Slowhand Eric Clapton's Top 10 Best Guitar Solos 1964-68

In this video we are going to count down the 10 best Slowhand Eric Clapton solos from 1964 to '68.

Please let me know if you agree or disagree with my choices in the comments.

TABS, PRINTABLE NOTATION AND MORE:

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[jordanshel]

I have heard players nail down the right notes emulating Clapton’s 60s sound….but there’s always something off in the phrasing and vibrato. You NAIL it. That floating vibrato is so on point, it gives me chills….love your stuff.

[leesyrjanen]

Whoever the guitar player is, AWESOME. He really channeled Clapton.

[larrypower]

This vid is ample proof (at least to me) that Clapton should never have switched to Strats. He made his bones on Gibsons and revolutionized rock guitar with them. Extremely well played and a great guitar sound. It’s quite rare to hear anyone match this era of EC. You can figure out WHAT he’s playing, but not HOW he plays it because he’s Eric Clapton and … we’re not. Great vid!!!

[DonaldCouchie]

I feel free 0:17
Baby What’s Wrong? 1:01
Outside Woman Blues 1:31
NSU 2:00
Sunshine Of Your Love 2:29
Lawdy Mama 3:28
Badge 4:17
Sitting On Top Of The World 5:00
Sleepy Time Time 5:51
Crossroads 7:51

[johntiger]

Don't disagree. You did them great. There are so many Clapton solos. His vibrato and clean playing style on the frets above the 15th fret is what makes him special. Surprised no Bluesbreakers solos, or even some from 24 nights like Old Love... but really who can go wrong with the 10 you picked. I loved them all, and you did them justice. Awesome playing. Peace.

[lesn]

Clapton was incredible in those early Gibson years. I don't know what happened but he never came up to that standard again. Great playing.

[bgebbq]

#2 Sleepy Time Time, that solo is etched into my soul.
And Crossroads, of course.
Well done.

[Dan-zqwt]

Adding to my last comment: what I didn’t think about as much until I watched this video was how much technique Clapton had for the era. He was smooth and fast but he also had incredible vibrato and notably, all the different bends he employed around the neck. It’s a real masterclass. It is tough to put together only 10, but I would’ve included White Room, Strange Brew and something from Bluesbreakers. Maybe there’s a follow up next 10! Thank you for this

[MichaelAlso]

Thank you! Lawdy Mama BBC is NEVER spoken about. One of Eric's best. Excellent choices and playing here

[DarwinRuckleshaus]

Great job as always, nailed the clarity and tone

[waynesmith]

Brilliant playing you really nailed Eric’s phrasing and technique great choice of solos that’s the best I’ve ever heard.

[tonkonijn]

I totaly agree, Crossroads was pure magic made in heaven

[ae]

Just discovered this video. That’s some seriously impressive tone- and lick-copping work! EC has had a brilliant career, but if he’d left us in 1969 he’d still be a legend.

[MattBullard-md]

Eric just pulls notes out of nowhere.... pure magic.

[jjannotti]

Spot on with your #1! The live Crossroads solo is his best solo and one of the greatest of all time. On top of that, it was improvised on the spot! He never played it that way again, before or after, while on that tour.

[andrewjupina]

Just great. And your right about the Crossroads solo. It's like it was sent down from heaven. Once.

[Dan-zqwt]

Great work! These are so fundamental to blues rock playing I feel I must learn them all.

[show]

Great thing about a list is that it always opens Up a discussion 😂

[derekclacton]

Really great Top 10, Mark! So many great solos to choose from …

As you’ve asked for our opinions, I’d not pick anything from the Yardbirds (much as I’m a fan) and I’d have something from the Beano album instead - either “Double Crossing Time”, “Key To Love”, or “Have You Heard” - but really it’s got to be Cream from that era. Eric’s playing went up a level each time he switched bands.

My top live and studio solo picks would be the same as your two choices (probably no surprise!) but I’d have “Sweet Wine” in there somewhere (although that’s heavily overdubbed) and it’s so hard to narrow down the others I’d probably change my mind the next day anyway! 😂

[JamieShogun]

Brilliant!! Badge has to be my favourite. EC was the master at solos, he always had the ability to pick the right notes, and the right phrasing, I saw him at the Royal Albert hall in 2016 and he was still magnificent, I’m going back there this month to see him again. A guitar legend