ERIC CLAPTON & FRIENDS IN CONCERT: A BENEFIT FOR THE CROSSROADS CENTRE AT ANTIGUA

Details

• Release Year: 1999
• Genre: Music
• Plot: It's been quite a road for Eric Clapton: from blues purist to rock guitar god, from country-pop balladeer to classic rock icon, and on to his current status as all-around legend, playing everything from straight blues to neo-soul. Those different aspects are all on display in this concert, taped at New York's Madison Square Garden to raise funds for the guitarist's drug and alcohol rehab center in the Caribbean. Of course, we get a healthy dose of Clapton the frontman during the nearly two-hour show, from the predictable 'Layla' and 'Tears in Heaven' to 'River of Tears,' perhaps the best song from his 1998 Pilgrim album (heard here in a more gospel-tinged arrangement). But it is as a collaborator or accompanist that he really shines, whether he's adding some tasty slide guitar to Sheryl Crow's 'Different Kind,' generating some real heat with saxophonist David Sanborn during a fiery 'Little Wing,' or harmonizing and trading guitar licks with Bob Dylan during a good-timey 'Crossroads.' Sure, Eric Clapton backing up Mary J. Blige may seem a little strange, but by the time he encores with a rousing 'Sunshine of Your Love,' it's clear that a good time was had by all.
• Cast: Nathan East, Steve Gadd, Tim Carmon, Dave Delhomme, David Sanborn, Tessa Niles, Katie Kissoon, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Andy Fairweather-Low, Joel Gallen
• Director: Joel Gallen
• Runtime: 1:48
• Company: Warner Music Vision
• Media Format: Movie