Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Paul Cook
Lights down, Lee Dickson standing in the wings with a Strat, band stroll on stage and then EC walks on. Dressed in a cool beige shirt, jeans and the visvim shoes that are now part of EC`s rig almost.

Tell the truth was first just like last night, the entire band was cooking from the outset, Derek knocked out a very good solo to set the mood. The Nagoya crowd were up for it tonight, all on their feet and dancing away.

Final crashing drums from Steve Jordan and we are into the second number – Pretending. No piano intro this evening which really surprised everybody. EC played some great lead on this the 2nd song of the night. It was obvious from then on that we were experiencing one of those awesome concerts that keep us all coming back for more.

Got to get better was nothing short of stunning, Clapton played his heart out and sang every phrase like he really meant it.

The next song was Old Love and it was without doubt one of the best versions I have ever had the luck to experience. The lead intro was out of this world, the main solo breathtaking, really breathtaking and the lead break at the end left me speechless. It was almost like being back at the RAH in 92. If he had walked off and ended the show at this point the audience would have been satisfied. Old love really was so good tonight. By now he had broken into a sweat and this show was well and truly underway.

Motherless Children saw another marvellous display from Steve Jordan, I am so glad I am not paying for his drums, this guy hits them like Mike Tyson used to hit his opponents. MC has been one of the stand out songs on this leg of the tour, tonight was no exception.

Time for a breather and EC sits down for the acoustic section. Solo performance of Driftin` was as usual flawless. One day he might do a whole album of unaccompanied songs, now there`s a great idea.

Doyle played Harmonica on Key to the Highway which was greeted warmly by the audience. Derek is playing a National Dobro on this song and the marriage with Eric`s Martin is like a match made in heaven.

EC then played the opening chords to Nobody Knows you before shouting `Oh no not that one yet` as he noticed the setlist suggested he had started the wrong song. Outside woman blues was the song he should have began and it was without doubt the best version yet. Satisfied grins across the stage told us they were pleased with OWB.

Nobody knows you for real this time, but Steve Jordan did hit the drums early which earned him a `look` from EC, again smiles galore. Lovely version of one of my all time favourite songs, probably the most true lyrics ever written.

Running on faith wrapped up the unplugged section, this song has been given a new lease of life by Derek. This evening he delivered another awesome solo while Michelle and Sharon sang their hearts out. The girls have been wonderful every night so far.

Back on their feet, Martin exchanged for a strat and Steve Jordan counted `one, two, one, two, three – GO!!!` And off they went into after midnight. Again, just like the previous shows a real showstopper. No Gibson again tonight, I would be very surprised if the Strat is substituted again on this tour.

Little Queen of Spades was classic Clapton, he played his A**E off here, as did Doyle (best solo yet) and Derek. When EC took us up to D with the final solo, it was something to shout about. He was moving the crowd with each and every note. The highlight of my EC in Japan Fix.

BIG surprise next, Before you accuse me with Doyle back on Harmonica, could this show get any better????

Wonderful tonight was actually great tonight, he played a soulful sequence of notes that had even me (the songs biggest knocker) singing along.

LAYLA was as usual greatly received by the crowd, the solo tonight was absolutely stellar. As good as any Layla solo I can remember.

Cocaine was brilliant and produced a really great EC solo, Chris Stainton was actually smiling during this number – now there`s a thing!!!

The encore tonight was as per usual Crossroads, which like all the other times was great. EC soloing with real conviction.

Wave to the crowd, and the 2006 tour was over for me, unless of course I make the journey to the Budokan in Tokyo next week.

Review by Jii Aoi
Yet another great show. Intensity and relaxation, a combination of conflicting two factors, miraculously went together tonight from beginning to end, which has made the performance a memorable one.

Before You Accuse Me was a welcome addition to the setlist, if not a real rarity — but, after they finished it, someone in the front row called out, "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad"! And then Eric replied, "Tomorrow night." So we hold our breath — even if there would be no concert tomorrow!

Most guaranteed to be one of the best, if not the best, shows from the tour.