Eric Clapton E.C. Was Here CD

On the original LP, the song "Drifting Blues" faded out after about 3 minutes. The CD contains the complete 11:31 version.
Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Yvonne Elliman (vocals); George Terry (guitar); Dick Sims (organ); Carl Radle (bass); Jamie Oldaker (drums); Marcy Levy (tambourine).
Engineers include: Wally Heider, Ed Barton, Brian Engolds.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Marcy Levy (vocals, tambourine); Yvonne Elliman (vocals); George Terry (guitar); Dick Sims (organ, keyboards); Jamie Oldaker (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Joseph M. Palmaccio.
Liner Note Author: Kaz Akaiwa.
Photographer: Frank Moscati.
Following Eric Clapton's recovery from heroin addition in 1974 and subsequent comeback (announced by 461 Ocean Boulevard), the guitar legend retained his fine band and toured extensively, and this live album is a souvenir of that period. Despite having such pop-oriented hits as "I Shot the Sheriff," E.C. Was Here makes it clear that Clapton was and always would be a blues man. The opening cut, "Have You Ever Loved a Woman," clearly illustrates this, and underlines the fact that Clapton had a firm grasp on his blues guitar ability, with some sterling, emotionally charged and sustained lines and riffs. A short version of "Drifting Blues" also drives the point home, with a lazy, Delta blues feel that is intoxicating. Aside from these standout blues workouts, Clapton provides a surprise with two songs from his Blind Faith period. "Presence of the Lord" and Steve Winwood's classic "Can't Find My Way Home" are given great readings here and highlight Clapton's fine touring band, particularly co-vocalist Yvonne Elliman, whose singing adds a mellifluousness to Clapton's blues vocal inflections. The market was a bit oversaturated with Clapton and Cream reissue products at the time, and this fine record got lost in the shuffle, but it remains an excellent document of the period. ~ Matthew Greenwald
Released in the same year as 1975's THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD, E.C. WAS HERE is a live album short on content but long in presentation. Backed by his usual mid-70's studio cohorts (George Terry, Jamie Oldaker, Yvonne Elliman, Marcy Levy, etc.), Clapton ignored his then-current material off CROWD and 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD, instead choosing to explore his immediate, post-Cream era along with some extended, old favorites. "Presence Of The Lord" and "Can't Find My Way Home" were retrieved from Blind Faith's sole album and both are infused with a subtle, spiritual feeling of someone who's emerged from a long period of sorrow.
The remainder of this live document of mysterious origin features Clapton finding his way through material by Robert Johnson ("Ramblin' On My Mind) and Charles Brown ("Driftin' Blues") using a laconic drawl and a quietly effective style of playing that his 70's work became known for. Of particular note is a rousing version of "Further On Up The Road," which quickly became a Clapton live staple for the remainder of the 70's.

Remastered

Q (11/96, p.147) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...designed to reassure the public that Eric Clapton had not gone mad....a decent set..."