Perhaps you were let down by the high prices for the Eric Clapton guitars at the recent Christies auction. But don’t despair! You can still get a limited edition book, music, and memorabilia set, autographed by Clapton himself, for less than half the price of a Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster.
24 Nights is a unique collaboration between Eric Clapton, Peter Blake, Derek Taylor and fine press publisher Genesis Publications commemorating Eric Clapton’s record 24-night performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1991.
Peter Blake’s scrapbook is a collection of pencil sketches, charcoal drawings and montages showing Eric and the band during rehearsals and performances. Blake is probably best known for his graphic cover of The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album cover. A vast selection of original memorabilia from the concert tour including back stage passes, hotel room lists, polaroid photographs, seating plans, set lists, laminates and sheet music are featured in the scrapbook. These are not mere photos, but are the actual items hand-pasted into each book.
The scrapbook is accompanied by a commentary book by Derek Taylor. Taylor attended rehearsals in Dublin, performances at the Royal Albert Hall and the after-show party. His account provides a unique insight into the backstage and on-the-road world of Eric Clapton and his band. The commentary offers the reader a rare opportunity to experience an insider’s perspective on the man universally recognized as the world’s greatest blues guitarist.
The set also includes a two-CD set of live recordings from these performances featuring tracks not available on the commercial release. Additional memorabilia including four of Clapton’s guitar picks, a backstage pass, button badge, and a guitar string. It’s an impressive package for a reasonable amount of money, considering the prices bid at the auction.
24 Nights is limited to 3,500 copies, each signed by Clapton and individually numbered. For information contact Genesis Publications, 2 Jenner Road, Guildford GU1 3PL, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1 483 540 970. Fax: +44 (0)1 483 304 709. E-mail mail@genesis-publications.com or go to www.genesis-publications.com.
24 Nights: Sketchbook by Peter Blake and Commentary Derek Taylor
Guildford UK: Genesis Publications 1991, Two volumes Hardbound in custom box with two CDs, ISBN, $450.
This review originally appeared in VG‘s Jan. ’00 issue.
