Eric Clapton (Photo by David Wedgbury via Showtime. Used with permission)
The documentary film, Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars, which premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival in September, has being released on DVD and Blu-ray (from Eagle Rock) with a 32-song soundtrack, including five previously unreleased tracks on 2-CDs on June 8 (via UMe). A 4-LP set follows on July 20.
Best Classic Bands has the previously unreleased tracks including the entire full-length studio recording of Clapton’s cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff”; Derek and the Dominos’ instrumental, “High,” originally recorded during the 1971 sessions at Olympic Studios for their unreleased 2nd album; and a 17:26 live version of Cream performing “Spoonful” from 1968. Listen below.
The film, directed by Lili Fini Zanuck, producer of Driving Miss Daisy, had its U.S. television premiere on Showtime in Feb.
The film chronicles Clapton’s personal ups and downs, including his addiction and the loss of a son in 1991. Says Zanuck, “Despite the fact that his path is strewn with tragedies, addiction and loss, he never fails to regain his bearings and continue to serve what he holds dearest: his music.”
The soundtrack includes classic rock tracks by the Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters and Clapton’s solo work.
Listen to the first ever release of the entire full-length recording of “I Shot the Sheriff,” recorded during the sessions for 461 Ocean Boulevard
Related: 10 great Eric Clapton collaborations
Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival in September. The New York Times called it “a story of recovery and recovered integrity.”
Of the 32 songs there are five previously unreleased tracks:
From the Cream era there is a version of “Spoonful,” described in the announcement as “a incredible 17-minute tour-de-force, recorded live at the LA Forum in October 1968 during the group’s final U.S., Goodbye tour.
Listen to the previously unreleased live version of “Spoonful”
There are two from Derek and the Dominos – a recording of “High,” originally recorded during the 1971 sessions at Olympic Studios for their unreleased 2nd album.
Listen to Derek and the Dominos’ “High”
“High” was later revisited and re-recorded for Eric Clapton’s 1975 album, There’s One In Every Crowd. The other is “Little Wing,” a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, recorded live during the Domino’s late set at The Fillmore East on October 24, 1970.
Finally, a live performance of “Little Queenie,” the classic Chuck Berry song, recorded at Long Beach Arena, California in July 1974 during Clapton’s comeback tour to promote the album.
Listen to “Little Queenie”
In addition, there are two alternative mixes made for Eric Clapton’s 1970 solo debut. Separate mixes were made for the album, by Delaney Bramlett and Tom Dowd (in Los Angeles) and also by Clapton himself (in London). Featured in this collection are Clapton’s rare mixes of “After Midnight” and “Let It Rain.”
Listen to Clapton’s mix of “After Midnight”
See below for complete track listing.
CD 1
Big Bill Broonzy: Backwater Blues (4.07) The Big Bill Broonzy Story 1957
Muddy Waters: My Life Is Ruined (2.38) Chess single 1953
Muddy Waters: I Got Mojo Working (4.28) Live At Newport Jazz Festival 1960
The Yardbirds: I Wish You Would (2.19) – studio version
The Yardbirds: For Your Love (2.30) For Your Love 1965
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers: Steppin’ Out (2.29) John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton 1966
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers: All Your Love (3.37) John Mayall Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton 1966
Cream: I Feel Free (2.57) Fresh Cream 1966
Cream: Strange Brew (2.50) Disraeli Gears 1967
Cream: Sunshine of Your Love (4.12) – studio version
Aretha Franklin: Good to Me As I Am To You (3.58) Lady Soul / Recorded on December 16 and 17, 1967
Cream: Crossroads live (4.18) Wheels Of Fire / Recorded 10 March 1968 at Winterland, San Francisco, CA16
The Beatles: While My Guitar Gently Weeps (4.45) The Beatles / Recorded 5–6 September 1968
Cream: Badge (2.48) Goodbye / Recorded October 1968 at IBC Studios in London
Cream: White Room live (5.41) Live Cream II / recorded October 4, 1968 at the Oakland Coliseum Arena
Cream: Spoonful (17.27) live from Goodbye tour – LA Forum October 19, 1968 previously unreleased
Blind Faith: Presence Of The Lord (4.52) – studio version
CD 2
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton: Comin’ Home (7.51) Live at Fairfield Halls
Eric Clapton: After Midnight (3.25) alternate mix from Eric Clapton (first album) 1970
Eric Clapton: Let It Rain (5.00) alternate mix from Eric Clapton (first album) 1970
Derek and The Dominos: High (3.10) (Olympic Studios, April 1971) Derek and the Dominos album previously unreleased
George Harrison: My Sweet Lord (4.44) All Things Must Pass 1970
Derek and The Dominos: Thorn Tree In The Garden (2.55) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
Derek and The Dominos: Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out (5.01) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
Derek and The Dominos: Bell Bottom Blues (5.08) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
Derek and The Dominos: Layla (7.10) Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs 1970
Derek and The Dominos: Little Wing (6.11) Live At The Fillmore 1970
Derek and The Dominos: Got To Get Better In A Little While (6.05) – studio version
Eric Clapton: I Shot The Sheriff (6.54) previously unreleased full length version from 461 Ocean Blvd 1970
Eric Clapton: Little Queenie live (6.00) Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California, July 19/20, 1974 previously unreleased
Eric Clapton: Mainline Florida (4.08) 461 Ocean Boulevard 1974
Eric Clapton: Tears In Heaven (4.31) – studio version
Related: Though Clapton no longer tours, he performed a full set on May 26
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversation“high” has been stuck in my head for 3 days. Easily my favorite Clapton tune. It’s just clean. I love this. no lyrics no lead guitar. It’s just a jam. For the rest of my life.