Back in the day, I saw Eric play this on "The Fool", his highly decorated, white, modified 1964 SG. As the venue was not terribly large, he was plugged straight into only one100 watt Marshall Plexi with the usual two, staked 12"x 4 cabinets. I couldn't see how his control knobs were set, but his pickup selector switch was in the middle, on "both". Of course, he played as in a dream, seemingly effortlessly. So much feeling and emotion wafting from those speakers. It was magic.
@@12footchain Yes, the winter of '67. February, I think. Alright, are you sitting down? The venue was "The Action House" in Island Park, N.Y. Gone now, it was not small, but easily covered by a cranked Marshall stack or less even when packed. The bill for that night was "Cream" and "Moby Grape". It had unexpectedly snowed so hard all day that most of the roads were unplowed and closed that evening. Having both bands' albums and loving them, I wanted to see them, so I drove my dark blue, 1961 Chevy Bel Air there and didn’t get stuck once. As the gig was cancelled because of unexpected heavy snow, they and Moby Grape both came back and appeared at the Action House in late September '67. Including me, there were only maybe twelve people who made it there. The Action House didn’t charge admission that night. Amongst the twelve, in rapt attendance was Leslie West, then the guitarist of The Vagrants. The Grapes couldn’t get there, but Cream did, apparently having come from NYC earlier in the day when the snow was not so high, possibly to rehearse and to leisurely set up their enormous, extensive equipment. Eric had a single Marshall Plexi, dual 12” X 4 cabinet stack, Jack two of them, and on a riser behind them, Ginger’s elabourate, two-bass drum kit took up most of the rear of the stage. They also had a Marshall P.A. system set up, even though the Action House had a house P.A. Cream’s P.A. was, perhaps, tied into that as well. The vocals were unusually clear, and that band played LOUD, for sure, the drums, but not the amps being miced. One of their roadies turned on their amps and such, and in a while, they kind of wandered onto the stage dressed in ordinary clothes for what I suppose they figured would now be just a practice/jam session. They were relaxed and easy and they talked to us a lot and thanked us for being so brave as to be there that evening. Eric sat on the edge of the stage when he didn’t have a vocal part, and between songs, he asked, off mic, if someone would “ light up my fag, if you don’t mind.” As a reward for our pluck, I suppose, they played without much of a break for more than two hours, everything from “Fresh Cream”, some other stuff I never heard before (I think “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew”), that Jack Bruce said was going to be on their next album (he didn’t tell us its name probably because they didn’t have a name for it yet). They ended with the last section of “The 1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky, Ginger doing the cannon. To say that we were astounded, fascinated, and awed by them would not be saying nearly the whole of it. It was amazing. I saw Leslie studying Eric’s flawless playing very closely, as did I, and I suppose all of the guitarists there that evening. That was one of the most memorable musical experiences in my life, ranking with the time when a friend of mine and I went to the Cafe Wha? one sultry afternoon. The “Raves”, the house band, was playing when we walked in. They were excellent and more than worth the $2.50 ($23.41 today) cover charge that got you two watered-down cocktails, a bowl of crackers or nuts, and leave to sit there as long as you wanted to as long as you kept buying dinks. So, The Raves finished their set, and onto the other, main stage came this strange-looking guy dressed in very colourful, flamboyant clothing who looked like he might be Black or Hispanic, or whatever, with the first long Afro hair I had seen along with what looked like a bunch of white high school kids including future “Spirit” guitarist Randy California. “Jimi James and the Blue Flames” played a set. Jimi was playing a sunburst Fender Jazzmaster, upside-down and left-handed, that I much later discovered he had borrowed because his Strat had been recently stolen. He plugged straight into an Ampeg Gemini II amp (no Fuzzface or Wa-Wa pedals yet) with a white, curly guitar cable. My friend and I sat only five feet from them and our thoughts as they played were that we were listening to and watching the world’s greatest electric guitarist. Jimi played behind his head and with his teeth, and did all his gymnastics on that tiny stage, and you can believe that it was quite a show. When we left, I remember saying to my friend that it was a damn’ shame that such a talented player was squirreled away in such an out-of-the-way place where no one would ever see him, and how unjust the music business and life in general was. For all I know, Chas Chandler was there that very day and “discovered” Jimi.
What a story!! I was a little bit too young to see Jimi Hendrix, but man I really wish I got to watch him play. I have seen Eric many times, but of course in large venues. @@Glicksman1
I have been working on this solo for 40 years! Still trying to capture all his nuances. You helped me in many places in the 2nd two solos. GREAT job. Thanks so much! Keep'em coming!
