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Eric Clapton & His Band Rock Bangkok
16 Feb 11
[MORE PHOTOS ADDED!!!] There was no competition for gig of the day in Bangkok on 16 February: Space O Dizzy, a combination of music, physical theatre (!) and dance by B-Floor troupe, the Loving + Sharing Festival (an exhibition of paintings and fortune telling), The Dynamic Vagueness of Sex – paintings, poetry and short stories by some very well known Thai people, or Eric Clapton and His Band at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani! Preceded by the National Anthem, the band came on at 8.45PM. A lot of latecomers were still arriving, probably due to the heavy traffic on the freeway out of Bangkok. Roddy Lorimer (The Kick Horns – 1993 Royal Albert Hall and the 1994-1996 and 2006 tours), now living locally, was in the audience. Where’s Eric!’s own TE (The Editor) was in the house as well.
The third show of the 2011 Tour kicked off with an upbeat, rocky Key To The Highway with EC taking a 36 bar solo to loosen the fingers before he hit the vocals. Going Down Slow was underpinned by soulful Hammond from Tim Carmon; it was an extended version played out with the lovely harmonies from Sharon White and Michelle John over a frenetic EC solo. Hoochie Coochie Man – solid as a rock from the rhythm men, Messrs Gadd and Weeks.
Old Love – OMG, a real goosbumper! EC’s solo was fresh and original. He was literally thrashing the fretboard at the end. Tim Carmon sets up his solo within the song with a "train a chugging" riff and brought smiles to the band all round. This is one song you never get tired of hearing. I Shot The Sheriff. Another song that never gets tired. This’s tours arrangement of EC’s 1974 hit is straight in fast and funky
The "seated" part of the gig started off with just EC, Steve and Willie on Driftin’. For Nobody Knows You, everyone is back on stage. It has some lovely barrelhouse piano from Chris Stainton. With River Runs Deep, EC breaks out a Sunburst Gibson 335 and uses it for rest of the seated section. All the newer songs to the set relate well to live arena but also emphasize the quality of sound production: you can hear every instrument crystal clear, every harmony, every little fill or run Rocking Chair, JJ Cale’s Same Old Blues, and When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful is performed with a fairground feel. Layla this tour has an extended intro; it’s performed in the "unplugged style" but faster.
Everyone is back on their feet for Badge. During Little Queen Of Spades, Tim Carmon waved both arms in air during the solo. Eric hit his solo on the key change and didn’t disappoint. Before You Accuse Me is faster, almost Status Quo-like at the beginning, then drops right down for the start of EC’s solo, then right back up for the climax. The main part of the concert closes out with the perennial crowd favourites, Wonderful Tonight and Cocaine. The encore number in Bangkok was Further On Up The Road.
Don’t be put off by the set list, there’s plenty going on in the arrangements to satisfy the most hardened fan and Eric’s playing just gets better and better.
There are two more dates in the Far East: 18 February in Hong Kong and 20 February in Seoul. Then, EC & Company head off to North America for a short 9 date run stopping in Vancouver and seven U.S. cities (West Coast). This part of the tour wraps 9 March in Los Angeles, the same day the third Crossroads Guitar Auction happens in New York City.
2011 Band Lineup
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Tim Carmon – keyboards
Willie Weeks – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals
Complete Singapore Set List – 16 February 2011
Key To The Highway
Going Down Slow
Hoochie Coochie Man
Old Love
I Shot The Sheriff
Driftin’
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
River Runs Deep
Rocking Chair
Same Old Blues (song by JJ Cale)
When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful
Layla
Badge
Little Queen Of Spades
Before You Accuse Me
Wonderful Tonight
Cocaine
Further On Up The Road
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