Classic rock fans rejoice as one of the truly great musical collaborations begins tonight. Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton performing together for three nights (February 25, 26 and 28th) at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Their touring band features Chris Stainton on keyboards, Willie Weeks on bass and Ian Thomas on drums. This is the core of the band that played behind Clapton and Winwood at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in July 2007.

As the story goes, Eric and Steve ignited the smoldering embers of a classic reunion and had so much fun together at the festival last year, they decided to do a reunion concert. Much like the Cream reunion of years ago, they had to book multiple nights. One night of magic is just not enough when you’re talking about these two classic rock giants!

And here’s a bit of rock trivia. Blind Faith’s one and only tour in July of 1969 started at Madison Square Garden.

Also…

There’s a new song called “Dirty City” from Steve Winwood’s forthcoming new album (titled Nine Lives,) featuring Eric Clapton on some screaming guitar licks. Ah, it takes me back to those Blind Faith and Traffic days of the late sixties.

We’ll probably see video on YouTube soon from their Madison Square Garden shows. I would imagine a DVD will emerge sometime later this year, as did both of Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals. Also be advised there’s a DVD available now of the free show Blind Faith did in Hyde Park in ‘69.

The Eric Clapton portal is also staging a write-in concert review for fans at www.whereseric.com

You can hear the entire song streaming from Winwood’s website at stevewinwood.com. There’s also a video clip to preview on that site.

Seven Mary Three has just released their sixth album, titled Day&Nightdriving. It’s co-produced by Brian Paulson who has also worked with Wilco, Son Volt and Beck.

The album provides uncompromisingly honest reflections about reconciling a career in a rock group with home life, and balancing personal commitments to bandmates and those of family.

Seven Mary Three are most widely known for their platinum debut album American Standard, featuring the Number One rock radio hit “Cumbersome.” The group has toured with Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty and Three Doors Down.

It could be said the band is a success just for the fact they’ve survived for six albums, moving from their original independent label home of Mammoth, over to the major label Atlantic Records, and now they’re back with an independent again, Bellum Records.

Listen to their Day&Nightdriving Ecard at dayandnightdriving.com

Seven Mary Three Official Website: www.7m3.com

Paul McCartney was honored at the Brit 2008 Awards last night. He received the award for Outstanding Contribution To Music, and then performed a five song set which included “Live and Let Die,” “Hey Jude” and “Lady Madonna.” Host Ozzy Osbourne introduced McCartney as the artist who inspired him to begin a career in music.

Hey Paul, it must feel good to be honored by the British music industry, especially after spending weeks in court during a bitter divorce settlement with ex-wife Heather Mills.

Other Brit winners were Take That for Best British Live Act, the Arctic Monkeys for Best British Album and Group, Mika for Best Breakthrough Act, Mark Ronson for Best British Male Solo Artist, Kate Nash for Best British Female Solo Artist, Kylie Minogue for Best International Female Solo Artist and Kanye West for Best International Male Solo Artist.

It has been noted by several news sources that the British music industry is also suffering record losses in CD sales as more fans download digital music.

Sources:
Telegraph.co.uk

Brit Awards 2008