Eric Clapton and Robert Cray - Old Love [1990]

[Mono] The two guitarist/singers perform on this eclectic music program on USTV. Clapton takes care of the lead vocal duties, and the backing group is mostly comprised of the house band members, which include Omar Hakim, Philippe Saisse, Hiram Bullock, Tom Barney & Don Alias. The additional pianist would appear to be from Clapton's touring band of that time. The creative force behind this special program was Hal Willner.

[@lmagine6494]

My man out here lookin like the joker

[@sgtpepper1138]

Now he really is a Joker, so much so Robert Cray is distancing himself from Clapton.

[@mgw4205]

@@sgtpepper1138who’s lookin like the Joker now?

[@sgtpepper1138]

@@mgw4205 Has something changed that I'm not aware of?

[@wottattlmelvinscholar2603]

How can that not be intentional?

[@wimgroeneveld1789]

In a black room we are boss

[@guitarscience6926]

Robert Cray is so soulful and bluesy. You can tell Clapton is digging it too. He always seems to come to life when there's another great guitar player jamming with him.

[@tomcooley3778]

Got that right.

[@jeffyoder8105]

That's why so many other blues masters are so eager to play with Clapton , because they know he won't mind sharing the lead equally with them 😊😅😮😢😂❤😂😊❤😊❤

[@megafauna8374]

Nonsense. Clapton never gave a shit about Robert Cray or anyone else. Cray was 'hot' at the time and Clapton found a way to muscle in and make some dough so he could take more drugs and rat fuck everyone around him.

[@elizabeteoliveira4897]

Concordo plenamente! Ele sempre seguiu dessa forma, junto a outros guitarristas!! Um agregador!! Estou aqui, por esses dois grandiosos músicos!!!🎸🎶🎵

[@TM-jo4wz]

I’m kinda tired of people dissing EC. Eric is a really good player and good voice. He’s written some very good songs. He helped bring blues to where it is today. I’ve been listening since 1969 or so.

[@Robin-Cale17]

@TM-jo4wz, I agree. Eric Clapton earned the right to play the blues. He plays with Buddy Guy, who is considered the best blues player out there, but Buddy always says Eric is the best. Buddy still has a blues club in Chicago called "Buddy Guy's Legends." He still plays there!!! He puts Robert Cray in the back seat where he belongs.

[@lancevanwyk2961]

Mr Cray is in a class of his own.

[@jogidoley4825]

Robert Cray's tone is so good

[@elainemeyer5062]

1st time I had ever heard of Robert Cray and his 🎸 playing. Came across it bc of ❤ing Clapton’s music so much (I’m almost 70 yrs old now). I thought 🤔 the beginning, as well as some small areas during the rest of the piece sounded a bit like ‘Along the Watchtower’, but maybe it’s just my ears?!

[@richardervins]

That‘s the typical Stratocaster tone you get in the neck+middle pickup position. It also acts as a „humbucker“ (using two coils instead of a single coil) cancelling out noise caused by surrounding sources like light dimmers. The tone choice contrasts nicely to Clapton‘s „woman tone“ achieved by rolling off treble from the neck pickup almost all the way.

[@ronkrauter1888]

You got that right bro.❤❤❤❤❤😢😮🎉🎉

[@Tolbiny]

@@richardervinsCray is bridge and middle, not neck and middle.

[@ianmills7750]

Love how Cray romances the guitar and talks to it while he plays. And the joker out there laying down the blues. Great stuff!

[@collinsmith6565]

this vid just came up in my feed and i came here to post about clapton lookin like the joker myself 😂well played

[@phasperhoven]

Just went to a Robert Cray show this night. Man still has the magic!

[@wandatowellable]

I'm going to see him this coming Wednesday. Can't wait.

[@zakk1983tdm]

Clapton dressed as Joker and his strat painted as joker's face and hair. Awesome.. Very nice version of a beloved classic...

[@BdvIbis]

34 years 😢 that what good music looks like...!

[@gastonca]

Robert Cray solo from 4:50 is pure magic!

