Artistes: Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood,

Label: Warner Bros,

Rating: 4/5,

Live from Madison Square Garden  has been culled from Clapton-Winwood performance in New York over two nights when the two musicians played a wide variety of some old gems. Notably, Clapton's playing is brimful, slow and easy clearly hinting he has matured and selective about using the notes on his guitar. What does invoke the magic for this album is the combination of Winwood's (former member of Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, and Go) singing and playing, as Clapton fills in the guitar work. The two democratically share both soloing and vocal duties on the album making it a treat for their fans. The album has three Winwood numbers like Glad, Dear Mr Fantasy and No Face, No Name, No Number which might leave you praying for a Traffic reunion. The song Had to Cry today has a fantastic Guitar duet played by Winwood and Clapton, while they also give tribute to the great Buddy Miles through Them Changes. Sleeping in the Ground has intresting piano work by Winwood, while the wah-wah guitar fills on Presence of the Lord is hard to miss. Rambling on my Mind has clapton going completely acoustic - we know how he sounds with no frills. While Otis Rush's immortal Double Trouble is given the pure Clapton touch. The duo also give tribute to Hendrix and JJ cale with tracks like little wing, voodoo chile, Cocaine and After Midnight 

For the shows the two virtuosos were supported by Chris Stainton on Keyboards, Willie Weeks on bass and Ian Thomas on Drums. They play various genres, although most songs are bluesrock songs, they also play funk, pop and classic rock. The packaging of the CD is intresting; suggesting of the the hippie era, which is what Live From Madison Square Garden is. For clapton fans, this is a treat, like always, the emphasis is more on instrumental virtuosity with a great feel. This album is like a slice of rock in its most classic oevre. The guitars are as important as the voices, and the vibe is relaxed and respectful. Get it, this one is delight 

2 CD set, 21 tracks, Price 399/-

Live in Madison Square Garden is also available in 2 DVD pack with bonus live performances of songs like Low Down, Kind Hearted Woman and crossroads besides the others, and interviews and behind the scene footage.

Disc One

"Had to Cry Today" (Steve Winwood) – 7:47

"Low Down" (J.J. Cale) – 4:10

"Them Changes" (Buddy Miles) – 5:10

"Forever Man" (Jerry Williams) – 3:33

"Sleeping in the Ground" (Sam Myers) – 4:50

"Presence of the Lord" (Eric Clapton) – 5:23

"Glad" (Steve Winwood) – 4:13

"Well All Right" (Jerry Allison/Buddy Holly/Joe Mauldin/Norman Petty) – 5:35

"Double Trouble" (Otis Rush) – 8:06

"Pearly Queen" (Jim Capaldi/Steve Winwood) – 6:10

"Tell the Truth" (Eric Clapton/Robert Whitlock) – 6:42

"No Face, No Name, No Number" (Jim Capaldi/Steve Winwood) – 4:09

Disc Two

"After Midnight" (J.J. Cale) – 4:45

"Split Decision" (Joe Walsh/Steve Winwood) – 6:25

"Rambling on My Mind" (Robert Johnson) – 4:01

Eric Clapton only

"Georgia on My Mind" (Hoagy Carmichael/Stuart Gorrell) – 5:05

Steve Winwood only

"Little Wing" (Jimi Hendrix) – 6:42

"Voodoo Chile" (Jimi Hendrix) – 16:23

"Can't Find My Way Home" (Steve Winwood) – 5:33

"Dear Mr. Fantasy" (Jim Capaldi/Steve Winwood/Chris Wood) – 7:41

"Cocaine" (J.J. Cale) – 6:41