News
Eric Clapton Concludes 2008 Summer Tour In Monaco
24 Aug 08
Eric Clapton performed the second of two concerts at Monaco’s Sporting Summer Festival on Saturday, 23 August 2008 ending a 27 date Summer Tour which started in May in the United States. The tour visited nine U.S. cities; two each in Canada and Ireland; three in England and ten European cities playing before thousands of fans. The venues ranged from intimate indoor venues with a few hundred seats to large-scale outdoor concerts with tens of thousands in attendance.
On stage with Eric were band members Doyle Bramhall II (guitars / backing vocals), Willie Weeks (bass), Abe Laboriel Jr (drums), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Sharon White (backing vocals) and Michelle John (backing vocals).
As Monaco’s Sporting Summer Festival alloted less time for EC’s performance than most venues, three songs were cut from the more typical 19 song setlist. The final concert of the tour kicked off at 10:30PM and lasted just about 100 minutes and was a bit longer than night one. The set list was also revised from the first night’s performance at the Festival.
In front of an audience of about 800, Eric opened with "Hoochie Coochie Man" and two songs he recorded with Derek and the Dominos back in 1970: "Tell The Truth" and "Little Wing." From there, the set list had lots of blistering blues and songs from his back catalog such as "Runinng On Faith," "Before You Accuse Me," and Wonderful Tonight." The final night of the tour went from highlight to highlight, with some of the the strongest numbers being "Little Wing," "Driftin," "Got To Get Better In A Little While" and "Cocaine".
Unlike the previous evening, "Layla" was back to the full-length version.
Although EC delivered his hallmark guitar solos throughout the concert to the delight of those in attendance, guitarist Doyle Bramhall II turned in some top-notch solos, particularly during "Little Queen of Spades." And just like the earlier nights on the tour, long-time bandmember Chris Stainton delivered several killer keyboard solos. In appreciation of the great musicianship, roses from the table decorations were thrown on stage.
Before the show, an elegant dinner was served. Diners were serenaded by The Sporting Orchestra featuring Ty Stephens.
Complete Setlist / 23 August 2008
Sporting Summer Festival Night 2
01. Hoochie Coochie Man
02. Tell The Truth
03. Little Wing
04. Outside Woman Blues
05. Drifitn’
06. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
07. Motherless Child
08. Travelling Riverside Blues
09. Running On Faith
10. Got To Get Better In A Little While
11. Little Queen Of Spades
12. Before You Accuse Me
13. Wonderful Tonight
14. Layla
15. Cocaine
Encore:
16. Crossroads
Dinner Menu (served at 8:30PM):
Starters:
Lobster poached with crisp vegetables
Olives and Rocket Salad
Reduced Shellfish Coulis
Creamy Coco Beans with Parmesan Cheese
Main:
Loin of Veal with Condiments Provenal-style
Amandine Potato with Morel Mushrooms
Preserved Vegetable Flan wtih Basil
Green Asparagus Roasted with Pancetta
Dessert:
Crunchy Milk Chocolate with Seasonal Fruits
Apricot Sorbet
Sporting Monte Carlo Delicacies and Chocolates
Coffee
Don’t forget … there will be complete summer tour coverage in the next issue of Where’s Eric! Magazine with in-depth critical reviews of concerts, exclusive photographs, a "train spotters guide" to all songs performed during the tour plus regular magazine features.
It’s Not Too Late To Share Your Eric Clapton Concert Experience With Fans Around The World!
If you were at the final concert in Monaco or if you attended a show earlier in the tour, Where’s Eric! wants to hear from you! It’s not too late to have your review published on whereser.com. Share your concert experience with fans around the world. Send the following details to the Where’s Eric! Team at info@whereseric.com:
– Show date and venue name
– The complete set list (this information is essential to ongoing archival work)
– Your review
– Images from the venue or of memorabilia like tickets, handbills, programmes, posters
– Include your name and city so it can be featured with your review (no aliases or anonymous submissions)
If you are unable to send us a complete concert review, please consider participating by submitting the show’s set list (include date please) to info@whereseric.com.
Thanks to all the fans who participated by submitting set lists, reviews and photographs during the Summer Tour!
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