Description: In June 2004, some of the greatest living guitar players and their bands gathered at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, for a three-day festival to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. It was the ultimate concert for any music lover, featuring one legend after the other: Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, James Taylor, Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Walsh, John Mayer, Robert Cray, Robert Randolph, Santana, ZZ Top, and many more. This 2-DVD set beautifully documents the event and contains over 4 hours of content. Planned extras include in-depth artist interviews, a mini-documentary, photo gallery, alternate angle, and more. Royalties from the DVD sales will benefit the Crossroads Center.
Amazon.com: Although it could have been twice as long, this double-DVD set effectively captures over three hours of highlights from one of the most comprehensive and diverse collection of guitarists ever assembled for a single event. Recorded over three days in June of 2004 to benefit Eric Clapton's Crossroads Center in Antigua (as do the sales of this set), the show is not surprisingly heavy on the rootsy blues and country that comprise Clapton's primary inspirations. But it also includes folk (James Taylor), gospel (Robert Randolph & the Family Band), fret-shredding rockers (Steve Vai who delivers a dazzling performance), jazz (John McLaughlin), and, most interestingly, Indian classical music (a stunning piece from Vishwa Mohan Bhatt).
Most compelling are the rare and sometimes unusual collaborations. Joe Walsh and Taylor clown around on "Steamroller Blues," and Booker T. & the M.G.'s back both Joe Walsh on a rollicking "Rocky Mountain Way" and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo tearing into a sizzling "The Neighborhood." Clapton and J.J. Cale share the stage as do Clapton and Carlos Santana, and a show-stopping blues summit with Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Clapton is a treat for all involved.
There are some shortcomings. The event isn't presented in chronological order--different stages, days, and backing bands are shuffled with Clapton's own set scattered throughout--ZZ Top's closing is a bit anticlimactic, and there are many omissions due to time constraints. But every act rises to the occasion, and this expertly recorded and shot DVD gives the viewer a front-row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. --Hal Horowitz
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - 1 Best Blues Performance of the Century Award
I can't say this 2 DVD set blew me away. There are some OK performances but 98% of them are just OK. I bought this (used I might add-cheap!)coming in as a guitar fan and mostly as a fan of Eric Johnson ... Read More
Rating: - Just Stunning
This two-DVD set captures a once in a lifetime event. From blues legends like BB King and Buddy Guy, folk rock artists like JJ Cale and James Taylor, rockers like Joe Walsh, to Eric Clapton who has a little ... Read More
Rating: - Nice but could've been better
I usually try to refrain from negative reviews on musical performances but since everyone is hailing the DVD, I'll add some brief "shoulda's" that I would've like to have seen in the DVD...
Rating: - Missing Disc 1
Disc 01 is missing. The box came in with 2 Disc 02. I am still trying to figure out how this could have happened. The sealed item was delivered to my hotel address in Las Vegas. I was there on a visit when I placed ... Read More
Rating: - Just amazing uplifting music for a truly wonderful cause
This was just jam packed full of amazing music. I like how everyone there got a 1-3 song set and then things kept moving, it is truly for a great cause and really uplifts the watcher and gets them motivated not only ... Read More
- 1 Best Blues Performance of the Century Award
- Just Stunning