Eric Clapton - The Definitive 24 Nights [Ltd 6CD, 3BR box]

Format: 6CD+3 BluRay Box Set
ICPN: 0093624866404
Release Date: 23 Jun 2023
Genre: Rock

In 1990, Eric Clapton performed 18 nights at one of his favorite venues - the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. During the 18 run of shows Clapton performed with three different line-ups: a rock band, a blues band, and an orchestra. Eric returned to the same venue in 1991 with the same three line -ups and played a further 24 shows. The huge undertaking of rehearsing for performances of three distinctly different genres was made even more challenging by the line-up for the rock shows varying from 4, 9 or 13 band members.

Clapton has always played with superlative musicians, and these shows were no exception. The bands included Johnnie Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, Chuck Leavell, Nathan East, Greg Phillinganes, Steve Ferrone, Ray Cooper, and Jerry Portnoy. Additionally, legendary special guests joined Clapton on stage: Phil Collins in the rock ensemble; Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins for the blues shows.

The Orchestral performances were arranged and conducted by Michael Kamen the highly regarded and successful composer who had worked with Clapton previously (Lethal Weapon, Edge Of Darkness). The set list included the epic 30 minute ‘Concerto For Guitar’ that Kamen composed especially for Clapton - released now for the first time.

Many of the performances in both years were filmed and recorded. The huge volume of audio and film material from the archive has been painstakingly restored and upgraded by Clapton’s team of Simon Climie (audio production and mixing), producer Peter Worsley (Slowhand at 70 and The Lady In The Balcony), and director David Barnard (The Lady In The Balcony).

This remarkable series of shows will finally be given the release that they deserve. A full concert of each genre (Rock, Blues, Orchestral) has been assembled from the hours of material available and will be released on audio (CD, LP, digital) and with an accompanying film on Blu-ray and DVD.

The Clapton classics performed with the rock band include ‘White Room’, ‘Lay Down Sally’, ‘Wonderful Tonight’, ‘Pretending’ and ‘Layla’. The Orchestral show features a stunning version of ‘ Layla’, plus stand-out highlights of ‘Bell Bottom Blues’, ‘Edge Of Darkness’ and ‘Sunshine of Your Love’. Great covers of ‘Cocaine’, ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ and ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ also feature. The 14-song Blues set includes standards such as ‘Sweet Home Chicago, ‘Have You Ever Loved A Woman’, and ‘Key To The Highway’.

The limited-edition ‘Definitive 24 Nights’ deluxe box sets include 47 songs and almost 6 hours of music on 6 CDs or 8 LPs and 3 Blu-ray’s.
The Definitive 24 Nights (Deluxe Edition) Vinyl box track listing
Rock Show
1. Pretending**
2. Running On Faith**
3. Breaking Point
4. I Shot The Sheriff (Feat. Phil Collins on drums)
5. White Room**
6. Can􀍛􀆚 Find My Way Home (Feat. Nathan East on lead vocals)
7. Bad Love**
8. Before You Accuse Me
9. Lay Down Sally
10. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Feat. Phil Collins on drums)
11. Old Love
12. No Alibis (This version was released as a B-side of the single ‘Wonderful Tonight’)
13. Tearing Us Apart
14. Cocaine
15. Wonderful Tonight**
16. Layla
17. Crossroads
18. Sunshine Of Your Love
Blues Show
1. Key To The Highway
2. Worried Life Blues **
3. Watch Yourself **
4. Have You Ever Loved A Woman**
5. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
6. Something On Your Mind
7. All Your Love (I Miss Loving)
8. Johnnie’s Boogie
9. Black Cat Bone
10. Reconsider Baby
11. My Time After A While
12. Sweet Home Chicago
13. Watch Yourself (Reprise)
Orchestral Show
1. Crossroads
2. Bell Bottom Blues **
3. Lay Down Sally
4. Holy Mother
5. I Shot The Sheriff
6. Hard Times **
7. Can’t Fine My Way Home (Feat. Nathan East on lead vocals)
8. Edge Of Darkness**
9. Old Love
10. Wonderful Tonight
11. White Room
12. Concerto For Electric Guitar (30 min piece, composed by Michael Kamen for Eric. Previously
unreleased)
13. A Remark You Made (A tribute to Jaco Pastorius)
14. Layla
15. Sunshine Of Your Love
All tracks have been remixed and the audio has been upgraded and remastered.
** (on 1991 CD release)