You may like apple over orange, or vice versa. Will you say, apple is better than orange as a fruit?
Nearly a year ago, we have Jeff Beck "The Guitar God"(stated in the promo poster) live in Hong Kong. Last night, we have Eric Clapton (a fan of him sprayed a graffiti "Clayton is god" in an Britain underground station around 60s, which helped to create the content of one of the most famous photo in rock music).
Two guitarists from the same generation started at playing the blues. They both have played in the band "The Yardbirds" as the lead guitarist(Another famous rock guitarist from The Yardbirds was Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin) as well. It's difficult for us not to ask the question "Who is better?", sometimes.
This sort of question maybe "inappropriate" in music. Music is not a competition. However It's not like comparing guitarists across genres; they started exactly at the same time in the same root and playing the same music. They have even played in the same band one after another(Eric Clapton first and then Jeff Beck). You really will have this question pop-up somehow.
Last night, Clapton had the best sound ever I have experienced in the Asia Expo. I guess they have lowered the volume a bit to resolve the technical difficulties. The drum didn't out-volume the rest. The bass was cleared. Everything was audible in a lower volume level. Without any supporting acts, the show started relatively on time with a good sound.
It didn't test the patience and tolerance of the crowds as many shows in the Asia World Expo did.
The show started in electric. After the first "climax" with a Bob Marley cover "I shot the sheriff", Clapton changed to an acoustic set. Started with unplugged performances including "Drifting Blues", Clapton did the following acoustic set with a Gibson electric acoustic, and the acoustic set ended with another climax piece "Layla". Clapton used only one electric guitar in the whole night, his Fender Stratocaster. With some driven blues/rock'n'roll and also the popular "Wonderful Tonight", the show was pushed to the highest moment and has become a dancing party, and ended with a long encore piece around 22:30. Notably, the organist took quite a heavy solo responsibility, for once he has used talkbox too. They other keyboardist also had his moment, doing solo in pieces like "Cocaine".
Jeff Beck used two guitars for the whole night, a Strat and a Tele, where Eric Clapton used three.
After tonight, I think I find my own answer on this "Who is better?" question. If you believe the best guitarist can be renowned as the "Guitar God", and asked if Clapton or Beckis the guitar god, I think I would tell you, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, are the two faces of Guitar God.
Beck's show was like a "showcase". What Jeff Beck did is really pushing the limit on how the guitar can sound on his hands. He played fusion jazz, blues, funk, played his own rendition of "The Beatles", "Sly & the familiy Stones", "Rod Stewart" or even "Judy Garland" and"Luciano Pavarotti". He re-created many vocal music to instrumental and interpret it with his guitar. With mixing the pitch bending, volume and string attacking skills all the time, it's all about the control on the instrument on his own hand. Beck kept focus on pushing forward, experiment as an innovator on guitar playing. And that's what Eric Clapton said about Jeff Beck, "He is unique", "With Jeff, it's all in his hands". In an interview together Clapton admitted there are things that Jeff Beck can play on his guitar and he can't. And I would like to believe Clapton on this. That's how unique Jeff Beck is, and that's how Jeff Beck is never a popular sweetheart. ($690-$890, barely 2/3 of the arena was filled)
On the other hand, Eric Clapton played for the people. His music is more accessible, more friendly and easy. For what he has wandered around, "The Yardbirds", "Cream", or solo career, Clapton for once admitted he has never walked too far away from the blues. His guitar playing is carefree(but precise), relax and so easy(although his stuff is really easy, no way). Rather than taking challenge on making impossible become possible on his guitar, his technical prowess are really on how he made the guitar as a part of his body's extension, which he is famous for. His guitar, his music, his bands and himself were "grooved" so well that, everything was comfort and enjoyable. Clapton kept his focus on playing decent and enjoyable music.(from $488 to $1488, full house)
They started on the same root, taking their own approach and walking on their own path. There maybe common elements on their music, but their attitude to music and guitar are so different. They have got something what the other doesn't.
They are just two faces from the Guitar God.
You may like apple over orange, or vice versa. Apple or Orange, your choice.
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