[rating=8.00]
Crossroads Revisited includes selections from the recorded appearances of various artists who’ve graced the various stages of for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. Those compiling the anthology do yeoman’s work in highlighting not just memorable moments at the events themselves, but revealing the evolution of the rosters involved as well as the concerts themselves. And, as with the festivals, profits from sales of the forty-one previously unreleased audio selections (in both the ornately-designed three-CD set as well as the digital format), go to benefit the rehab center EC established back in 1998.
The eclecticism of the Crossroads Guitar Festival has come to be one of its main distinctions as its evolved over the years, but this collection reminds how blues-centric its always been not a huge surprise given the roots of its curator. So tracks featuring familiar genre numbers such as “Rock Me Baby,” also feature contemporary figures including B.B King, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf guitarist) and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s brother Jimmie.
Ensuing tracks reveal a broad array of artists as much for commercial appeal as to demonstrate the diversity of the festival; in 2010, EC and Steve Winwood reaffirm the complementary nature of their shows two years prior, while some unexpected memorable moments occur too, such as the fiery exchanges between Clapton and Carlos Santana that are so unlike the MOR approach of both men during various phases of their career (and the passion of the former’s “Layla” from 2004 sounds as heartfelt as his homage to the late George Harrison, “Isn’t It A Pity”). True to his iconoclastic nature, Jeff Beck eschews sit-ins, preferring to conjure up drama with the jazz-rock fusion he’s perfected in the form of “Big Block” and “Hammerhead.”
Artists such as James Taylor aren’t necessarily known for their guitar work, so Joe Walsh’s appearance on “Steamroller” makes sense, even if, like country artist Vince Gill playing the Rolling Stones’ “Tumbling Dice,” it’s an unlikely combination. There are some other uniquely notable inclusions here too: for instance, Susan Tedeschi appears with The Derek Trucks Band on “Little By Little” in 2007, foreshadowing the impending formation of TTB, while Gary Clark Jr. was benefiting from exposure at Crossroads in 2010 when he burned his way through “Bright Lights.” And two tracks feature John Mayer, “City Love” and “Belief” presaging his elevated profile with Dead & Co.
Crossroads Revisited illustrates how Eric Clapton’s Guitar Festival has evolved by actually expanding its original concept, appealing as much to musicians as guitar hero worshipers eager to see superlative playing in a variety of styles and personnel alignments.
