''Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert'' is a live album by Eric Clapton, recorded at the

Rainbow Theatre The Rainbow Theatre, originally known as the Finsbury Park Astoria, is a Grade II*-listed building in Finsbury Park, London. The theatre was built in 1930 as a cinema. It later became a music venue. Today, the building is used by the Universa ...

in London on 13 January 1973 and released in September that year. The concerts, two on the same evening, were organised by

Pete Townshend Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, second lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Towns ...

the Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are conside ...

and marked a comeback by Clapton after two years of inactivity, broken only by his performance at

the Concert for Bangladesh The Concert for Bangladesh (or Bangla Desh, as the country's name was originally spelt)Harry, p. 135. was a pair of benefit concerts organised by former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar. The shows were he ...

in August 1971.(2011). In ''Dear Mr Fantasy: The Jim Capaldi Story'' (pp.32–43)

D booklet D, or d, is the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''dee'' (pronounced ), plural ''dees''. History Th ...

London: Freedom Songs Ltd. Along with Townshend, the musicians supporting Clapton include

Steve Winwood Stephen Lawrence Winwood (born 12 May 1948) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter whose genres include blue-eyed soul, rhythm and blues, blues rock, and pop rock. Though primarily a keyboard player and vocalist prominent for his distin ...

Ronnie Wood Ronald David Wood (born 1 June 1947) is an English rock musician, best known as an official member of the Rolling Stones since 1975, as well as a member of Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. Wood began his career in 1964, playing guitar with a ...

and

Jim Capaldi Nicola James Capaldi (2 August 1944 – 28 January 2005) was an English singer-songwriter and drummer. His musical career spanned more than four decades. He co-founded the progressive rock band Traffic in 1967 with Steve Winwood with whom he co ...

. In the year following the two shows at the Rainbow, Clapton recovered from his heroin addiction and recorded ''

461 Ocean Boulevard ''461 Ocean Boulevard'' is the second studio album by English musician Eric Clapton. The album was released in late July 1974 for RSO Records, shortly after the record company released the hit single " I Shot the Sheriff" in early July the sam ...

'' (1974). A remastered expanded edition of the album was released on 13 January 1995, the 22nd anniversary of the concert.

Background

The concert was held at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, north London, on 13 January 1973. The venue was popular during the 1960s and early 1970s; musicians such as

The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developm ...

The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are conside ...

Genesis Genesis may refer to: Bible * Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of mankind * Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Book o ...

, Deep Purple,

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...

, Jethro Tull and

Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

performed there. The concert was recorded using

Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio, also known as LMS (Lane Mobile Studio), is a mobile recording studio originally owned by Ronnie Lane. History Lane acquired the studio in 1972. It was one of the first ever mobile recording studios, and consisted of a ...

Reception

In a retrospective review,

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the dat ...

deemed the album "an adequate live document, though one can find better performances of the songs on other records." The review also noted that the performance was an ensemble effort, and was as much a showcase for Steve Winwood as it was for Clapton.

Track listing

;Side one #"

Badge A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and fi ...

" (Eric Clapton, George Harrison) – 3:32 #"Roll It Over" (Clapton,

Bobby Whitlock Robert Stanley Whitlock (born March 18, 1948) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, with Eric Clapton, in 1970–71. Whitlock's musical career began with Me ...

) – 6:43 #"

Presence of the Lord Presence may refer to: Technology * Presence (sound recording), also known as room tone * Presence (amplification), used in four band equalisation * Presence (telepresence), the scientific and technological field * Immersion (virtual realit ...

" (Clapton) – 5:37 ;Side two #"

Pearly Queen Pearly Kings and Queens, known as pearlies, are an organised charitable tradition of working-class culture in London, England. Henry Croft The practice of wearing clothes decorated with mother-of-pearl buttons is first associated with Henry ...

" (

) – 7:00 #" After Midnight" ( J. J. Cale) – 5:12 #"

Little Wing "Little Wing" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967. It is a slower tempo, rhythm and blues-inspired ballad featuring Hendrix's vocal and guitar with recording studio effects accompanied by bass, ...

" ( Jimi Hendrix) – 6:32

1995 remastered edition

Layla "Layla" is a song written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, originally recorded by Derek and the Dominos, as the thirteenth track from their only studio album, '' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs'' (1970). Its contrasting movements were compo ...

" (Clapton, Jim Gordon) – 6:25 #"

" (Clapton, Harrison) – 3:18 #" Blues Power" (Clapton,

Leon Russell Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges; April 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016) was an American musician and songwriter who was involved with numerous bestselling records during his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including rock and ...