JJ Bourdeau. Wow! Merci de partager cette leçon. Je vais pouvoir compléter mon apprentissage de cette chanson... même à 71 ans. Thanks to put this lesson on line. Now I'll be able to complete my learning of this song... even at 71 years old. Cheers from Montréal.
All the praise in the comments is well deserved. I have to be honest, never saw you before on here, and when I saw the title in my list of suggested videos and kinda rolled my eyes, thinking here we go… I admit a terrible reaction, this was great. You really have the ear for the bends and vibrato. I’ve been working on this one for many years on and off, and you’re hitting the stuff I thought only I heard … great lesson brother, clearly a lot of work went into this. Thank you for your generosity and hard work. This is the stuff that makes the guitar community so great.
Just wanted to say that I am enjoying the hell out of your videos, and forwarding them to my guitar buddies. I’m an old 61-year-old Telecaster player and I love your song choices. Rock on, Brother! 🎸
Thanks, lot of good tips there, been meaning to polish up on that solo. Great work, I’ve been improvising for over 50 yrs,self taught. Great video.really appreciate it. I have to add, your version is the best I’ve seen on you tube.
Clapton was 22/23 yo when the live Crossroads was recorded-simply staggering.He is on record as saying he's not that fond of it (I don't know why)-this version of Crossroads with Baker & Bruce pummelling way under Erics playing is for my money totally inspired and the energy & interplay between the 3 is off the wall good.Its one of my all time favourite pieces of music and everytime I listen to it my heart rate goes up.Never got beyond the blues riffing (which itself is great and fairly simple) but your breakdown is as good a lesson as I have ever seen- so I might have to pull out the SG and see if I can paly up on the 19th fret!!!Thanks.
Yeah, the show was on March 8th I believe when Crossroads was recorded live. Clapton’s birthday is on the 30th of March. The man was 22 which is crazy as crap
You came late to my TH-cam subscription list, but yours have rapidly become among my favourites guitar videos. This one is one of your best! Keep up the great work!
You really nailed this one too. Anticipation of what notes Clapton will play or, as you have demonstrated, Not Play creates excitement and interest in what is being heard. Man I have been listening to Wheels of Fire since it came out in 1968 and I have never really listened until this video. Great job !
Have been learning stuff from you for a year or more so figured I owed you a tip for all those lessons. Your lessons are the most accurate Ive found. Thanks
hithere....just sat through your whole lesson, and cudos to you...all spot on....every detail...very "authentic"....i handled it like you up to now...never really playing everything "just like the record", but sort "played" my way through it....cheers mate..love it very much... and please more Eric, Billy(gibbons of course) and the two Jimies (Jimmies)...yes please...never too much...
Dynamite! Been blown away by this masterpiece for 56 years. My favorite all time blues solos are: 1. Duane & Dickie Betts - Not My Cross to Bear 2. This’un here by Mr. Clapton
Good day, eh?! Enjoy your content a lot -- thanks. Crossroads has ben my favorite Clapton solo(s) since I first heard it in 1968. According to articles I've read and interviews I've seen, EC used his 335 at Winterland for Crossroads. The owners of Guitar Center bought the Crossroads 335 *for $800K) at one of the auctions EC had to support his rehab center in the Caribbean. Gibson built 250 exact copies of the instrument for sale to collectors. I believe the original MSRP was $25,000, good-to-excellent condition $20K-50K.
This is just fantastic! I tried to pick this out note for note and missed a few things. There’s something about his phrasing that throws me off. You’re right - he doesn’t smear anything - picks everything clean - and he does these 6-7 note melodic runs and then does almost the same notes in reverse - almost symmetrically. I don’t think anyone who claims to be influenced or contemporary with Clapton actually plays like him at all (at least in this era). My Jimmy Page muscle memory doesn’t work on this song at all! I think Clapton in this era must be the greatest blues rock player ever. These solos are pure artistry on fire man. So fast, fiery and melodic. Why oh why did he abandon this style for middle of the road mediocrity?
I really enjoy watching your videos, even tho im relatively new to playing guitar and Im not able to play anything besides strumming some chords. but I like watching them cuz I know that once I developed the skills I will go through all your videos again and finally learn how to play these songs
great job nailing the tone of "the fool" sg clapton used in the live winterlands wheels of fire version (never was the 335 like some people want to believe)
Love your video lessons! The lead guitar solos are helping me break out of the "box". .As somewhat of an old timer, I especially enjoy the Hendrix Cream and early Stones lessons. Still trying to figure out You Got Me Floatin, Get Off My Cloud, Spanish Castle Magic, etc. the right way. Thanks for doing this!
Awesome job! Always was told it was a 335. I've been in more than a few studios in my time and met some of the older great engineers. I wish I had asked more questions. . . . . . . Really wish I had asked more questions and taken pics. .. . . . . . . . . . . .
