News
Clapton and Winwood: Back in Sweet Home Chicago with Special Guest Buddy Guy!
18 Jun 09
On 27 July 2007, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood performed a short, electrifying set at Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival outside of Chicago. They left fans wanting more.
On 17 June 2009, Chicago-area fans finally got their wish – a full concert by the two rock legends at the United Center. One fan checking in with their blackberry right after the show called it a "once-in-a-lifetime experience – Clapton and Winwood simply bring out the best in each other." Another wrote, "I don’t have words to describe it. All I know is I’m skipping work and driving to St. Paul to see them again tomorrow night. And I’m 57!"
The concert – which ran a bit over two hours – started off with "Had To Cry Today" – the song that first electrified the audience at the Guitar Festival two years ago. The set included several songs from their joint-tenure in Blind Faith, plus rock classics like "After Midnight" and "Pearly Queen." Early reports indicate that highlights included "Tough Luck Blues", "Forever Man" and "Voodoo Chile" from the main part of the set.
And if that wasn’t enough for the Chicago audience, blues legend Buddy Guy joined Eric and Steve on stage near the end of the show for several songs, which naturally included "Sweet Home Chicago" which Buddy ended by singing a bit of "Watch Yourself." The final number was "Drowning On Dry Land" (Initially reported by fans in attendance as"Going Down".One fan sent an email header from their blackberry as the number ended saying "EC and Buddy really tore it up on ‘Going Down’".)
It sounds like it was a really great night in Chicago! Next stop for Clapton and Winwood is the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Thursday 18 June.
Clapton / Winwood Set List – 17 June 2009
United Center, Chicago
01. Had To Cry Today
02. Low Down
03. After Midnight
04. Presence of The Lord
05. Sleeping in the Ground
06. Glad
07. Well Alright
08. Tough Luck Blues
09. Pearly Queen
10. Crossroads
11. There’s A River
12. Forever Man
13. Georgia On My Mind – Steve Winwood solo
14. Driftin’ – acoustic
15. How Long Blues
16. Layla – acoustic version
17. Can’t Find My Way Home
18. Split Decision
19. Voodoo Chile
Encore:
20. Sweet Home Chicago*
21. Drowning On Dry Land*
* with Buddy Guy (guitar, vocals)
Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Steve Winwood – vocals, Hammond B3, guitar
Chris Stainton – keyboards
Willie Weeks – bass
Abe Laboriel, Jr. – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals
Check out what fans have to say … read their reviews for all shows from the Clapton / Winwood dates in the Tour Section of whereseric.com. New reviews are always being added.
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