As a tribute to Eric, Fender Custom Shop issues an exact replica of Blackie. All characteristics and marks of EC's beloved guitar are faithfully reproduced. The dream comes true...
Crossroads Center Festival - Dallas (U.S.A.) - 2004.06.04
I'm
back from the concert. It was absolutely excellent. The
session on stage with B. B. King after he played was
incredible. After B. B. finished playing (it
was late afternoon/early evening) EC came out and sat
down in a chair next to him. After about 30 minutes,
then out stroll's Jimmie. He has a very relaxed
stage demeanor. He is just so cool. He
had on black pants, a black shirt and a white vest. EC
was wearing white baggy knee length shorts, and a cool
blue short sleeve shirt, and white leather sandals. After
about another 20 minutes or so, here comes Buddy Guy. After
about 20 more minutes John Mayer comes out. The
total session was well over an hour. It was history
in the making - everyone was so into what they were
doing, and after each person played, they'd pass it
off to the next person in the chair. EC was on
the far right, B. B. was to his right, Jimmie was to
B. B.'s right, Buddy was to Jimmie's right, and then
John Mayer came out and sat down on the far left. When
John Mayer was being urged offstage by the stage people
because of time reasons, he put his guitar down at
Buddy Guy's feet and bowed to them all. B. B.
said of all the sessions he had done in his lifetime,
that this one was the most enjoyable, and the highlight
of his music career. He told everyone he was
78 years old. I thought it was so interesting
to see then all play one right after the other so each
individual style could be seen. Towards the end
of the session, during one of Buddy Guy's turns, he
just hit the licks very hard with such an attitude
that the crowd started just saying Yeah, Yeah over
and over again. EC came out after Carlos played,
and also after Jimmie and he played with both of them. David
Hidalgo was excellent, as was Eric Johnson. The
lead guitarist for Steely Dan also played and he did
an excellent version of Aja. Robert Cray did
an incredible version of Strong Pursuader and Smokin'
Gun. When EC played Wonderful Tonight every woman
in the audience sang along, and when he went into to
Layla the crowd went wild. He
did an really long version of Have you Ever Loved a
Woman. James Taylor did beautiful versions of
Carolina on My Mind, and Copperline (which is one of
my favorite songs he does). I was really glad
I got to see him as I had never seen him in concert. Whoever
was in ear shot in downtown Dallas got the benefits
of this incredible day of music. I was really
impressed with the acoustics. I don't know if
it had anything to do with the strong southerly
breeze which was coming from the direction of behind
the stage area, but the music sounded exceptionally
good as I have seen several concerts in the Cotton
Bowl over the years, and don't ever remember the quality
of the sound such as it was Sunday. Everyone
was fantastic from Cray to Taylor, to Gill, to Carlos. ZZ
Top wrapped it up. Unbelievable day - not too
hot with a nice constant breeze. Our seats were
under the upper arena, so we had shade, but went out
in the sun when we wanted to. The night ended with
lightning flashing in the sky west of the city around
11:30, which was an appropriate ending for such a fantastic
event. I am so glad I was there.
suzanne
POPB - Paris (France) - 2004.04.06
If Eric is God, yesterday it was really wasn't true. He showed that he was the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
Let me tell you all about the crazy day that I had. On my arrival at 3:00 pm, about a dozen or so fans were already there. The cold wind, and rain and the anguish in thinking if there will be a place in the first row, where I would be able to sit and take in full glory of the Master that I came to sit at the feet and watch his performance. The doors opened at 6:20 PM for entrance, and a short sprint down the hall. I had a seat right in the front of the stage where I had an excellent view of Eric. I was right in front of Eric's microphone where I had the most fantastic view and could hear it all even without the assistance of the mains of the P.A. System. The sound was fantastic!
