Carlos Santana: The best guitarist Eric Clapton played with
Annoyingly, for a person who seems pretty despicable on numerous levels, the guitar talents of Eric Clapton are undeniable. Regardless of your opinions on the man himself, the world of rock and roll guitar has a great deal to thank Clapton for, and it is clear to see why.
From the blues rock dedication of The Yardbirds to the pioneering psychedelia of Cream, as well as the guitarist’s extensive discography as a solo artist, the quality of his guitar playing has seemingly remained constant. There have only been a handful of guitarists throughout the ages that could match Clapton’s technical ability, and even fewer than he himself would admit to.
You could ask one hundred people for the greatest guitarist of all time, and you would likely get one hundred different answers. However, there are a few names which always seem to rise to the top, and Clapton is firmly among those figures. The Surrey-born guitarist pioneered the distinctive psychedelic stylings of the 1960s, playing on utterly iconic tracks like Cream’s ‘Sunshine of Your Love’, ‘Tears In Heaven’ and, of course, ‘Crossroads’.
Clapton seemed to be constantly evolving and adapting his playing style, which was something of a necessity within the oversaturated rock landscape of the late 1960s. Having matured into the 1970s – embarking upon a hugely successful solo career – Clapton seemed to turn his back upon the revolutionary sounds of his previous material, focusing entirely on moving his sound forward. However, the guitarist was at risk of losing relevance during this period, thanks largely to the rise in popularity of many other gifted guitarists, notably Carlos Santana.
Of course, Santana had been honing his craft for years by the time the 1970s rolled around, but the release of the seminal album Abraxas in 1970 exposed Carlos Santana’s incredible talents to a much wider audience. Santana was one of very few guitarists who could match and even eclipse Clapton’s talents during this time. However, he is often not afforded the same reputation as the ‘Crossroads’ guitarist.
Nevertheless, Clapton himself readily admitted to the incredible talents of the Mexican guitarist. Speaking to Rolling Stone in 1975, Clapton reflected upon his experience touring with Santana, attesting, “Well, from playing with him on this tour, I know that Carlos Santana is a very, very strong player,” adding, “He really kept me on my toes,” which is no mean feat when it comes to the guitar stylings of Eric Clapton.
Despite his resounding praise of Santana, the guitarist also clarified, “Basically, though, I don’t like to give a specific opinion on someone else’s playing,” explaining, “Not only is it unfair to another musician, but I just don’t keep track anymore. I’m not a competitive guitarist. I’ve settled into my own pace. If I have to change my ways in order to top a poll somewhere, I’d rather not play.”
He might not have been a competitive guitarist, but imagining a head-to-head guitar battle between Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana would surely cause certain guitar obsessives to spontaneously combust in sheer excitement.