I noticed that you (like Clapton) seldom use the little finger when soloing. Great job with this tutorial. You've done an excellent job showing all the nuance of Clapton's playing technique.
Great Clapton Lesson👍 So glad I found your channel recently🙂. Always thought "Forever Man" was one of his best fast songs. Would love to see a guitar tutorial someday if possible😎
@@soofitnsexy I had a nice red 335 (ex Geoff Whitehorn) which I got from one of his mates. I swapped it with a nice Les Paul which he was after. I eventually sold it but I really regret selling it now. I will get another one day when I get some money.
Gotta say, thanks again. You are one hell of a guitar player. Saw cream do this at Yale New Haven, late 60s some time. Nah, I wasn't a student, just a hippy.
interesting, because this live version is the one we all grew up with (or at least I did!), and in the accompanying video he’s clearly using the 335. Now, someone might have taken footage of Cream performing Crossroads, and synced it to the track on W.O.F., because in the video there ARE some synching issues. But that’s CLEARLY the original track on W.O.F., and in the vid at least, clearly his 335….
Clapton was playing behind the beat on some of it he said that's why he was not pleased fully with it. But it sounded in time to me. I guess they were just jamming and Ginger was really going at it. But anyway who cares , it's fantastic. And thanks for breaking it down so well. If I can get it down it will be worth the effort. Plus you can use some of those riffs in other stuff. A great addition to anyone's arsenal I'd say.😊
Great video. The thing with Crossroad though is getting a bass player to learn Jack Bruce's part note for note. You can't simply get a bass player to accompany this solo using the standard blues progression that they use while Eric is singing. It won't fit very well. Those guys are just following each other and not making a lot of effort on sticking to the standard progression. Their focus is more on playing something that sounds melodically good (actually really great). I suspect that they started more standard and that they gradually developed the solo into something more adventurous as the tour went on. Eric Clapton himself in at least one interview was annoyed at people praising his performance on that song. I remember him complaining that they were not following the chord progression (the box) and not realizing the genius of doing this. Which shows that you are not always the best judge when looking at your own work. At that moment of rock history they really were the Cream of the rock musician. No other rock group reached that level as far as improvisation is concerned. Much of that is because of Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker jazz background however the presence of Eric Clapton was a real bonus. Although he did not have the level of Jack Bruce, in those days Clapton was on fire and had such a beautiful fluid playing that it would have been hard to find a better complement.
Good points. I almost edited in after the fact how astonishing the bass playing was on that song. Literally never paid attention to it until I was prepping this video. Just...wow
Great tone - that's how Clapton, sounded. A good lesson. I've gotta say, enjoy your enthusiasm on your videos along with the great lessons. I note you have the Marshall attenuated? and both channels connected. I have said before on your earlier videos, man I love that SG!!!!!
Fantastic job! Love your playing and your sound. I personally think this is Clapton at his blues best. The song is so great particularly because it's a live recording. Thanks so much for taking the time to teach us this song. 🤗
For years, every so often, I would attempt to learn this song, and I could never get the feel for it. I've always loved the song but could never get it right. You, Sir, have done an excellent job of showing the riffs that Clapton did. I may give this one yet another shot and bring it to band practice.
The reason why Eric doesn't like it (when asked about it) is because it isn't what he intended to do. He makes a mistake and then has to work his way out of it. But to us, it sounds seamless and inventive, a true moment of improvisation, and that's what makes it great. (It happens around the 2 minute 44 second mark of the recording, 2nd solo).
Playin WoF in my parents attic at age 16....EC Please, GB Please! Best intro in Blues Rock History. I finally figured this out on my cream (no pun intended) Les Paul reissue, which is actually an SG like yours w gold hardware, no Bigsby unfortunately..
There is an interview out there with Barbara Walters and EVH where Eddie starts talking about Eric and the influence he had on him. He then proceeds to playing this song. Worth a listen if you can find it
"Just like on the record!" Wow! Reminds me of those ads on the back pages of comic books in the '60s which offered to teach you "How To Play Guitar Like The Ventures."
Thanks!! Love The Energy of this song!! Hey, I was trying to find a lesson on Uriah Heep's PARADISE? Not much success. I think it may be in Open C Tuning, as I believe The Wizard is - maybe something you might be Interested in doing? Appreciate the songs you do.
He does play the 335 on this. 68 is the year he started playing it almost exclusively on stage. You can see him play it with the Dirty Mac in Rock and Roll Circus which was recorded in 68
Clapton is not my favorite guitarist but these solos are in my top 10, with the second solo in the top 3. Were these 100% improvised? Mind blowing melody with incredible tone. Great job both playing and explaining!