The support act started at exactly 8:00 pm as it was stated on the tickets, no surprises there. But the Robert Randolph Group, was a big surprise. Their set-list one that had an interesting rhythmical convenience to the songs that they played. The crowd exploded when Robert played some of the legendary Jimi Hendrix music on his pedal steel guitar. That was about a half hour into their set of the show, and near the end of their set. The musicians thanked the audience as the lights went up and we could see all of the stage hands and technicians running around on the stage setting up for Eric's set to start! Lee Dickson unrolls the famous carpet that a lot of people have been talking about lately that Eric uses on all of his shows for quite sometimes now, they set up the microphone which Eric is going to deliver his vocals though and everybody is breathlessly awaiting the arrival of the star that they came to see. I let you imagine the noise that was made by the crowd of 20,000 spectators in Bercy. When Eric comes walking out on the stage, dressed in a white form fitted shirt, and deep blue jeans. Smiling, and in his finest form, he lets out a shy “Bonsoir!" He can then begin his part of the show. The first chords of “Let It Rain” ring out and immediately the audience's reaction make me think of the '85 Hartford show. But, please don't be afraid of comparisons, the playing is as nervy as the ‘85 video.
Then comes Hoochie Coochie Man, everyone shout yell. For their side, the backing vocals make this song sounds differently and sing even when Eric starts his solo. "Bell Bottom Blues" with its wonderful Leslie effect, so bewitching. Doyle plays something close to the '90 RAH version. A nice solo, but the best is yet to come!!! “I Shot The Sheriff”, the second big surprise, what a great new arrangement! Eric has left out the well known intro of the song, and plays a fascinating rhythmic new style of intro!!! And when the lyrics should have began, he shakes his head as if to say no! And plays the intro piece twice! Then everything comes to a slow apotheosis.
At this point, the blues come. With as expected some selected songs from “Me & Mr Johnson”: "Milkow´s Calf Blues", "When You Got A Friend", "They´re Red Hot" for which Eric uses a Gibson when, from behind, a black curtain opens a wonderful background illuminated in red for that song . "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" with some nice solo picking. "Change The World", the third surprise. Eric starts with his new black Martin and just before the solo, he takes a strat and plays like during the Babyface Unplugged. "I Want A Little Girl", " Got To Get Better In A Little While", fascinating!! Long live to the wah-wah! "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" and its set of solo very inspired , then Doyle one seems to feast Eric who, in the twilight, made some grins like if it was him that was playing it
Here comes the Classics, unfortunately we know that the end is near and the intro to "Badge" rings out in the silence. Just before the bridge it seems to be at an endless and eternal hold, the crowd is so excited and when the Leslie, starts off, the first row is like in trance:-)
After a burst of applause, Eric quiets the atmosphere of the audience with "Wonderful Tonight" which was, "just wonderful". Then “Cocaine” shows how two guitarists can play very tasteful solos. Then, last but not least by a long shot came.... “Layla”, Now the audience when they hear the mind-boggling, airy riff. And Doyle's guitar slide part it reminds me the way Duane Allman once filled the air. The last beat of Steve Gadd's drums just before the lights go up and blind the whole crowd and freezes the spectators to their seats!
Eric cheers through a long period as the public, judging from his smile, he had had a great time as one could think of all the signs that were made by Nathan during the show when he saw how were the first rows shouting after a solo, clapping their hands, singing along with the words of the Master.......... or as one fan put it in the 60's the way God did it!
Only two or three minutes could have passed before the musicians came back on stage, at that time we all started to cry out in exultation at knowing they were going to fulfil our final need of hearing such great music coursing through our minds and bodies! I think of the dark-haired girl by my side who was shouting with me, like the final throes of a sexual explosion that had set us reeling! “Eric!, Eric!, Eric! Eric!" The people located in the pit were wrapped in the same unision of the moment to like we were all in one unified experience. It reassured me to see that we were not the only two among the 20,000 people in the POPB that had been driven into such a state of extasy! :-))
We could just barely perceive Eric's silhouette in the corner while Lee rushes to his side with strat in hands and as the other musicians took their respected positions on stage. E.C. introduces each member of his team of hand chosen musicians while playing in rhythmic syncopation the chords of "Sunshine Of Your Love" at a beat that I had never heard for that song before! It was the first time that I heard this style of playing before despite all the different recordings of shows I own. At the final moments of the song , Robert Randolph joins the band for "I Got My Mojo Working". It was as if the hearts of the musicians didn't want to stop playing the song ever!!!! As I now sit back and think of the show? I first start to think of the setlist which was excellent with tunes like “Let It Rain” and "Got To Get Better In A Little While" but also the songs from "Me & Mr Johnson" all creating a time line of musical extasy that can only be described as Godlike! The classics, as well were reinterpreted and it was at times as if I heard them for the first time!
