Eric Clapton ended his Australian tour at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena last night with what I will describe as a performance, not a show.
Let me explain. We are used to the pizzazz of Elton John and Rod Stewart along with the music but often it distracts. The Stones is as much about the visual as it is the sound. Showbiz and the music industry have gone hand in hand for half a decade. It was kind of refreshing having the chance to simply see a master at his craft.
Clapton is a legend, no question. To watch someone so revered is a special moment. I remember when I interviewed George Harrison. George talked about how if the Beatles did not retire from live performance how he may have gone on to be as a good a guitarist as Eric. That is why Eric is so good. Even a Beatle aimed for that level,
The current performance takes you completely through this remarkable career. Pin-pointing the most visited album of the set, it was his Derek and the Dominos persona ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs’ from 1970. If you count ‘Keys To The Highway’, recorded decades later for ‘Riding With The King’, five songs were featured.
It went back further. ‘Crossroads’, the song recorded with Cream dated back to 1968. That was the encore and pretty much once Clapton has done ‘Crossroads’, there is nothing left to do.
A special shout to the band, especially Doyle Bramhall III who surprised me by playing lead while Eric pulled back to rhythm on a number of occasions.
Chris Stainton on keys is another legendary musician, having first made his name back in the early 70s with Joe Cocker.
Willie Weeks was on bass, Abe Laboriel on drums and Sharon White and Michele John on backing vocals recreated.
Here is the setlist from last nights show:
Tell The Truth (from Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970)
Key To The Highway (from Riding With The King, 2000)
Hoochie Coochie Man (from From The Cradle, 1994)
I Shot The Sheriff (from 461 Ocean Boulevard, 1974)
Little Wing (from Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970)
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad (from Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970)
Driftin’ (from From The Cradle, 1994)
Travelin Alone
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out (from Unplugged, 1992)
Motherless Child (from From The Cradle, 1994)
Running On Faith (from Journeyman, 1989)
Motherless Children (from 461 Ocean Boulevard, 1974)
Little Queen of Spades (from Me and Mr Johnson, 2004)
Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
Wonderful Tonight (from Slowhand, 1977)
Layla (from Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970)
Cocaine (from Slowhand, 1977)
Crossroads (Cream Wheels of Fire, 1968)
