Fil, you just can't contain your appreciation for the talent of other artists. I love watching you light up when you hear something. Thanks for great contributions.

Agreed!! Creative control is worth everything. Eric Clapton having his voice altered by the record company is outrageous. Older artists whose voices have changed need to be heard as they are, like Johnny Cash when he sang “Hurt.” I would love to hear what he really brought to this version from his lifelong musicality and maturity, the same way he brought it to the guitar playing in the performance. Autotune kills interpretation.

You are the most polite “ranter” on earth. Love it!

I can`t put into words how much I admire your knowledge, talent, attitude, kindness, and professionalism. It must be such a joy to have you as a teacher.

I hate auto-tune. I expect an AI to sing perfect notes. I expect humans to be imperfect. That's generally what makes all the performers voices unique.

Fil I love the smile that breaks through as you watch something you really like, or when the video gives you an excellent example of what you want to emphasize. Keep on smiling!!!

Reminds me of when Jimmy Page was putting together the live Zep release "How the West Was Won". A young producer was in the booth with Page and remarked how Bonham missed a beat and he was going to "fix it". Page flipped and told him to leave it alone! Saying "If he dropped a beat, it's because he meant to!"

Someone literally heard a blue note and thought "WE SHOULD TUNE THAT"

You’re spot on here Fil, Autotune is the modern soul vacuum, sucking the humanity from music one “correction” at a time. Such a drag….

Another excellent analysis on how Auto Tune has killed the feeling from the original human voice that was recorded on the night of this performance. also love the little details you point out that we might have overlooked. thanks Fil. 😊

Imagine if someone went smoothing out the lines in an artist's paintings or sanding down their sculptures, just because they feel it makes them more pleasing to the eye.

I just can't get into this version of Layla. I was 16 in 1970 when Layla came out and I freaking loved it, it was a great time in my life and the song brings back so many good memories. I still listen to it often, never gets old, but this new version bores me to tears...snore. Thanks for the video Fil!

As a singer, I'd be positively livid if I was autotuned by some tech. The entire artistry of a vocalist is in the "life" of the voice. The grace and emotion is in the hints of dissonance. Tragic abuse.

Hey Fil, Your musical analyses are both enlightening and by turns hilarious! Your genuine respect for those artists you review is quite obvious, so when you have to offer criticism of choices, technique or production, your comments are always rife with love, humanity and respect! Watching you juggle both appreciation and disgust is a thing of beauty! Stay the course young man… In regard to the whole “auto tune” and pitch correction business, I still think that “Dark Forces” are at work here, trying to suck all of the joy and spiritual nourishment out of our music! But they didn’t reckon on you, Fil! Keep on doing what you do so well, and the forces of nescience and entropy don’t stand a chance! - Namaste, Glenn

Clapton has always been a blues singer. Who the hell would decide to auto tune a blues singer? It's all about the nuance and the notes between the notes. I wonder if this footage is available without the auto tune?

'If it ain't broken, fix it' is the modern day mantra. If somebody needs auto-tuning, then they shouldn't be singing in the first place.

This is why I am a subscriber. You are a class act in your picking apart a song without ripping into the artists. Well done.

Eric doesn’t need auto tune. Snapping the notes inhibits his trailing voice that is soulful. He sounds more like Randy Newman instead of himself. Not necessary.

Indeed. The beauty of a live performance is in the imperfection. I don't like any perfection if it can be helped, even in the studio, but particularly in a live setting I want to hear the actual performance as it was and not someone else's interpretation of how it should have been. To me some of the greatest moments in music come from the "mistakes". It gives the music its character that pulls you in.

Absolutely agree with you. The point is to hear as much of the artist as possible and it's often the slipping onto and off the notes that adds the spice.

Brilliant analysis, FIL!! Love Eric. Saw him live in the early 80s at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in upstate NY. He was fabulous!!! Unfortunately, it started raining, so my husband, the carpenter, ran to our truck, got a 100-foot roll of plastic sheeting, and it was unrolled over the entire crowd on the grassy hill surrounding the covered stage. Soon the area beneath the plastic was filled w pot smoke as the rain poured down on the plastic above us... And I can still hear the sounds of Layla overriding the noise of the rain as we fell under Eric's spell. They don't make nights like that anymore!!! Much love from Vermont, Fil!