As, we think of the presence of Doyle Bramhall playing his style of guitar. Which there is no comparison with Andy Fairweather-Low, comparison is not possible it was just different. My theory is that Andy, bit by bit, along the many tours that he played with Eric, has created his own place in the music of Clapton, knowing exactly what he had to do and where he would play to fit his notes to meld in with Eric's. Doyle had rather grown to know his style of creation and his inspiration from listening to the studio recordings. It's very interesting to hear the changes, even if the absence of Andy is a bit sad.
Lastly, and yet it maybe the most relevant of remarks is that, it was the really great atmosphere among the musicians and the aura that they created with the audience that made the music of the show so ethereal show. Or maybe it was the musicians who have shared their styles and life on the road together along with the public? Maybe it could be that the public has just brought their enthusiasm and it bled onto the stage giving the musicians their life and enthusiasm to the songs! As final proof, (I don't exactly remember when it was) : the band keeps on playing while Eric thought that the song had stopped. Rather, causing worrying in the virtuoso's mind he just shrugs his shoulders and smiles, as if he was saying : "When we've done what we seen here tonight, then it don't matter!"
Setlist:
Let
it Rain
Hoochie Coochie Man
Bell Bottom Blues
I Shot The Sheriff
When You´ve Got A Good Friend
Milk Cow Blues
Kind Hearted Woman Blues
They´re Red Hot
Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Change The World
Got To Get Better In A Little While
I Wanna Little Girl
Badge
Wonderful Tonight
Cocaine
Layla
Sunshine Of Your Love
I Got My Mojo Workin with Robert Randolph
Sno.
Zurich (Suisse) - 2004.03.28
After having
read the first fantastic critic about EC's show in
barcelona, I was of course wondering how Eric and his
band would play in zurich.
The setlist
was the same as in france with the change of "Third
Degree" instead of "Have You Ever Loved" (what a pityl).
"Kind Hearted Woman Blues" and the brilliant "Got To
Get Better In A Little While" were just awesome and the
absolute highlights at this concert.
The rest didn't
really fulfill my expectations but this is also difficult
for somebody who owns more than a thousand concerts.
Specially
not fullfilled had my expectations the "old" new
songs "Like Let It Rain", "Bell Bottom Blues", "Badge",
"Wonderful", "Cocaine" (without the great intro of the
earlier days),and "Layla" - they were more or less played
like he used to play them in earlier concerts in earlier
years already - no challenge.
Not good at
all was "Sunshine" and I dearly missed "Crossroads".
"Walk Out In The Rain" is a nice song when youre sitting
in a bar drinking some beers - but I would have preferred
that he would do "Travelling Lights" again or something
else. "Change The World" he also could drop.
Doyle fits
in very well and also the rest of the band was in a
good mood. Perhaps too good this time, I couldn't really
feel this special thrill within the band and specially
with Eric which sometimes can change an EC concert into
something mystic.
Anyway, some
of my friends who have seen Eric for the first time,
will accompagne myself to see Eric again at the Albert
Hall in may, lets cross our fingers that Eric will
change some songs in the set or rearrange them. Otherwise
for sure I only want to go and see 2 concerts at the
Albert instead of the 4 I had planned.
Thanks to Boris Jaeggi - président of EC fanclub -Switzerland
Setlist :
Let
it Rain
Hoochie Coochie Man
Bell Bottom Blues
Walk Out In The Rain
I Shot The Sheriff
When You´ve Got A Good Friend
Milk Cow Blues
Kind Hearted Woman Blues
They´re Red Hot
Hellhound On My Trail
Third Degree instead of Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Change The World
Got To Get Better In A Little While
I Wanna Little Girl
Badge
Wonderful Tonight
Cocaine
Layla
Sunshine Of Your Love
I Got My Mojo Workin with Robert Randolph
Boris
Jaeggi - Pres EC Fanclub Suisse
John Mayall & Friends - 2003.07.20
JOHN Mayall says Eric Clapton is one of the greatest guitarists, "in a class of his own". Coming from the man regarded by most as the "Father of British Blues", that is indeed praise.
On Saturday both men showed why they are held in such esteem by fans, musicians and critics alike as they returned to their spiritual home - The Blues.
On the programme it was simply one of the highlights of Liverpool's Summer Pops series - in reality it was one of the best "jamming" sessions the Kings Dock, or any other arena for that matter, is likely to witness.
