[www.whereseric.com]

The setlists of these gigs is from the filet of Eric's post-Cream career, IMO... straight outta Derek & the Dominoes and 461 Ocean Blvd.... as close as we'll come to hardcore "classic" blues rock...

Can't wait for this tour to hit the States !!!

scroll down on the above link page for chronological blog on the tour.

"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2006-05-28 10:05 by BornOnTheBayou.

Just returned to the USA from seeing 4 shows this past week at the RAH. I was impressed. The guitar work is really extraordinary and a testament to what a guitar can sound like when in the right hands. First half of Friday's concert may have been the best show I have ever seen. Second half of show had some strange happenings -- with a kid rushing the stage and then being forcibly removed but overall a great show!

The strongest lineup of blues/rock musicians that Clapton has had around him since the Dominoes days. Steve Jordan and Willie Weeks add a different element to EC's band. Jordan in particular has changed the sound of EC's concerts. The guy is totally on fire!! Very powerful drummer! He drives the overall sound of the band.

I have seen Eric Clapton share the stage with many famed guitarists, Mark Knopfler, Carlos Santana and others. However I always felt he was comfortably up to any challenge and was the best guitarist onstage. At times this week I wondered if that were still true with the performances being laid out be Derek Trucks. I have seen DT many times with the Allman Brothers and considered him to be the future of blues/rock guitar. I must say though that from watching and listening from 3rd row seats this week that DT has evolved in to a guitar player with very special skills, not only as a slide player but is now putting the whole picture together, timing, phrasing, bending strings, playing lyrically, vibrato, the whole works.

EC to his credit has clearly given DT the green light to do his thing within the framework of the songs being played. In fact when Derek takes flight EC has a grin on his face as big as the Albert Hall itself. Clapton is clearly enjoying Truck's playing. And on Friday night EC was more than up to the challenge and played some of the more inspired solo's I have heard from him ever.

Again these shows are great with great musicians. I would recommend attending the shows if you can. As an added benefit Robert Cray is opening up the shows and is joining EC's band onstage for the encore "Crossroads." On Friday he joined for "Old Love" in addition to "Crossroads."

The Royal Albert Hall show from a few nights ago has now been posted on Dime. This has to be one of the best touring bands ever assembled. It's like I would have imagined the Dominoes on the road with Duane. And what a setlist:

Disk-1:
01. Pretending (Jerry Williams)
02. So Tired (Eric Clapton)
03. Got To Get Better In A Little While (Eric Clapton)
04. Old Love (EC & Robert Cray)
05. I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley)
06. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad (Clapton/Whitlock)
Seated Set:
07. Back Home (Eric Clapton)
08. I Am Yours (Eric Clapton/Nizami)
09. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (Cox)
10. Running On Faith (Jerry Williams)
11. Milkcow Blues (Robert Johnson)

Disk-2:
01. After Midnight (JJ Cale)
02. Little Queen Of Spades (Robert Johnson)
03. Everybody Oughta Make A Change (Sleepy John Estes)
04. Motherless Children (Trad.)
05. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
06. Layla (Eric Clapton/Jim Gordon)
07. Cocaine (JJ Cale)
Encore: w/Robert Cray
08. Crossroads (Robert Johnson)

Excellent aud recording of a great show!

Ross

I was at the RAH show Wednesday, the 17th, and I agree with 1cdog. While Clapton was superb, the playing of Derek Trucks was pure magic. I also thought that Doyle Bramhall was up to the task as well. With these 3 incredible guitarists sharing the spotlight for the concert's duration, it made for one hell of a night. I was in row 7, dead center on the floor, and it was enjoyable to watch the interplay between the guitarists, so clearly seeing their facial expressions.

Robery Cray should have been called back for an encore or two. I had never been to RAH, but the crowd reminded me of a museum crowd. Appreciative, well-mannered, and quiet. I would describe the response to Cray at the end of his performance as polite applause. I was really astounded by that. Even during Clapton's performance the crowd did not get on their feet except for the encore, a blistering "Crossroads". Having said all that, none of it took away from the enjoyment for me. I was even able to get my camera in and took some fantastic pics and a couple of good videos.

