Greg Koch On Eric Clapton • Wildwood Guitars Interview

[@carnabybob]

Let's be honest.....Greg makes the internet better.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

2:08 4:29 👀lol

[@ThrashRoC]

To me eric Clapton is really one of the MOST tastful and greatest Blues Players and a TRUE Legend

[@kingstonlaw8889]

There’s no doubt that Clapton is one the greatest ever. When it comes to improvise, he’s simply untouchable. His note choice and dynamics are pure genius.

[@thomaspick4123]

It is a wonderful thing that Eric changed his tone so many times over the years. He wrote some nice stuff and also did good interpretations of other people’s work. From electric to acoustic, a great range. Glad he wrote a book to set things straight. Yes, there are despicable areas in his past. He does pay tribute to those before him in the blues genre and felt honored when asked by the ancients to carry the torch and see to it the genre does not die out. When Jimi went on England, it was Eric that Jimi sought out.

[@Jez1963UK]

I'm 52, nearly 53, and very close to pulling the trigger to buy an electric guitar to learn - I have no hobbies and this looks fun. Just learnt about this guy and he is sooooo funny :)

[@RM-gm7lu]

+Jez2008UK DO EEERRRRTTTT!!!......you'll never regret it...maybe when you realise how much the is to learn...even then you wont. You are right he is hilarious and an absolute virtuoso at the instrument.

[@jopestv1063]

+Jez2008UK look 4 his instructional vids...they might be rare since I have 2 on VHS

[@johannes8300]

Do it!

[@charligj]

shit yeeah ! Get whatever one u can afford but def GET A TUBE combo ! I have a Bugera V5 and I recommend it

[@barmmmm2]

Don t Buy an ax. Buy a sax insted. Trust me on that.

[@aphillips1987]

watch Cream live at the Albert Hall and you'll understand why Clapton was / is revered. Its a tour-de-force on par with Hendrix.

[@heybuddy6794]

I bet ima watch it and that won't be true.

[@heybuddy6794]

it was mild

[@markrobinson8410]

In the bluebreakers Clapton was only 19 years old!

[@lifetimes2983]

Amen - Clapton was fierce, just a bloody tiger as were Jack and Ginger. Poison for each other on a personal level I guess but a collective monster musically as a trio. Saw em' in Los Angeles on their Goodbye Tour. By the way the live track of Sittin' on top of the World on the Goodbye album is just frickin wickedly bad ass

[@digitalsketchguy]

Many people forget that Eric was so young when he was knocking out those tunes and there was no internet back then, no guitar mags, no DVD tutorials, no youtube, just zilch. He listened to American blues masters like Robert Johnson and also guitarists of his day and absorbed, learned and mastered.

[@scottmcgowan8213]

It's been many years since I would hang out with Greg, and I will always look back fondly on the times I was lucky enough to step on stage with him. He is a generous performer, always challenging me to up my game, and had a way to elevate my own playing. He's gentle giant of a man, just as funny in conversation as his videos, but it's his musical vocabulary that makes him what he is. It's ironic that he's here talking about Clapton, who many feel has a very limited set of influences, because I can tell you that Greg clearly listens/incorporates EVERY type of music into his style...

[@valentino3191]

One of the often overlooked aspects of Clapton’s career is how many obscure Blues artists he brought into the mainstream by popularizing songs that had been largely forgotten. There is a whole catalog of R&B players that contributed to early Rock that many had no idea existed.

[@lifetimes2983]

Claptons solo on "The Core " -Slowhand LP took me back ....instantly. It was the first time in a good while in studio that I had heard that Clapton fire. Wickedly fast, awesome tone and CLEAN

[@bluefen]

So great to hear such an accomplished guitarist and keen mind understand exactly why Clapton's contribution is so profound....thank you Greg...

[@richfiryn]

Wow, some pretty amazing comments here. I fortunately am an older guy that has been around since the very start with Mr Clapton. Musical styles and popularity of a new group or individual come and go. Eric is still here, still playing wonderfully. He and many other older performers that are still living are really global musical treasures. Anyone with even the slightest interest in music can and should learn from these guys. As Greg said, they are the foundation. Right on for this vid Greg.

[@rick00770]

Eric's my favorite , at my age 71 he still is. An inspiration to me.

[@gavinnaylor786]

What about From the Cradle. That show was a clinic. And on tone too. There is a video in here. Never the same as filling an arena full of that Gibson sweetness but you'll get the idea. I remember going to that concert in the 90s thinking Clapton was a has been and not really liking the blues. Man did he change that. He rocked a few of those solos out for 4 or 5 minutes and left it all there. That man's incredible when he lays it down.

