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Nettie Baker: Thoughts On ‘A Tribute To Ginger Baker’

1 Mar 20

Eric Clapton & Friends: A Tribute to Ginger Baker
London, 17 February 2020 by Nettie Baker

It was a wonderfully received evening with a heart warming introduction from Eric to a much loved friend. The spirit of Jack Bruce was certainly there too and that did bring a poignant quality…one man mourning in music two friends who meant so much.

The charity of the night was Leonard Cheshire Disability, where Ginger’s only grandchild works, and this brought in another personal family element, as of course did his son, drummer Kofi Baker, who gave his dad a truly memorable send off bringing the crowd to their feet in Blind Faith’s “Do What You Like,” not forgetting much-loved friend Steve Winwood on guitar, keyboards & heart stopping vocals.

To hear “Strange Brew” live was something, but the never performed live before, “Blue Condition,” showed Eric knew perfectly well how to interpret Ginger’s classy arrangement.

It was a truly historic meld of some of the greats of our time in one place. A big thanks to Eric, Kofi, Steve Winwood, Roger Waters, Nile Rodgers, Ronnie Wood, Steve Gadd, Will Johns (‘nailed it’ said an audience member) Kenney Jones, Henry Spinetti, Sonny Emery, Chris Stainton, the soaring voice (& keyboards) of Paul Carrack, Willie Weeks and the lovely backing singers, Katie Kissoon and Sharon White.

It certainly WAS a night to remember and a fitting send off; the public were let into a personal friendship and they really felt it too!