A song that is almost too difficult to emulate and do justice to ... even after playing since '65 and learning a lot of Clapton's work. I think that even Eric couldn't do again what he did live on that recording. Sounds like you've spent a lot of time learning this one ... and posting it on You Tube as a tutorial .... a lot of pressure to get it right ... just right. Nice job.
Still, one of the most eternally mysterious performances in all of rock history. I think...there may be yet one more untapped critically important lock to it, and it has to do not with Eric...but with Jack. What if, our frame is wrong. What if...this is actually a jazz song. Masquerading as blues.
I agree that there is something more going on with this recording that I have not heard Clapton do since. The switching between minor and major is way more than just a trick, he really did it well on this one, like someone who is well versed in musical theory, but he wasn’t. And the way he and Bruce played together… just wow. There’s a reason this recording never gets old to me. I’m (only) 43 but I’ve been mesmerized by this recording since I was 7 years old, and I still listen to it attentively when I do.
@@agtronic There’s also the Clapton-confirmed theory that he “got lost” in the solo, missed cues on when to go to four. That STILL doesn’t solve it for me,
Back in the day, I saw Eric play this on "The Fool", his highly decorated, white, modified 1964 SG. As the venue was not terribly large, he was plugged straight into only one100 watt Marshall Plexi with the usual two, staked 12"x 4 cabinets. I couldn't see how his control knobs were set, but his pickup selector switch was in the middle, on "both". Of course, he played as in a dream, seemingly effortlessly. So much feeling and emotion wafting from those speakers. It was magic.
Wow, that is awesome you saw cream up close like that. That had to be 67-68, right?
@@12footchain Yes, the winter of '67. February, I think.
Alright, are you sitting down?
The venue was "The Action House" in Island Park, N.Y. Gone now, it was not small, but easily covered by a cranked Marshall stack or less even when packed. The bill for that night was "Cream" and "Moby Grape".
It had unexpectedly snowed so hard all day that most of the roads were unplowed and closed that evening. Having both bands' albums and loving them, I wanted to see them, so I drove my dark blue, 1961 Chevy Bel Air there and didn’t get stuck once.
As the gig was cancelled because of unexpected heavy snow, they and Moby Grape both came back and appeared at the Action House in late September '67.
Including me, there were only maybe twelve people who made it there. The Action House didn’t charge admission that night.
Amongst the twelve, in rapt attendance was Leslie West, then the guitarist of The Vagrants. The Grapes couldn’t get there, but Cream did, apparently having come from NYC earlier in the day when the snow was not so high, possibly to rehearse and to leisurely set up their enormous, extensive equipment.
Eric had a single Marshall Plexi, dual 12” X 4 cabinet stack, Jack two of them, and on a riser behind them, Ginger’s elabourate, two-bass drum kit took up most of the rear of the stage. They also had a Marshall P.A. system set up, even though the Action House had a house P.A. Cream’s P.A. was, perhaps, tied into that as well. The vocals were unusually clear, and that band played LOUD, for sure, the drums, but not the amps being miced.
One of their roadies turned on their amps and such, and in a while, they kind of wandered onto the stage dressed in ordinary clothes for what I suppose they figured would now be just a practice/jam session. They were relaxed and easy and they talked to us a lot and thanked us for being so brave as to be there that evening. Eric sat on the edge of the stage when he didn’t have a vocal part, and between songs, he asked, off mic, if someone would “ light up my fag, if you don’t mind.”
As a reward for our pluck, I suppose, they played without much of a break for more than two hours, everything from “Fresh Cream”, some other stuff I never heard before (I think “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew”), that Jack Bruce said was going to be on their next album (he didn’t tell us its name probably because they didn’t have a name for it yet). They ended with the last section of “The 1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky, Ginger doing the cannon.
To say that we were astounded, fascinated, and awed by them would not be saying nearly the whole of it. It was amazing. I saw Leslie studying Eric’s flawless playing very closely, as did I, and I suppose all of the guitarists there that evening.
That was one of the most memorable musical experiences in my life, ranking with the time when a friend of mine and I went to the Cafe Wha? one sultry afternoon. The “Raves”, the house band, was playing when we walked in. They were excellent and more than worth the $2.50 ($23.41 today) cover charge that got you two watered-down cocktails, a bowl of crackers or nuts, and leave to sit there as long as you wanted to as long
as you kept buying dinks.
So, The Raves finished their set, and onto the other, main stage came this strange-looking guy dressed in very colourful, flamboyant clothing who looked like he might be Black or Hispanic, or whatever, with the first long Afro hair I had seen along with what looked like a bunch of white high school kids including future “Spirit” guitarist Randy California.
