Eric toured extensively during 1975. Numerous bootlegs have surfaced over the past 30 years. Some shows featured guest appearances by Santana, Pete Townshend and Keith Moon (The Who) and Joe Cocker.
The best bootleg recordings from 1975 are:
Joker / Summer of 1975: Two Shows (MidValley / 6 - SB5)
Discs 1 & 2 are a stunning audience recording (so good you think it’s a soundboard)from Springfield, Massachusetts on 24 June 1975. The playing is quite good unlike other shows from this tour. Discs 3 & 4 are from 14 August 1975 at the L.A Forum. It features Carlos Santana, Joe Cocker and Keith Moon on several numbers. Unlike older releases of this show, there less hiss and the glitches during “Layla” are not as noticeable. “Stormy Monday” is still cut.
Honorable Mention:
Listen To Dis, Jimmy (Tarantura / 6)
A reissue of the 14 August L.A. Forum show, computer technology has improved the sound. Additionally, it is sourced for a complete audience time so for the first time, fans can hear “Stormy Monday” in its entirety.
Joker 2 / Summer of 1975: Two Shows (MidValley / 6 / 5)
This release features the Providence RI show on 25 June in upgraded quality paired with a great recording of the Stanford University gig on 8 August. The Providence gig is a truly outstanding audience recording. It features Carlos Santana on “Eyesight To The Blind” and “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad”. According to Marc Roberty’s Complete Recording Sessions 1963-1995, this concert was recorded for possible release. “Layla”, “Further On Up The Road”, “Driftin’ Blues”, and “Eyesight To The Blind / Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” eventually made their way onto Crossroads 2. But, there are still lots of great tracks left over. A complete soundboard recording of this show has never surfaced among collectors. The Stanford University show is a real treat. It includes tracks like “Badge”, “Better Make It Through Today,” “Key To The Highway” and “Carnival”.
Honorable Mention:
At a minimum, one should have the Providence concert on Splendor (VRM / 5).
Carnival (Silver Rarities / SB5)
The majority of this two-CD set was recorded in Denver, Colorado on 12 August 1975, with the last three tracks being from San Diego, California on 16 August 1975. The disc starts with an amazing version of “Stormy Monday” and includes a rare performance of “Carnival”. This release also has a TOTALLY different version of “Crossroads” and a great “Little Wing” with Santana.
Where’s ERIC! does not encourage or condone the manufacture of bootleg recordings. They are illegal and artists do not receive royalties from their sale. However, Where’s ERIC! realizes that there are fans who collect these recordings. In that spirit, information about them is provided for fans’ research and guidance purposes. Where’s ERIC! does not sell, trade or provide free copies of bootleg recordings nor can we tell you how to obtain them.