We were promised Mayall and Friends and that included jazz trombonist Chris Barber, former Rolling Stone and Bluesbreaker guitarist Mick Taylor and of course the present day Bluesbreakers personnel including the excellent Tom Canning on keyboards and the brilliant Buddy Whittington on guitar.
Clapton did not appear until well into the evening but by then the music was in full flow and the audience were in great voice - Slow Hand received a standing ovation before he had played his first note.
Clapton's dynamic, edgy and yet amazing control and improvisation was there, Barber was smooth and still powerful, Mayall rolled back the years and the "new" Bluesbreakers showed just why this outfit has been the school for rock, rhythm & blues music for generations.
There was so much good music, some new, some familiar and some new interpretations of old favourites.
When Clapton launched into Hoochy Koochy Man, Barber and the Bluesbreakers responded and so did the audience. Clapton and Mayall, now 70, seemed to have rediscovered their 20s and 30s. They were enjoying their evening and it showed.
Mayall's Bluesbreakers have been the source of so many influences - through the years members have gone on to join or form Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Free, The Rolling Stones and of course EC's own brilliant solo career.
The show had opened with John Power whose Liverpool group had all the raw dynamism and honest reverence for what rock 'n' roll is all about. They deserved and were given a great response - an excellent opening support and one that was not fazed, for a moment, by the illustrious company.
This event showed, once again, that when great musicians come together the language is a common sensation of great entertainment.
The band:
John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
Eric Clapton (guitar & vocal)
Chris Barber (trombon)
Mick Taylor (guitar & vocal)
Setlist:
- No Big Hurry
- Please Mr. Lofton
- Hideaway
- All Your Love
- Have You Heard
- Hoochie Coochie Man
- I'm Tore Down
- Talk To Your Daughter
Malcom
Handley, Daily Post
Teenage Cancer Trust - RAH - Londres (U.K.) - 2003.03.25
Je
suis ravi évidemment d'avoir assisté à ce
concert. L'ambiance fut très chaude, comme on
pouvait s'en doute. La 1ère partie fut donc
jouée par Nigel Kennedy et son orchestre composé de:
un bassiste, un guitar solo, un trompettiste, une choriste,
un batteur et
un pianiste.
J'ai moins apprécié car je n'aime pas ce style de musique. Par
contre, rien à redire sur ce virtuose du violon. Il très talentueux,
comme l'est "God" à la guitare. Les Anglais tout comme moi d'ailleurs
attendaient la seconde partie de ce concert.
Cet instant tant attendu arriva après un entracte d'un quart d'heure environ.
Clapton (habillé très sélect ce soir) puis ses "friends" :
Gary Brooker, Henry Spinetti, Dave Bronze et Andy
Fairweather-low l'accompagnèrent tout ce set.
Il a interprété : Knock on wood, reconsider baby, you cannot judge
a book, sweet little rock and roller. blue berry hill, stormy monday, paradise,
hoochie coochie man, whole lotta shaking on, cocaine,
five long years, gin house, whiter shade of pale layla et little queenie pour
(encore).
Solos étourdissants dans stormy monday, five long years , cocaine, gin
house
et little queenie. Toute la magie de clapton était ce soir au rah. C'est
pour cela que je comprends mieux maintenant pourquoi il est mythique.
Et puis aussi, au niveau du rendu du son, c'est sublime. D'ailleurs, il a été conçu
pour une très bonne acoustique. En ce moment il est en réfection
sérieuse, sous-sol, et l'extérieur. Un excellent concert dommage
que Mark Knopfler n'ait pas été là car il était prévu
qu'ils jamment ensemble.
Je ne ferai pas la fine bouche, j'ai vu clapton jouer du très grand clapton
et j'en suis ravi.
Band :
ERIC
CLAPTON (GUITAR)
ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW (GUITAR)
DAVE BRONZE (BASS)
GARY BROOKER (KEYBOARD)
HENRY SPINETTI (DRUMS)
Setlist :
KNOCK
ON WOOD
RECONSIDER BABY
CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK (GB)
BLUE MONDAY/BLUEBERRY HILL (GB)
SWEET LITTLE ROCK & ROLL
STORMY MONDAY
IF PARADISE IS HALF AS NICE (AFL)
GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY (GB)
YOU WIN AGAIN (GB)
GOT MY MOJO WORKING (GB)
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
MARY ANNE
WHOLE LOT OF SHAKIN' (GB)
GIN HOUSE (AFL)
5 LONG YEARS
COCAINE
WHITER SHADE OF PALE (GB)
LAYLA
LITTLE
QUEENIE
Jean
Claude
POPB - Paris (France) - 2003.03.2
The concert has just finished and I feel reassured. This night Eric was in good form. It's was an excellent show.
