I admit to feeling a bit guilty before I saw Eric Clapton last night. I bought my ticket months ago in the knowledge that it would probably be the only time I will ever see Clapton perform unless I flew somewhere specifically to see him. I have never been a core EC fan, mainly due to the fact I couldn't find that magical touch in his playing which draws me into other players. However, he played the guitar & played the Blues, so I should have been the biggest fan in attendance. By buying a ticket, I felt guilty that I was taking one away from a true fan who would miss out because of me.

By the end of Eric's performance last night, I felt like one of his few true fans in the venue. A concert which was as amazing as what took place in front of me should have had everyone up & getting involved but apart from myself, a couple of ladies a few rows in front & a group up the back which just "went off", the venue was spookily quiet. For some crazy reason, Adelaide just didn't get it. A huge cheer as the band came on dissipated to near silence so when Clapton walked out he must have wondered if he had the right venue!

Anyway, regardless of everyone else, I happened to have a great night. Yes, there was a number of tunes I'd never heard but even Eric mentions this in the programme & it showcased the band's true level of talent. I now have a new understanding of why Eric Clapton has the reputation which follows him. Truly brilliant.



Attached to the tour are a couple of other massive performers. Drummer Steve Jordan will be remember by John Mayer fans as being part of the John Mayer Trio, as well as producing Mayer's third album "Continuum". Very unorthodox drumming styles with some of the funkiest beats I've ever heard & he can get the crowd fired up all on his own (except in the Kingdom, where the crowd looks back with blank stares!).

Doyle Bramhall II took some of the vocal duties with EC during the night & hails back to the days when Texas was know for it's big blues heroes like Stevie Ray Vaughan. Bramhall (the first), played alongside Stevie, & Doyle picked up the addictive tones. Even though they make left handed guitars, Doyle has learnt to play a right handed guitar upside down, which is by no means an easy thing to do. It's an interesting technique & he gets sounds which no one is ever going to bother copying!

If Eric was overshadowed by anyone on the six-string, it was the astounding Derek Trucks. I had huge expectations from a few recent articles about just how good this guy is & they weren't wrong. Every now & again someone comes along which changes your perspective of just how to play the guitar & I know at one point my jaw dropped from what I heard. Derek mainly plays slide guitar & probably couldn't make a mistake if he consciously tried to, but he can drop the slide & be just as impressive.

The rest of the band were also of the highest quality & all had their time in the spotlight with solo spots in various songs.

With a simple wave, EC left the stage for the final time after an intense show which converted me into a true Eric Clapton fan. Here's the setlist;

Tell The Truth
Key To The Highway
Got to Get Better in A Little While
Little Wing
Anyday
Driftin' Blues (EC Solo)
Outside Woman Blues
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
Running On Faith
Motherless Children
Little Queen of Spades
Further On Up The Road
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine
Crossroads

Little Wing, the Jimi Hendrix song which every guitar player tries to learn at some point (most with limited success), was a highlight of the show & an awesome version as well!!