[Slowhand] Ragging, Whining, And Stainton

[Richard Batty]

I agree completely with Nick on this.  I want to hear EC play guitar - not
DB, AF-L or even Derek Trucks, although I did like his slide accompaniment
on the "Layla" songs on the last tour.

I'm ok hearing a Chris Stainton solo after an EC one on songs like Badge,
Cocaine etc.  But to have to listen to Doyle, Derek and Chris solos in a
long version of Little Queen of Spades when we could be listening to EC, no
thanks!

I think the EC-SW shows were as good as one could get in terms of EC's
playing.  I think EC was energized by basically doing Blind Faith the way it
could have been in 1969 and by the very interesting set list.  At the MSG
shows, I think the only Chris Stainton solo was on Cocaine.  He, Ian Thomas
and Willie Weeks were there to support EC and SW, not share the stage as CS,
DB and DT do in EC solo shows.

This was also true with the Cream reunion shows.  EC had to work really hard
as the only guitar (or keyboard) on stage.  I remember he made a comment
about how hard he had to work without a rhythm guitarist or keyboardist.  It
seems he doesn't want to work that hard anymore, which is a shame.  I wonder
if that is the main reason behind his refusal to play more Cream shows.  At
least with SW he doesn't have to work as hard with another great lead
instrumentalist on stage.

As far as keyboard players, I do like very much the 4-piece shows with Greg
Phillinganes - he doesn't get quite as far out there as Sancious or Carmon.
(I still like Steve Ferrone's drumming better than any EC drummer apart from
Ginger.)  I think Chris Stainton's playing works well with EC.  He was great
on the 1993-95 blues shows and I like his playing on shows like Hyde Park
1996.

As far as Tim Carmon goes, he absolutely ruins "Old Love", one of my
favorite EC songs, for me with those very weird sounding solos.  I have yet
to read a Slowhander saying she or he liked them.

Rick