Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Dale Marston / Montrose AL
From the opening licks of “Somebody’s Knockin” to the Encore, this first ever Jazz Fest show may have been the most solid I’ve seen from Slowhand in the 15+ concerts I have had the pleasure to attend since 1990. It took a few songs for the sound to be perfected, but by “Tell the Truth” all facets of the delta blues explosion EC and his all British band unleashed were in full display. Eric’s leads continued to improve as the show progressed with my favorite being during “Gin House”, sung by Andy Fairweather Low. EC’s ending 3 licks of that lead were a full octave above where he had just awed the crowd on his Fender Strat, and as a fellow 6-stringer it sounded absolutely untouchable! Those celestial points of Eric’s guitar perfection are the moments of every EC show I can’t wait to see & hear. I will not forget that one, Eric! Thank you kindly!

The standing field only crowd at the Acura Stage gathered for 3+ hours prior to the 5:25 pm show start. If you didn’t have a spot by 3:30, you couldn’t even see the large projector screens on each side of the stage. Nonetheless, the Jazz Fest attendees were very congenial to each other, as well as to the band. Eric didn’t intend to showcase his hits, as some in the crowd were expecting. What he gave them was his take on the Delta Blues music that is ingrained in his guitar playing and singing. So if it the blues in Eric’s veins you enjoy, this show was icing on the cake.

Eric played a grey/black Signature “Blackie” Fender Stratocaster on all electric portions of the show. For the acoustic set, EC played a Martin OM-ECHF Navy Blues except for the song “Stones in My Passway” which was done using either a 000-28EC or a 000-42EC. Amps (2) were certainly tweed Fender Twins.

Review by Kay Bennett / Springfield MA
Despite the heat, steamy humidity and the overwhelming size of the crowds, Eric Clapton appeared for his first time ever at the 45th Annual New Orleans, Louisiana Jazz Festival. Clapton closed out the final day of the first weekend at the Acura Stage. Fans waited 6 1/2 hours entertained by Fredy Omar con su Banda, North Mississippi All Stars, Irma Thomas and Tab Benoit. EC took the stage at 5:15 and greeted the crowd with “Are you warm enough?” and continued with ” I’ve played in New Orleans a few times but never at the Jazz Fest.  It’s a great privilege and an honor”.

At this point the heat was forgotten and the hours of waiting paid off. The set began with a bluesy quality with “Somebody is Knockin’ at My Door”, “Key to the Highway” and by the third song “Pretending” he was thoroughly warmed up.  “Hoochie Coochie Man” kept with the blues theme.  “Tell the Truth”, the traditionally played concert song ended up the first segment of the set. Next up, the acoustic portion of the set.  The chairs appeared and the crowd was treated to “Driftin’ Blues”, “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” and a fitting tribute to J. J. Cale, “Pretty Momma”.  Robert Johnson’s “Stones in my Pathway” became the lead into “Layla”.
Consistent with previous concerts, when keyboardist and singer Paul Carrack is with the band, they did “How Long” when the band plugged back in.  The nod next went to Andy Fairweather Lowe for “Gin House” as his turn at lead vocals.

“Crossroads” led into “Little Queen of Spades” as the pace continued along.  I was afraid to look at my watch., I knew they were scheduled to play for only 90 minutes.  The set ended with “Cocaine”, as usual, the crowd was singing louder than the band. With very little persuasion, Clapton led the members of the band back out for an encore, a fitting and rousing rendition of Joe Cocker’s “High Time We Went”, at this point you know they are really leaving and, yes, it’s over.

Review by Ed Finley / New Orleans LA
Clapton’s getting better with age, incredible performance. His guitar skills were are more refined than ever but also seemed effortless and naturally easy.  Great selection of songs, with them all giving him a chance to show his talent. Crowd was fence to fence standing room only.  Only negatives were his acoustic guitar and vocal mic were not very clear, at least from where I was standing, the mix was great otherwise.  Also on the finale (Cocaine), Clapton was superb but as the lead was passed around to the other band members, all good, it could have been a spectacular ending had they all come together one last time.

Review by Susan Markley
Don’t have time for complete review, but I thought the show was excellent, and I appreciated the interesting departures in the set list. Virtually every song had an EC solo in it, which the crowd seemed to appreciate.  The acoustic set was particularly great, from my point of view.  His support was fine, especially Mr. F-L.