Disc 1: 1. Introduction, 2. Layla, 3. Badge, 4. Blues Power, 5. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out, 6. Roll It Over,   7. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?, 8. Little Wing, 9. Bottle Of Red Wine, 10. After Midnight, 11. Bell Bottom Blues, 12. Presence Of The Lord, 13. Tell The Truth, 14. Pearly Queen, 15. Let It Rain, 16. Crossroads.

Disc 2: 1. Layla, 2. Badge, 3. Blues Power, 4. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out, 5. Roll It Over,   6. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?, 7. Little Wing, 8. Bottle Of Red Wine, 9. Presence Of The Lord, 10. Tell The Truth, 11. Pearly Queen, 12. Key To The Highway, 13. Let It Rain, 14. Crossroads, 15. Layla, 16. Radio Spot: Rainbow Concert.

Apart from the official release Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concerts of January 1973 have already appeared many times on CD: on ARMS label 16/17PR as ‘Rainbow Concert’ on 2CDs with all tracks from the 1^st show and just “Key to The Highway”, “Let It Rain” and “Crossroads” added from the 2^nd show ; then on "Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Outtakes" from Capricorn label 2035 as single CD with 12 tracks. Then on the Slowhand Masterfile Pt.3 for "RAINBOWLATE 1/2" with 15 tracks from the late show on 2 CDs with Layla opening song fading in (as here) and some disturbing clicking noise on a couple of songs. Some years ago Empress Valley issued the 4CD set ‘Eric Clapton’s Rainbow Concert 25^th Anniversary Edition’ which was issued twice- first as a limited edition set and later as a non limited edition set with less elaborate cover art.  Both concerts featured with the late one slightly better in quality than the Slowhand Masterfile. And now Mid Valley represent both shows on 2 DVD-Audios with different audio options in perfect soundboard quality. The concerts played continuously, without the annoying interruption of having to change discs, receive a great treatment by this format which allows the collector to also view a nice slide show in accordance with each song played.  The obvious limitations that are connected with DVD-A are that they cannot be played in car stereos etc. The audio experience is superb and we can agree with the inside inner sleeve that suggests ‘To Be Played At Maximum Volume’!    The concerts are well known as being Clapton’s comeback after a hard battle with drugs, coordinated by Pete Townshend with help from Ron Wood, Rick Grech on bass, Stevie Winwood on keyboards, Rebop on percussion, Jim Capaldi and Jimmy Karstein on drums. Clapton’s lead guitar which is identified on each disc (“Blackie” Fender Stratocaster on 1^st and Gibson Les Paul on 2^nd) is of course upfront and “God” plays like he had on his best times driving his songs with master and taste but also allowing his mates some well-deserved space.  The first concert shows a band somehow restrained by playing material some of the musicians aren’t that familiar with, in spite of rehearsals, with “Little Wing” a bit stiff and “Bottle Of Red Wine” (“Battle” on on-screen display!) that allows rhythm guitarists Townshend and Wood to excel as well as “Tell The Truth”. The second set is more relaxed and shows greater performances with a poignant version of “Key To The Highway” and an overall better performance.