“Jimi James and the Blue Flames” played a set. Jimi was playing a sunburst Fender Jazzmaster, upside-down and left-handed, that I much later discovered he had borrowed because his Strat had been recently stolen. He plugged straight into an Ampeg Gemini II amp (no Fuzzface or Wa-Wa pedals yet) with a white, curly guitar cable.
My friend and I sat only five feet from them and our thoughts as they played were that we were listening to and watching the world’s greatest electric guitarist. Jimi played behind his head and with his teeth, and did all his gymnastics on that tiny stage, and you can believe that it was quite a show.
When we left, I remember saying to my friend that it was a damn’ shame that such a talented player was squirreled away in such an out-of-the-way place where no one would ever see him, and how unjust the music business and life in general was. For all I know, Chas Chandler was there that very day and “discovered” Jimi.
What a story!! I was a little bit too young to see Jimi Hendrix, but man I really wish I got to watch him play. I have seen Eric many times, but of course in large venues. @@Glicksman1
@@Glicksman1
Wow that must of been an extremely magical evening. You are quite a descriptive writer..
I saw Eric playing with Roger Waters on the Pros And Cons of hitchikimg tour. We had 3rd row center stage at Maple Leaf Gardens.
I have been working on this solo for 40 years! Still trying to capture all his nuances. You helped me in many places in the 2nd two solos. GREAT job. Thanks so much! Keep'em coming!
Me too. Love this channel soooo much!
is very hard, and the low quality of the live recording makes more difficult.
Great lesson and loved the fact you explained the tone settings that most gutar lesson videos do not cover.
JJ Bourdeau. Wow! Merci de partager cette leçon. Je vais pouvoir compléter mon apprentissage de cette chanson... même à 71 ans. Thanks to put this lesson on line. Now I'll be able to complete my learning of this song... even at 71 years old. Cheers from Montréal.
All the praise in the comments is well deserved. I have to be honest, never saw you before on here, and when I saw the title in my list of suggested videos and kinda rolled my eyes, thinking here we go… I admit a terrible reaction, this was great. You really have the ear for the bends and vibrato. I’ve been working on this one for many years on and off, and you’re hitting the stuff I thought only I heard … great lesson brother, clearly a lot of work went into this. Thank you for your generosity and hard work. This is the stuff that makes the guitar community so great.
Welcome!
Just. Farking. Outstanding. I’ve been listening to this song for 55 years, you are perfect.
Just wanted to say that I am enjoying the hell out of your videos, and forwarding them to my guitar buddies. I’m an old 61-year-old Telecaster player and I love your song choices.
Rock on, Brother! 🎸
Thank you! Glad you like
That second solo has haunted me for the past 55 years. Nice job.
Good lesson! One of the Mt. Rushmore's of rock guitar.
This was so heavy in 1968 you can’t even imagine it today.
Wheels of fire was the first alp I got with my own money as a caddy in 1968
So true. It absolutely blew me away the first time I heard it. Kids today cannot imagine how revolutionary this sounded back then.
Thanks, lot of good tips there, been meaning to polish up on that solo. Great work, I’ve been improvising for over 50 yrs,self taught. Great video.really appreciate it. I have to add, your version is the best I’ve seen on you tube.
Clapton was 22/23 yo when the live Crossroads was recorded-simply staggering.He is on record as saying he's not that fond of it (I don't know why)-this version of Crossroads with Baker & Bruce pummelling way under Erics playing is for my money totally inspired and the energy & interplay between the 3 is off the wall good.Its one of my all time favourite pieces of music and everytime I listen to it my heart rate goes up.Never got beyond the blues riffing (which itself is great and fairly simple) but your breakdown is as good a lesson as I have ever seen- so I might have to pull out the SG and see if I can paly up on the 19th fret!!!Thanks.
Oh that’s because Clapton’s is a notoriously arrogant prick
Yeah, the show was on March 8th I believe when Crossroads was recorded live. Clapton’s birthday is on the 30th of March. The man was 22 which is crazy as crap
He said at one time that he was playing behind the beat.
The tune was from the 10th , at the Fillmore Auditorium. SG throughout.
You came late to my TH-cam subscription list, but yours have rapidly become among my favourites guitar videos. This one is one of your best! Keep up the great work!
Thank you, welcome!
Irrespective of which guitar Clapton played, your lesson is the best version I have seen and your explanations are great!
Incredible lesson. Thanks much for pulling this apart and showing how this song is really done.
You really nailed this one too.
Anticipation of what notes Clapton will play or, as you have demonstrated, Not Play creates excitement and interest in what is being heard.
Man I have been listening to Wheels of Fire since it came out in 1968 and I have never really listened until this video.
