Eric Clapton / August Japan Tour 1987 Budokan (2CDR)

CD01:
01. Crossroads
02. White Room
03. I Shot the Sheriff
04. Wonderful Tonight
05. Run
06. Same Old Blues

CD02:
01. Tearing Us Apart
02. Holy Mother
03. Badge
04. Cocaine
05. Remark You Made / Layla
06. Sunshine of Your Love
07. Further On Up the Road

Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar)
Nathan East (bass)
Alain Clark (keyboards)
Steve Ferrone (drums)

This recording captures the performance at the Nippon Budokan on November 2, 1987—Eric Clapton's seventh tour of Japan. The tour, which supported the release of his new album *August* (produced by Phil Collins), consisted of only five shows; this release documents the opening night. Kicking off with the Cream classic "Crossroads," the band comes out of the gate at full throttle; as it is the first night of the tour, the recording conveys a palpable sense of tension throughout. The setlist features Cream-era staples like "Crossroads," "White Room," and "Sunshine of Your Love"—songs that make you want to exclaim "Wow!"—alongside "Holy Mother" from the *August* album. The band plays with great intensity and spirit, yet the inclusion of so many hit songs makes for a comforting and enjoyable listening experience. Regarding sound quality: although it is an audience recording, the balance is excellent. The high frequencies aren't overly emphasized, resulting in a natural, easy-to-listen-to sound. You can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere, free from any muddiness.