For all you Clapton fans....

"do not consider him difficult to repeat if you're good hard-working student"

That's funny.

Clapton is a musician’s musician. I can give you specific examples of musical giants gushing over his playing- people like: McCartney, Harrison, Guy, King, Berry, Dylan, Robertson, Cash, Santana, Beck, Allman, Knopfler, Trucks, Cray, Haynes and the list goes on and on. Celebrity back slapping? I don’t think so. Not from this crowd. Check out his Guitar festivals and you’ll see genuine respect and borderline worshipping from every musician he steps on stage with. From the old guys like JJ Cale to the young guns like Robert Randolph . Their reverence isn’t because of his celebrity status, it’s because they know they’re on stage with a legend and a pro that can play anything.
I understand people who think his concerts are boring because he is not going to put on a show. If you you want virtuosity and facial contortions then go see Eddie Van Halen or Joe Satriani. Enjoy the leg kicks and the satisfaction that you won’t be hearing something a guitar student can play.

I saw Prince’s "spectacle" at the RRHOF and while it was entertaining it was a "look how great I am" performance. I think you’re talking about when he played with Tom Petty aren’t you? If you watch Tom Petty's reaction, I'll think you'll notice Petty was less than impressed with the whole crowd surfing with the guitar scene.

It's not relative to compare other guitarist to SRV (except maybe Hendrix) as his style and improvisation skills is more like the great Jazz Masters- Bird and Monk. Clapton expresses so much about SRV in an interview that no one, including him, BB King or anyone else has SRV's portal to other worldness improvisation.

But one artist’s strength isn't another personartist’s weakness. Claptons strength is his service to the song and not to his considerable guitar playing skills. That’s what makes him so accessible AND opens him up to critics. Service to the song is where the respect from his contemporaries comes from- which will last the test of time... not theatrical gimmicks.

And let's remember, the guy is 60 something... but if you want to hear him "pushing' himself, go to the Allman Brothers site "http://www.hittinthenote.com/" and get EC's sets he played with them last year at the Filmore. The Derick and The Dominoes covers with Susan Tedeshi are epic.

Sorry about the typos- posting while multitasking on an Iphone isn't always pretty.