[@lashashapira3406]

pure blues from soul :)

[@billvilla7799]

I've seen Robert Cray twice...he is outstanding. All of his sound is him, not pedals or gimmicks...just him and his guitar. See him if you get the chance!

[@sercastamere9853]

I like the sentiment here but I've always been confused by people implying that pedals can make you somehow a "better player" or rather that playing with just a guitar and amp makes you a more elite player. Pedals are just colouration, flair, spice etc. They can make things more interesting and different than a "plain" sound. Most of the guitar sounds you love on records at least have compression, if not reverb, a bit of drive or a treble booster. Point is, just praise the man playing, no need to try and elevate him above others sinply for playing with dofferent gear

[@MrBigShotFancyPants]

Nothing sounds worse than a wah pedal in the foot of one who's not mastered it. Not allot sounds better than a wah in the foot of a master.(think Jimi)

[@lealoo6287]

Saw Eric Clapton in concert in Aug 1990, right after SRV's death. I was so afraid the concert would be cancelled, but it wasn't and Robert Cray was there on stage with Eric. The best concert of my life.

[@HLS6935]

I saw that concert, too, in St. Louis. I agree it was a great concert, second to seeing SRV and Beck together on the In Step tour.

[@user-bt3tj6we7b]

@@HLS6935 both of you are very lucky here in morocco they dont invite bluesman ...fucking country !!! they invite only fake singers like rihanna in the festivals

[@feelinggrape]

Robert Cray, Hiram Bullock, Eric Clapton. Holy shit. Omar Hakim & the Rest of the band are amazing too obviously.

[@Steve-ih7dg]

thanks for name-checking some of the other musicians.

[@ulmestrat]

What a brilliant singer he is, and Robert's Strat-Sound is outstanding - best performance !

[@jackyfrench7575]

erics playing is like smooth whiskey

[@captainjamesjamesy1053]

Robert Cray playing to the guitar which is incredible. It's like a conversation with his guitar. Wow

[@Yahya-R]

More of an intense sexual synergy than a mere conversation!

[@metrobytmobile6844]

That's a Robert Cray song I'd recognize in a dead sleep. He's got a distinctive sound like no other.

[@stevem-h3562]

Robert's a fucking superb blues guitarist. One of my favourites.

[@AdamJohnson-di7co]

That pianist is crushing it too !!

[@Steve-ih7dg]

Watching these 2 masters play makes me realise how much time I waste watching gear videos, wondering what pedal will take me to tone nirvana, when instead I should be practising and finding ways to express my soul through my fingers.

[@bluestarrecords]

EC is one of the musical giants of our time. Songs, Style Voice, Guitar, Smokes, Vibe + RC killing it

[@chrismorris3726]

Eric's voice is really good here. Robert is plain awesome.

[@That52TeleGuy]

Such a wonderful song with a great simple chord progression. Nice to hear blues that is not just overdriven loudness.

[@kevinaltizer]

Magical that the two that wrote the song joined in the ending guitar duet with smiles looking at each other.

[@bobbyboyderecords]

They were an item at that point

[@StevenHunterPangians1]

Sad that they're not speaking to each other these days..smfh

[@user-ir1gz7gl9x]

I want to say one thing that most people don't say. This is the Marlboro cigarette Eric put on his guitar’s head. The cigarettes in the old age are mellow and fragrant. It's not finished burning a song time long,Now Marlboro cigarettes taste different from before! And it will burn out soon, so I think no matter people's music or cigarettes are better than those in the old times,Do you agree?

[@luisamorsolo2072]

Agree. Those present day Marls are GMO-derived & gluten-free😏. Great blues from the 2 masters 'though.

[@carolynwilson2206]

Cigarettes, nothing pleasant about them. They represent illnesses, pail and a slow death. I

[@jackyfrench7575]

totally

[@riffdigger2133]

Hiram Bullock what a sad loss to drugs and illness. Great to see him here with Eric and Bob. Great studio lighting for the rich colors of Eric's Strat and choice of wardrobe at this time. Lots going on here between Clapton and Cray. What a fantastic stage presence.

