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Elly Roberts reviews
Awesome, amazing, unbelievable,but more importantly influential. Thats the verdict on Claptons triumphant return to the British stage at Manchesters Evening News Arena. Hes overcome drug and alcohol addiction, lost a son in tragic circumstances,married three times and yet he still manages to soldier on. The world of Eric Clapp, aka Eric Clapton, hasnt always been a happy one.As he rapidly approaches 60 on March 30th next year, the guitar god is still fighting fit.He may well have shot the sheriff , and put on a few pounds, but he hasntshot his deputy just yet. His new deputy , unknown protégé, is the sensationalAmerican, Doyle Bramhall II. Pole position is something Eric Clapton has enjoyedfor almost four decades but his crown is seriously under threat he was clearly stirred butnot shaken by the young hot shot whos snapping at his heels.
Maybe he was just impressed, and he had every right to be as he introduced him into the fold.Having such competition at close proximity made the legend pull out all the stops in a performance that will go down inhistory as one of the greatest guitar nights ever. The multi Grammy winningsinger guitarist and mega – grossing live performer was greeted by 15,000 people, who onceagain had come to pay homage to the master axeman. The arena came to life as thelaid back legend grinned his way to centre stage, but privately, may have had the smile wipedof his face by the end of the night.
The 17-song setlist delved into material from the 60s, Cream’s Badge and Sunshine Of Your Love,JJCale’s Cocaine and Bob Marley’s I Shot The Sheriff from the 70’s.Nothing from the 80’s and only one from the 90’s Wonderful Tonight.Songs lifted from his recent CD, a tribute to Robert Johnson, Me And Mr. Jonhson impressed me the most.They allowed Slow Hand or EC to dig deep into his technical repertoire, and he needed to. Bramhall,left handed, wearing a Hendrix – style shirt, was more than a match for him inevery department, and at one time I thought he might steal the show.
He introduced the long forgotten Wah Wah sound, growling effects and some pretty stylish bottle neck.So, Clapton effectively reined him in with a masterclass display. When their counter and complimentary playing kicked in it was quite stunning towitness. Many times it felt like a Blues jam, and probably was, as they bounced off each other. When thehead tilts back, and shoulders rise, its time to look out, because hes bound to unleash a powerhousedisplay and its always special.
His Stratocaster got a right old pounding, as he bent the strings into submission with his nimble fingers.Of the three nights Ive seen him, this was his definitive gig , proving that competition is always good.The remainder of the band, Billy Preston on organ, Chris Stainton on piano provided lashings of Gospel, as did singers Sharon White and Michelle John.Permanently smiling and long time cohort, bassist Nathan East was as solid as ever, forming a formidable partnership in the rhythm section with Steve Gadd‘s sticks.
Best bits were, a lengthy solo in Sheriff which turned the track on its head, the full versionof Layla which sent everybody into raptures 32 years on, and the slow Kind Hearted Woman Blues. There’s nothingflash about stage presentation and Clapton is a man of few words : “Good evening”, “Thank you” and “Goodnight”, and that’s about it.He always leaves the guitar to do the talking.
Leaving the stage to a standing ovation, he looked as if hed never broken sweat, but Ihope he doesnt have nightmares. Try to sleep EC Eric !
The programme was great value for money, a retrospective which included a single from the album, and access via the internet to the album.
Support act, pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph and The Family Band were excellent.Brilliantly sought out to compliment Clapton’s heavily Blues influenced set, he rompedthrough some high energy material. Technique was top of the agenda, and his dextrousskills were much appreciated by the fans. Better known in the States, hesbound to have made a big impression on the European tour, and will no doubt be ingreat demand after this showing. He joined Clapton for the last couple of songs, andfitted in perfectly.
Search the web type Robert Randolph, and view various sites.
Review & pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.