Before I start off this review, let me just state that I haven't been to a concert this good since I saw Paul Rodgers last year at the Del Mar Fair.
The night started off with the opening act...Los Lobos.They were good and got the crowd all warmed up, but in a way, I kinda felt bad for the band because most of the crowd didn't know any of their songs. It wasn't until the band played "La Bamba" that the audience actually stood up and sang along with the band.
Then came on Eric Clapton and trust me when I say this...there wasn't a person sitting throughout the whole concert.Clapton opened up with "Key to the Highway." To much of my surprise, he came out with a Powder Blue Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar for this opening song. Usually, Clapton would play "Key to the Highway" on his Signature "Martin" Guitar but instead, blazed on with the Mastery we are all accustomed to when it comes to a Guitar God such as Eric Clapton...he didn't disappoint.
Throughout the concert, the Rock and Roll Legend repeatedly pulled back on his guitar leads, just when it seemed he was ready to rev things up and really cut loose. What resulted was a demonstration of finely honed craftsmanship taking precedence over exploring unknown vistas, and it was both fascinating and frustrating, sometimes simultaneously.
The song "Old Love" defined the BLUESY SIDE of the band. Though 10 minutes long, it featured organist/synthesizer player Tim Carmon and former Joe Cocker pianist Chris Stainton. The two keyboardist were simply amazing...each feeding off of each other and putting their own stamp to the leads they were playing. I gotta tell you, the Hammond B-3 never sounded so good along side with the other keyboard on the other side of the stage. Props to the musicians in Eric Clapton's Band.Midway through the concert, Clapton played what I thought was the BEST LIVE VERSION of "Wonderful Tonight" I've ever heard. Throughout the song, you could see the couples in the audience in a warm embrace. And if you listened real carefully, you can hear everyone in the audience singing along with Clapton as he sang this beautiful masterpiece.
What I found fascinating later in the concert was the song "Layla." Clapton, sitting on a stool, played the unplugged version of "Layla" on his Signature Fender Stratocaster. I found this pretty unique because throughout the years, we all got accustomed to Eric Clapton playing this version on acoustic guitar....simply amazing.Of course Eric Clapton played his usual classics: Hoochie Coochie Man, I Shot the Sheriff, Before You Accuse Me, Nobody Knows You When Your Down and Out, Cocaine, Badge...so many Clapton Classics in a 2 hour set. It was good to hear some of the classics from his "Cream" and "Derek and the Dominos" days, and I found it even more special that Eric Clapton finished off the concert with an encore of "Crossroads."
If I had a wish list, I wish that they would have played "Sunshine of your Love" and "Tears in Heaven." But I can understand that with the Legendary Eric Clapton, you have a history of songs...songs that span from the Shagdelic 60's, through the Far Out 70's, through the MTV 80's, through the Unplugged 90's to today. When you go through that many years of great songs, realistically, it's hard to get through them all in one night.That being said...I still give Eric Clapton 5 Stars because he is a legend and a Master Showman.
