many weeks away (July 12), only the album was available digitally for discussion.

No one will dispute that Eric Clapton is a great guitarist. The undersigned has attended several of his concerts and it was always a musical feast. His guitar solos are unparalleled and guitar enthusiasts have been convinced of his skills for decades.

What disappointed me at the time was when he participated in the MTV Unplugged series and in particular how he treated his, in my opinion, the very best and most beautiful composition, Layla. Actually, I mean raped, because I think it was a terrible performance. I know I’m kicking the shins of the many people who think this is beautiful, but I can’t stand it!

Certainly not if you compare this version with the original by Derek & The Dominos with that beautiful intro, that great solo and the beautiful outro (it is simply my favorite Clapton composition) and the later electric live versions by Clapton himself. If the unplugged version comes on the car radio, I immediately switch to another station… Sorry fans, this is my opinion, tastes differ!

I don’t know who took part in this performance, with the exception of Dhani Harrison of course. Because which musicians were there and who made, mixed and produced the recordings, all this information is currently unknown.

The concert starts quietly and largely acoustic with Voice Of A Child and Tears In Heaven, immediately followed by the aforementioned Layla. Then the Jimmie Cox classic (from 1923!) Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out, which I have heard in many different versions, including by Clapton. The rest of the set mainly contains blues classics, is excellent and gradually the playing becomes more and more solid. In my opinion, the tribute to George Harrison is justified and beautifully done.

In short: an excellent live album by Eric Clapton for the fans!

Tracks:

01. Voice of a Child
02. Tears In Heaven
03. Layla
04. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
05. Key To The Highway
06. Hoochie Coochie Man
07. River Of Tears
08.Got To Get Better In A Little While
09.The Sky Is Crying
10. Crossroads
11. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (feat. Dhani Harrison)
12.Prayer of a Child