I was 15 when the original came out, I could listen to it for hours and never get bored. Seen him twice and if you listen to his days in Cream on vinyl his true voice shines through.

Damn. Once you hear it you can’t stop hearing it! As you say, this is not an artist that needs auto tune and it’s the tiny imperfections that give everything character. Can’t even begin to imagine how angry I would feel if someone applied this to my performance without asking!

Eric Clapton is one of my favorits love when he plays and sings blues

Your enthusiasm keeps me coming back. When you listen to a performance you can't help smiling. It's infectious. Eric deserves better post production than "auto ruin"

"Why do it", is spot on, Phil! I'm surprised that Clapton himself would be okay with using autotune in the first place. It seems so counterintuitive to what his music has evoked over the years including emotion, improvisation, and authenticity.

"Buzzin Beenote" was one of my favourite blues guitarists ! Great analysis, Fil !

I have been learning so many things since I started watching your video's !

I despise auto-tune, it's a deception that strips emotion from the performance. Eric's style has always been blues-based and is cathartic, passionate and emotional at it's best (it's supposed to be raw & dirty). I just bet a young person with no understanding of this type of music overdid auto-tune when it shouldn't have been used at all. Shame on Eric for not being more involved in the post production.

I took that intro as a homage to George Harrison. It is a sitar sound over the buzzing or droning bass note. After all, both men loved the woman the song was written to honor. He is honoring his friend. Probably one of the most moving parts in this entire performance.

I really love how knowledgeable you are about all facets of these performances, and how you truly seem to enjoy what you're doing - your smile says it all. I also appreciate your talking about the autotuning and how you express your ideas about it sometimes taking away from the wonderful human nature of the music. I am only a listener and was aware of autotune but just felt like it was another tool that is used sometimes, which it is - but there is a bit of a controversy beyond the obvious one, which I never guessed. Thanks for your love and advocation for good music - it can only lead to good, IMO.

I do appreciate that as an artist he has every right to reinterpret his music, but I do love the early Layla much better! I was young back then too, so it speaks to my heart more. I don’t play instruments so I can’t follow some of what you are sharing musically but my old self is totally in love with the electric guitar!!❤️

Each of Eric's performances of Layla is like telling and retelling and retelling a compelling story again and again, each time different according to his mood and memory 😍 He's directing his art, we don't question.

Great video again Fil. Love the breakdowns for us!😊🥂⭐🎶🎸

thank you for saying this, i've always thought so. love your channel, carry on!

THIS IS SUCH A MEANINGFUL VIDEO AND DISCUSSION (just check out the fantastic comments). As someone who is a musician and is living in the tech glamor capital of the Silicon Valley. I think this subject is one of THE most important discussions we can have today. What is it to be human? The hubris and lack of any humility in the field of tech and in this case recording of artisic expression, is astonishing. As you said here. WHO ARE THEY TO THINK THEY CAN OR SHOULD ALTER A PERFORMANCE? Their pocketbooks are full and their sense of power in society is taken for granted now for no real reason but to create momentary baubles for the consumer. Is our purpose in being human to sit back and simply purchase "perfect" THINGS or to participate in the profound gift of the creative process? Learn from it. Grow from it. Feel it. And most importantly to 23:26 cultivate discernment.

I hate auto-tune. I like the real thing, and Eric is perfect just the way he is. Who the heck thought they could or should improve his voice for public consumption??? Clapton fans will love him even if suddenly croaked like a frog. My favorite EC song is 'River Of Tears'. Every time I hear it, you have to mop me up off the floor. As always, you're adorable! LOVE THE HAIR!!

Very interesting. Beyond the horrors of autotuning, I appreciate your consistent underscoring of the subtle ways of playing notes (voclas and instrument), and imparting feeling and personal style that makes for a unique and special sound.

Phil, you always seem to be truly enjoying watching these artists perform. You're always positive in your comments. I for one would like for you to analyze a song you hate. There has to be at least one. Myself, I appreciate any expression through music. Its an artistic impression of self, so as such cant be judged by others. That being said, i never got into rap or hip hop. But I've listened to it on occasion. Many might not care for Bands like Captain Beefheart, Coven, The Shaggs. All examples of obscure off the wall music. Oddly enough, I was a fan of them.

