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Clapton invited to perform in North Korea



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Published Date: 27 February 2008
By SHERNA NOAH
FIRST, it was the New York Philharmonic – now Eric Clapton has been invited to perform in the secretive country of North Korea.
Rock and pop have been banned in the world's most isolated nation because of fears over western influences. But Clapton, 62, the legendary singer and guitarist, has been asked to perform in the capital, Pyongyang, next year.

Diplomats believe th
e overture shows the Communist state wants to build cultural bridges with the West. Clapton is said to have agreed in principle to the idea.

News of the invite came as the New York Philharmonic played in Pyongyang.

It is the first major American cultural group to perform in North Korea, which George Bush, the United States president, classed as part of the "axis of evil".

The North Korean State Symphony Orchestra plans to perform in London this summer as part of the ensemble's biggest-ever tour, and Clapton has been invited to the Asian country in return.

A North Korean official said: "We want our music to be understood by the western world, and we want our people to understand western music."

Clapton was ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the greatest guitarists of all time. He has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame an unprecedented three times – as a soloist and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.





The full article contains 235 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 27 February 2008 8:43 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 27/02/2008 09:28:42
"FIRST, it was the New York Philharmonic – now Eric Clapton has been invited to perform in the secretive country of North Korea" (the nuclear armed country).

.....If this is the beginning of a whole lot more western "musicians" to assault North Korean ears, they'll have second thoughts about abandoning their nuclear ambitions.
2

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 27/02/2008 10:29:07
#1:

It would be an assault to the ears if we were talking about the latest, flash-in-the-pan, televised karaoke contest winner.

However, we are not. We are talking about Eric Clapton who is a skillful and acomplished musician. Most people could learn a lot by listening to his music.
3

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 27/02/2008 12:04:05
#2

"It would be an assault to the ears if we were talking about the latest, flash-in-the-pan, televised karaoke contest winner".

....That's exactly what we're talking about. The sound of a pneumatic drill is more pleasing than 99% of the trash that's peddled these days.
4

Lovepan,

Camberley 27/02/2008 15:03:16
Where can I buy trickets? Can't imagin ethey'd be that expensive in North Korea!
5

Fanling,

Taiwan 27/02/2008 16:01:22
#2 Alternative thingy

"Eric Capton is a skillful and acomplished musician. Most people could learn a lot by listening to his music."

Interesting. Perhaps you can explain what I, as a member of the "most people" brigade (with a degree in music too), could learn from listening to his music. Now, that is definitely not to denigrate Eric Clapton, who is as skilled as hell at knocking the living daylights out of a Fender Strat or whatever. But your perception of music as allied to one genre is not applicable to others whose minds are a wee bit extended to the wider musical world. A bit like driving, really.

#5 Lovepan,Camberley

You can buy "trickets" at Portobello market. Knock- down price, pet.
6

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 27/02/2008 16:51:02
#6:

Well you have certainly revealed that you don't know much about Eric Clapton by saying he "knocks the living daylights" out of his instrument. Hendrix did that, as did Townshend but certainly not Clapton.

Anyway, my comment wasn't directed at people like you who have music degrees. The majority of people do not have music degrees and are content to listen to run-of-the-mill soundz with no particular artistic or technical content. This is not as apparent now as it was in the 80s but it is still there.

What I am getting about with "learning" from Clapton's music are things like chord changes, subtle melody and counter-melody, riffs, syncopation etc. All the kind of stuff you know already.

FYI: I also like other genres of music apart from rock. Jazz, blues, funk, soul, classical and even disco come to mind here. Essentially, I like any music that is proper music and not merely mass-produced sausage machine stuff performed by glorified karaoke artists.

And it has nothing whatsoever to do with driving either.
7

Mirrorman,

Pyongyang 27/02/2008 17:08:54
I know it's a totalitarian regime but there's no need to inflict this on them.
8

Fanling,

Taiwan 27/02/2008 17:28:44
Interesting take, but I can confirm that I know a wee bit more about Eric Clapton and his music than you apparently do. Maybe my hyperbole was a bit over, but as a former session musician I can assure you that I learned a thing or two about the sharp end. No disrespect to you. We all have our opinions and are all entitled to them, even if they are not shared.
9

Fanling,

Taiwan 27/02/2008 17:31:06
Sorry, my reply #9 for #7.
10

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 27/02/2008 23:10:21
#9:

"I can confirm that I know a wee bit more about Eric Clapton and his music than you apparently do."

Well if you have worked with him or in the same environment as musicians like them then you probably do as you have first hand experience. However, I am actually considered very knowledgeable about music in general and rock music in particular. Unfortunately, I have not had the benefit of being in the inner circle, although I would very much like to have had.

You're right about musical opinions and it is a good thing that there is so much to choose from. What I can't understand (and you may agree) is that it is often the most talentless, commercial rubbish driven by businessmen that seems to gain popularity over the better music.

This was particularly true from about 1985 to the early 90s when every single pop or disco song had that annoying off-beat snare! Luckily those days are gone now and we are starting to see proper bands once again.
11

Dancer,

Edinburgh 28/02/2008 07:10:30
How I pity the NK`s having to listen to the c**p that he offers as music. How come he gets a visa to visit with his drug history.
12

Aslan,

Edinburgh 29/02/2008 01:42:15
#2 "We are talking about Eric Clapton who is a skillful and acomplished musician. Most people could learn a lot by listening to his music."

What, like 'Keep your weans awae from windaes'?

And then you actually, unironically said:

'However, I am actually considered very knowledgeable about music in general and rock music in particular'

Which, guess what, makes the rest of us think that you are a pompous 'Top Gear' junky who refuses to admit that BTO don't tour any more.

See?
13

57Nomad,

california 02/03/2008 19:29:21
Rayra, you've got me on my knees.
RayRa, I'm begging, darring prease.
Rayra, darring won't you ease my worried mind.

 

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