My seat was great, just opposite the pickup with only two persons in front of me...
Opening act Doyle B. (close to SRV & The Voodoo child).
Lee Dickinson tests the guitars ( the purple one puzzled me cause Eric didn't play with it).
Eric came on stage at 21h20, relax and smiling with his blue shirt, white trousers and red wings shoes.
So let's go for another great Key to the Highway .
Reptile , jazzy. great.
"Bonsoir, we are going to play a selection of tune from differents periode, this one is from the early 90's, I hope that you remember it... Tears in heaven . So moving.
Bell bottom blues , what a great idea this acoustic version!.
Change the World , groovy.
My father's eyes , Eric starts "playing", he wants to play this night, it's obvious, longs solos.
River of tears . some troubles with the P.A. system but Eric is ok!
Going down slow with its percussion solo.
I must confess that I like Davious Sancious solo.
Some tracks from Reptile:
Standing with the acoustic Martin.
Got you on my mind : "this one has always been special to me since i was a kid". Wonderful Andy solo with his black Jazz Gibson.
Don't let me be lonely tonight : my favourite, acoustic with piano.
Traveling light : I think "in vain".
Hoochie Coochie : classic but he surprises our.
Have you ever loved a woman : one of the best of the show, a long bluesy intro : HYELAW or Stormy Monday?...
Cocaine : good, ecstatic crowd, so am I !!
Wonderful tonight : idem
Layla : Idem
Encore :
Sunshine of your love : we know this one by heart but before yesterday I 'd never heard it live...
Somewhere over the rainbow : what a really, really, really beautiful song !
Eric leaves us with those words : "Merci beaucoup, you were a wonderful audience tonight, bonne nuit".
This night he got tremendous applause.
Clapton was very pleased to play this night and I like it.
I only regret that he didn't play more Reptile's album songs but I am satisfied cause there was no duet with Doyle Bramhan (Superman inside)...
What a wonderful show...
Seb
Zenith - Toulouse (France) - 2001.02.26
Another Great Eric's show! Eric only came once in Toulouse, 20 years ago.. .
The concert was in the Zenith, the biggest concerts place in the city with 9000 seats.
For this show, the seating was free, so the first one who come get the best places.
That is why we go there at 5h00 pm.The taxi driver who drive me there told me: "Wow, you go to Eric Clapton show? How did you get tickets?" (the show was sold out two months ago!).
Here in Toulouse, everybody was surprised when the date was announced.
At 5h00 pm, there was about 100 fans waiting for the opening of the doors.
At 7h00 pm, a guy came and opened the first door so we were able to "rush" inside of the hall.
Well, I was at the front row, just between Andy and Eric.. (Wow)
At 8h30 pm, exactly 8750 fans are here for Eric.
Lee Dickson tells is usual speech.
Everybody shout. Doyle Bramhall II enter on stage with his musicians but without his back vocalist.
I found the opening act more interesting than at the RAH. Lots of clapping.
Doyle, during his solos was about only 2 meters opposite to me!!!
After the break, the light turns off, thunderous applause.
Eric come on stage. My God! I've never seen him so close. I'm dreaming !
Key To The Highway (solo). The audience likes it and claps. Eric likes that, it's clear, he will say "Merci Beaucoup" lots of time and even "Bonsoir".
Then the band arrive, he says that they will play old and new songs. Reptile (longer than the RAH one or the album), the public loves it. Eric laughs, he is very pleased to see the way his fans have fun. Tears in Heaven, Bell Bottom Blues (fantastic), Change The World (better than RAH on 06/02). Eric is on top form tonight!!!
Electric set with his variegated strat first. My Father' Eyes, River Of Tears (honorable work of each member of the band, Andy got a kick at the end). Goin Down Slow , Andy always Andy: he rushes at the edge of the stage and plays his solo, he's very energetic!!!!