) – 6:03 #"Roll It Over" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 4:38 #"

" (Hendrix) – 4:36 #" Bottle of Red Wine" (

Bonnie Bramlett Bonnie Bramlett (born Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, November 8, 1944) is an American singer and occasional actress known for performing with her husband, Delaney Bramlett, as Delaney & Bonnie. She continues to sing as a solo artist. Life and career ...

, Clapton) – 3:51 #" After Midnight" (Cale) – 4:25 #" Bell Bottom Blues" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:25 #"

" (Clapton) – 5:18 #" Tell the Truth" (Clapton, Whitlock) – 6:04 #"

" (Capaldi, Winwood) – 4:55 #"

Key to the Highway "Key to the Highway" is a blues standard that has been performed and recorded by several blues and other artists. Blues pianist Charlie Segar first recorded the song in 1940. Jazz Gillum and Big Bill Broonzy followed with recordings in 1940 ...

" (

Big Bill Broonzy Big Bill Broonzy (born Lee Conley Bradley; June 26, 1903 – August 14, 1958) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His career began in the 1920s, when he played country music Country (also called country and western) is ...

Charlie Segar Charlie Segar was an American blues pianist and occasional singer, who is best known for being the first to record the blues standard, " Key to the Highway" (1940). Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Segar has been dubbed the "Keyboard Wizard ...

) – 5:46 #" Let It Rain" (Bramlett, Clapton) – 7:46 #"

Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...

" (

Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generat ...

) – 4:19

25th Anniversary Edition (Empress Valley Bootleg) dit(4 CDs – Early Show (1+2) + Late Show (3+4))

# ''Introduction'' # ''Layla'' (Clapton, Gordon) # ''Badge'' (Clapton, Harrison) # ''Blues Power'' (Clapton, Russell) # ''Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out'' (Myles) # ''Roll It Over'' (Clapton, Whitlock) # ''Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad'' (Clapton, Whitlock) # ''Little Wing'' (Hendrix) # ''Bottle of Red Wine'' (Bramlett, Clapton) # ''After Midnight'' (Cale) # ''Bell Bottom Blues'' (Clapton) # ''Presence of the Lord'' (Clapton) # ''Tell The Truth'' (Clapton, Whitlock) # ''Pearly Queen'' (Capaldi, Winwood) # ''Let It Rain'' (Bramlett, Clapton) # ''Crossroads'' (Johnson) # ''Layla'' (Clapton, Gordon) # ''Badge'' (Clapton, Harrison) # ''Blues Power'' (Clapton, Russell) # ''Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out'' (Myles) # ''Roll It Over'' (Clapton, Whitlock) # ''Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad'' (Clapton, Whitlock) # ''Little Wing'' (Hendrix) # ''Bottle of Red Wine'' (Bramlett, Clapton) # ''Presence of the Lord'' (Clapton) # ''Tell the Truth'' (Clapton, Whitlock) # ''Pearly Queen'' (Capaldi, Winwood) # ''Key to the Highway'' (Broonzy, Segar) # ''Let It Rain'' (Bramlett, Clapton) # ''Crossroads'' (Johnson) # ''Layla'' (Clapton, Gordon)

Personnel

* Eric Clapton –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected string ...

(

lead Lead is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pb (from the Latin ) and atomic number 82. It is a heavy metals, heavy metal that is density, denser than most common materials. Lead is Mohs scale of mineral hardness#Intermediate ...

) & vocals *

– guitar (

rhythm Rhythm (from Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed ...

) & vocals *

Ron Wood Ron is a shortening of the name Ronald. Ron or RON may also refer to: Arts and media * Big Ron (''EastEnders''), a TV character * Ron (''King of Fighters''), a video game character *Ron Douglas, the protagonist in '' Lucky Stiff'' played by Joe ...

– guitar (rhythm and

slide Slide or Slides may refer to: Places *Slide, California, former name of Fortuna, California Arts, entertainment, and media Music Albums * ''Slide'' (Lisa Germano album), 1998 * ''Slide'' (George Clanton album), 2018 *''Slide'', by Patrick Glees ...

) & vocals *

Ric Grech Richard Roman Grechko (1 November 1945 – 17 March 1990), better known as Ric Grech, was a British rock musician. He is best known for playing bass guitar and violin with rock band Family as well as in the supergroups Blind Faith and Traff ...

– bass guitar *

– keyboards & vocals *

–

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...

& vocals * Jimmy Karstein – drums *

Rebop Kwaku Baah Anthony "Rebop" Kwaku Baah (13 February 1944 – 12 January 1983) was a Ghanaian percussionist who worked with the 1970s rock groups Traffic and Can. Biography Baah was born on 13 February 1944, in Konongo, Gold Coast. In 1969, Baah perfor ...

– percussion

References

{{Authority control Eric Clapton live albums 1973 live albums RSO Records live albums