May's Theme At So Many Roads

In May, as So Many Roads celebrates its 2 1/2 year anniversary, our them will be The 1980s. Every show we post will have taken place between 1980 and 1990.

Enjoy the tunz!

Eric Clapton - 1977-04-27 - London, UK (SBD)

Eric Clapton
1977-04-27
Hammersmith Odeon
London, UK
Soundboard Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. Hello Old Friend
02. Sign Language
03. Alberta
04. Tell The Truth
05. Knocking On Heaven's Door
06. Steady Rollin' Man
07. Can't Find My Way Home

CD 2:
01. Further On Up The Road
02. Stormy Monday
03. Badge
04. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
05. I Shot The Sheriff
06. Layla
07. Key To The Highway

Eric Clapton - 1977-04-27 - London, UK (SBD)

Here’s our 7th and final EC post for April. In August 1976, Clapton released the album No reason To Cry, his 3rd solo disc since his return to the rock world after overcoming his addition to heroin. The album is notable because EC takes a much less prominent role than might be expected. For example, Marcy Levy sings lead vocals on innocent times and shares them with Eric on Hungry. Two other tunes also feature EC giving up the limelight to share vocals with another rocker. On All Our Times past, Rick Danko steps up to the mike with Eric, while on Sign Language, its Bob Dylan who duets with EC. Dylan wrote Sign Language, but his version with Clapton is the only time he recorded the song. The album went to #15 on the US charts, and the single from the disc, Hello Old Friend, went to #24. Clapton and his band toured extensively in 1976 and 1977 in support of No Reason to Cry. This soundboard recording captures him at The Hammersmith Odeon in London, on April 27, 1977, 35 years ago today and exactly 10 years before the time I saw Eric at Madison Square Garden. Download this one and you’ll hear a much more laid back Eric than in 1987!

Eric Clapton - 1987-04-26 - Providence RI (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1987-04-26

Providence Civic Center

Providence RI

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Crossroads

02. White Room

03. I Shot the Sheriff

04. Hung Up On Your Love

05. Wonderful Tonight

06. Miss You

07. Same Old Blues

CD 2:

01. Tearing Us Apart

02. Holy Mother

03. Badge

04. Cocaine

05. Layla

06. Further On Up the Road

07. Sunshine of Your Love

Eric Clapton - 1987-04-26 - Providence RI (SBD)

Here's another show from Eric Clapton's magnificent 1987 Spring tour. This soundboard captures him on April 26, 1987, 25 years today in Providence, RI, the night before I saw him at Madison Square Garden (a show already posted on this blog). I sat in the front row behind the stage at the Garden with a perfect view of Phil Collins on the drums. Even better, EC came back behind the drums numerous times to play for the folks in the "cheap seats". We couldn't have been more than 10 feet away from him. The highlight of our night was the Badge into Let It Rain sequence near the end of the show. This soundboard recording from Providence has the same set list as the Madison Square Garden show.

Eric Clapton – 1975-04-23 – Brisbane, Australia (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1975-04-23

Festival Hall

Brisbane, Australia

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 3:

01. Introduction

02. Badge

03. Milk Cow Blues

04. When You've Got A Good Friend

05. Have You Ever Loved A Woman

06. Steady Rollin' Man

07. Two Ladies Introduction

08. Can't Find My Way Home

09. Teach Me To Be Your Woman

CD 4:

01. Interval

02. Let It Rain

03. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out

04. I Shot The Sheriff

05. Layla

06. All I Have To Do Is Dream

07. Little Wing

08. Little Queenie

Eric Clapton – 1975-04-23 – Brisbane, Australia (SBD)

Here's our 4th post this month from Clapton's 1975 tour of Australia. This soundboard recording captures him in Brisbane on April 23, 1975, 37 years ago today.

Eric Clapton - 1985-04-22 - Richmond, VA (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1985-04-22

Richmond Coliseum

Richmond, Virgina

Soundboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Tulsa Time

02. Motherless Children

03. I Shot the Sheriff

04. Same Old Blues

05. Blues Power

06. Tangled In Love

07. Behind the Sun

08. Wonderful Tonight

09. Steppin' Out

10. Never Make You Cry

11. She's Waiting

CD 2:

01. Something is Wrong

02. Lay Down Sally

03. Badge

04. Let it Rain

05. Double Trouble

06. Cocaine

07. Layla

08. Forever Man

09. Further On Up the Road

Eric Clapton - 1985-04-22 - Richmond, VA (SBD)

As I’ve mentioned in other posts featuring EC in 1985, that was the year that I found myself with a renewed interest in Clapton’s music. His 1985 album Behind The Sun produced 2 hit singles in Forever Man and She’s Waiting, songs which also found EC again demonstrating the extraordinary fret work that had once inspired London teenagers to proclaim that “Clapton Is God”. His appearance at Live Aid, looking fresh and healthy before a worldwide audience, cemented his comeback to the top of the rock world. This show features EC on April 22, 1985, 27 years ago today, in Richmond VA on tour in support of the Behind The Sun disc.

