Although it could have been twice as long, this double-DVD set effectively captures over three hours of highlights from one of the most comprehensive and diverse collection of guitarists ever assembled for a single event. Recorded over three days in June of 2004 to benefit Eric Clapton's Crossroads Center in Antigua (as do the sales of this set), the show is not surprisingly heavy on the rootsy blues and country that comprise Clapton's primary inspirations. But it also includes folk (James Taylor), gospel (Robert Randolph & the Family Band), fret-shredding rockers (Steve Vai who delivers a dazzling performance), jazz (John McLaughlin), and, most interestingly, Indian classical music (a stunning piece from Vishwa Mohan Bhatt).

Most compelling are the rare and sometimes unusual collaborations. Joe Walsh and Taylor clown around on "Steamroller Blues," and Booker T. & the M.G.'s back both Joe Walsh on a rollicking "Rocky Mountain Way" and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo tearing into a sizzling "The Neighborhood." Clapton and J.J. Cale share the stage as do Clapton and Carlos Santana, and a show-stopping blues summit with Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Clapton is a treat for all involved.

Eric! Are you listening?

Eric, child. What's wrong with you? You don't know, you say. I'll tell you, you need to release the rest of the goods. There's no touring heaven, you know, it's all or bust. So, please, what good can the rest of the footage do, moldering in some file? Let us all feel the fullness you yourself felt when everyone you wrote to responded in the positive. Let all see all.

Some great stuff, but some issues!

I've been playing guitar for 25 years and I love DVD concerts that feature guitar. Clapton's Crossroads festival is a heapin' helpin' showcase for some of the best fret-grinders in history. The best part is you don't have to get blasted by the Texas heat in Dallas' Cotton Bowl to enjoy it!

With a line-up that reperesents many in the constellation of all-time guitar greats, some of the finest players shown on the DVD turn in mediocre performances, and some of these you might think less of, are absolutely killer. I find most of the ensemble performances are lukewarm, including those with BB, Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Jimmie Vaughan. Buddy DOES play great, no question, and he really stands out. But I saw Jimmie Vaughan play live last year and he was awesome. The playing I saw on this DVD of him was pretty tepid. His requiem to his lengendary brother Stevie, "Six Strings Down", is pretty weak, but is rescued by the addition of pedal steel phenom Robert Randolph, who turns in a sizzling performance. Other disappointments include Eric Johnson. His "Desert Rose" is one of his showcase pieces and he labors through it on this disk. Johnny Langs hardly plays a guitar solo on his featured song. Why the hell was that tune even put on the disk?

The Great stuff: Steve Vai and his over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek antics are amazing. Beat-up and haggard, JJ Cale is sublimely great. James Taylor, as usual, plays with great warmth and subtlelty, and is accompanied by dobro giant Jerry Douglas, whom he refers to as "The Muhammad Ali of Dobro", and also by Joe Walsh. It is Joe Walsh, in my opinion, who steals the DVD's show. His electric blues-drenched stylings dipped into a bucket of digital delay is pure candy and heaven for guitar aficionados' ears. I've never been a big fan of his, even though he's a respected player. Joe's blues intro in his own set will floor you. His tone and phrasing are fantastic. John Mayer surprised the hell out of me...thought he was just a pretty boy, but he's an excellent electric guitarist. Carlos Santana and Clapton play a guitar duel in the classic , "Jingo." Country player Vince Gill plays some hot Telecaster licks in his set, esp. on "Oklahoma Borderline." Finally, Clapton himself plays some great stuff, clearly inspired, and he sings with a passion that burns.

Other issues: the sound mix has problems at times...the overall level dips now and again through Vai's song and Gills' "Oklahoma Borderline." Some of the audience reaction shots make the crowd look dazed and like they don't understand what they're seeing/hearing. Maybe it's just the Dallas heat and dehydration at work. Some of those shots look so out of place they appear to be taken from songs other than the one they're married to on disk. And the director makes some strange choices, as in Gills' "Oklahahoma Borderline," he gets confused and calls for the camera on Jerry Doulglas while Gill is playing a solo (I have not looked at the alt. angles yet).

Finally, we see or hear snippets of some other players not on the disk: Jeff Beck, Pat Metheny, John McGlaughlin and Neal Schon. Schon's "Star Spangled Banner" is heard on closing titles and sounds great. One can only hope those and the rest of the omitted performances are being saved for a Volume II.


Issues aside, I really like this DVD and show highlights from it to all my music aficionado pals, who end up digging it as much as I do.

Take it to the bridge!

What they DIDN'T include

Having been to the concert myself, I truly believe it to be of of those 'concerts of a lifetime'. I was really looking forward to watching the DVD, since I wanted to be reminded of all the great artists I saw.
Unfortunately, they were unable to capture this on the DVD. It looks as if the DVD was rushed, and someone just randomly put clips together, interspersed with interviews, sometimes appearing DURING the performances. And it wasn't in order.
I wish they did an alternative version, because it was based too heavily on ZZ top, country and folk than blues/rock/jazz. They missed Jeff Beck, Robert Randolph's show stopper ('I need more love'), Doyle Braham's guitar solos in EC's sets (esp Layla), the brilliant part where John Mayer put his guitar down in front of Buddy Guy / BB King and walked off stage as a mark of respect (like EC did to Hendrix one time)... and especially buddy guy! he was my favourite, really engaged the crowd, and they missed most of his set out.
one thing you wouldn't know unless you went to concert was that it was Zakhir Hussain who played with John McLauglhin - and this was not mentioned on the DVD. I think there was an excellent jam between him and the drummer (ok they're not guitarists...) and this I thought would have been essential listening, especially since McLaughlin played some of his old stuff along with them.
I just hope they bring out a second DVD with all the good stuff on it.
Still, it was worth buying, it does capture some great performances.