Hoochie Coochie is one of the rarest and most sought-after bootleg labels. They issue very limited edition (typically 250-300 copies) box sets of Eric Clapton, usually an entire stand at a particular venue or and an entire tour of a country. Everything, from sound quality to artwork and packaging, is first-class.

And the “14 Gigs” box set is no exception - outstanding AUD tapes, beautifully mastered. It documents the entire 1999 tour of Japan.

To put this set in some sort of context, it’s important to recognize that Clapton loves Japan and almost always plays well there. I’m no mind reader but the obvious reasons are that he has a huge and extremely loyal fan base there, and that the Japanese fans are always very polite and respectful when he plays (one benefit of this for us is that there is very little audience noise while he’s actually playing). Some of Eric’s finest performances have been in Japan, and this set contains some real gems! His solo on Have You Ever Loved A Woman on the 27th is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard.

The tour:

Gig 1: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.09
Gig 2: Recorded at the Gym, Nagoya on 1999.11.11
Gig 3: Recorded at the Marine Messe, Fukuoka on 1999.11.13
Gig 4: Recorded at the Castle Hall, Osaka on 1999.11.15
Gig 5: Recorded at the Castle Hall, Osaka on 1999.11.16
Gig 6: Recorded at the Castle Hall, Osaka on 1999.11.17
Gig 7: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.19
Gig 8: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.20
Gig 9: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.22
Gig 10: Recorded at the Arena, Yokohama on 1999.11.24
Gig 11: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.26
Gig 12: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.27
Gig 13: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.29
Gig 14: Recorded at the Budokan, Tokyo on 1999.11.30



Band Lineup:

Eric Clapton – lead guitar, vocals
Andy Fairweather Low – rhythm guitar, vocals
Nathan East – bass guitar, vocals
Steve Gadd – drums
David Delhomme – keyboards
Katie Kissoon – backing vocals
Tessa Niles – backing vocals

The set list during this tour was taken from:

My Father's Eyes
Hoochie Coochie Man
Reconsider Baby
Going Down Slow
River Of Tears
Pilgrim She's Gone
Ramblin' On My Mind (Acoustic, Dobro)
Bell Bottom Blues (Acoustic)
Before You Accuse Me (Acoustic)
Tears In Heaven (Acoustic)
Change The World (Acoustic)
Gin House (Andy Fairweather Low vocals)
Cocaine
Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Old Love
Badge
Wonderful Tonight
Stormy Monday
Layla
Sunshine Of Your Love (Encore)
Before You Accuse Me (Encore)