Fans of Clapton will certainly want to check out ‘Live at Montreux 1986’ where the bluesman delivers some brilliant solos, and most importantly takes on some classic songs of his career.

‘Live at Montreux 1986’ presents a then 41-year-old Eric Clapton from June of that year in his finest. Clapton is joined by bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes who were session musicians who first worked with Clapton on 1985’s ‘Behind The Sun’ before joining the supporting tour. You cannot forget drummer Phil Collins who rounded out the quartet and also served as the producer of the two albums. Collins at that time was a bigger music star than Clapton mainly due to his successful solo career and that month’s release of Genesis’ most commercially successful album ‘Invisible Touch’.

The concert film features Eric Clapton and his friends as the house band, playing a set list of one hour and fifty minutes at the 1986 Montreux Jazz Festival, which was held at them Montreux Casino on 10^th  July 1986.

The show opens with Clapton playing Crossroads and is accompanied by the audience clapping. This is followed by the Cream songbook with a version of White Room that features a slightly restrained guitar until he unleashes a wicked solo. Phillinganes sings Jack Bruce’s part. Clapton continues the Cream era with Badge and Sunshine of Your Love.

Clapton switches gears on Bob Marley’s I Shot The Sheriff, offering an extended solo that is very sweet and melodic. The close-ups are not too good here especially those guitarist who would’ve loved to see the man plucking those strings with practiced ease. Let it Rain is another good one here.

But the viewer won’t forget whose show it is, as Clapton brings on some classics. On Cocaine he tears it up on guitar. The band infuses Layla with more pep than its studio version which is always welcome for it is such a classic piece in itself. The mournful solo that precedes it is the perfect intro, and the major keyboard infusion in the main riff is my preferred way of hearing it. On his part, Phil tears into an energetic rendition of his solo classic In The Air Tonight, where he completely goes for it vocally. The night concludes with Further On Up The Road.

This DVD we’re looking at is an excellent live document of blues rock guitarist and singer Eric Clapton’s 1986 performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. And what a setlist. All the Cream classics you’d expect are here, with all the expected Derek and the Dominos and Eric Clapton solo hits. These versions of these songs are some of my favorites. Clapton might well be one of the highest rated guitarists in the business. Sometimes his talent deserves those accolades.

This performance captured on this DVD is definitely Clapton on fire for the whole set. The only downer here and lacking on this set is bonus features, although a mini booklet gives you all the trivia of this mighty event.

Audio options: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS Digital Surround Sound.

Directed by: Thierry Amsallem

Distributed by: Eagle

Duration: 114 minutes

Country: UK

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira