Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

Review by Ryan Ramos – Salinas, CA
Tonight was, in one word, amazing. I’m only in High School, so to have the privelege of seeing some of the greatest and most experienced guitarists in the world, being at such a young age, perform live was a blessing I could never have dreamed to ask for. The night started off with Robert Cray coming out and playing a great 5 or 6 song set. I have to admit, I’d never listened to Robert Cray that much, with the exception of his performances on the Crossroads DVD. I’m deeply regretting that now. His style in unlike any other I’ve ever seen before. He played based off of sheer inspiration. Nothing less. His fingers seemed to hit every note they were after, effortlessly. The man can play. He has got to be one of the most underrated guitarists I’ve ever heard. More people need to know about his music.

So after his set, there was a brief intermission. The anxiousness in the room was anything but subtle. I, like everyone else who filled the HP Pavilion, was on the edge of my seat, waiting to hear that first note from the Slowhand. The lights went off. The roar of the crowd was deafining. Clapton took the stage and the night was off with one hell of a start. The whole band was on tonight (especially Derek Trucks, who played his last show of the tour tonight.) The first segment of the set was great. "Got to Get Better in a Little While" and "Little Wing" were the definite stand outs of the early show. The sit down set was nothing less than inspiring. "Running on Faith" was a definite crowd pleaser. After 4 acoustic songs, the audience was once again given the gift of the sounds of Clapton’s Stratocasters. There was now, more of a Derek and the Dominos/Robert Johnson type of feel, with a lot of bluesy tunes like "Little Queen of Spades." Then suddenly, the big hits came rollin’ in. "Wonderful Tonight" was changed up a bit from the original album version. More notes were added onto the intro (not that that’s a bad thing!). It was an incredible performance, and Derek Trucks on Slide Guitar was one of the best live players I’ve ever heard.

The first notes of "Layla" hit like an earthquake, and the crowd went nuts. That was the definite stand out of the whole show. (Kudos to Doyle Bramhall II. Awesome style.) The guitar solos were better than any I’ve ever heard.

After that, they left. The crowd didn’t budge. After about ten minutes of non stop cheering, the band once again took the stage. After an amazing performance of "Cocaine", (once again Kudos to Doyle) Robert Cray joined them onstage for the final performance of the night. "Crossroads" was a great finisher. Cray did a great job with the vocals. Derek Trucks, with every bit of respect to Clapton, stole the song with his Guitar solos.

Tonight had to have been one of the most memorable nights of my life. I, myself, am a blues guitarist, with every aspiration to dedicate my life to music. This was the most inspirational night I could have asked for. I learned a lot from watching them for those few hours, which seemed like only a few minutes by the end of the show. I want to thank every person who performed tonight, for giving me the privelege of hearing some real music. Music, in my opinion by today’s standards, is garbage. Nothing will ever compare to the music the world was blessed with from Clapton’s generation. Hendrix, SRV, Buddy Guy, etc. will never be matched. Thank you. I had the time of my life.

Review by Barry Zacharias – Danville, CA
I was so filled with such excitement when I got tickets for this show. I knew that a pairing of EC and DT was only going to nothing but greatness. However, I was a little disappointed to see that the set list was the same from night to night. My fear, either too polished or bored musicians. Ok maybe a little polished, a la the bass solo with Willie Weeks and the camera pans to Eric only on the chord strikes, but certainly not bored musicians.

When I found out I was going to see the last show for Derek on this tour I knew it was going to be a treat. Although we expect nothing but greatness from EC, and he delivered, I would have to say Derek stole the show in many occasions. It seemed from my vantage point that everyone was waiting on the edge of their seats to hear Derek’s slide sing. To me, the highlight was the guitar answer and question with EC and Derek on Why Does Love Have To Be So Sad. Given Derek’s jamband background it seemed like one of those "Welcome to my world Mr. Clapton" moments.

And then there’s Doyle. It’s got to be tough to share the stage with two other guitar greats like that, and it definitely seemed to me he let Derek do his thing on the last night, but when he let loose it was mind blowing for sure.

Review by Philip Liborio Gangi
I saw Clapton last night in San Jose. I was truly impressed. I had not seen him since he appeared with Bob Dylan and the Band at the "Last Waltz." What an amazing show last night. From the start with a vibrant set by the Robert Cray Band to the finale of "Crossroads" with the three guitarists Clapton, Cray and Derek Trucks (from the Allman Brothers) jamming on the song, it was one incredible night.

Review by Cheryl Forest
Last night’s concert was, hands down, the best concert I have ever attended – and not only because I now have a diamond ring on my finger. My boyfriend had told me to be ready to be picked up for a "mystery date" last night several weeks ago, and when I heard on a local radio station that Clapton was in town, I was hoping against hope that the mystery date would be that concert! I’m a church pianist who has dreams of being a blues musician, and all I could say through all of the solos was "wow – just wow". Derek Trucks’ and Eric Clapton’s 5 minute duet (I think it was during "why does love have to be so sad") was heavenly. No offense meant to Clapton, but even better than hearing Slowhand play was hearing Trucks – and knowing that someone my age has the chops to be able to hold his own against one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

The proposal came during the slow part of "Layla." It’s been "our" song for a while, with me having unfortunately played the role of Patti Harrison / Clapton 7 years ago at the start of our relationship. Even though I’m a pianist and am supposed to "pull" for extended piano solos, I’ve always vastly preferred the first half of "Layla" to the second half – it’s a good melody, but that chunk of song doesn’t seem to compare to the passion of the first half. Eric had decided to propose during "Layla," but *he* didn’t want to miss that frentic first half! So, the ring came out as the light came up on the pianist, and I couldn’t tell you much more that occurred musically. 🙂 All in all, it was a fantastic night.

Review by Debra l. wetle, seaside, CA
I never thought that I would get to see Eric Clapton do a live "got to get better in a little while." I went through one 8 track tape (YES, I said 8 track!), and two LPs of Derek and the Domino’s live at the Filmore East! Still my favorite live album, EVER!!!!
What a wonderful show for this little old lady! Thanks again!

Review by Andrew Larson
I am a guitarist/vocalist who’s favourite artist is Eric Clapton. March 18 marks the second time I have seen EC in concert, and I must say it was a great show. I am glad to see that Eric is pulling out some Derek and the Dominoes songs that he hasn’t played in a very long time. I think Eric’s playing on this night ranged from at the very least quite decent all the way to amazing. My only complaint is that EC doled out too many solos to Doyle Bramhall and Derek Trucks. I do not bow down to Trucks as I think is rather ordinary if you ask me; granted he’s decent but that is all. Bramhall is an absolute no talent as far as I’m concerned; what the hell is he doing on stage with Eric? Anyway, here is a brief rundown of what I saw:

"Tell The Truth": Classic from Derek and the Dominos. Why the hell did Eric not solo on this?
"Key To The Highway": A totally different arrangement from what we’re all used to. Eric takes a brief but decent solo.
"Got to Get Better In A Little While": I love this song. I don’t think EC has played this since 1970. Too much soloing from Bramhall and Trucks. EC took a good solo on this one.
"Little Wing": Ahhhhhhhh! Now this was spectacular! Eric’s solo was amazing and took me to an emotional plain that only he has the gift to do! What a beautiful solo. What an incredible sense of melody that man has. Trucks did a decent job as well if memory serves right.
"Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad": This was wonderful as well. Eric’s first solo was wonderful but all too brief. The second solo was really nice with some beautiful interplay between him and Trucks. Really nice.
"Driftin’: I loved this one. Eric did a beautiful job on solo guitar and vocals. Loved it.
"Outside Woman Blues": This is a sped up version–no EC solo however.
"Nobody Knows You…..": Nice. Pretty much like the Unplugged version.
"Running On Faith": Nice song originally from Journeyman. Good vocals from EC.
"Motherless Children": I’ve always enjoyed this song with it’s wonderful slide riff.
"Little Queen of Spades": Ahhhhhh! For me this was the clincher of the show. Eric delivered a blistering great solo on this. Just wonderful. Chris Stainton took the best solo I have ever heard him do on this one. My only complaint is I had to sit through that noisy Derek Trucks solo and Bramhall’s non-event of a solo. Oh well! EC more than made up for that!!
"Further On Up The Road": EC played the arrangement like the Bobby Bland original. Eric took a brief but good solo.
"Wonderful Tonight": This classic ballad was sung and played beautifully. I loved Eric’s fills and brief solo which was wonderfully melodic.
"Layla": It only took about five notes and everyone was roaring. EC’s solo on the first section of this song was magnificent with some wonderfully haunting licks followed by some blistering runs. Loved it. The second section had Eric basically playing rhythm with Derek Trucks playing some slide leads.

Overall the concert was wonderful. Unfortunately I left before the encores. I did not think there were going to be any encores as I saw the drum kit start to be dismantled. Shame on me. That will never happen again!!!!!