Eric Clapton and his music

Friday night, 19 May was Night 3 of Eric's London residency. The setlist was almost the same as some of the previous nights, songs that are now really worked into a solid groove. The audience was treated to blistering versions of "I Shot The Sheriff", "After Midnight" and an awesome 13 minute version of "Little Queen Of Spades". As with previous dates on the tour, The Robert Cray Band opened.

Setlist
Pretending
So Tired
Got To Get Better In A Little While
Lost And Found
I Shot The Sheriff
Anyday
Back Home (acoustic)
I Am Yours (acoustic)
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (acoustic)
Milkcow Blues (acoustic)
Running On Faith (acoustic)
After Midnight
Little Queen Of Spades
Everybody Oughta Make A Change
Motherless Children
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine
Crossroads (Encore, with Robert Cray)

Review #1

The Royal Albert Hall is, well, home. For the thousands of fans that follow EC on each tour, the majority plan (or would like) to make the 'pilgrimage' to the RAH. It's beauty, sound and uniqueness are unrivaled by any venue worldwide.

The expectations of any show at the RAH have the same grandness as the venue itself. Eric's show last night was no exception. The band did not disappoint. Even from the opening bars of 'Pretending' a ripple of excitement and tension spend its way around the Albert Hall like a mexican wave. A lot of the bands family were in the audience and that always makes a special performance.

It was clear the band were enjoying themselves. Eric was all smiles, like during 'Pretending' when Derek Trucks took a solo, and during 'Motherless Children' when Eric was about to take a solo - only to be beaten to it by Derek again - a la 'candy from a baby'.

After seeing Eric on his arena tour I'd forgotten how intimate a venue the Royal Albert Hall is. My seat for last nights show was excellent - 4th row. A big thank you to ecaccess for this.

The setlist was the same as some of the previous nights, songs that are now really worked into a solid groove. There seemed to be more of a visual rapport between Doyle Bramhall and Derek Trucks than during previous shows since they were constantly passing comments to each other. Whenever Eric would call out to Doyle to take a solo (and there were many!), Doyle would do his bit then glance or give the nodd to Derek to take his turn. Although this was probably scripted it seemed like a very generous gesture.

Other than calls to other band members and thanks at the end of each song, Eric spoke little to the audience - although he did introduce 'So Tired' by saying "this one's for Julie and Rose". His playing was 'spot-on' taking more solos than some of the arena shows. Some notable highlights were 'I Shot The Sheriff', 'After Midnight' and the still ever so awesome 13 minute version of 'Little Queen Of Spades'.

I was standing outside the stage door before the show, where Roddy Lorimer (from the Kick Horns) was waiting for his family. A ticket tout approached him and said "Do you want tickets for tonight? - I can get you the best seats in the house.". Roddy replied "I've already got the best seats in the house!".

Review #2

My first objective after landing in London City yesterday morning was to visit the Royal Albert Hall and hopefully have the opportunity to see the rehearsals... I had missed the ones for Cream last year and wanted to take a chance...
When I arrived at the Hall, the tour guide informed me that the tours were closed and that Eric was not there... "He doesn't need to rehearse" was the guide's reaction... He was so right!!

A very special evening was waiting for me! It was the first time that I had tickets to be in the Arena where I would be sitting only a couple of rows away from stage.
When Eric and his band appeared, Eric was cool and calm. The concert was a magical voyage through his past albums. I could not have dreamt of anything better than that! Once again, Eric shared with the audience his genius, while staying in total cohesion with his group. No word is strong enough to describe the show... Two hours of pure emotions...

Little Queen of Spades, Back Home, I Shot the Sheriff... (always followed by his unique "Thank You !!!") The collaboration between Eric, Derek and Doyle was great! The energy and good humour of all of the musicians on stage was amazing!!
Towards the end of the concert, when Layla started, the best was yet to come... time to go to the front of the stage and stand only one meter away from the Master... His humbleness and wisdom will always impress me!! (even by being that close...difficult to say whether or not I was listening to THE Blackie...)

I look forward to seeing the concert again this summer in Locarno!

Eric, you are my Heaven!