[@NolalanD]

ive seen him twice, once in 90's and once 2014. both times there was a point in the show where he levitates on blues lick.

[@bizthin]

Excellent analysis by Greg Koch! It's also noteworthy to mention the album "From the Cradle" which well exemplifies the foundation Clapton is built on. Namely, the 3 Kings.

[@quezfor]

Yes, Greg you nailed it...the 60s did not lack for guitar virtuosos - Howard Roberts, George Benson, Pat Martino, Wes, plus a whole previous generation of stratospheric players: Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Herb Ellis...but you're right: Clapton was really the first one to turn the Marshall stack up to 10 and do some amazing things! I always advise young players to listen to listen to 'Steppin Out' (Live Cream 3?) parts 1 & 2 -- it is like an encyclopedia or compendium of Claptonia for the guitar on 10 (whatever amp). Wonderful point about foundation....thanks for this great summary of EC....

[@torindavies1176]

Jazz :)

[@quezfor]

Yes, Tiege, jazz, I know. Still, I think Clapton rates up against the jazz greats as a genuine guitar innovator...(Clapton himself bows before jazz as you can hear on his introduction to Wynton Marsalis' New Orleans Orchestra version of Layla -- again, true, he doesn't reach the technical abilities of the jazz greats but I believe you can make a case that he lifted the guitar world -- all of it -- with his touch....yes? No?

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Mr Koch is a very astute, intelligent man, and he plays killer Guitar like a run you in circles athlete-his sense of humor is also terrific-my opinion of the man has risen further with this fair minded and knowledgeable analysis of Eric Clapton's contributions.

[@donfilkins298]

Clapton's solo on crossroads live 1970ish , is one one of the greatest rock solos alltime

[@wady0]

Link please to this solo?

[@MezzMcGillicuddy1]

Missed Blind Faith dude! That was a great band, for about a millisecond. Some excellent points, I agree 100% That "Beano" album and the Cream albums display such amazing tone and swagger, they are well worth absorbing in detail by any aspiring guitarular skullduggerist! lol

[@pabloperez4063]

Blind Faith was amazing

[@donnievick3076]

He didn't miss it, he clearly mentions them at the 2:16 mark.

[@univibe23]

Well said. Guitar players today can't appreciate where EC was coming from (and his greatness) because they're not looking at him in context of his era of guitar nothingness to what is going on today. He was the man. He lit the fuse on this thing! It's dammed impressive (he was barely out of his teens) and all the more so to think how quickly he progressed from the Yardbirds to the playing on the Beno album. It's still mind-boggling!! I listen to that record today and I'm still blown away at the maturity of his playing. It's about as close to perfect in every way imaginable for electric guitar playing--from his vibrato and tone, to note choices, etc. etc. No wonder Eddie says to this day that this is the record he worshiped at the alter of for hour upon hour when he was learning guitar.

[@lifetimes2983]

I remember a "Greg" video clip I saw years........ ago, but I didn't know it was Greg I just recognized him as a cat whose smokin guitar chops were matched only by his PASSION for the art and instrument. I stumbled into another video today, still did not know his name but again recognized his passion and chops right off from 10-15 years ago. This time I remembered to bookmark and write down his name cuz he is so damn inspirational !

[@markntexas8265]

Andertons TV turned me on to Mr Koch during their 2019 NAAM videos. What a nice thing they did for me.

[@Jakexx01]

Fortunately for everyone you're not pontificating. You're simply relaying a real life experience that is important to you. Thanks for making my point better than I ever could.

[@jimleininger8963]

THEY DONT KNOW!!!! I dig the Zappa quote, Writing about music is like dancing about architecture

[@3dsman]

Great overview Greg! Since folks are volunteering their opinions... I enjoy all of EC's albums, some more than others.. but each are snapshots (as GK mentioned) of where his playing was at that time. In my 30 years of playing I know my playing has changed a lot (thank goodness, right!) so obviously EC's has as well. For my fave.. August. I don't know why, but that album, while very 'pop' has the most full sounding songs with Philinganes (sp?) keys and Nathan East's bass playing, not to mention the best backing vocalists ever... that whole album is just what floats my boat. But I do love all his other work as well (except maybe that Old Sock album... that's a weird one).

