Expert: HARVEY HUNTOON - 10/19/2004

Question
That's great, thanks. Do you know anymore on his approach to producing? I'm finding that the hardest part of the assigment.
Kristy
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi,
I need to find out Eric Clapton's approach to recording, producing, live performance and compsition urgently for an assignment and can't get much information at all. Do you know of anything helpful?
Cheers
Answer -
..Yes, i think i can help!...Eric usually writes his music when going through a trial in his life!..his best compositions bear this out. The entire LAYLA album was made through the eyes of adoration for Patty Harrison!..His blues music is just so heart felt , that you can see it in the expression in his face as he plays!..Performace wise,it's basically boosting a new album,however Eric can pretty much do as he pleases these days,he's earned the right!..lol. this includes guest appearances on other artist albums and movie sound tracks. His writing technique is one which i use myself,using life experiences. for instance, PRETTY GIRL was written about Patty as well,and of course,TEARS IN HEAVEN for Conor,his son(recently,Eric has remarked that he will never perform the song in a live setting because the song is so close to him!)The blues songs he writes, he draws from his idols styles.recently Robert Johnson...but he also draws from those he's had the honor to play a long side of..his version of "crosscut Saw" is a carbon copy of the original!..Eric has stated that when he did this cut in the studio,it was very difficult to end the song and it was to be much longer!..There are some great books out there on Eric and his approach to
his music!..IN HIS OWN WORDS..comes to mind..It's inexpensive and informative.. I guess i need for you to be a little more specific for a specific answer. I know a lot about Eric..and if i can help any further, let me know...Harvey Huntoon  

Answer
HI AGAIN KRISTY..
         AS TO THE PROCUCING PART,I NEEDED TO DO A LITTLE HOMEWORK!...IN INTERVIEWS, HE GOES ABOUT EACH JOB IN A DIFFERENT WAY. HIS CHOICE OF MUSICIANS HE WORKS WITH HAVE NOT CHANGED IN THE LAST FEW RELEASES HAS BEEN THE SAME,SO..HE SEEMS TO BE AT EASE WITH THAT ASPECT.THE MUSIC STILL NEEDS THE APPROVAL OF REPRISE RECORDS,BUT HE DOES HAVE ALOT OF PULL AS TO HOW THE ALBUM IS MIXED AND EVEN THE CHOICE OF CO-PRODUCER. ERIC HASN'T DONE A GREAT DEAL OF PRODUCING,SO IT'S STILL KINDA NEW TO HIM AND HE'S LEARNING IT FROM ALL THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.  THE LATE TOM DOWD,FOR ONE,WHO PRODUCED LAYLA IN THE 70'S. THE PROBLEM FOR ERIC IN THE PAST IS THAT HE HAD ABUSE PROBLEMS,AND ANY EFFORT IN THR PRODUCTION END,WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE!..AND ERIC HAD ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY OR CONTENT TO JUST BE THE MUSICIAN. HE FELL INTO THE PRODUCTION END BECAUSE HE WANTED MORE CONTROL OVER THE ALBUMS HE WAS DOING AND NOW,HE CAN AFFORD TO FINANCE HIS RELEASES. THE PRODUCERS ROLE IN THE RECORDING INDUSTRY IS MAINLY THE FINANCIAL,BUT..IT ALSO GIVES THE MUSICIAN ALOT MORE LATITUDE WITH THE CONTENT. OVERDUBS AND MIXING AN ALBUM IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND EACH COMPANY ALLOWS YOU A BUDGET. WHEN YOU FINANCE IT YOURSELF, YOU GET THAT FINANCIAL WINDFALL,AND THE MONEY YOU PUT IN.  FOR EXAMPLE,I RECENTLY RECORDED ONE SONG WITH 8 TRACKS AND IT ALONE,COST 326.00..!!NOW,IMAGINE 24 TRACKS WHICH ERIC USES PLUS SOMETIMES EVEN MORE ,DEPENDING ON HOW ELABORATE THE SONG IS,THAT'S THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ONE SONG!!..ERICS APPROACH HAS BEEN A TRACK AT A TIME,WITH A LITTLE WOODSHEDDING(TRYING OUT NEW SONGS)WHILE IN PRODUCTION. TAKE THE SONG "LAY DOWN SALLY"...IF YOU LISTEN TO THIS SONG,YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED SONG...ALOT OF MIXING INVOLVED..SO YOU NEED TO SPEND ALOT OF CASH TO MAKE IT..WHEREAS.A STRAIGHT BLUES SONG ON ACOUSTIC WITH JUST VOCALS AND A GUITAR AND BASS WITH DRUMS,WOULD BE MUCH CHEAPER TO RECORD...LATELY, ALOT OF ERICS MONEY HAS GONE INTO HIS REHAB CLINIC.SO RECORDING THE BLUES ALBUMS HE'S BEEN MAKING IS A GREAT FINANCIAL MOVE.  I HOPE I HELPED?..ALOT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE FEEL OF THE ALBUM IS..AND WHAT IS NEEDED TO GIVE THE ALBUM THAT FEEL,WHETHER IT NEEDS A 40 PIECE ORCHESTRA OR JUST 4 GUYS...ERIC HAS ALOT OF FRIENDS WHO WOULD DROP EVERYTHING TO PLAY ALONGSIDE THE MAN HIMSELF!...YOU ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT PRODUCTION COSTS HAVE SKYROCKETED!..PEOPLE LIKE ROBIN TROWER SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL BACKING TO EVEN RECORD AN ALBUM ANYMORE!..SO..I GUESS THAT'S IT...I HOPE THIS WAS THE ANSWER YOU WERE LOOKING FOR....HVH