Never mind, though. "24 Nights" is still on of the better live album of Clapton's forty-year career (the best being "Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert"). Recorded in 1990-91, it draws from his entire career, and of course gives the listener plenty of opportunities to complain about the songs that aren't here.
But let us focus on what is here instead. The man from Surrey draws no less than five songs from his then-current studio album "Journeyman", and all of them work well in this live setting, souning a little less polished than they do on the studio recordings. Especially "Pretending", which comes off slick and over-produced on "Journeyman", but rocks reasonably well here.

The first four songs are recorded with Eric Clapton's touring band (bass, drums, keyboards and Clapton himself), and they do come of a little bit bland at times.
Of course I'm always looking for more grit and more real blues riffing in Clapton's playing, rather than just extended soloing, and "24 Nights" doesn't really deliver too much of that, but that is not to say that the arrangements are bad, and Clapton was never too big on the blooze-and-boogie-stuff anyway.

I much prefer the next four tracks, which are recorded with Robert Cray and Chicago blues king Buddy Guy, to the ones recorded with Clapton as the sole guitarist. The additional two guitars make the sound richer and lend a real blues-rock feel to "Watch Yourself" and the slow, groovy renditions of "Hoodoo Man", and "Worried Life Blues" fare pretty well, too. We don't really need yet another version of "Have Your Ever Loved A Woman", though.

The third installment (tracks 9-13) features seven musicians and two backup singers, and that band includes a second guitarist (Phil Palmer, who has worked with everybody from Ralph McTell to Robbie Williams), which bolsters the sound nicely, particularly on the aforementioned "Pretending" and "Bad Love". This set also includes the classic "Bell Bottom Blues", which is one of the highlights of the album in spite of some awful 80s-style keyboard playing.

The final two songs are recorded with the Royal Philharminic Orchestra (in addition to a full rock band). Whether or not that adds anything interesting to "Hard Times" or "Edge Of Darkness", which aren't the most interesting songs to begin with, is probably a matter of taste.

All in all, "24 Nights" is a pleasant, somewhat laid-back live album. The arrangements are more pop than blues at times, but the songs are generally good, and the sound quality is excellent, as is the musicianship. A good purchase if you like Eric Clapton's solo years, particularly from the late-seventies onwards.
"24 Nights - The Limited Edition" boxed set, is a unique collaboration between Eric Clapton, Peter Blake, Derek Taylor and Genesis Publications commemorating Eric Clapton's record 24-night performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 1991. Peter Blake's scrapbook is a collection of pencil sketches, charcoal drawings and montages showing Eric and the band during rehearsals and performances. Blake was the Associate Artist of the National Gallery and is probably best known for his graphic cover of The Beatles' 'Sergeant Pepper' album cover. A vast selection of original memorabilia from the concert tour including back stage passes, hotel room lists, polaroid photographs, seating plans, set lists, laminates and sheet music are reproduced in the scrapbook, many of them tipp-ins pasted in by hand. The scrapbook is accompanied by a commentary book by Derek Taylor. Taylor attended rehearsals in Dublin, performances at the Royal Albert Hall and the after-show party. His account provides a unique insight into the backstage and on-the-road world of Eric Clapton and his band. A former publicist for Apple Corps (as well as the Mamas and Papas,The Beach Boys and The Byrds), Taylor was one of the most influential music industry professionals of the time. His commentary offers the reader a rare opportunity to experience an insider's perspective on the man who is universally recognised as the world's greatest blues guitarist. 24 Nights also includes a 2 CD set of live recordings from these performances featuring additional tracks not available anywhere else: "Layla (Orchestra Intro)", "No Alibis" and "I Shot The Sheriff" . Additional facsimile memorabilia including Eric's guitar picks, a backstage laminate pass, button badge and guitar string complete the set. 134 page (300mm x 210mm) scrapbook quarter-bound in bonded leather featuring sketches by Peter Blake and rare unseen photographs. All copies are personally autographed by Eric Clapton and Peter Blake. All items are produced to the highest standard and presented in a superbly-designed solandar box limited to 3,500 copies. Many of the memorabilia are pasted by hand. A 64 page (210mm x 148mm) second-volume of commentary by Derek Taylor looking at Eric and the band in rehearsals, at the shows and at the after-show party. Individual items of facsimile memorabilia including Eric's guitar picks, back-stage laminate, button badge and guitar string. THIS IS NOW OUT-OF-PRINT, SO IF YOU SPOT ONE FOR A GOOD PRICE ($400-$600), SNATCH IT UP!!

24 Nights - The Limited Edition
This is an excellent compilation taken from 24 night run at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1990. This is a great CD for hardcore Clapton fans or for the unfamiliar music lover. The sound quality is top notch and the whole band is in fine form.

Disc one- Badge is a great opener with a cathcy little piano riff that will bring a smile to your face and get your head boppin. White Room and Sunshine kick as usual although a little more soloing from Clapton and few other insturments would of been appreciated. A fun Watch Yourself and interesting Edge round out an overall solid disc that you will leave in your player for a long while

Disc two- Pretending is my favorite song on the whole album and this song prooves that Clapton hasn't lost contrary to what some of his fans think. He still has the ability and the drive/energy, he just displays less often which is a little unfortuante. Both Bad and Old Love are good follow ups and the rest finish suit nicely.

Bottom Line: a great two disc set. If you are new to Clapton than go with Crossroads 2 instead but if you don't want shell out a 50 than you might want to consider 24 nights although there are decent Clapton offerings for the rookies that might be better.
The only thing that matters in the entire universe is this record's version of Old Love. Second to that, or perhaps third, is this same record's version of Wonderful Tonight.
Here's something for the Clapton fan who enjoys hearing him play in all manner of contexts. On this two-CD set, recorded over a 24-night stand at London's Albert Hall, Clapton performs with a stripped-down four-piece band; a more lushly arranged nonet, an all-star blues lineup featuring stellar guitarists Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Jimmie Vaughan as well as legendary pianist Johnnie Johnson; and a full orchestra conducted by Michael Kamen. Most fans will find the blues segment the most endearing, but the album proves that Clapton is a blues-rock master who can excel in almost any setting. --Daniel Durchholz
As revered elder rock statesman Clapton has edged towards the pop mainstream, his superlative guitar work has become increasingly less prominent on his albums. So, it's nice to have a solid showcase for his instrumental brilliance on the live 2 CD 24 Nights, which captures the highlights of an extended 1990-1991 run at London's Royal Albert Hall. The album finds Clapton performing Cream classics, solo hits, and blues standards in a variety of different band formats: with a stripped-down quartet, an expanded nine-piece, a stellar blues ensemble (including fellow axe heroes Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Jimmie Vaughan), and a full orchestra. The result is a fine showcase for the dazzling instrumental skills of one of rock's essential guitarists. --Scott Schinder