[@TheBassfresh]

I saw him live for the 1st time in 1975 w/ the ocean blvd band and he OWNED the stage

[@vladimirmihajlovic2485]

What I've grown to admire about Eric over the years is his laid-back approach to music which I feel he was inspired to adopt by J.J. Cale. He found the way to be more than just a brilliant guitarist. For a good sample of this, check out his Ray Charles cover, Hard Times. His singing is sublime there.

[@soerenjordan]

Man, so good to hear Greg talk about the inventors of Rock Guitar Playing, he definately finds the right words!

[@pabloperez4063]

Sören Jordan ....yes, he does!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

I had the great fortune to see Eric Clapton in 1976 and he pulled out some fabulous playing, blues, some of the Cream numbers he was superb-despite bottles of Brandy behind the amp, and taking a break with Patty on his lap halfway through the concert!

[@golem1ram]

The foundations of soul!!! That's why Greg Koch is my actual guitar hero!

[@davidevans3175]

Guitar players who are not writers will never understand that without brilliant songs guitar playing is irrelevant. They argue over this point endlessly yet there are no non-writing guitar players (writing means writing more than chord progressions to wank over) that have reached the epic level of success of artists like Pink Floyd, The Beatles, etc. John Mayer is a great guitar player but that's got nothing to do with his success. His song writing is why he's successful. He could be a bedroom strummer with those songs and still be every bit as successful. Yes guitar players admire his playing, but do they buy his music? Of course not. Writing is the key to the whole empire. If you argue that point you're simply naive.

[@racertian]

Absolutely spot on. I recently got slated when I asked 'for all his supposed brilliance, how many of today's generation want to go out and buy an Hendrix album ?' The vast majority of people just want to hear something that is pleasant on the ear. I do not want to see a guitar player sliding his hand up and down a guitar neck at the speed of light, taking in a thousand notes a second, if at the end of the day the sound that comes out is BORING. Cream (Clapton, Bruce, Baker) were the prime example of this. Hailed as a 'supergroup' with all the individuals labelled as virtuoso's ... the truth is they produced BORING songs which is why NO ONE buys their records today. People in their millions still listen and buy stuff by the Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd etc. WHY ? Because it is the tune that matters at the end of the day, and whether it sticks in the mind or not. Rob Chapman is a prime example on KZbin. Everyone hails his fantastic technique but who knows/ buys any of his band's recordings ? Every review of a guitar he does is actually just a chance for him to show what HE can do. All these guitar 'heroes' have practised till their fingers bleed and in order to justify their 'sacrifice' they absolutely crave 'recognition' of their playing ability ....regardless of the fact that something requiring much simpler technical ability to play actually sounds much better !!!!

[@WhiteNacho]

Great point David!

[@WhiteNacho]

+racertian Spot on!!!

[@Timliu92]

David Evans Spot on David. It is all about the songs, not how tough or challenging the licks are. Not saying that EC is not a great guitar player (he is one my Top 3 favorites), but I admit that is a reason why The Beatles has more recognition and why he decided to go for a singer-songwriter route post-Derek and the Dominos.

[@maxwellfan55]

racertian you are obviously not a guitar player, at least not an accomplished one or you wouldn't think like that. End of buddy.

[@fatherjonesdotcom]

Greg, this analysis is so thoughtful and on the mark. I am a huge fan of your playing, and, whatsmore, your thinking. You are a clever one.

[@twangbarfly]

Greg Koch - intelligent, articulate, fantastic sense of humour and a top, top musician and guitarist - a great guy to boot. I'm not the world's biggest Clapton fan, but Mr Koch's forcing me to think things through again, so kudos to him!

[@ThrashRoC]

Yesterday i seen the Concert from 2020 at Royal Albert hall ....some Moments you will think " He was Never Better" ..Jawdropping Guitar playing (especially for his age !)

[@songboy40]

I love Erics' playing. I think Bad Love is a great accomplishment. I'm a pretty song oriented person, so I also dig the mellow stuff he did, like Change The World. My life is better thanks to having heard him..

[@youtomorrow5572]

Well said, if the foundation isn't there... check your foundations man!! 😀

[@Tickbryan]

. Clapton is not only a great guitarist but the total package as is all the great blues men including Jimi.

[@lauriedepaurie]

Too bad that John Mayer also copied EC's 'downfall'... greg describes it best: you can have great chops, but without soul and foundation you might as well be playing air-guitar... Playing guitar since I was 8, clasically trained. Fell in love with blues, got a good blues teacher and the first thing I had to do was 'forget everything I know, and start playing by ear'. To this day, I cannot play a single note/ chord without singing along with it....

