Live from Madison Square Garden

iTunes Review

Live from Madison Square Garden was assembled from the three shows Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood performed together there in February of 2008, and the stellar sequencing and crafty editing make for a truly enjoyable listening experience that plays like one epic concert running a whopping 21 songs deep. “Had to Cry Today” ignites the set sounding like late 1969 Blind Faith right down to the vintage guitar tone, swirling Hammond organ, and Winwood’s unaged voice. A tastefully arranged horn section playing under Winwood’s soulful singing gives Buddy Miles’ “Them Changes” a Spencer Davis Group vibe. The album rocks with bottom-heavy authority as the last five songs play the strongest. A sweeping take on Hendrix’s “Little Wing” and the slow burn of his “Voodoo Chile” sound amazing back-to-back. And the only thing keeping “Can’t Find My Way Home” from sounding 100 percent authentic is the absence of Ginger Baker on drums. “Dear Mr. Fantasy” is still psychedelic and closing with J.J. Cale’s “Cocaine” proved to be a crowd pleaser.