Eric Clapton Live at Montreux 1986 DVD with Greg Philliganes, Phil Collins, Nathan East (NR) +Movie Reviews

Excellent Clapton burdened by 80s keyboards & material

David Bonesteel | Fresno, CA United States | 01/21/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Eric Clapton was in fine voice and his guitar-playing was top-notch as always in this concert from 1986. Unfortunately, there were also some factors that really detracted from my enjoyment of the performance. First of all, I hated the electric keyboards of Greg Phillinganes. That noodling, mellotron sound, which was so popular in this 80s, is featured far too prominently in the mix to the extent that he even has several solos. In addition, there is a giant dead spot in the middle of the show when Clapton performs several songs that were then new but which have not stood the test of time. They are just not very good. The song that Phillinganes leads with bassist Nathan East is simply awful. A surprise highlight comes when Phil Collins leads the band in a performance of his classic "In the Air Tonight," one of the few songs from his solo work that I care for."

Incomplete

tjguitar | 11/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Why did Eagle Vision decide to remove "Run" and the encore with Robert Cray?

The Ramblin On My Mind > Have You Ever Loved A Woman encore track is awesome with a bunch of key changes, and Robert Cray on guitar.

A shame, but still a great DVD, much more complete than the other DVD from 1986 ("Eric Clapton and Friends").

As for the performance, it is top notch. Clapton had a great group of players in 86-87 with the four piece band of Collins/East/Phillinganes.

Greg Phillinganes provides the vocals for the chorus of "White Room" and the entire song of "Behind the Mask".

Some of Greg Phillingnaes synths are rather dated, but it doesn't detract from these excellent shows. Additionally, Phil Collins rocks the house with his smash hit "In The Air Tonight".

Can't recommend this enough despite its shortcomings. It would be five stars if it was complete."

Vintage 80's Clapton

Luis C. Diaz | Mason, Ohio | 11/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Clapton's career since his return in the 80's has been an interesting musical journey throught his musical influcences from blues to rock to pop. He flirted with Pop during the early 80's and slowly began moving towards the blues again with his album Journeynan. This video is from the end of his pop period and it shows some fine playing from Calpton and the rest of the band. The performance is true to the era as some of the arragements are 80's influenced (as well as tye clothes!).

After all these years of hearing Clapton perform with blues/rock drummers like Steve Gadd it is interesting on hearing him with Phil Collins on drums. His drumming is quite recognizable and it provided a different back beat for Clapton to perform to. Collins druming was pop oriented and helped Clapton explore some new territories. The rest of the band kept playing with Clapton during the 80's and 90's - specially Nathan East on Bass.

Overall, the performance is, as expected, very good and it is nice addition to Clapton's video collection."

Good, but with serious shortcomings

Okamiyama | 02/05/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD, for me is a frustrating, tantalizing taunt about what might have been. Clapton, Collins, East and Phillinganes all play well, and they play songs I like to hear. Clapton's tone is pretty good (except for a bit of silly slapback delay on the solos of a few of the songs), thick and beefy while still sounding like a Stratocaster.

There are problems with the sound at times. Clapton will start a solo but his guitar stays buried in the overall mix. The sound man was asleep at the switch, apparently.

The biggest disappointment is in the camera coverage. Whoever directed/edited the various cameras' footage was someone "unclear on the concept." Almost every time Clapton breaks into a solo, the camera cuts to a view of Phil Collins' back as he plays drums, or to the keyboard player or almost anywhere but Eric Clapton and his hands and guitar. So if you're a musician, you're going to find this a bit nerve-wracking (unless maybe you're a drummer, and likely even then).

If you're a non-musician (like the director of this video apparently was) and are a fan of Eric Clapton and want a concert video from the mid-Eighties, you may enjoy this a lot more than I did, although the quality of the video footage itself isn't all that great. (Eighties-technology video cameras.) Clapton's guitar solos' first few bars getting buried in the mix is a bit of a frowner, too. The band plays great and they seem to be having a good time, so it's not a total loss.

Caveat emptor."

Vintage Slowhand

leelee | Chicago, IL | 04/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superb concert featuring Eric Clapton with an incredible backing band including Phil Collins on drums, Nathan East and Greg Phillinganes. Set list is terrific featuring new songs from then soon to be released "August" cd. Only "Run" was left off this wonderful performance possibly due to lack of disc space. My favorite was "I Shot The Sheriff" and it clearly is one of Clapton's favorite songs. He gives it a real special treatment here in enthusiasm and musicianship. I cannot understand why anyone would complain about this concert except maybe "August" was not their album. Sound quality is excellent and picture could use some remastering for addl color if possible. Eric looks hot in his bright orange shirt."

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