Eric Clapton - Layla

This is a live performance by Eric Clapton playing the song "Layla" live. The song was originally done by Derek and the Dominos which Clapton was a part of. It has since become a staple in his live set as a solo artist.
The song was originally released by Derek and the Dominos in 1970 on the album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs". The song is known for its unique guitar figure played by Eric, and the piano instrumental part of the piece composed by Jim Gordon.
The song was written for Pattie Boyd and about Clapton's unrequited love to her. At this point she was the wife of fellow musician George Harrison. It didn't gain success on it's first release, but over time it has become one of the most recognizable and important songs in rock.
As mentioned Clapton has played the song regularly as part of his live set as a solo artist. He has also done a version where he plays it with Dr. John. (Embeded below)

That performance is from a VH1 series called Duets. It mostly features Clapton, but John can be seen in the back playing away on that piano. This version is vastly different from the first version. The opening chord progression is played more like a walking chord progression, it's played faster, it's funkier, and it doesn't feature the instrumental end of the song.
Clapton also had chart success with this song through his acoustic version of the song released in 1992 for the MTV Unplugged he played. (Embeded below)

This version also disposes the instrumental end of the song. It's played slower though, with the chord progression re-touched to fit the acoustic setting. This version reached #12 on the US pop charts and won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1992.
"Layla" is one of those shape defining songs of its genre, it's recognizable and truly one of the best rock songs ever written and composed. A great song in all it's versions!

Enjoy ; )

The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night

This is a live performance by The Beatles, the performance is from Shea Stadium in New York 1965. It's in colour, but it's a little pale and the audio isn't the best, but still an amazing performance.
The song was released in 1964 on the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The song was written by John Lennon, but credited to McCartney as well. The song is very famous for the opening chord which rings out before the lyrics and the rest of the band join in. It has been debated for a long time what chord it was, but it was confirmed by George Harrison that it is in fact a Fadd9, or as Harrison put it: "It is F with a G on top,[...]". The complete opening has been broken down like this,
George Harrison: Fadd9 in 1st position on Rickenbacker 360/12 12-string electric guitar
John Lennon: Fadd9 in 1st position on a Gibson J-160E 6-string acoustic guitar
Paul McCartney: high D played on the D-string, 12th fret on Hofner 500/1 electric bass
George Martin: D2-G2-D3 played on a Steinway Grand Piano
Ringo Starr: Subtle snare drum and ride cymbal

by Dominic Pedler.
It is a classic Beatles song, and it has been covered by a lot of different artists, including: The Supremes, Quincy Jones, Peter Sellers, Chet Atkins, Billy Preston, Otis Redding, Hank Marvin, and Billy Joel.
It's a great song, and the reception of girls screaming in this clip is just astounding. No band has ever gotten a reaction like that, and I don't think any one ever will!

Enjoy ; )

George Harrison - Beware of Darkness

This is a live performance by George Harrison playing the song "Beware of Darkness". He's backed up by a big band, and Leon Russel also comes in and sings part of the lyrics.
The song was originally released on Harrison's solo album "All Things Must Pass" which was the first ever triple LP by a solo artist. "Beware of Darkness" was written by Harrison.
This performance is from The Concert for Bangladesh which was a benefit concert arranged by Harrison and Ravi Shankar. Click here to read more detailed about The Concert for Bangladesh.

The clip above is yet another version of the song. This is the version from the Concert for George. The song is sung by Eric Clapton who I think does a great job and really does the song justice. This was the first time I ever heard the song, so forgive me for being a bit biased towards this version.
What really makes this song special though, are the lyrics. They're so innocent and pure. A quality that a lot of Harrison's work has, and one of the reasons why he's such a great song writer.
It's a great song with a beautiful set of lyrics, listen to both versions, it's worth it.

