Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Live on Blu-Ray!

Live From Madison Square Garden

First thing first, this is a fantastic dvd that is a must have for any musician -especially a guitar player. I saw one review that complained about too many guitar solos??? For me, that is the highlight of this amazing release. There are some extended jams that shows the true talent of these guys who really invented the jam band. Eric Clapton played some of the most inspired guitar in his entire career. It may have been the incredible sound of SW’s keys that provided the foundation for the inspired play. His playing on double trouble definitely made me pick up my strat… Steve Winwood still has an amazing voice along with great chops on the organ, but it was cool to see him jam on his guitar during Dear Mr. Fantasy. He is a great guitar player and I would have liked to see him play more of it along with EC on this dvd. BUT, when you have a guitar gun-slinger like Eric Clapton for a sideman, I can see why he let EC handle most of the guitar! Eric Clapton looked as if he really enjoyed playing during this performance. I have to think it was playing on songs that were fun to play for him. The highlights for me were them changes-glad-pearly queen-little wing-voodoo child-can’t find-dear mr fantasy. The only reason I give it a 4 star is that I am not sure you need another version of cocaine - and it added nothing to the show. And I think there could have been a few more extra songs on the 2nd dvd. But I have watched this dvd several times and actually enjoy it more than the Cream re-union dvd. Not sure why, because Cream is one of my favorite groups of all time. But that says a lot for this dvd. The camara gets in tight on EC’s guitar playing which is a dream for any guitar players. And it is not the usual fast cut style that we see too often in concert dvd’s. It is easy to watch and listen to. I have to get the cd now!

Clapton And Winwood have just dropped a forty year Time Bomb on the Baby Boom Generation with this release. Soul Psychedelisizing, Electrifying, Riveting performances…Very Special! What a great Mix of tunes…Awesome tributes to many of the greats who have left us…Ray, Buddy and Jimi to name a few. WOW! Absolutely incredible Sound and Video…I was very lucky to have seen Blind Faith Live at the old Olympia Stadium in Detroit, Michigan during the Summer of 69, when I was just a boy. You won’t want to miss this Dynamic Duos show if it comes to your Neighborhood In June. I have never seen Winwood and Clapton having so much fun! Great Stuff…Get it Here!

Blu-ray boosts the potential for Music DVDs

High-def Neil Young box set sells out at $300 each!

Although Blu-ray Disc music titles currently have a small following, they present a great retail opportunity, according to participants at a Wednesday National Assn. of Recording Merchandisers session.

Typically, a Blu-ray music title will sell about 10% of what a Blu-ray film does, noted Universal Music Group VP Jim Belcher. Still, he and others at the session believe Blu-ray can transform music retailing, because the format infuses songs with new value.

The format’s high-quality video and sound make for the perfect music community experience, which retailers can rally around as a selling point. In particular, NARM participants want retailers to excite their consumer base by hosting Blu-ray listener parties.

“About 40 people I know had a party at a Best Buy watching Blu-rays,” noted Larry Johnson, a producer on Neil Young’s recent Blu-ray release, Neil Young Archives Vol. 1: 1963-1972. “Stores can do that across the country.”

Zane Vella, founder of Related Content Data Base, acknowledged that today’s consumers seem more concerned with convenience than quality, as they increasingly choose download services over bricks-and-mortar stores to quickly satisfy their music needs.

But with such listener parties, “you can educate the consumer to appreciate sound quality and to appreciate the deeper experience you get when you combine great video with sound,” said Vella.

He suggested that Blu-ray could be that energizing force for bricks-and-mortar music retailers, as 3D has been to theaters.

Certain consumers are embracing Blu-ray music titles. Warner Music’s June 2 Neil Young Archives Vol. 1: 1963-1972 has already sold out of its initial shipment. The label is surprised that it needs to already replenish stock, noted Johnson.

The 10-disc set retails for about $300, which is much higher than the standard single-disc Blu-ray title.

Johnson believes that people are really attracted to the set’s automatic notice of new available downloads each time the BD Live-enhanced discs are played.

“This keeps it fresh for Neil, but it drives me crazy,” said Johnson, who is managing delivering updates to fans. “He keeps giving and giving.”

Johnson said to next look out for access to a download of concert footage from a past Hollywood Bowl performance.

They are currently working on  a second Blu-ray installment of Young’s work.