[@TrollHunterxXx]

Is this pinnacle Clapton ?

[@Matt-Hurin]

Cray is an absolute Great in my opinion doesn't have enough recognition he clearly deserves and his band too p.s Hiram as well 😂🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@brennanwinitana8721]

Fukn such smooth moves uncles bob and eric.❤❤❤❤...when music was made frim scales and vibration

[@jameshughes6156]

Anybody remember this show? Live blues guys even SRV was there it was great. Miss those days. Glad it’s on utube at least. Used to stay up late to watch this show. The late Hiram Bullock was house band guitarist. It was the sax players show. Late night with David Sanborn.

[@billkennedy2208]

HIRAM BULLOCK IS THE SHIT

[@bryanstary743]

Saw this done along with Stevie Ray, and Jimmie Vaughn, and Buddy Guy all on stage together as the final encore of Stevie Ray's last show at Alpine Valley in August of 1990. This video just gave me chills.

[@rafordy]

Robert Cray is The business

[@atlantabraves1529]

Yeah

[@Robin-Cale17]

Buddy Guy is a billion times better than Cray!

[@johnmayer8906]

Golden days ❤

[@jtlemay4878]

Top shelf

[@Steve-ih7dg]

That start to RC's solo - what a beautiful tone he gets from his strat.

[@KickflipGnasty]

Now this is one of those jams you just immediately love. Holy fuck this is gorgeous. Unbelievable.

[@ronkrauter1888]

What a voice Eric has❤ and along with the great Robert Cray another great guitarist.❤❤❤❤❤❤ love you both.😂😢❤❤❤

[@BBQDad463]

What a pair! What a performance! WOW!

[@diegoc.2918]

Hey, Robert Cray, leave the pride and arrogance behind and rekindle your friendship with Clapton. Respect his position on vaccines. We are free men. Everyone has their own thoughts. I got to know your work through Eric and today I like both. Don't let those ideologies that separate us by class divide you. You two are important to us.

[@dancollins5194]

Think the issue was more about a particular US politician that EC seemed to align with: bad reputation with race etc … not just Covid. Such a shame as they’re so good together

[@diegoc.2918]

@@dancollins5194 , the truth is that today we live in a sick world where so-called "social justice" and "guardians of 'justice' and morality" think they are perfect and want the world to align with their ideology. Anyone who doesn't line up for now is "cancelled", in the future they will be killed. They are judging the guy for racism, since he was 18 years old at the time. The man has portrayed himself several times and has always worked with black artists. Even I who am black am finding this ridiculous and sick.

[@elainemeyer5062]

@@diegoc.2918 Saw your comment on the original one today and have to agree with you! Music and a person’s ‘talent’ have absolutely nothing to do with race, political views, religion, sexual orientation, or anything else - and ONLY whether or not they’re talented! At least that’s my opinion.

[@shanetutt518]

Yeah I heard something about cray turning on eric..still don't actually.knoe what his problem is..he's known eric and played with him.for years..and they were close..why spoil that over politics???..

[@peterlee4695]

Great two legendary players performing original song of blues.

[@tommym321]

The more I learn guitar the more I come back to videos like this and I’m reminded: vibrato is EVERYTHING.

[@lintonfj]

He’s amazing, that tone and force! Together with his sensitive approach❤

[@wizrom3046]

I didnt think either of their solos here was world class, but Clapton's voice... As always very under-appreciated 👍

[@johnathonwebster5720]

Fabulous number

[@riobravomultimedia4104]

These two need to start a band like Clapton and Duane Allman. Clapton & Robert Cray are absolutely magical..holy shit balls.

[@Wileylikethehawk]

Seeing Clapton on TV in this era inspired me to buy my very first guitar back then - a 7-Up Green Clapton Strat just like this one. Such a great guitar.

[@jlowens6646]

Yes, sir! I have my dad’s 7-Up Green Clapton strat. It is serial number 7.

[@harrisknight1347]

Such a shame they are no longer friends...

