This was a very significant concert for me. I had wanted to see Eric Clapton play for years at this point in time, having listened to his records and having begun to really admire what he'd done as a guitarist throughout his career. On Saturday, September 16th, 2006, I had that chance. The interesting part was, this concert marked the opening show of the first of two legs of his world tour in 2006-2007 that would be in the United States.
He assembled a band that was top notch, and to this day, seems unmatched except for some of the ones he'd worked with in the '70s as well as in his tenures with The Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, and of course, who can forget, Cream, with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. But, this particular road band he had was stellar in it's set of players and their backgrounds. Leading off would be a three guitar army which displayed an impressive alchemy between them. Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II. (who had been playing with him at this time since 2004), and, Derek Trucks (who I guess as he tells the story, while doing something together with his family, got a random call on a cell phone he did not answer and let it go to voice mail). But, that call happened to be from Eric Clapton asking him to work with him on an album, after the recording of which, Trucks was also asked to join the tour.
So, the band lineup for this tour, and gig was:
Eric Clapton: guitar & vocals
Doyle Bramhall II.: guitar & vocals
Derek Trucks: guitar
Chris Stainton: keyboards
Tim Carmon: keyboards
Willie Weeks: bass
Steve Jordan: drums
Michelle John: backing vocals
Sharon White: backing vocals
In terms of the set list, Clapton and band had changed the list slightly as the tour wore on. But, this set list was identical to how their gigs in Europe had started out and there were numerous highlights. Here's the list in full.
1. Pretending (Journeyman, 1989)
2. I Shot The Sheriff (461 Ocean Boulevard, 1974)
3. Got To Get Better In A Little While (Derek & The Dominoes: In Concert, 1973)
4. Old Love (Journeyman, 1989) *feat. Robert Cray: guitar
5. Everybody Oughta Make A Change (Money & Cigarettes, 1983)
6. Motherless Children (461 Ocean Boulevard, 1974)
7. Back Home (Back Home, 2005) (acoustic)
8. I Am Yours (Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970) (acoustic)
9. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out (Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970) (acoustic)
10. Running On Faith (Journeyman, 1989) (acoustic)
11. After Midnight (Eric Clapton, 1970)*the faster tempo version that appeared on EC's first solo record.
12. Little Queen of Spades (Me & Mr. Johnson, 2004)
13. Further On Up The Road (from The Last Waltz: a movie and soundtrack of The Band's farewell concert at Bill Graham's Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California, on Thanksgiving Day, 1976)
14. Wonderful Tonight (Slowhand, 1977)
15. Layla (Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970)
16. Cocaine (Slowhand, 1977)
Encore:
17. Crossroads (Wheels of Fire, Cream, 1968) *feat. Robert Cray: guitar & vocals
This concert was very inspiring to me as a listener and as a guitarist, seeing three of the greats playing together. What a band Clapton had assembled for that show, and also, that tour, which was very successful indeed. Clapton has gone on to do more touring since then and release another studio record. But, it seems that this could very well have been the pinnacle of his art (with the 2006 and 2007 tour), in the modern time of his career. Now, there will be arguments made that his work with Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Derek & The Dominoes will be what truly stands out. That's true. But, it has to be said that his later touring years (especially with this caliber of a band), also should be well noted.
It was a show I will always remember, and still do, to this day.
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