Eric Clapton - 1983-04-20 - Bremen, Germany (SBD)

Eric Clapton
1983-04-20
Stadthalle
Bremen,Germany
Soundboard Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. Tulsa Time
02. I Shot The Sheriff
03. Lay Down Sally
04. Worried Life Blues
05. Let It Rain
06. Double Trouble
07. Sweet Little Lisa
08. After Midnight

CD 2:
01. The Shape You're In
02. Wonderful Tonight
03. Blues Power
04. Ramblin' On My Mind > Have You Ever Loved A Woman
05. Cocaine
06. Layla
07. Further Up On The Road

Eric Clapton - 1983-04-20 - Bremen, Germany (SBD)

This soundboard recording captures EC on April 20, 1983, 29 years ago today, on tour in Bremen, Germany. That Clapton was even on tour in 1983 was a bit of a miracle given his emotional state a year earlier. In January 1982, EC, having finally admitted he was an alcoholic, flew from London to Minneapolis to check into the Hazelden Treatment Center. On the flight, Clapton drank heavily out of fear he would never be able to drink again. Clapton is quoted in his autobiography as saying, "In the lowest moments of my life, the only reason I didn't commit suicide was that I knew I wouldn't be able to drink any more if I was dead. It was the only thing I thought was worth living for, and the idea that people were about to try and remove me from alcohol was so terrible that I drank and drank and drank, and they had to practically carry me into the clinic.” After being discharged, the doctors at Hazelden recommended that EC avoid any activities that would act as a trigger for his alcoholism. A few months after his discharge, Clapton began working on his next album, against the Hazelden doctors' orders. Working with Tom Dowd, Clapton produced the disc Money & Cigarettes, which he released in February 1983. The album’s memorable cover depicts Clapton, cigarette in hand, standing next to a melting Fender Stratocaster guitar. EC said he chose the album title and imagery "because, that's all I saw myself having left”. Despite less than stellar reviews for the album, the single I've Got a Rock 'n' Roll Heart went to # 18 on the Billboard charts. Download this soundboard recording which captures EC on tour in support of his comeback album.

Eric Clapton - 1975-04-20 - Sydney Australia (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1975-04-20

Hordern Pavilion

Sydney, Australia

Soundboard Recording

256 kbps

Artwork Included

Disc 1:

01. Let It Grow

02. Tell The Truth

03. Better Make It Through Today

04. Badge

05. I Shot The Sheriff

06. Teach Me To Be Your Woman

07. Steady Rollin' Man

08. Key To The Highway

Disc 2:

01. Can't Find My Way Home

02. Blues Power

03. Driftin' Blues > Crossroads > Have You Ever Loved A Woman

04. Layla > Opposites

05. Let It Rain

06. Little Wing

Eric Clapton - 1975-04-20 - Sydney, Austrailia (SBD)

As promised, here's another post featuring Eric Clapton in Australia in 1975. This one is a soundboard recording from the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney on April 20, 1975, 37 years ago today.

Eric Clapton - 1987-04-18 - St. Paul MN (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1987-04-18

Civic Center

St. Paul, MN

Sounboard Recording

192 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1:

01. Crossroads

02. White Room

03. I Shot The Sheriff

04. Hung Up On Your Love

05. Wonderful Tonight

06. Miss You

07. Same Old Blues

CD 2:

01. Tearing Us Apart

02. Holy Mother

03. Badge >

04. Let it Rain

05. Cocaine

06. Layla

07. Sunshine of Your Love

Eric Clapton - 1987-04-18 - St. Paul MN (SBD)

One of my earliest posts on this blog was Eric's April 27, 1987 show at Madison Square Garden, which easily ranks as one of the 10 best concerts I've been fortunate enough to attend. Clapton was on fire that entire spring tour, as each soundboard that turns up (and there are plenty) features inspired playing. This one is from 25 years ago today, in St. Paul on April 18, 1987. The set list is almost identical to the April 27 show, but don't let that stop you from downloading it. From the opening Crossroads to the closing Sunshine of Your Love, and everything in between, especially the Badge into Let It Rain segue, this one is worth having in your collection.

Eric Clapton - 1975-04-17 - Sydney, Australia (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1975-04-17

Hordern Pavilion

Sydney, Australia

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

CD 1

01. Introduction

02. Let It Grow

03. Tell the Truth

04. Better Make It Through Today

05. Badge

06. I Shot The Sheriff

07. Teach Me To Be Your Woman

08. Band Introduction

09. Steady Rollin' Man

10. Key To The Highway

CD 2

01. Can't Find My Way Home

02. Blues Power Intro

03. All I Have to Do Is Dream

04. Blues Power

05. Driftin' Blues

06. Crossroads

07. Have You Ever Loved a Woman

08. Driftin' Blues

09. Layla

10. Opposites

11. Let It Rain

12. Little Wing

Eric Clapton - 1975-04-17 - Sydney, Australia (SBD)

His 1975 tour was EC’s first visit to Australia, as well as his first world tour since his overcoming his addiction to heroin. The shows features I Shot The Sheriff and Steady Rollin Man from his critically acclaimed, top of the charts, comeback album, 461 Ocean Blvd, as well as classics from his days with Derek & The Dominos and Blind Faith. Today, we feature EC from Sydney on April 17, 1975, 37 years ago today.