If you possibly can, go see this band. Including Robert Cray, you'll see and hear 4 of the best blues/rock guitarists around today.

gawd I hope they bring this band to the US. thanks for the tip on the RAH dime show - downloading now. too bad it was one the didn't do Anyday - a personally D&D fave....

Sep 16 ..... St. Paul, MN ..... Xcel Energy Center
Sep 18 ..... St. Louis, MO ..... Savvis Center
Sep 20 ..... Chicago, IL ..... Unitd Center
Sep 21 ..... Grand Rapids, MI ..... Van Andel Arena
Sep 23 ..... Auburn Hills, MI ..... Palace of Auburn Hills
Sep 24 ..... Toronto, ON Canada ..... Air Canada Centre
Sep 26 ..... Ottowa, ON Canada ..... Scotiabank Place
Sep 28 ..... New York, NY ..... Madison Square Garden
Sep 29 ..... New York, NY ..... Madison Square Garden
Oct 03 ..... Boston, MA ..... TD Banknorth Garden
Oct 06 ..... Uncasville, CT ..... Mohegan Sun Casino
Oct 07 ..... Uncasville, CT ..... Mohegan Sun Casino
Oct 09 ..... Philadelphia, PA ..... Wachovia Center
Oct 10 ..... Washington, DC ..... Verizon Center
Oct 12 ..... Charlottesville, VA ..... John Paul Jones Arena
Oct 14 ..... Duluth, GA ..... Arena at Gwinnett Center
Oct 15 ..... Raleigh, NC ..... RBC Center
Oct 17 ..... Charlotte, NC ..... Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Oct 18 ..... Birmingham, AL ..... Birmingham Jefferson Arena
Oct 20 ..... Orlando, FL ..... TD Waterhouse Centre
Oct 21 ..... Jacksonville, FL ..... Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Oct 23 ..... Miami, FL ..... American Airlines Arena

alright, too tough - i'll amend my request:

gawd I hope they bring this band to the west coast.....

Appears that EC and the Allman Brothers have structured their rspective tours in such a way that Derek will be able to tour with both this summer.

Yeah and Robert Cray will be opening in the USA as well.

DaveG, agreed about the RAH crowds. I would describe the RAH audiences as morbid. They make the Tokyo Budokan crowds, politely reserved but overly generous in applause at the correct times, seem like crazies.

RAH crowds for EC have always been kinda reserved. That's not to say everyone isn't in to it -- just reserved. EC knows what to expect but I was thinking that I hoped Derek Trucks knew the audience was appreciating the show - I mean DT is now a veteran of several ABB runs at the Beacon in NYC. Believe me the ABB Beacon audiences let you know they love the shows.

my son has discovered mr. clapton via 461 and me and mr.johnson, not bad for an 11 yr old...i am hoping to get tix for the boston show for the two of us...

Could someone post a few tracks at Hot Stuff
Would be nice to hear. My Dime account no longer works, what a hassle that site is.

Ross Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Royal Albert Hall show from a few nights ago
> has now been posted on Dime. This has to be one of
> the best touring bands ever assembled. It's like
> I would have imagined the Dominoes on the road
> with Duane. And what a setlist:
>
> Disk-1:
> 01. Pretending (Jerry Williams)
> 02. So Tired (Eric Clapton)
> 03. Got To Get Better In A Little While (Eric
> Clapton)
> 04. Old Love (EC & Robert Cray)
> 05. I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley)
> 06. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad
> (Clapton/Whitlock)
> Seated Set:
> 07. Back Home (Eric Clapton)
> 08. I Am Yours (Eric Clapton/Nizami)
> 09. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
> (Cox)
> 10. Running On Faith (Jerry Williams)
> 11. Milkcow Blues (Robert Johnson)
>
> Disk-2:
> 01. After Midnight (JJ Cale)
> 02. Little Queen Of Spades (Robert Johnson)
> 03. Everybody Oughta Make A Change (Sleepy John
> Estes)
> 04. Motherless Children (Trad.)
> 05. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
> 06. Layla (Eric Clapton/Jim Gordon)
> 07. Cocaine (JJ Cale)
> Encore: w/Robert Cray
> 08. Crossroads (Robert Johnson)
>
> Excellent aud recording of a great show!
>
> Ross

5 songs from Derek & the Dominoes... wow!