Enjoy ; )

Carl Perkins & Ringo Starr - Honey Don't

This is a live performance by American rockabilly musician Carl Perkins with Ringo Starr on drums and vocals doing the classic rockabilly tune "Honey Don't".
The song was originally written and released by Carl Perkins in 1956 as the b-side to "Blue Suede Shoes".
The song has been done by a lot of different artist, but most famously probably the version by The Beatles. This version was released in the UK in 1964 on the album "Beatles for Sale". The song was originally sung by John Lennon during live performances, but for the record version Ringo Starr did the lead vocal. He also recorded the drums by the way. He has performed the song, both with his solo act and later at the concert honouring George Harrison, released under the title "Concert for George".
On another side note, the publishing rights to the song is actually owned by Paul McCartney's publishing company "MPL Communications".
Other people who have covered the song include: Johnny Rivers, T. Rex, John Lennon, and Elvis Costello.
It's a great classic rockabilly tune, and Starr delivers a very good double shift playing drums and singing on this.

Enjoy ; )

Traveling Wilburys - Handle with Care

This is the music video to the song "Handle with Care" by the English-American supergroup Traveling Wilburys consisting of members: George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne accompanied by drummer Jim Keltner.
The song is from the band's first album "Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1" released in 1988. The writing credit of the song is attributed to all five members.
It's a really good song. I really love the simple slide guitar Harrison adds to this. Also really love the way they all sing on it, in my book Orbison steals the show though with his singing, so beautiful.
A great song, they sure don't make 'em like this no more!

Enjoy ; )

George Harrison ft. Eric Clapton - Taxman (SRV)

This is a live performance from George Harrison, joining him on stage is his good friend Eric Clapton. Clapton is very respectful and doesn't steal the show, he respectfully stays in the background and plays the lead part when needed.
The song Taxman was released by The Beatles on their 1966 album Revolver, it is the opening track on the album. The song is written by George and it is about the high progressive tax the British government was taking at this time. It was basically written after Harrison found out how much of his income was being taken by "the taxman". On the record version the solo and guitar parts are played by Paul McCartney, he also plays the bass on the track.
Click here for a sample from the album version of the song. (Taken from Wikipedia.)
This live version is really good, and Clapton does a really good job. However I've always more leaned towards Stevie Ray Vaughan's interpretation of the song. It is very different from the original, and it doesn't even have the same key-centre. The original version by Harrison is in G, and SRV's version is in B♯. I think it just sounds better and is played with more attitude (and also in a humorous way). The original version has that 60's mercy beat sound, and SRV's version is more bluesy and done in a Texas style which is more my flavour. SRV never got to perform it live, and it has only been released on his 1995 Greatest Hits album (as the only never before released track). Both versions are excellent, I just prefer Stevie's which is embeded beneath.


Enjoy both versions!! ;-)

Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight

This is a live video by Eric Clapton performing his classic song "Wonderful Tonight". The performance is from the Wyclef Sean concert "Wyclef Jean's All Star Jam At Carnegie Hall" (click here for Amazon page).
The song "Wonderful Tonight" is from Clapton's 1977 album "Slowhand". It was released as a single the year after. The song is written about Pattie Boyd. She was George Harrison's wife, but Clapton crushed on her, and had an affair with her at one point.
I think this is a very good performance. The band backing up Eric is Wyclef's band, and it really sounds good. The calypso-isc rhythm section really adds to this song and fits in perfectly. It's a good performance, and a great group backing Clapton up.

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton - Badge

This is a performance video from 2001, it's off the "One More Car One More Rider" CD that was enhanced and also contained a video performance on each disc (it was a two disc album).
The song is from Cream's album "Goodbye". The song is composed by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and Ringo Starr allegedly also helped, but Harrison and Clapton are the only ones who are credited.
The song's title was a bit of an enigma for some time, some people thought it was a rearrangement on the letters used to describe a standard guitar tuning (EADGBE), but that doesn't fit entirely. It is actually a result of Ringo's bad handwriting, Ringo wrote the title "Bridge" on a piece of paper, and Clapton read it upside down, and read it as "Badge", and that became the title.
The chanting of the line "Where is my badge?" was added much later, so it isn't on the much shorter album version.
Harrison's guitar influence can be heard in the interlude, it resembles Harrison's playing on the Beatles song "Here Comes The Sun", but without the capo and at a lower pitch.

A great song and performance, enjoy ; )