[@jeffdietz630]

The guitar duet at the end amazing. Robert Cray smoking it.

[@tomcooley3778]

Agreed 👍

[@deltonkillen8024]

One more great collaboration between two of my favorite blues guitarists. The little jam at the end is marvelous.

[@alicegrant3731]

PROPER live music...AND a lit cigarette... Good old days 😌

[@the.original.K]

Absolutely Legendary!!

[@ryanknapp1062]

I was so fortunate to see Robert Cray with my mom on mothers day in Reno at 12.00am.

[@SwisstedChef2018]

Robert Cray is a Master of Blues a fantastic musician. Great for an Icon like Eric to be there.

[@Robin-Cale17]

@SwisstedChef2018, Buddy Guy is the best bluesman out there, and he is good friends with Clapton.

[@philb4462]

Wow! That suit! That shirt!

[@richardmerola7503]

Having a place to find this kind of content is amazing! Pretty good if you are into insanely skilled and passionate guitarists.

[@mattparr3038]

The old cigarette in the neck of the gat.. classic..

[@michellemaher6946]

Omg I would love to have seen them in concert.. wow.. they’re is something about a man that can use his fingers to play music like this. 😂

[@tomcooley3778]

This song gets me every time !

[@edlicari3909]

2 of the very best right there folks!! 👍

[@sherrycuffman5120]

How many men can ware a purple coat love it.

[@judgedredd3568]

As a huge Clapton fan....No match for Robert...as a player...certainly as a writer....but this man Cray ....is made of different stuff....Chopin level deep

[@kiredimoski6845]

Probably the best version of this timeless song.

[@teresagross2306]

Beautiful love song,, never gets old with all that British blues ❣️

[@robbie471]

Probably one of the best performances I have seen of Cray and Clapton, the whole band were really on top of their game!

[@razkanafawaza6257]

clapton is GOD!!!

[@DREDOG1967]

His Hair was God during this performance

[@markmartin3221]

I met Robert @SFO as he was awaiting a mechanical bird to take him to go to Albert Collins funeral. He is a Gent

[@Chatti16]

Wow how did I miss this! Eric and Robert WOW‼️Robert is phenomenal! First heard him in Strong Persuader.. Eric you look amazing as always! Perfectly dressed I feel.. beautiful! Stunning hair! You are Harmony in Perfection or Perfection in Harmony.. you my old Love and always will be!! You just simply have it all.. the pleasure I have in watching and listening to you play is immense and it’s daily 🙏

[@kathif17]

❤ its sad that Robert again thinks poorly of Eric. I don't know any other musican that pays it forward like Eric. Yes he made past mistakes but he has more than amended them. ❤ Forever Fan ♥

[@islandjogger]

Two great musicians and love Clapton's 7up Green Stratocaster!

[@richardmyers3823]

Why is he dressed like the joker lol

[@siroliver1]

@@richardmyers3823 Batman came out that previous summer, it's seems he took some style tips from Jack Nicholson

[@rogertayloRRR]

Those Joker threads are firrreeee

[@johnandersen2969]

Holy Shit ,No pedals ,boxes or fucking around... Brilliant

[@DREDOG1967]

Notice that smoking cigarette on the head of Eric's guitar ? That's the mark of a true journey man.

[@riffdigger2133]

Rothmans

[@TrollHunterxXx]

Such a great album

[@DeathRattlingWhore]

Its the mark of a guitarist who also smokes actually.

[@catherinesummers5057]

One hunnerd

[@jeffreyzaleski412]

CRAY & ERICK BLESSED EVERYONE OUT.

[@vikiryan822]

Eric feeling the blues. Robert wailing them. 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@lookmanostrings]

Why does Clapton look like he's Tom Green cosplaying The Riddler.... lmao Can we take a moment and appreciate how Robert Cray's tone and touch is at once laid back and monster??? Legend. I mean I love Clapton but that quack baby.

[@patkendrick592]

🎉 love this

[@user-ir1gz7gl9x]

Robert’s tone always the one and only that we can’t ever learn on this planet...I like the way he playing guitar with that very enjoyed face ....

