Concert Details
23 May 2009 – Eric Clapton & His Band
Location:
Venue: Royal Albert Hall
City: South Kensington, London
Country: United Kingdom
Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton – guitar / vocals
Andy Fairweather Low – guitar / vocals
Chris Stainton– keyboards
Tim Carmon – keyboards
Willie Weeks – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals
Support:
The Arc Angels
Show Notes:
The second Saturday Night at the Albert Hall. WIth this show, EC reached the mid-point of his 11 show run with 5 more shows to go. The last one takes place on 31 May 2009.
Set List:
01. Going Down Slow
02. Key To The Highway
03. Old Love
04. Anything For Your Love
05. I Shot The Sheriff
06. Layla – acoustic
07. Nobody Knows You (When You’re Down And Out)
08. Not Dark Yet
09. Anytime For You
10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
11. Badge
12. Little Queen of Spades
13. Before You Accuse Me
14. Wonderful Tonight
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (encore)
Fan Reviews:
Review by Ann Crick / North London
What a night! I’m still smiling this morning. Arc Angels were a great opening band and made up for the disappointment I initially felt that Doyle Bramhall II wasn’t in Eric’s band for this tour.
There were no surprises with the set list, a good mix of old favourites as well as Not Dark Yet and Anytime For You. I’m still not sure about Somewhere Over the Rainbow though, it was sung and played brilliantly, but I’d rather have heard something else – Eric has much better songs to offer, though I guess it’s a personal favourite of his.
My favourites last night were from the Journeyman era, particularly Old Love, with Tim Carmon teasing us with the Sunshine of Your Love riff, and I had hoped that would be next. Eric’s solos were breathtaking – especially on I Shot The Sheriff, which sent a shiver down my spine. Lee brought on a selection of beautiful gleaming guitars at appropriate intervals. As always, Eric’s playing seemed effortless and he was clearly enjoying himself, so were the rest of the band.
Although I was seated in the front row, just to the right of centre and had a perfect view (well it couldn’t be any better!) it did mean that I didn’t get the best sound quality (though I knew this was likely from the Cream concert). I couldn’t hear Tim, Andy or Chris very clearly, but I could hear every sublime note of Eric’s clearly as I seemed to be in front of one of his speakers (I’m not complaining). My family were in the second row in the centre and the sound balance there was far better. The Crossroads encore had us all up and in front of the stage, and standing at Eric’s feet is something I won’t ever forget.
I had feared that the 2009 tour wouldn’t live up to the 2006 tour, but for me it did, with Eric playing with passion and the whole band obviously enjoying every minute. Those lucky people with tickets to the next shows are in for a real treat. I just wish Eric would release another album and DVD live from the Royal Albert Hall – his live performances are just incredible.
Review by Alessandro Vailati / Cremona, Italy
Tonight no surprises, but what a sound! Eric played wonderful solos on “Old Love”,”Anything for Your Love” and “Not Dark Yet”.The last one had great performances from the vocalists Michelle and Sharon. Very exciting “Cocaine” with Andy and Chris on top. Very very good also Arc Angels:on “The Shape I’m In” Doyle and Charlie exchanged their guitars playing blistering solos.