No break, She's Gone , solos, solos, solos, we are really spoilt tonight.
Between songs, Eric laughs a lot. The sound is fantastic cause here in the front row, we can hear the amps and not the speakers.
Now it's "new album" time, Eric anounces Got You On My Mind : "it's an old song but I like it". Don't Let Me lonely Tonight (yes!!!) His voice his wonderful. Traveling Light powerful. And now the biggest surprise ( I've been waited for it a long time!!!!) WHITE ROOM , the Zenith breaks out. Eric laughs with Andy during the intro.
Hootchie Cootchie , and FIVE LONG YEARS . where Eric does 4 "pokes with the elbown" at the end. COCAINE , with the "last cocaine for the audience". Wonderful Tonight (thanks Eric),
Layla , a super intro, super Eric and David solos.
Tonight it's an "super Eric".
For the encore, the classic " SOYL " and Somewhere Over The Rainbow Standing ovation for all the members of the band.
This show was very good cause of the good mood of Eric and his band and the way they played.
During his solos, Eric was only about 3 meters to me...
It's was my best show. Thanks Eric...
Sno.
RAH - Londres (U.K.) - 2001.02.10
Another great night. Eric was in form and seemed to enjoy the concert to the end (BTW: still wearing one of these over-sized, short sleeve shirts -blue tonight- worn outside, and blue jeans ......
He opened with Key to Highway , then continued with the same format until after Hootchie , when he played Have You Ever Loved a Women (in place of Five Long Years or Cocaine, depends on which night) River of Tears , Badge and Layla where the highlights for me, fantastic guitar solos, everything clicked.
For the electric set he used the colourful guitar, but during HYELAW he gestured to his guitar technician that he was not happy, changed over to the black one, and then was much happier again. For this particular blues the black one had more "bite" and it really worked well. He changed back to the coloured one for Wonderful tonight and the rest of the gig The Impressions were there again, but no other guests (we'll have to wait for the European leg)
When it came to the last song Eric said that he was pleased with how well it all went.
He introduced the band and pointed out Andy's new dark suit, new shirt and new tie, and the new shoes (to much applause) whilst everyone else in the band was dressed very casual.
He introduced the bass by saying that he played longer with Nathan East than any other musician in his entire career (the audience loved it)
Somewhere over the Rainbow again as an encore (after SOYL), but with the novelty having worn off, I'd wish he would drop this song.
So, the 2001 RAH nights are over, we'll have to wait for the video. I doubt that any other concert during his European tour will come anywhere near any of these 6 nights. Wait for next time...
Hugo
RAH - Londres (U.K.) - 2001.02.09
Juste de retour du 5° concert (ou plutot devrais je dire 4°). La voix
d'Eric est revenue, bien qu'il paraissait un peu fatigue vers la fin du concert.
Il
a commence avec Driftin (solo,
au lieu de Key to Highways). Il a aussi change Five
Long Years pour jouer un super Cocaine.
I Shot The Sheriff a aussi ete enleve, Change
The World et River
of Tears etaient belles (Je continue a dire
que je n'aime pas Pilgrim mais en live les morceaux
sont supers). J'aime "Got
You On My Mind" du nouvel album.
Pantalons noirs, chemise manches courtes bleu fonce mais je n'ai pas vu ses
chaussures.....
Hugo
RAH - Londres (U.K.) - 2001.02.06
A first experience always has a mysterious and magic dimension. The RAH did not fail to the rule. Eric returns, after his super " Pilgrim ", with a new album " Reptile " and a world tour which starts before its released.
18h00: I quit the hotel to take the subway for the RAH. Of course, at this time, the train is chock-a-block. After two stations, the train stops : a 15 minutes breakdown!!! I say that it was very long. Once come out of the subway and after having request the way to go to the RAH (everyone is not born in London), here we are, this RAH which makes dream so many fans. It is as beautiful as at in the beginning of the "24 nights" video and with lightings, it is even more impressive. On the frontage of the principal door, a large window has especially been install to present the new clothing line of E.C. & Stüssy (wind-breakers, Tee shirts, caps and sweats).
Inside, red carpet everywhere, the usherettes are held at each door to indicate the places. (For me 122 circle U) Everyone buy his program. And there, finally, after years of wait, the entrance in the concert hall. My place is just opposite to the stage, in the "circles". The RAH inner is really very beautiful. Some photos, the people go to their seat.
