I was counting days for the Eric Clapton since the last few weeks. Time flew by slowly and here i was, at Key Arena waiting to get in.

 

The ticket clearly mentioned that camera’s will not be allowed but still, i thought i should take a chance. As my camera died a few days ago, i had borrowed my friends camera. It was too big a camera to sneak in. In the line to get in, the security person asked me if that was a professional camera to which i replied i am not a professional. 🙂 I am not sure what she understood but she took a look at the camera and let me in. Lol. It was a Nikon D80 with 35-200mm lens. 🙂

 

I was there just in time and Robert Cray was just about to hit the stage. He came on the stage and started belting his songs. He was singing like a vetran blues singer and "talking to his guitar". Thats his unique way of playing the guitar where he hums the tune he is playing loudly, loud enough for the mike to catch it. He played a few songs for about 30 minutes. He left the stage and then there was a 30 minute break.

 

Soon, the band started to take the stage. And then the man walks in. Mr Eric Clapton. One of the finest guiratist ever and the second best of the ones alive. He almost runs to his spot. I am amazed to see the energy he has at his age. This guy must have played at a few thousands of concerts but he is still so enthu.

 

The solo’s were breathtaking. He seemed to be so comfortable playing those. Man. It was awesome. I can still remember "Why is love got to be so sad" solo and "Motherless children" and the acoustic versions of "Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out", "Running On Faith". But the best part for me were the last 4 songs – Wonderful Tonight, Layla, Cocaine, Crossroads. Man. It was awesome. The sound, the crowd, the energy, the backdrop, everything was a treat. It was just awesome to hear Clapton play these songs. I cannot count how many bands i have heard playing these songs, but listening to Clapton was really memorable. I can still remember listening to Layla on the 3 feet tall speakers at Vikas’s place and now it was all happening in front of me. Memories to treasure.

 

Here is the setlist:

01. Tell The Truth
02. Key To The Highway
03. Got to Get Better in A Little While
04. Little Wing
05. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad

Sit Down Set
06. Driftin’ (EC Solo)
07. Outside Woman Blues
08. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
09. Running On Faith

10. Motherless Children
11. Little Queen of Spades
12. Further On Up The Road
13. Wonderful Tonight
14. Layla

 

Encore
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (with Robert Cray)

And here is the band that accompanied:

The Band:
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Doyle Bramhall II – guitar
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Tim Carmon – keyboards
Willie Weeks – bass
Steve Jordan – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals

Too bad that Derek Trucks (guitar) wasnt there. 😦 But there is one more thing i have to say. The concert seemed a little too chreographed to me. He plays the same setlist on the entire tour. Man. How can that be fun for him? Also, the choice of songs is "interesting". Most of them are "Derek & The Dominos" songs and then Cocaine is by JJ Cale, leaving very few that are his own. Also, these songs are really really old. I think he should have mixed his classics with some of his new stuff. There are a few good songs on his new album with JJ. There are people who have attended his concet over 5 times and are ready to attend 5 more. Well, i am not sure how his concerts were different from each other. Having said that, let me add this, the next time Clapton tours Seattle, i’ll be going anyways.

 

Thanks for all the great the music Eric!