During the first 10 months of the year, Eric performed occasionally at one-offs like the NAACP Image Awards and the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame Induction. Most of his time was dedicated to launching the drugs / alchohol rehabilitation center he founded in Antigua and planning an auction of over 100 of his guitars to support it. The most notable concert event during these months was the Crossroads Centre Benefit Concert on 30 June in New York City. Eric toured Japan in November.
The core collection recordings from 1999 are:
Down To The Crossroads (Zig Zag / SB 6 / 4)
This 5 CD set has the official broadcast of the Crossroads Concert and a 3 disc complete audience recording in good quality. Numerous tracks were omitted from the broadcast and official DVD. The audience discs contain this material along with great versions of “Reconsider Baby”, “River Of Tears”, “Run Baby Run” (with Sheryl Crow), three numbers with Bob Dylan and an all-star encore of “Bright Lights, Big City”.
Last Pilgrimage (EC Is Here – DJ Copy / SB6)
You want this 3 disc set for the German radio broadcast of the tour rehearsals that took place in Los Angeles, California. The radio show was recorded on 4 November. It has interviews and outstanding versions of “Gin House” and “She’s Gone”. This disc is meant to be played LOUD. Also included is the Japanese Television broadcast soundtrack of the 24 November show in Yokohama. Eric and band turn in an extremely competent performance. Although it’s great on CD, seek out the video or DVD. Without a doubt, it is the most beautifully filmed Eric Clapton concert of all time.
Note: The radio show is also available on its own on the MidValley release, Generalprobe 1999. Same goes for the Yokohama show – MidValley issued it on The Dance Of The Bell.
The Yokohama show was also released as a single performance by EC is Here as Yokohama 1124-99 in license-plate style cardboard packaging.
14 Gigs (Hoochie Coochie In The East / 5)
The entire Japan tour on 28 CDs sourced from great audience recordings. It gets a bit repetitive due to the unchanging setlist, but three shows standout in particular. 20 November 1999 was an amazing show from lights down and features a rare electric performance of “Before You Accuse Me” as the encore. 27 November was also consistently good with an rare acoustic performance of “Before You Accuse Me” (first time since the Unplugged taping on 16 January 1992). Finally, the 29 November performance starts out slow but Eric tears it up with his first performance of “Stormy Monday” in well over 20 years. The blues master at his best. At a minimum, seek out the invidual shows for these dates.
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.