[@DREDOG1967]

After all these years. Still no mention of Eric Clapton's perfect hair ?

[@DREDOG1967]

@Hudson Hawk6 Eric hair ? It's perfect ! No h*m* but his 90's hair style was better than most females of that time. I had the carrot look with red dreadlocks on top and a shaved head at that time.

[@ruiplas]

Did this hair style have a specific name?

[@DREDOG1967]

@@ruiplas I called it "The God perm"

[@traditionalswiss]

this guitar playing leaves me speechless...

[@robynheavner4689]

Love Clapton and Robert Cray ❤🎵❤

[@williefrietsch6351]

Stunning 🎸✨️

[@londonman8688]

cray is a great guitarist

[@JohnnyBargeldBoom]

I love the Eric Clapton "The Joker" Phase!!

[@cliffbogen]

So much heart and soul. Nice. Plus, the late great Hiram Bullock

[@kellykinder3974]

Love this! Yes, take him home Bob!

[@arthurspellissy5049]

Wonderful seeing both songwriters on stage. Such different blues styles put together.

[@lakehousejams8169]

Great tone both players

[@faridginanjar2562]

Mr cray on fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@ThomasConnolly]

This is one amazing live performance is from 1990, it's so good to see Eric Clapton and Robert Cray together!!! Is it just me or doesn't Eric Clapton look like he's dressed like the Joker(Jack Nickolson) from the 1989 movie Batman? By the way, Robert Cray is amazing in this live performance his guitar tone is absolutely incredible!!!!

[@TrollHunterxXx]

The ultimate

[@51tomtomtom]

I thought the same about this ridiculous jacket.....sure he thinks the same now----better not watching just listening ! Love Cray but there are better versions of this song .........2011 Royal Albert Hall f.e.

[@melissatyree566]

It was probably an accident I never saw Eric wear those colors together. I can always tell which Era of Clapton were in by his hair. In love since 1971. 😍

[@josecanoosado1306]

Eric CLAPTON es uno de los mejores guitarristas y amante del blues... ... ERIC CLAPTON LEYENDA VIVA!!!.✨💫💥🎸🎵🌈🎼🎸

[@RemoVegas]

BOY HE WAS LOOKING GOOD THAT NIGHT..!

[@Utubewrk123]

This was such a great show. I used to stay up late. There was Eric, Robert , SRV and Hiram Bullock. It was great. Live music. I actually bought the purple custom shop Robert Cray strat. I traded it but it was a great strat. Very low output pick ups. Kindve wish I kept it. I bought it yrs ago and it’s worth 3x what I paid and yes it was a custom shop. Inflation.

[@dinahnascimento]

As an ex girlfriend of a man who appreciates the blues so much, I won't be able to forgive him for not giving me his eyes earlier. This is insane! Sending love to everybody and crossing fingers to catch yous somewhat close. Love yous. Xx

[@StevenHunterPangians1]

Sad that they're not on speaking terms these days.

[@stevetrivago]

Didn’t know that… Dang! Im going to see Robert Cray tomorrow night #pennspeak Thanks for the sad but interesting info

[@elizabethmcleod246]

Do you know why? I hope they can regroup somehow.

[@shanetutt518]

Yeah heard that Robert turned on eric..dunno what's gotten into him..shame they were close

[@shanetutt518]

@@elizabethmcleod246 something to do with difference of opinions./politics...shame

[@StevenHunterPangians1]

@@shanetutt518 Did you hear what it was about?

[@stevandaughdrill3795]

Goosebumps

[@celiamuff2513]

Gorgeous ! Gorgeous! ❤️❤️

[@presidentpotato222]

2 great having a blast

[@ethelstevenslove2957]

GREAT CLASSIC......

[@jarikuukasjarvi7824]

Very good, two of my guitarheroes together...wowwowjeejee

[@DreamsongsProductions]

So good....

[@barrylaferriere896]

I am moved.

[@islandjogger]

Two of the best and that Candy Green Fender Stratocaster is AMAZING!