Great info. Love you videos. Thanks

Over the years, James Taylor has also changed how he performs many of his songs. "You've got a Friend" and "Shower the People" are the first two that come to mind. Yes, such talent that can perform a song solo with his guitar, with a band backing him, as a duet, and with backup singers. And they all sound quite different, but all great. I am not as familiar with Clapton's work, but this is such a soft song, un-reminiscent of the 1970's-80's Clapton that I knew, but still a great song. To paraphrase Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Saturday Night Special", we should "dump 'auto-tune equipment' to the bottom of the sea." Let us appreciate who Clapton is now - so what if he misses a few notes at the age of 70! Would much rather the real thing than some sanitized version. Thanks for your video.

You are SO GOOD! You mentioned the sitar and I thought NO ONE is going to notice that because it's so obscure! Since the song is an Arabic story that also has a somewhat mirror image with Patty I heard what I thought was EC making a guitar sound like a sitar to put a backstop to the Arabic story. And you - YOU! - made mention of the sitar! I am so impressed! On a side note - I think the original backing guitarist on the MTV acoustic original (Andy Fairweather Lowe) is one of the GREATEST guitarist of all time!!

Saw Clapton in the 80s at a show in LA called The ARMS benefit. The artists were Clapton, Jeff Beck, and a band that would become The Firm (Jimmy Page, Paul Rogers). They were all great. Page wasnt his best, but it was still good. Clapton was Clapton, amazing music....subdued performance. The guy that absolutely brought the house down was the middle act, Jeff Beck. I love Beck, everything from Greensleeves to There and Back. I had seen him before and he was always great, but this particular performance was out of this world, and the crowd let him know. Then at the end all three artists came out and did Stairway to Heaven. One of the most memorable concerts in my life, and there were 100s to choose from.

Mr. Fil, I'm so glad to speak with you once again. I'm wondering whether or not you have dissected the studio version done with Derek and the Dominos? I certainly would love to see that reaction.

Eric should have it in every contract to NOT auto tune him. I'd rather here an authentic CRACK in his voice than to altar it!! He's a professional!! He knows exactly how to recover from not nailing a note IF it ever happens!!!

You and Rick Beato really opened my eyes to how Autotune and Protools have RUINED music.

Quality Stuff Fil! THX!

A little Rick Beato before popping over to see where Fil has added much appreciated value to music. Always a trip... Thank you.

The original is my favorite. Was my favorite song 1973 I think I was 14. I’d listen to radio for hours waiting for them to play it and fall asleep but it when it came on It would wake me. I wore out the LP, eight track and cassette. Now I’ve worn out the CD. 😜. Sure love being able to hear it anytime online. Love Eric Clapton. Lucky I saw him in Dallas TX in the eighties with “the British are coming” concert. Once in a lifetime gathering of musicians.

The more familiarity I develop with KZfaq, the more I become convinced that this is the finest educational channel on it. Period. For accuracy, comprehensiveness, impartiality, positivity. The. Best. Thanks, Fil! 🏆

Wow. I did not hear it (....until now) Greets from germany.... great stuff you do !

I know very little about music, but I do enjoy watching someone explain the technical aspects of music, thanks Fil for making these videos.

“My parents had the Unplugged album.” You just broke me.

A very spot on, welcomed, and appropriate rant! Thank you. Autotune is like fingernails on a chalkboard. It is like telling a chef to microwave a frozen dinner for a formal banquet. I seriously doubt this was sanctioned by EC. It is amazing how often artists do not have control - even when producing studio recordings. I'm sure Fil can relate to this. Thanks for your channel, Fil.

Great discussion-- thank you!

That intro is known as an "Alap" in Indian music. Select notes played with no rhythmic structure, over a drone.

My favorite version of Layla is the jazz version that he did with Wynton Marsalis. It's really incredible.

Auto tune is an insult. To the singer and our ears 😁

I fingerpick on an electric acoustic guitar, also. If you watch closely, he buzzes when he is behind the fret, but doesn't when his finger is on the fret. And for me this only occurs on the low E string and A string on the second or third fret. I avoid this by capo-ing up two frets, or making sure my finger is firmly secure right on the affected frets. I posted this before you continued comments on this, so if you noticed this also or have a variant opinion, sorry.

