“Gibberish”: Eric Clapton picks the hardest blues song to cover
The debate surrounding who the best guitarist in the world is will rage on so long as there is air in the lungs of those who can contest it. The moment it became evident that the skill of instrumentalists was a huge factor in the progression of rock ‘n’ roll, it became equally apparent that there would always be debates surrounding who the best is. We still don’t have a definitive answer, but when you bring up the guitarist, it isn’t long before someone else brings up Eric Clapton‘s musical capabilities.
Clapton’s skill is more than just his proficiency as a guitar player. He was responsible for merging multiple genres of music, all of which culminated in a bid to create what we now consider a modern interpretation of rock. He was more than just good at the instrument he played; he changed the way people looked at it completely. Before people started playing the guitar behind their heads or blowing up drum kits, Eric Clapton needed to provide them with the blueprint.
“Eric Clapton is the most important and influential guitar player that has ever lived, is still living or ever will live,” said E Street guitarist Steve Van Zandt. “Do yourself a favour, and don’t debate me on this. Before Clapton, rock guitar was the Chuck Berry method, modernised by Keith Richards, and the rockabilly sound – Scotty Moore, Carl Perkins, Cliff Gallup – popularised by George Harrison.”
He continued, “Clapton absorbed that, then introduced the essence of black electric blues: the power and vocabulary of Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin and the three Kings—B.B., Albert and Freddie—to create an attack that defined the fundamentals of rock and roll lead guitar.”
It’s not just Van Zandt who recognised Clapton’s superiority as a guitarist. Most people in the industry were aware of his talent; when he played, they listened, and people were always keen to work with him and leave a lasting impression when they did.
For instance, when George Harrison first went to The Beatles with his song ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, the band didn’t seem interested. This was a common occurrence for Harrison, who quite frequently had his musical ideas pushed to the side by a band that didn’t give him the credit he deserved. Knowing full well he was onto a winner with the song, he asked Clapton to come in and help him record, knowing that would ensure the rest of the band paid attention and helped get the track to where it needed to be.
So, with such mastery over his instrument, were there any songs that Clapton couldn’t play? It turns out, yes. He loved to play around with different blues tracks but often found, whether it was because of the lyrics or complicated rhythm sections, that he was unable to play songs as well as original recordings. Two tracks in particular stuck out when Clapton discussed some of the hardest blues songs to cover.
“’Last Fair Deal Gone Down’ was probably the hardest to do. It’s just plain weird. And as far as the lyrics go – one verse is almost complete gibberish,” said Clapton. “’Hellhound’ […] was hard too, but I think we did a good job on it. I had to enlist the other guys in the band to help me figure out the parts and how to count them. Our drummer, Steve Gadd, really helped me crack that song.”
