The ‘Nine Lives’ of Steve Winwood

Chatting amiably about Eric Clapton, with whom he recently rekindled a friendship, he talks about how the two formed the supergroup Blind Faith.

“As far as Eric is concerned, I think when I first moved down to London, I was a young, 16, and he was 18,” Winwood said. “Eric’s still a couple of years older than me. ”

Although Winwood may have been only a teen when Blind Faith was formed, he was already an old musical soul. As a grade-schooler, his musical chops were so well honed that he had gigs backing such luminaries as B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Then he joined forces with Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason to form Traffic, before Clapton and Blind Faith beckoned.

And of course there were plenty of legendary gigs and collaborations between, including with Jimi Hendrix — Winwood’s work is on “Voodoo Chile” on the album “Electric Ladyland” — and Joe Cocker, notably during the 1969 performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

Now the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who was named one of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” by Rolling Stone, is headlining a national tour in support of his latest album, “Nine Lives,” which features Clapton’s guitar work on “Dirty City” and has won major critical kudos.

“The wonder of É his new album is that Winwood, almost 60, sings the fighting words with the ecstatic force of his youth. His voice is a deeper, huskier shade of British blues, but it’s consistent in its strength and optimism all over ‘Nine Lives,’ ” wrote Rolling Stone’s David Frick.

Although Winwood said it was “fantastic” to work with Clapton again at the 2007 Crossroads Festival in Chicago and during a three-day run at New York’s Madison Square Garden, he has his sights firmly set on promoting “Nine Lives.” Although he doesn’t rule out a future collaboration with Clapton, he makes it clear he’s just as content creating and enjoying music today as he was back in rock’s heyday.

“People think they got something else from their music back in the 1960s and 1970s, something more in music,” he said. “I am not sure I absolutely agree. There are still some very good people around, great records, artists and musicians around even now.