Great job !
Wow! Fantastic lesson. Incredible work. Well done. 👏👏👏❤️
Have been learning stuff from you for a year or more so figured I owed you a tip for all those lessons. Your lessons are the most accurate Ive found. Thanks
Thank you, that was very generous
Heard the whole band behind you when you did it at speed. Super job !!! Damn.
PEACE from Philadelphia
Do you have a link? Would love to hear it
@@MrStudio6429 Sorry, I just heard the band in my mind because he was so on point !!
@@johnmcaleese8459 He nailed it but to do it live he'd need someone who could cover Bruce's bass lines!
Thanks!
wow - thanks, much appreciated!
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this. AWESOME!!
Welp, now I have my afternoon mapped out. Thank you, Sir!
Another soulful lesson. Great stuff
Crossroads is a Ripping Tune played by an absolute monster Eric Clapton. Thanks for posting.
This is beautiful! You got the vibe!!! Thank you!
phenominal and totally passable rendition of erics
prize ad-lib noodlle i hope you realize how well you
cobbled that together ...chapeau😎
Oh boy!! That is a lo-aw-hawt of work!!! You've earned the rest of the week off..
hithere....just sat through your whole lesson, and cudos to you...all spot on....every detail...very "authentic"....i handled it like you up to now...never really playing everything "just like the record", but sort "played" my way through it....cheers mate..love it very much...
and please more Eric, Billy(gibbons of course) and the two Jimies (Jimmies)...yes please...never too much...
Wow, thank you!
Fantastic illustration. Thank you.
Dynamite! Been blown away by this masterpiece for 56 years. My favorite all time blues solos are:
1. Duane & Dickie Betts - Not My Cross to Bear
2. This’un here by Mr. Clapton
this was a deadset work of genius
Good day, eh?! Enjoy your content a lot -- thanks. Crossroads has ben my favorite Clapton solo(s) since I first heard it in 1968. According to articles I've read and interviews I've seen, EC used his 335 at Winterland for Crossroads. The owners of Guitar Center bought the Crossroads 335 *for $800K) at one of the auctions EC had to support his rehab center in the Caribbean. Gibson built 250 exact copies of the instrument for sale to collectors. I believe the original MSRP was $25,000, good-to-excellent condition $20K-50K.
You nailed the tone and all the nuances!
This is just fantastic! I tried to pick this out note for note and missed a few things. There’s something about his phrasing that throws me off. You’re right - he doesn’t smear anything - picks everything clean - and he does these 6-7 note melodic runs and then does almost the same notes in reverse - almost symmetrically. I don’t think anyone who claims to be influenced or contemporary with Clapton actually plays like him at all (at least in this era). My Jimmy Page muscle memory doesn’t work on this song at all! I think Clapton in this era must be the greatest blues rock player ever. These solos are pure artistry on fire man. So fast, fiery and melodic. Why oh why did he abandon this style for middle of the road mediocrity?
Gr8 ambitious video!! Nailed the riffs and Thank You!!!!
I really enjoy watching your videos, even tho im relatively new to playing guitar and Im not able to play anything besides strumming some chords. but I like watching them cuz I know that once I developed the skills I will go through all your videos again and finally learn how to play these songs
You're a legend.
what a great job you did on this, it's really dead on in every way! epic guitar song, thank you!
Thank you so much I’ve been trying to work this song out for so long. I’m going to get this in my arsenal 🤙🏻🤙🏻
I could tell in the first 3 notes the tone was great!🎵
great job nailing the tone of "the fool" sg clapton used in the live winterlands wheels of fire version (never was the 335 like some people want to believe)
Love your video lessons! The lead guitar solos are helping me break out of the "box". .As somewhat of an old timer, I especially enjoy the Hendrix Cream and early Stones lessons. Still trying to figure out You Got Me Floatin, Get Off My Cloud, Spanish Castle Magic, etc. the right way.
Thanks for doing this!
Welcome, great songs. Live got me floating and spanish castle. I'll get to those
Thank you for this. I haven't played in 30 years but I think it may be time to drag my toys out and give it a try.
Love it!!! Yes it’s a work out for sure!
Awesome job! Always was told it was a 335. I've been in more than a few studios in my time and met some of the older great engineers. I wish I had asked more questions. . . . . . . Really wish I had asked more questions and taken pics. .. . . . . . . . . . . .
I noticed that you (like Clapton) seldom use the little finger when soloing. Great job with this tutorial. You've done an excellent job showing all the nuance of Clapton's playing technique.
