# Eric Clapton's 24 Nights: A Musical Retrospective That Deserves Another Listen
Eric Clapton, who hadn't released a live album since 1980, had compelling reasons to drop one in the early '90s.
- **The Dream Backup Band**: His lean backup crew – keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, bassist Nathan East, and drummer Steve Ferrone – was his finest live unit. Their powerful renditions of Cream classics like “White Room” and “Sunshine of Your Love” were worthy of preservation.
- **Royal Albert Hall Residency**: Since 1987, Clapton held annual concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall, crafting diverse special shows (blues nights, orchestral nights, etc.).
The double album, 24 Nights, was curated from the 1990 and 1991 shows. It showcased the vastness of Clapton's work: from his energetic regular band, to gatherings with blues greats like Buddy Guy and Robert Cray, to his soundtrack pieces with an orchestra led by Michael Kamen. It was a sumptuous retrospective and a nod to his musical standing.
However, upon release, it didn't make a huge splash (even though it went gold quickly). Maybe it was overshadowed by events. Just three months later, “Tears in Heaven,” his moving elegy for his baby son, dominated the airwaves. And months after that, he reinvented himself on MTV Unplugged, a live show as understated as 24 Nights was grand.
Yet, it's tough to find a more comprehensive display of Clapton's musical prowess than what 24 Nights offers.
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