[@iansnyder274]

"Copied his downfall"... wow i thought the exact same thing but never said it out loud!

[@paulfuller8985]

I read an interview with Jack Bruce many years ago and he said he had to play acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks on " Wheels of Fire " . As You Said and Deserted Cities of the Heart . He said he was embarrassed by his own guitar playing . Eric said it would be ok . I love Jack's quote , it was something like " we had Eric Clapton in the band ! " . Best bass player ( Jack ) and one of the greatest guitar players of the late 20th century ( Eric ) .

[@peterdeboer3500]

learn the the solo to while my guitar gently weeps. note for note, bend for bend. if you can. it is absolute genius, inspired beyond words. Clapton is as musical as a human can be.

[@donkkong5551]

Greg is the best!! I can't help but notice that there is 4 Dumble amps to his right stacked up.

[@Kutaah]

I could listen to Greg talk about guitarists all day? Maybe bbking?

[@888jimm]

i agree!

[@markdunn7828]

Wanna know how badass Eric Clapton is? Find any bootleg of Cream's 1967 performance at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit!

[@rdickinsondickinson]

What makes EC.. so great is his silky touch on that Stratocaster!!!!!

[@ddkeegs]

Two thumbs up Greg! Eric is a classic blues/ rock player. Who loves the music. Soulfull and heartfelt. If it weren't for him, white middleclass kids from the 70s and 80s like myself would never have been introduced to Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Howlin Wolf and the 3Kings(Albert, Freddy &B.B.) He certainly remain a classic player we can all learn from "until the aliens come..." LOL

[@robertdurrwachter]

Spot on! Clapton brought it to us and we have been building on it ever since! For my money....It's Clapton and Hendrix in that order! Look what they did for Joe Bonamassa and John Mayer. Nothing like playing guitar and learning from the great ones!

[@zincChameleon]

I got to see Clapton, Beck, and Green within a single year at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit Michigan. I was amazed at how slow and careful Clapton's playing was, but Peter Green was the most 'evangelical'. 'Black Magic Woman' was the show stopper.

[@kianyt5804]

Zinc Chameleon I've heard the cream grande ballroom bootleg... slow and careful is FAR from how I would describe it.

[@jimlabos]

Lucky man! Clapton led me to Muddy Waters by way of Freddie King which eventually led me to Michael Bloomfield. I got kind of stuck on him. Peter Green also had a great style and feel. We live in great times. Cheers

[@titus2120]

Greg! Love you work. When are going to do a Clapton reflection on an SG or Les Paul? PLEASE???

[@UncannyAleman]

Fantastic 😄

[@lonesomeguitarplayer]

Hi Greg, first let me express my humble admiration for your guitar skills, wow !! On EC: I've just finished reading Paul Scott's (who the hell is this guy anyway??) biography, which was all Daily Mail / Sun tabloid style and pissed me off quite a bit. EC is probably not the easiest guy to be around, but I've been a great fan all my life and I am really gratefull for all his musical heritage. Anyway, what I'm trying to say here: why don't YOU do a proper biography on EC !? BTW: I just looovvve the Signature T Ebony gold plated that I've just bought, which I saw you pay so handsomely on another Wildwood vid. Great sound, versitale, plays like a dream and best value for money when it comes to LP. Cheers and thanks!

[@buddylobos6202]

Around 2010 Eric said in an interview at Crossroads that he thought his best playing was in the mid-90's. Blues Power Rules! But you know his voice fits his guitar sound perfectly.

[@dinodanelli8691]

They were actually Freddie King licks he was playing on the Beano record!

[@compulsor5853]

Needed a smile real bad just then, thanks GK Esq

[@xsamitt]

Very well said....!!!!!!!

[@jaikwillis]

I was a total Clapton denier until I finally sat down & listened to Beano... He plays his ass off on that. The singing on the record is so dated and morbid but the guitar playing is top shelf. If he had OD'd like hendrix right after that , his legend would be much larger than it already is

[@TheBigDean18]

I've often felt that way about clapton. Like if he would have died right after The Derek and The Dominos record I firmly believe everyone would be saying he would be the greatest of all time.

[@christianboddum8783]

I think one thing that get's overlooked is swing on some of the songs, maybe it stems from the rythm section, but Clapton flows so nicely with the grooves.