Great job!

It’s obvious that a great song can have a lot of different lives. Too bad that Eric’s voice hasn’t been allowed have a different life also.

I would like to tip my hat to Michelle John and Sharon White, the backup singers here! Even with auto-tune, they sounded lovely to me. Thanks for this one, it was awesome to see you playing again!

Agree 1,000,000%! What a bummer that someone thought this was the call. Saw him live on the Journeyman tour, one of the best concerts I’ve seen!

I had never heard of auto tune before watching your videos. Thank you for your informative and completely engaging videos! My rock 'n roll fandom goes back to the 60's, including of course Eric Clapton. I was wondering, Fil, if you have done or could do an anslysis of Grace Slick singing White Rabbit? I heard it the other day, and recalled what a powerhouse her voice was.

this version fails for the simple reason, as i'm sure someone else must have pointed out, that it completely lacks the pain, the anguish, the trainwreck of emotions involved in the loss of a meaningful relationship. this version shows the pain of losing a penny from a hole in your pocket.

The buzzing here is a result of super light gauge strings and super close action. A trademark of his and the opposite of SRV and his sound from super heavy strings and a bit higher string action. Love em both!

As a classically trained musician I’m blown away by your knowledge and technique

Eric is setting a mood in the beginning. Then he gets jazzy and does a different take on his song. He's done it the regular way for so long he wants to try something new. I like it for what it is.

Applying auto-tune is like creating imperfection through (tuned) perfection.

I really dislike this version. I can't discuss it rationally. I appreciate your insights and respectful analysis. I'll refrain from saying [edit: further] what I feel about this rendition.

7:58 that smile!! Keep support humans being human!!

Great lesson !!! Thanks ❤

Really enjoy your vids. It’s good to see a guitar channel and in particular a rock related one not just doing shred stuff. I think over time you learn to appreciate the stuff that might not appear challenging to play is actually really difficult or that it adds something to the song even if it’s not hard, very often it’s the subtle stuff that makes it all interesting. I love how you genuinely seem to enjoy all forms of music, shows your musical maturity.

Fil is amazing the way he breaks music down. I true talent.

Just wondering if it would say on the album if there is auto-tune been done ... ? Love your channel even though I know nothing about music, only love listening to music.. will say that now I do listen to music differently and through you got to understand alittle about it. So much more to it than I ever thought. Thank you

I've listened to Eric since the days of Blind Faith and Cream. He's always been good at singing, but I think he's gotten better with age. I really hate that Autotune has been applied to so many artists.

You make such a good point about the irony of autotune in this one.

Great critique Fil and as always keep up the great work you do bringing humanity back to music.

Good call-out, Phil. There's a reason they call it "Live" it includes all the freedom the musician/singer enjoys. The imperfections are what makes it special and to recall later in life. I had a huge problem with him taking an iconic high energy, foot-stomping song into a Joni Mitchell snooze ballad...Cheers, mate for another goodie! 🍻

Hate auto tune, just not necessery... I do not expect humans to be perfect... Eric does not need auto tune...

I dont know about auto tune and pitch correction, I wish it didnt exist. I prefer to listen to the natural voice of the singers, mistakes and all. That's what makes them unique. To me, if you perfect a voice, you're taking away the singers emotions that he/she is trying to portray in their song. Eric Clapton's voice didnt need any help from auto tune, hes "perfect" in his own way. It was another awesome analysis! 🙂

This is sad... there should be an 11th commandment: 🎸Thou shalt not auto-tune Eric Clapton! 🎸 Auto-tune is a soul-sucking vampire. Side note: As a professional dancer who has judged dance performances, I have always given more points to a dancer who has made missteps but has incredible passion and expression over a dancer who is technically perfect but can't make me feel his/her performance. I feel the same about vocal performances; I'd much rather hear someone hit wrong notes, screw up the lyrics, anything, because I know they are feeling the performance and giving us all their love and passion! That being said, I have never been a fan of the unplugged version of Layla. The original version gives me the feels 100% and, for me, has so much more passion (with Eric's growls and gravel!)...it will always be my favourite version💜. Thanks for another great analysis Fil!

