This year saw the release of two live albums of collaborations between some of the greatest Western musicians alive – the first in Jazz between John McLaughlin and Chick Corea and the second one in Blues Rock between Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood. And what struck me were the similarities between the two endeavours.

First striking similarity – the album covers, as pictured above. It almost seems like they conspired to do this!

The circular logo design of the covers is not the only reason this post is called ‘Full Circles’.  I was also ruminating on the similarities in career paths of the two collaborations and the four artists.

McLaughlin and Corea met in the late 60s, in the early days of their careers in the legendary Miles Davis’ band (which was unofficially Miles’ finishing school for aspiring, young and talented musicians!), featuring in such path-breaking albums as In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. Then they went their separate ways, leading other bands and eventually found solo success that might at times even rival their mentor’s. And now, after nearly 40 years, they are playing together, the musical lessons learnt over these years having sharpened them to the finely edged musicians that they are.

Clapton and Winwood first played together, again in the 60s, in a very short-lived band (intentionally, as it was brought together only to celebrate the opening of the London office of the Elektra record label), called Eric Clapton’s Powerhouse. But they got together again, in what is considered as one of the first super-groups – Blind Faith. Though short-lived as well, it produced a hugely successful eponymous album that topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. After other bands (which includes Winwood’s Traffic with Jim Capaldi, a personal favourite!) and stellar solo careers, though admittedly one more successful than the other, they got together for a sold-out three night affair at Madison Square Garden. Though they have collaborated in live concerts a few times in the past since the Blind Faith days, it has always been with other musicians on stage or as part of a festival.

In other words, they have come ‘Full Circles’!

(The other similarities – both the pairs have remained good friends through the years and all four of them are in their sixties, being born in the 1940s within years from each other – Corea 1941, McLaughlin 1942, Clapton 1945 and Winwood 1948.)

Go over to Amazon to sample the tracks or to buy the albums! Shameless promotion, innit?!