Eric Clapton - 1975-04-14 - Brisbane, Australia (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1975-04-14

Festival Hall

Brisbane, Australia

Soundboard Recording

256 kbps

Artwork Included

Disc 1:

01. Introduction

02. Badge

03. Milk Cow Blues > Have You Ever Loved A Woman

04. Steady Rollin' Man

05. Can't Find My Way Home

06. Teach Me To Be Your Woman

07. Let It Rain

Disc 2:

01. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

02. I Shot The Sheriff

03. Layla > All I Have To Do Is Dream

04. Little Wing

05. Little Queenie

Eric Clapton - 1975-04-14 - Brisbane, Australia (SBD)

In 1974, after a 3 year hiatus due to his addiction to heroin, Eric Clapton made a triumphant return to the rock world, releasing the critically acclaimed album, 461 Ocean Boulevard. The album went to number 1 on the Billboard charts, and also yielded EC's first number 1 single, a cover of Bob Marley's I Shot The Sheriff. That single also helped introduce reggae music to a more mainstream audience. Clapton went on tour in support of the album, playing concerts the US, Japan, Germany and England between July and December 1974. Then in April 1975, he embarked on his first ever tour of Australia. I've been fortunate enough to find soundboard recordings of 4 dates from that historic tour in the land down under. Today, I'm posting the first, from Festival Hall in Brisbane on April 14, 1975, 37 years ago today. 

Eric Clapton - 1998-04-09 - Chicago, IL (SBD)

Eric Clapton
1998-04-09
United Center
Chicago, Illinois
Soundboard ALD Recording
320 kbps
Artwork Included

CD 1:
01. My Father's Eyes
02. Pilgrim
03. One Chance
04. River of Tears
05. Goin' Down Slow
06. She's Gone
07. Tears in Heaven
08. Layla
09. Change the World

CD 2:
01. Old Love
02. Crossroads
03. Have You Ever Loved a Woman
04. I Shot the Sheriff
05. Wonderful Tonight
06. Tearing Us Apart
07. Cocaine
08. Sunshine of Your Love
09. Outtake / Rehearsals 1
10. Outtake / Rehearsals 2

Eric Clapton - 1998-04-09 - Chicago, IL (SBD)

This soundboard recording captures Eric on April 9, 1998, 14 years ago today, in Chicago, backed by a 20-piece orchestra led by conductor Nick Ingman. The show takes place about a month after the release of Pilgrim, an album EC dedicated to his son Conor, who died in a tragic accident at the age of 4 in 1991. While working on Pilgrim, Clapton told producer Simon Climie that his goal was to make the saddest album possible. The disc included such songs as My Father’s Eyes, River Of Tears, One Chance, Broken Hearted and Circus, about the last event he attended with Conor the day before the boy’s death. Several of those tunes, as well as Tears In heaven, the first song he wrote dedicated to Conor, appear in the set list for this concert. Needless to say, the addition of the orchestra helped make this show not simply a rock concert, but rather a majestic tribute to his departed son.

Eric Clapton - 1978-04-05 - Springfield MA (SBD)

Eric Clapton

1978-04-05

Springfield Civic Center 

Springfield, MA 

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. The Core

02. Worried Life Blues

03. Peaches And Diesel > Wonderful Tonight

04. Lay Down Sally

05. Rodeo Man

06. Fool's Paradise

07. Cocaine

08. Double Trouble

09. Badge

10. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

11. Let It Rain 

12. Key To The Highway 

13. Layla

14. Bottle Of Red Wine (missing)

Eric Clapton - 1978-04-05 - Springfield MA (SBD)

Here's our first of 11 posts this month featuring our artist of the month, Eric Clapton. In November 1977, Clapton released the album Slowhand, the title taken from his well known nickname. The album was both a critical and commercial success, reaching #2 on the Billboard charts and drawing comparisons to his masterful 461 Ocean Boulevard disc. Slowhand included soon to become Clapton standards such as Cocaine, Lay Down Sally, Wonderful Tonight and The Core. In early 1978, EC took the road in support of Slowhand, launching a North American tour on February 1. This soundboard recording captures him on the 2nd leg of that tour, in Springfield on April 6, 1978, 34 years ago today. Four of the opening 5 songs are from Slowhand, and later in the set, Cocaine also makes an appearance. The night closes though with classic Eric, drawing on his days with The Dominos for songs such as Let It Rain, Key To The Highway, and Layla.