It is 19h30, a " speaker " announces the beginning of the support act whereas only the 3/4 of the seats are taken. Doyle Bramhall II stages and plays during nearly 45 minutes which was very long (considering what wait for us after!). The playing style of Doyle is rather aggressive. At the middle of his set, a technician put the album. Doyle panics.
The lights are re-ignited, and all the technicians set up the equipement of "the guitarist of the guitarists". The pressure goes up! On the scene, two guys bring a carpet and put it in the middle. This small detail completely changes the scene which becomes very " intimate ".
We hear again the "speaker". Now it's the rush, everyone seats.
The lights turn off , Eric stages, alone. He wears a blue short sleeves shirt and a Jeans. For the greatest happiness of the assistance, the firts notes of his Martin 000-28 are heard. Key to the Highway (as if there was three guitars but Eric is alone!)
At the end of the song, the band comes. Eric says " We gonna make has set of old and new titles, I hope you will like it " Reptile ", instumental, Eric plays a blonde Jazz Gibson, the band is acoustic. It is the first new song, very bossa nova and jazzy, very different from what Eric did before. The concert looks good. The lighting effects are splendid: small spirals which whirl on the scene, the atmosphere is very intimate.
Tears In Heaven .
Bell Bottom Blues , acoustics, as on the Japanese tour.
Change The World , the version is marvellous, the best one and believe me I was very impressed at the zenith in 98. Everyone stamps one's foot like Eric. At the end, we 've the impression that he dances as his left leg move. memorable moment...
My Fathers Eyes , it is the first electric title. Eric has his new strat (the Carnegie Hall one, from last 19 January). River Of Tears , always also poignant. Goin' Down Slow , this version is very quick, powerful. Eric and Andy have fun on the solos as during She's Gone with a very good percussions solo. No cut between these two songs. The songs are very different with the percussions of Paulinho Da Costa. Lots of clap. Eric introduces " The impressions " and explains us that he likes this four-bit byte since his childhood. Its Alright , the " The impressions " are on vocals and make sing the RAH aidience, Eric only "plays" behind. Finally Got Myself Together . Got You One My Mind , Eric is on vocals, the song is between the blues and the song for child (yes, really!) Ain' T Gonna Stand For It , powerful. Travelling Light , the resumption of JJ Cale, admirable!!! Hoochie Coochie Man . Have You Ever Loved A Woman , blues, blues, blues!!! Badge , really very good (OK I said it a lot of time but it is really very good), fantastic keyboard solo of David Sancious. Andy and Nathan are the chorus-singers. Wonderful Tonight , my god! "The impressions" as chorus-singers. (I regret only that Katie Kissoon wasn't there for his solo...) A powerful intro, Layla , everyone shouts and applauds, it is the madness, the paradise. The keyboard part of David difers from other versions but it's close. The woman who is in front of us dances as much as she can. The " ground " area is crowed. It's the end of the show, standing ovation which has difficulty in starting in the " circles " but " one of us " (eh eh!) help it. Some dumbs go away (yes some dumbs!!!) before the encore. The band come again after a very short moment. Sunshine Of Your Love , I've never heard it before: all the RAH sings " in your sunshine of your loooove ". Lastly, Somewhere Over The Rainbow , acoustics, which is not usual for an Eric's encore. This song is splendid. Very beautiful song, which makes dream. The audience is very grateful for this fabulous spectacle. The musicians make a line and greet the audience a lot of time. Everyone is happy. Outside, there is a crowd of luxury cars with sheets on the pane on which are write the names of the people (Mr. & Mrs Clarke...), of taxis, fans who go back on foot. It is pleasant to walk with them by circumventing Hyde Park, one other mythical place. What to say else about this concert? The new album looks very good, it is the most splendid concert I saw. The set list has change since the beginning of the "week" at the RAH. My thoughts was with the unlucky fans of the following night, when the show was canceled, due to " laryngitis ". This evening will satayed in my mind until my dying day. And as said the Englishman who was at my left, at the end of each song " THANK YOU! " .
Eric, thank you so much for making dream us, only you can do it like that . You are the best...
