Journeyman: Eric Clapton -- A Photographic Narrative

Review will be posted october 10 Journeyman: Eric Clapton -- A Photographic Narrative is written by Gene Shaw who has gotten the chance to travel the world photographing Eric Clapton shows over the last many years. The cool thing is that he is from New York, so a lot of the venues he mentioned (at least those in the US) are ones that I have gone to as well - the last chapter is all about Eric Clapton's show at Mohegan Sun - which is I think where I've seen most of my concerts over the past few years!

Each chapter focuses on a different show, with some commentary from Shaw, some photographs and the details of the show - who was playing with the bad, what the setlist was, etc. I had to laugh a little when one of the setlists was listed as the complete setlist being unknown. I have a few of those too.

Definitely a cool book, some cool experiences and great photographs!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

√ "I felt like I was in heaven."

This book chronicles two decades of performances of one of the world's greatest rock musicians. EC is usually ranked as the #2 greatest guitarist of all time, and in this book, we get a little taste of that greatness.

The events described in JOURNEYMAN cover the period from 1982, Binghamton, New York to the Mohegan Sun, 2013. For the author's first EC concert at Binghamton, he describes his frantic pleadings to try to get tickets. (There were ultimately two cancelled reservations.)

I found the very first concert account in 1982 to be the most interesting part of JOURNEYMAN. It's here where the author provides some insight into what makes Eric Clapton so compelling an artist. Gene describes in great detail EC's encore of Layla: "You fell Eric's pain as he puts his love on the line. He begs, goes down on his knees, and wails on his guitar." Ah, that is the magic of Eric Clapton: "This is the moment when the audience lives his dream."

For each event, the reader is treated to a few photos of EC, the musician line-up, and the set list. The author includes some inside information on each event. A few times, Gene Shaw had to use some sly tricks (e.g., pretending to be media) to get into a particular event. There is a convenient list of all photo credits in an appendix.

√ JOURNEYMAN is an interesting, sometimes funny look at two decades of concerts. Through photographs and his prose, Gene Shaw gives the reader a little idea--a little taste of what it's like to be in the audience when the crowd starts stomping the floor in anticipation. As the author confesses, "I felt like I was in heaven."

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me access to an e-version of this book in exchange for an honest review - so here it is...

Any fan of Eric Clapton will love this book! It is essential the story of all the gigs involving him that the author has attended, starting in 1982 and concluding in 2013. For each concert, the artistes performing and the sets played are listed along with anecdotes of how it felt to be there, as a member of the audience. Although the identities of people on the photographs aren't named on the actual page, there is a full list of photograph captions included at the end of the e-book. This is very personal journey that it is lovely to be able to share in. I highly recommend it to any fans of Eric Clapton and anyone who would like to get a feel for what it was like to attend the concerts then :)

Perhaps the quintessential Eric Clapton scrapbook of rememberances with cool photos to mark each venue. I loved the addition of play or set lists and guest appearances. Awesome book for fans of Eric.

'Journeyman: Eric Clapton -- A Photographic Narrative' is Gene Shaw's record of photographing and documenting concerts by and with Eric Clapton from 1982 to 2013. It's a glimpse into the life of a concert photographer and fan, but it kind of stays at the glimpse level, and I would have preferred more depth for particular concerts.

After a foreward and introduction by others, we learn how Gene Shaw came to be interested in Eric Clapton. Then we get into the concerts. Every concert starts with how Gene was able to get in. Sometimes it was by a hair, but with the help of friends, he was usually taken care of. He briefly describes the concert, what Clapton looked like, and any guests that were on stage with him. There is a set list and band roster for each concert and then photos. Sometimes there are only a very few photos. Sometimes there is travelogue for gigs that were in Europe or elsewhere in the States. Some of the photos are pretty good, and were even used in CDs or liner notes, some of them seem only a bit okay.

I'm impressed by his level of fandom, and the number of concerts he's been too, but after looking at pictures of 30 concerts, it all kind of runs together. I suppose for fans of Eric Clapton who want a record of concerts for this time period it will be of interest, but for those less specifically interested, it soon became a bit tedious.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Dover Publications, Calla Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

This book is not only a photographic journey, with play lists, but one of a personal journey. This book explores the music & hair styles it took for Eric to reach clarity for the great gift he was given.

Brings me back to my band following days, I am glad to hear that I wasnt the only one that passionate about the music.