Great lesson
Great Clapton Lesson👍 So glad I found your channel recently🙂. Always thought "Forever Man" was one of his best fast songs. Would love to see a guitar tutorial someday if possible😎
You just cannot beat that Marshall tone!!!
gibby and marshall is PERFECT
@@soofitnsexy Exactly! I have several Gibsons, but no Marshalls now sadly. Can't beat that duo!
@@scaryfakevirus i play lsl guitars and fender amps but am shopping for a les paul...played a 335 was very nice but damn thats a HUGE guitar!!
@@soofitnsexy I had a nice red 335 (ex Geoff Whitehorn) which I got from one of his mates. I swapped it with a nice Les Paul which he was after. I eventually sold it but I really regret selling it now. I will get another one day when I get some money.
Gotta say, thanks again. You are one hell of a guitar player.
Saw cream do this at Yale New Haven, late 60s some time. Nah, I wasn't a student, just a hippy.
Wow, would have loved to see them in the flesh
Clapton used "The Fool" SG Standard during Cream's Crossroads that was recorded at the San Francisco Winterland Ballroom on the Wheels of Fire album.
I was there on one of two nights that this may have been recorded... Magic.
Really great job
Lots of good stuff man.
Great tone on the guitar 😊
Absolutely used the SG for this. He didn't have the 335TDC yet.
Actually he already had the 335; since 1964; when he bought it new. A few years ago he sold it in auction for over $800K
@@vayabroder729 That 335 was actually Chris Dreja’s block ES-335TDC and not Eric’s, although he used it.
interesting, because this live version is the one we all grew up with (or at least I did!), and in the accompanying video he’s clearly using the 335. Now, someone might have taken footage of Cream performing Crossroads, and synced it to the track on W.O.F., because in the video there ARE some synching issues. But that’s CLEARLY the original track on W.O.F., and in the vid at least, clearly his 335….
@@chrispage2782 Not sure if your are citing the Albert Hall gig which is not the version that was on Wheels on Fire.
@@marcbolan1818 Yes!
Wow！Good lesson👍👍
Awesome job buddy!
Awesome thanks so much for sharing 🎶🎶🎶
Clapton was playing behind the beat on some of it he said that's why he was not pleased fully with it. But it sounded in time to me. I guess they were just jamming and Ginger was really going at it. But anyway who cares , it's fantastic. And thanks for breaking it down so well. If I can get it down it will be worth the effort. Plus you can use some of those riffs in other stuff. A great addition to anyone's arsenal I'd say.😊
Great video. The thing with Crossroad though is getting a bass player to learn Jack Bruce's part note for note. You can't simply get a bass player to accompany this solo using the standard blues progression that they use while Eric is singing. It won't fit very well. Those guys are just following each other and not making a lot of effort on sticking to the standard progression. Their focus is more on playing something that sounds melodically good (actually really great). I suspect that they started more standard and that they gradually developed the solo into something more adventurous as the tour went on. Eric Clapton himself in at least one interview was annoyed at people praising his performance on that song. I remember him complaining that they were not following the chord progression (the box) and not realizing the genius of doing this. Which shows that you are not always the best judge when looking at your own work. At that moment of rock history they really were the Cream of the rock musician. No other rock group reached that level as far as improvisation is concerned. Much of that is because of Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker jazz background however the presence of Eric Clapton was a real bonus. Although he did not have the level of Jack Bruce, in those days Clapton was on fire and had such a beautiful fluid playing that it would have been hard to find a better complement.
Good points. I almost edited in after the fact how astonishing the bass playing was on that song. Literally never paid attention to it until I was prepping this video. Just...wow
@@12footchain Yes! Jack is GOING TO TOWN in that number!
There are snippets in Clapton's two solos where you can hear that he used what Jack just played. I'll document the time points.
Great tone - that's how Clapton, sounded. A good lesson. I've gotta say, enjoy your enthusiasm on your videos along with the great lessons. I note you have the Marshall attenuated? and both channels connected. I have said before on your earlier videos, man I love that SG!!!!!
Yep attenuated w fryette power station
That is a awesome guitar.
Fantastic job! Love your playing and your sound. I personally think this is Clapton at his blues best. The song is so great particularly because it's a live recording. Thanks so much for taking the time to teach us this song. 🤗
Great work!
Good stuff man !!!
For years, every so often, I would attempt to learn this song, and I could never get the feel for it. I've always loved the song but could never get it right. You, Sir, have done an excellent job of showing the riffs that Clapton did. I may give this one yet another shot and bring it to band practice.
Great choice and videos. You are bringing it home!!! Maybe Hideaway or Tribute to Elmore? ❤
Damn, you're so good on that guitar 🤘
Thank you. Btw love that sunburst epiphone casino in the back. My eye kept going there 😅
You got da beat!