All you ever wanted to know about Eric equipment: his guitars (electrics, acoustics, classicals & dobro), his amps, effects, strings & mediators
Now you know how to get the "sound" ! Click here
access to your personal account 
The top of the sites :
I'm
back from the concert. It was absolutely excellent. The
session on stage with B. B. King after he played was
incredible. After B. B. finished playing (it
was late afternoon/early evening) EC came out and sat
down in a chair next to him. After about 30 minutes,
then out stroll's Jimmie. He has a very relaxed
stage demeanor. He is just so cool. He
had on black pants, a black shirt and a white vest. EC
was wearing white baggy knee length shorts, and a cool
blue short sleeve shirt, and white leather sandals. After
about another 20 minutes or so, here comes Buddy Guy. After
about 20 more minutes John Mayer comes out. The
total session was well over an hour. It was history
in the making - everyone was so into what they were
doing, and after each person played, they'd pass it
off to the next person in the chair. EC was on
the far right, B. B. was to his right, Jimmie was to
B. B.'s right, Buddy was to Jimmie's right, and then
John Mayer came out and sat down on the far left. When
John Mayer was being urged offstage by the stage people
because of time reasons, he put his guitar down at
Buddy Guy's feet and bowed to them all. B. B.
said of all the sessions he had done in his lifetime,
that this one was the most enjoyable, and the highlight
of his music career. He told everyone he was
78 years old. I thought it was so interesting
to see then all play one right after the other so each
individual style could be seen. Towards the end
of the session, during one of Buddy Guy's turns, he
just hit the licks very hard with such an attitude
that the crowd started just saying Yeah, Yeah over
and over again. EC came out after Carlos played,
and also after Jimmie and he played with both of them. David
Hidalgo was excellent, as was Eric Johnson. The
lead guitarist for Steely Dan also played and he did
an excellent version of Aja. Robert Cray did
an incredible version of Strong Pursuader and Smokin'
Gun. When EC played Wonderful Tonight every woman
in the audience sang along, and when he went into to
Layla the crowd went wild. 
He
did an really long version of Have you Ever Loved a
Woman. James Taylor did beautiful versions of
Carolina on My Mind, and Copperline (which is one of
my favorite songs he does). I was really glad
I got to see him as I had never seen him in concert. Whoever
was in ear shot in downtown Dallas got the benefits
of this incredible day of music. I was really
impressed with the acoustics. I don't know if
it had anything to do with the strong southerly
breeze which was coming from the direction of behind
the stage area, but the music sounded exceptionally
good as I have seen several concerts in the Cotton
Bowl over the years, and don't ever remember the quality
of the sound such as it was Sunday. Everyone
was fantastic from Cray to Taylor, to Gill, to Carlos. ZZ
Top wrapped it up. Unbelievable day - not too
hot with a nice constant breeze. Our seats were
under the upper arena, so we had shade, but went out
in the sun when we wanted to. The night ended with
lightning flashing in the sky west of the city around
11:30, which was an appropriate ending for such a fantastic
event. I am so glad I was there. 
Clapton's dynamic, edgy and yet amazing control and improvisation was there, Barber was smooth and still powerful, Mayall rolled back the years and the "new" Bluesbreakers showed just why this outfit has been the school for rock, rhythm & blues music for generations. 
ocaine,
five long years, gin house, whiter shade of pale layla et little queenie pour
(encore).
.
The concert was in the Zenith, the biggest concerts place in the city with 9000 seats. 
Eric come on stage. My God! I've never seen him so close. I'm dreaming !
Key To The Highway (solo). The audience likes it and claps. Eric likes that, it's clear, he will say "Merci Beaucoup" lots of time and even "Bonsoir".
Then the band arrive, he says that they will play old and new songs. Reptile (longer than the RAH one or the album), the public loves it. Eric laughs, he is very pleased to see the way his fans have fun. Tears in Heaven, Bell Bottom Blues (fantastic), Change The World (better than RAH on 06/02). Eric is on top form tonight!!! 
And now the biggest surprise ( I've been waited for it a long time!!!!) WHITE ROOM , the Zenith breaks out. Eric laughs with Andy during the intro. 
He opened with Key to Highway , then continued with the same format until after Hootchie , when he played Have You Ever Loved a Women (in place of Five Long Years or Cocaine, depends on which night) River of Tears , Badge and Layla where the highlights for me, fantastic guitar solos, everything clicked. 
