Without getting into logic over your Clapton/Hendrix comment, please understand that Clapton was a part of the British Blues Revival that was happening in the 60's. The Who, The Kinks, The Stones, The Yardbyrds (w/Clapton) and even Led Zeppelin were all tuned into a music that was virtually ignored in the States because of ignorance (racial, that is).

Without continuing the history lesson including previous statements on the use of guitar effects (which Hendrix worked with an inventor to get his distinct distortion pedal), let me just say that Hendrix played blues as well and had nothing but respect for his friend, Eric Clapton and his band Cream.

Clapton is great at covering blues and I love Ridin' w/the King but I agree that most of his original solo stuff is not what he'll be remembered for.

Learning blues from Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Son House and bringing a style of music to people around the world that would be all but forgotten is what I will remember and respect Clapton for.

From the Cradle is my favourite disc of his.

It's great to jam to if you're in a bluesy mood.

But sometimes he is a little too blues-purist for my taste, but hey, that's his style.

i saw reptile concert video,he absolutly killed guitar.he was amazing.
he playd very tasteful fast licks

I had to respond to this topic. Clapton was a HUGE fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan's. In fact, after Stevie's death, Clapton said something like he wished that he could be more like Stevie. Clapton went on to say that Stevie had this direct link with God 'coz he could improvise on the guitar so well. Clapton said that he, himself, has never had that kind of genius: Clapton feels that he is too careful, contrived and even insecure.

Later, Clapton went on to play at a tribute concert for Stevie here in Austin. I mean, that guy is ALWAYS there to lend a hand to artists and causes without a lot of fanfare.

I don't know that much about guitar playing except to say that Clapton is definitely a legend and has always paid homage to the great blues artists that he admires. But more importantly, Eric Clapton seems like a really caring person. I don't know if has always been like that, but for sure the guy tries.
[Edited 10/24/04 8:29am]

Clapton's a great player with a perfect tone,it's a shame though that he isn't trying to take the electric guitar to another level.like he used to when he was a real blues player...To me,he just threw away his carreer when he started to do that 'heaven'song for his kid...Too slick,too comercial,he's just way too soft nowadays,and to me he has been for almost two decades,now.