"EC Master Version" (75 minutes) and "Alternate Longer Version" (105 minutes)
1978.11.24. Live at Apollo Theater, Glasgow, City of Glasgow, Scotland / Backless - European Tour
Lineage: TvRip
From GSpot:
- Audio Codec: AC3
- Audio Bitrate: 192 kbps
- Video System: NTSC 29.97 fps 720x480
- Video Bitrate: 8000 kbps
ProShot DVD
Band line-up
Eric Clapton : guitar, vocals
Carl Radle : bass
Jamie Oldaker : drums
Dick Sims : keyboards
Special Guests
Ian Stewart : piano on " Key To The Highway " & " Further On Up The Road "
Jerry Portnoy : harmonica on " Key To The Highway " & " Further On Up The Road "
Bob Margolin : guitar on " Key To The Highway " & " Further On Up The Road "
Synopsis:
"In 1979 Eric Clapton put his band in a three-carriage train andtraveled from town to town throughout Europe, from one concert to thenext. It was an easy way to transport and house the band and itsequipment, and it offered ample opportunity for interviews, groupinteractions, and filming. Clapton talks about his music and his workand peaks the viewer's interest with stories about musicians like JimiHendrix and George Harrison. Interviews are balanced with performancesby Muddy Waters, Elton John, and George Harrison, as well as Claptonand his band in full concert."
This extremely rare (and sought after) film is not great, but it isvery interesting and revealing. The film acts as a very good andnon-glamerous portrait of a band on the road and captures Clapton atthe height of his alcohol addiction. It paints a very unflatteringpicture of the rock legend who is intoxicated for the entire film. Atone point Clapton and his crew play a very cruel joke on a Frenchjournalist who interviews and photographs Eric's American securityguard Larry Mcneny, believing him to be Clapton.
The highlights of the film are the alcohol influenced interviews withthe fragile and insecure guitarist. In them he talks about his career,his relationship with Patti Boyd and the writing of the song `Layla'(which Patti herself also comments on). The most revealing andbeautifully "real" moments of the documentary come when Clapton speaksin-depth about the night that Jimi Hendrix died and his anger towardHendrix for leaving him all alone in this world. He also discusses hisaudiences, their response to his music and the insecurities he feelswhen they walk out while he is playing.
As I already stated, this is not a great film, but it does show a sideof rock 'n' roll and more specifically Clapton that most people don'tget to see. A completely open and sympathetic Clapton, as well as rareconcert footage, make this documentary a must for any fan.
After watching Rolling Hotel I can see why Clapton never wanted thisfilm to see the light of day. The footage shows off Clapton’s masteryof his instrument, as well as his raging alcohol problem. There aremoments of brilliance, such as Clapton and Patti Harrison talking aboutLayla. But there are also absolute train wrecks (no pun?), like theopening number, Smile, during which Clapton can barely stand.
My favorite parts of the documentary are the interviews with Clapton.
Slowhand opens up in a way I had never seen before. The best musicalfootage comes towards the end of the DVD when Clapton plays a ragingCocaine before he is joined by George Harrison and Elton John for aglorious Further On Up The Road. Other tunes featured on the DVDinclude Lay Down Sally, Badge, and a few renditions of Layla. Thereisn’t much footage of Clapton from the ’70s, so grab this release.