"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."

BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> as close as we'll come to hardcore "classic" blues
> rock...



Eeerrr no. Clapton is stinking dollar snot blues. He's very good, but I can't help thinking about an old fart when he's up there. It's just not raw and the black blues players are way better than EC.

JumpingKentFlash

JumpingKentFlash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > as close as we'll come to hardcore "classic"
> blues
> > rock...
>
>
>
> Eeerrr no. Clapton is stinking dollar snot blues.
> He's very good, but I can't help thinking about an
> old fart when he's up there. It's just not raw and
> the black blues players are way better than EC.


How many times did you see EC?

I downloaded the Dime recording last night and listened to it all twice. I'm disappointed. It appears to me to be a little like a "guitarist war" where the 3 of them try to outshine the others without a lot of choreography in the background. Also, the lack of a good vocalist in EC's band is starting to get to me. He can sing in the studio but on stage, he either doesn't have time for it or he can't replicate the originals.

Harm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How many times did you see EC?


Never. I wouldn't even go if I got a free ticket. He's boring nowadays. Of course you could argue that it's better at the concert, which is also the case of The Stones, but EC just doesn't do it for me anymore. His recent stuff was like zzzzzzzzz...

I've seen some DVD stuff with EC though. From recent years that is. Where has his rawness gone?

JumpingKentFlash

jeff14 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> my son has discovered mr. clapton via 461 and me
> and mr.johnson, not bad for an 11 yr old...i am
> hoping to get tix for the boston show for the two
> of us...

jeff14, glad to hear about your son's fine ear and interest in music.

Do him a favor and turn him on to the Layla album and also "From the Cradle"

From the Cradle rocks!!! One the albums he has ever made, IMO. And it is pretty recent, somwhere in the nineties i think.

Cheers,
Wuudy

On the Crossroads DVD.. his version of I Shot The Sherrif for example.. rocks a damn lot harder than the original!

JumpingKentFlash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BornOnTheBayou Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > as close as we'll come to hardcore "classic"
> blues
> > rock...
>
>
>
> Eeerrr no. Clapton is stinking dollar snot blues.
> He's very good, but I can't help thinking about an
> old fart when he's up there. It's just not raw and
> the black blues players are way better than EC.

Oh, Okay.... please provide me with a list of these "black blues players" today that are "WAY BETTER" (did you actually say that?) than Eric Clapton...

You seem so convinced of your statement, that I'll be looking forward to you backing it up with a long list of black blues players that I can go see on tour this summer...

Can't wait for your list! Thanks so much !

Oh, and also if you could please tell me which EC gigs you attended this tour that you thought were so bad, because I'm sure you're basing your opinion on actual experience and not just personal bias. So... the list of all the bad EC gigs you attended this tour is much appreciated. Again, thanks in advance!

"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-05-29 23:29 by BornOnTheBayou.

JumpingKentFlash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Harm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How many times did you see EC?
>
>
> Never. I wouldn't even go if I got a free ticket.
> He's boring nowadays. Of course you could argue
> that it's better at the concert, which is also the
> case of The Stones, but EC just doesn't do it for
> me anymore. His recent stuff was like
> zzzzzzzzz...


Recent Stuff ???? Isn't that the point... this tour focuses on his very best blues rock, as far as I can tell from the setlist...

Are you reading different setlists ??

"It's just that demon life has got me in it's sway..."

Arm chair quarterbacks just don't do it for me.......zzzzzzz............