I have a cheap Gomez semi-acoustic Spanish guitar that I could buy very cheap cause the guy from the store said there was a manufacturing issue with it... But this manufacturer issue turned out to be the first 4-5 frets buzzing (cause especially the lower strings touched the next fret when played a bit louder)....... And I absolutely love that about that guitar! 😉

I did a show last night in Nashville and there were a couple songs we play totally off the grid, no Pro Tools & click track. What a glorious feeling to play music unencumbered by the evil forces of the digital age. As always, love what you do!

OK, I was waiting for the artistic disgrace and then the autotune kicked in.

Great analysis! I would love to see you do Outside Woman Blues, from the Cream Reunion. Eric's playing on that is so freakin good.

I had the same initial reaction but now i enjoy the acoustic version.

What tool are you using to graph out the notes? Do you have a vid on what it is and how to use it?

As always, your analyses engage me in all the ways that you present them. This one of Eric Clapton is no exception, albeit with the rant alert. *sirens wailing* All jokes aside, I continue to appreciate your thorough “fine tooth comb” approach to your analysis, especially with regards to the use of auto tune to Eric’s performance. Yes I totally agree with you that the addition of auto tune is taking away the soul from the performance. I think your words “snapped” and “squashed” to describe auto tune’s role in the performance hit the nail on the head. Of course I’m not taking anything away from Eric’s overall abilities because we all know what a professional he is. Last night, I was thinking of sharing this quote from the Swedish singer Yukimi Nagano: “One of my strict, strict rules is a no auto tune policy.” I don’t believe that you were ranting. In your analysis, you provided sufficient and informative examples of how auto tune can prove to be detrimental when applied to the artist’s performance. That’s not ranting, that’s proving a point. Thanks very much for an exceptional analysis, Fil!

I never really liked the "unplugged" soft-rock version of "Layla." I guess it's because there's such a verve and breathlessness to the original and Duane Allman's lead guitar going into and under the verse vocal was such a brilliant idea and carries so much class. Most all rock fans know the story behind the song so I won't spell it out, but the immediacy of the romantic situation at the time the song was recorded makes me feel like Clapton doing it in its original feel in subsequent live performances even pales in comparison. By comparison, this version just seems smarmy and forced.

Great breakdown. I never noticed the auto tune before. Definitely a "Thanks, I hate it" situation.

Hey Phil, your videos are great keep them up. Question: Is that a Maton guitar you’re using??

I've beena fan of Clapton since the Cream days. I'm getting much better recognizing auto tune, it's a shame somebody thinks they know better, in reality they need to leave these amazing performances alone. Thanks Fil I've learned so much from you

...I REEEALLY ENJOY it when artists are playing in a manner that they, themselves ENJOY!💖🎶 (I could go ON & ON😄 but instead I'll jump back into your video share!)

Fil. Fascinating stuff. So how do I get a copy of this album on vinyl that isn’t auto tuned?

Would be nice if we could get access to the pre-autotuned audio... In any case, I personally can't let go of my love of the original, Derek & the Dominoes recording (which was also Eric, of course!). It perfectly encapsulates the scream of youth; the wrenching emotion, that *IS* rock music! At the same time, there's something important that this song has to say, even in its subdued version. When not ruined by the travesty of Autotune, that is. Fred

I never readjusted to Clapton after the first solo album. I loved Layla when it came out. But it wasn't the same after Duane Alman passed away. I had friends from the South who never recovered! This was a fine analysis and I subscribed.

Thank God autotune only came later rather than earlier. And there’s no autotune for my memory of seeing Clapton perform during his 461 Ocean Boulevard tour when I learnt why he was called Slow Hand. One of the highlights of my life. I also saw BB King the same summer.

Always a good job Fil. Fezzy❤

I’m glad you used the term “artistic” rather than “artist’s” as I want to believe that Clapton did not condone auto tune. And, Fil, I compliment you on your appreciation of Clapton’s evolution,, breadth, variability, adaptability & subtleties. BTW,, I bar with my little finger too, as I have been cursed with stubby fingers dooming me from the start; still playing guitar is a joy & Clapton always an inspiration.