The reason why Eric doesn't like it (when asked about it) is because it isn't what he intended to do. He makes a mistake and then has to work his way out of it. But to us, it sounds seamless and inventive, a true moment of improvisation, and that's what makes it great. (It happens around the 2 minute 44 second mark of the recording, 2nd solo).
Amazing ❤
Well done!!
Playin WoF in my parents attic at age 16....EC Please, GB Please! Best intro in Blues Rock History. I finally figured this out on my cream (no pun intended) Les Paul reissue, which is actually an SG like yours w gold hardware, no Bigsby unfortunately..
Very nice indeed, have the live goodbye set with versions of this and none sounded like winterland show possibly edits i believe what u?
Killer . Like evh man. Thanks
.
There is an interview out there with Barbara Walters and EVH where Eddie starts talking about Eric and the influence he had on him. He then proceeds to playing this song. Worth a listen if you can find it
I love that interview, then he starts playing Blackmore 😂
Nice video!The notes you play are very close to the original.Eric was playing the Gibson 335 for this song
i have read that and have seen pictures of eric playing an ES-335 during that session
That was the farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This show was the Winterland Theater in San Francisco.
"Just like on the record!" Wow!
Reminds me of those ads on the back pages of comic books in the '60s which offered to teach you "How To Play Guitar Like The Ventures."
"Now with 10% more realism!" :-)
Love your respect
Great video thanks! I think he actually used an ES-335 for the studio recording.
is there an actual studio recording by Cream of crossroads? I've only heard the live one?
@@12footchain I believe he only recorded that particular song as the classic live version we all cherish.
I stand corrected, Clapton did play the red 335 at the Albert Hall farewell concert, but the Winterland show was probably the Gibson SG!
Clapton played a Cherry Red 1964 Gibson Es-335 in that classic recording.
Heck yeah. Thank you!
You are very good
Thanks!! Love The Energy of this song!! Hey, I was trying to find a lesson on Uriah Heep's PARADISE? Not much success. I think it may be in Open C Tuning, as I believe The Wizard is - maybe something you might be Interested in doing? Appreciate the songs you do.
Awesome!!!
He does play the 335 on this. 68 is the year he started playing it almost exclusively on stage. You can see him play it with the Dirty Mac in Rock and Roll Circus which was recorded in 68
He played the 335 at the farewell concert at the Albert Hall London in 68.
Clapton is not my favorite guitarist but these solos are in my top 10, with the second solo in the top 3. Were these 100% improvised? Mind blowing melody with incredible tone. Great job both playing and explaining!
Clapton use a 1964 Gibson ES-335
It was his psychedelic SG .... he used his B.B. inspired vibrato ....
Yes, I remember the Day-Glo painted axe.
A song that is almost too difficult to emulate and do justice to ... even after playing since '65 and learning a lot of Clapton's work. I think that even Eric couldn't do again what he did live on that recording. Sounds like you've spent a lot of time learning this one ... and posting it on You Tube as a tutorial .... a lot of pressure to get it right ... just right. Nice job.
Great video man! Was wondering about which exact model of sg yours is, because it is so killer!
Thank you, it's this one www.gibson.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/USA19H701/Ebony
Sg i believe was it at the Filmore the Albert hall was a Es 335
would love to see you dissect "lazy" by Deep Purple. I learned it note for note in the 70s and it is full nuance and swing!
You outta try learning it on the keyboards. Jon Lord was a monster player.
Still, one of the most eternally mysterious performances in all of rock history.
I think...there may be yet one more untapped critically important lock to it, and it has to do not with Eric...but with Jack.
What if, our frame is wrong. What if...this is actually a jazz song.
Masquerading as blues.
I partially say this as, although having a trained rock/blues ear...I can’t “hear” jazz.
And I can’t hear this,
I agree that there is something more going on with this recording that I have not heard Clapton do since. The switching between minor and major is way more than just a trick, he really did it well on this one, like someone who is well versed in musical theory, but he wasn’t. And the way he and Bruce played together… just wow. There’s a reason this recording never gets old to me. I’m (only) 43 but I’ve been mesmerized by this recording since I was 7 years old, and I still listen to it attentively when I do.
@@agtronic There’s also the Clapton-confirmed theory that he “got lost” in the solo, missed cues on when to go to four. That STILL doesn’t solve it for me,
Brilliant stuff….I’m just a bit sad that I probably won’t be able to nail this one 😂❤
You will. Jus take it one bar at a time.
Any Peter Green lessons coming?
Ever heard the version performed by Free?
Clapton played a red Gibson 335 on the live version.
His SG was used on the track in question.
I don't think do, he used that 335 on the live farewell concert at Royal Albert Hall, but not this one at Winterland in March 68