[@ghike30]

I learned EC's version of hideaway, not for note, its on the "beano" album. my conclusion is , I have MASSIVE respect, its a transcription of Freddy king tune, but ffs, he was only about 22 when he did it , i.m 55, and couldn't produce anything of that calibre, and, its frickin not easy to do either (for me anyway : )

[@paulharris8551]

Clapton's early playing was magnificent and those guys at Rolling Stone were just the usual journalist jerks who get a kick out of knocking people. His lines were 'obvious' only after he played them. You could say the same thing about Mozart

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Top comments Greg,Eric is the foundation of blues rock guitar.

[@bluefen]

Not only are you right but I laughed for the first time in a week...all the best :)

[@robsummers8344]

As Peter Green once said, Eric could do a little bit of evil ✌🏻🎸⚡️

[@solsticelacer]

wise words from Gregory

[@AmDsus2Fmaj7Am]

Man... how I miss Clapton with a Gibson and Marshall stacks. The guy still collects Ferrari's and has one custom made for him; he may not recognize it, but he's a rockstar trying to be Buddy Guy. Except for the ladies who like wonderful tonight, everybody goes to his concerts waiting for that mid-boost-turn-up moment that brings sprinkles of the young Clapton back for one song. I'd be so happy if he releases a new, killer psychedelic rock album: he doesn't need Ginger Baker or Jack Bruce to do it, and he's not too old either; look at Neil Young. Both Eric Clapton and Jeff beck changed a lot after experiencing the 60's with Jimmy Hendrix. With all the due respect, they can't be Jimmy. Go ask any fan... they all like the past.

[@nikodemus53]

He should put down his Goddamned Stratocaster for just a couple of numbers and play a Gibson to give the grassroots fans something they haven't heard since Cream. I know he's made his choices and has changed and endured but hey, how about the fans ?

[@AmDsus2Fmaj7Am]

john gafa' Thanks John, you made me laugh. I couldn't agree more. :)

[@RorysIrishTour]

Yep, right. I'm a kind of snobby strat guy myself, but Clapton with a sg or es in cream era was the cream of the crop. Tonewise and stylistically.

[@tenniswilliam]

I agree with your sentiment. There are many skilled guitar players and some may be able to do Clapton's version of Crossroads better than Eric himself. But Clapton innovated and created new methods of playing guitar and a new sound that opened the floodgates for sixties music. Clapton changed things.

[@gofastly9989]

I have not heard anyone play Crossroads better than EC.. and I have heard a few over the years .

[@Tickbryan]

A great guitarist does not a successful musician make. There a thousands of great guitarist that we will never know but what separates them from the ones we do know is the songs they write, sing and record. Clapton was known for his great guitar playing which got him the attention that led to greater things later on. But if it had not been for the talented singing, song writing and song selections over the years he never would have risen to the popularity he now realizes.

[@russbrinn]

so true...so true. thanks Greg.

[@mikeaustin4138]

Off topic, my dad took me to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra when I was 13 or 14 ('65 or '66) and they were incredible

[@gofastly9989]

Wasn't Glen lost at sea by then

[@mikeaustin4138]

@@gofastly9989 Glen was lost at sea during WWiI, IIRC, but his band continued on at least until I saw them.

[@gofastly9989]

@@mikeaustin4138 but not a great comparison is it.

[@SalvatoreCaruso24]

Are them 4 Dumble that I see on the back? Can't believe that

[@brocklanders6172]

Salvatore Caruso I know! Even God, Himself, doesn't have more than 2 Dumbles...

[@arturitoaav]

I see 5 dumbles!!! Check again folk! But yeah, even god himself doenst have more than 2, so I think that they are bludotone amps!

[@jopestv1063]

+Salvatore Caruso u could buy a small country w/ that dumble stack alone

[@Jmaccxx]

It's a green screen

[@grantdyble3472]

I didn’t get Clapton for a long time. I liked Cream, thought his 70’s stuff was very hit and miss, and didn’t like his 80’s stuff at all once Phil Collins got involved. I finally got around to listening to Derek and the Dominoes earlier this year and it was like the lights finally went on. It is an absolutely stunning record not least because it wasn’t all about Clapton. All of the musicians and the songs on that record were outstanding. All this aside I’ve seen him live once as part of an all-day event in central London with a load of other bands. It was right around the time of the unplugged album. He played Layla. On an acoustic guitar. I did not stand around in a field for 7 hours to listen to Eric Clapton play Layla on an an acoustic guitar. Oi! Eric! Play it again! Properly this time...

[@bumblefritz]

2:08 His yelling startled my cat.

[@tomthx5804]

Hey! My foundation is based on soulessness and I am proud of it!

[@woolgum]

I want to know what that guitar is?

[@bigleemac]

Love Greg.

[@ThrashRoC]

You said it !

[@kebmel8668]

God I love the big fella, rock on Koch on

[@claudiokezen9575]

I can dig it!

[@samldr1984]

Brilliant!

[@motokev2727]

WELL SPOKEN..... Clapton is the man. The most successful player ever.

[@sumljivi]

Absolutely correct. If your playing is not based on good inspiration your technique will sound boring no matter how fast and how loud you play. However I have seen many instrument owners being inspired only by hope to be admired by the critics. Something tells me that Clapton just wants to make listeners feel good and he has good ancient rhythms in himself.

[@guitargentmick-tv8424]

I love Clapton. Koch is awesome in his own way. My favourite noodler.

[@Yahootie]

That first lick you played...you say it’s Clapton, but I hear Stairway

[@gofastly9989]

Who came first

[@niteriderband4713]

I agree 100%, Clapton was God at one time and he deserved the title. He is the most imitated guitarist and that proves something.

[@omeletpants]

Clapton was god in 1965 and nothing has changed

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Gods are gods even when they don't want to be ...

[@MrCaribbean]

well said

[@N1095A]

Clapton is simply the greatest ever to pick up a guitar, Period.

[@DarkHorizonEOS]

SRV.

[@N1095A]

Funny thing, EC once said that SRV was the only guitar payer who ever intimidated him.

[@TheBigDean18]

N1095A Yeah but Clapton said that the first time he heard SRV play he was driving in his car and he pulled over to the side of the road and said ''I have to find out who is playing this".

[@boxingin]

No he's not....

[@foxybrown2]

Are you kidding he not even close. There are so many new people out there today that he cant even touch. And I'll bet he will even admit it.

[@MOSKII58]

"I want a Wildwood T-Shirt" just like Greg's ...per favore' or if i buy a t-shirt, would you guys through in an American special tele or an Esquire ....

[@ericclaptonhistorybook8510]

My suggestion: listen to Clapton’s late 80s and 90s works and his live concerts. This is evidence that Clapton is one of the greatest guitarists and musicians ever!!

[@jaimedolcesinnersole]

well said.

[@stringertothefinger]

you cannot be one of the most profound guitarist of our time and in the same world class comedian as well .. * ?* *CAN*YOU*DIG*IT*

[@benzuckerman]

I thought that Peter Green used Orange amps, and that his pickups were reversed (out of phase).

[@finneguitarplayer9825]

Eric Clapton is My Hero 🎸👏👏👏

[@nautaki]

I don't get why your channel does not have waaaaaaaaaaaay more subscribers..... oh well.....

[@paulviditomusic]

u fuckin rock greg!!!

[@michaelmclaughlin4079]

I've been a Clapton fan since the Yardbird days. I think that time has shown that he is usually better depending on who he is playing with. Greg Koch mentioned the Layla album - featuring Duane Allman; Just One Night - with Albert Lee; he did Road to Escondido with JJ Cale and met Derek Trucks - took Derek on a world tour which got rave reviews and tore it up when he appeared with the ABB at the Anniversary Beacon Theater shows; was great with Steve Winwood; check him out in the Last Waltz film with Robbie Robertson ripping through Further on Up the Road. I just think some players inspire him more and consequently he reaches a little more. He did the Money and Cigarettes album with Ry Cooder (one of my favorite guitarists of all time) handling some of the production work and it was terrible! As great as Ry Cooder is, he's not into the kind of music that makes Clapton CLAPTON so the album didn't come together. It's only my humble opinion, but it's what I've observed.

[@Oceanmachine27]

I've noticed that as well. Clapton is definitely at his best when he has someone to light a fire under his ass. Otherwise, he settles into snoozeville.

[@coolmodine]

Well put Gregster.

[@TeleTonemonkey]

Is that a stack of Overdrive Special heads?! 😮😅

[@888jimm]

When Eric plays a gibson....all is right with the world....the solo in crossroads was so f'ing good.....he cant fucking play it.....love Eric he for the Clapton is God stuff is just a down to earth guy .

[@billy6742]

Yeap .. Greg is a hell of a musician and story telling people person

[@gbaren]

Greg…1st: Great playing man! and foremost: Thanks for explaining the “myth” of Clapton…Eric Clapton w The Bluesbreakers Album contains some of the most searing and emotionally charged guitar solos ever recorded. Groundbreaking!

[@littledrumerboy11]

holy crap those are some nice amps behind greg

[@LysanderLH]

Kochmeister was so young.