Concert Details

Fan Reviews:

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Review by Fred Bryant / Kansas City MO
From the first note of the opening number "Going Down Slow" to the final note of the encore "Crossroads" EC was on his game. His solo on "Old Love" alone was worth the price of admission, but every solo was truly innovative, showing the speed, precision and clarity that created the guitar legend. The beauty of a Clapton concert is the songs while classics aren’t re-hashed versions of what has been previously recorded. "Badge" for example still has the classic guitar refrain we all know and love but the lead was spirited and long and different from leads he has done on this song in the past.

His acoustic set further compliments his skill be it the blues of "Drifting" (which was longer and had more soloing than the "From the Cradle" version) or his rhythmatic playing and short acoustic lead on "Rock and Roll Heart". I have always enjoyed his acoustic version of "Running on Faith" and last nights was truly outstanding. The acoustic "Layla" had the entire audience singing the refrain. His vocals I think have improved through the years as was evident during the acoustic set, particularly I felt on "Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out".

"The Little Queen of Spades" was Clapton electric blues at it’s best with an extended solo that had the crowd in awe and appreciative of the musical skill they were witnessing. It was nice to hear an electric fast paced "Before You Accuse Me". The set closed with "Wonderful Tonight" followed by "Cocaine". The concert with the one encore lasted about an hour and 1/2 but it was constant playing, going from one song to the next. The sound quality was outstanding as were the rest of the band, particularly keyboardists Chris Stainton and Walt Richmond.

This was my 7th Clapton concert and he has never disappointed me. Last night he gave a great effort, not resting on his laurels but satisfying his old fans and continuing to be relevant to younger ones.

Review by by Ken Simpson
After a high energy performance by the Who’s front man, Roger Daltrey, Eric Clapton took the stage at Kansas City’s Sprint Center at 8:45 PM. He opened with Pilgrim’s Goin’ Down Slow, hitting just a few bum notes in his introductory solo. The crowd didn’t seem to notice as they were just happy to see the legendary Slowhand take the stage. Eric closed Goin’ Down Slow with some nice interplay between his vocals and guitar riffs. Key to the Highway was next which borrowed some specific phrasing from the Dominos’ studio recording’s solo. But Eric was still getting warm. Tell the Truth, the first Clapton original of the night followed, and EC was hitting his stride. His solos during Tell the Truth were great, though the slide guitar is missed during this number, Eric’s soloing pretty much make up for its absence. The crowd still hadn’t sat down at this point and may not have, except that the slower Old Love from Journeyman was next. However, this one did not disappoint. This was probably the strongest number of the night. In terms of Clapton’s guitar playing and even his vocals, this one could not have been better. His solo in the middle of the song was quite extended and was simply amazing. No wonder this song continues to appear in the set list! I Shot the Sheriff was next, for which the crowd took back to their feet, this one was strong as usual though EC seemed to cut his outro solo just a little short.

Next was the acoustic set which was great, especially Driftin’, Running On Faith and I’ve Got A Rock N Roll Heart. His solos on Running on Faith and especially Rock N Roll Heart were great. Eric was just seamless going in and out of his solos and back into the rhythm guitar part and vocals, just about all night. In that respect, the songs sounded like studio recordings, in a good way. The crowd even responded enthusiastically to Nobody Knows You, no doubt recognizing its incarnation from the Unplugged Album. The acoustic Layla was really pretty weak, with Eric hitting some bum early chords but smiling about it which made it ok, as it’s always nice to see him smile. I feel that EC could still handle an electric version of Layla with one guitar just as his been able to make Tell the Truth work with one guitar. He’s done it before in the mid 80s as well.

The band plugged back in for the hits section of the set starting with a welcome version of Badge, then the two blues numbers, Little Queen of Spades and Before You Accuse Me which were both fine. Wonderful Tonight was actually kind of nice with some improvised soloing and riffing throughout the tune. The obligatory Cocaine was cool, as Eric rocked on his solo, almost making it sound like a wah-wah solo, starting out very low on the guitar neck and sounding very cool. He then worked his way up the neck. Awesome solo! Chris Stainton closed the song with a really rockin’ piano solo as well. The encore was Crossroads in which Eric did not short change himself on his solos. It almost seemed like the band wanted to play one more song but Clapton ushered them to the middle of the stage for their bows and after nearly one hour and forty minutes the excellent show was over.

Eric’s playing was great and not having a second guitarist such as Jeff Beck to shy away from, he really pushed himself. All and all, a great show, which musically was in some ways more enjoyable than the two Clapton-Beck shows in New York City. If he comes to your town, its not to be missed, just don’t expect a rocking version of Layla!

Review by Ted Carleton
Both artists are still very polished, each giving us a wonderful performance.

Review by David Strickland
Set list was the same. EC in fine form and a great mood. Lot of laughing and other banter during the show. One highlight was Chris Stainton…he did an extended solo on Cocaine (longer than his usual solo for the song’s conclusion). He was rocking so well that EC let out a loud "YEA!!!" as Chris was banging on the keyboards. The entire band was jamming and jamming hard on the classic. I went to the Toronto EC / Jeff Beck show and I gave that concert a good review. This one was better. On to Crossroads …

Review by Thomas Birdsell / Overland Park KS
Thought Daltry was fantastic. Glad he sang ‘Behind Blue Eyes and Baba O’Riley. Still can "windmill" his mic, can’t he!!! What can you say about Clapton. Cocaine was awesome, but thought Crossroads was the best!! Liked to have seen his chorus gals do Marcy Levy’s ‘The Core’ and of course, ‘Motherless Child’, but you can’t have it all. Wished I’d found this site earlier, to check out the Playlist. Can’t wait to see him again!!!

Review by Dennis Owenby / Stilwell KS
I attended the concert in Kansas City last night. Roger Daltrey’s band was good, but it was difficult at times hearing his voice clearly. Clapton was fantastic, as usual. One of the most amazing guitar players ever. I have been following him and his music since the 70’s, and his live shows never fail to impress me.

Review by Phil Betts
My first Clapton show. Drove down from Minnesota with surprise birthday tickets from my wife and kids. It didn’t take long to realize that I was truly in the presence of Greatness. Everything I could have expected to hear and feel, I did. Eric did not coast or recycle his solos. He closed his eyes, tilted his head back a bit and just smoked the place. At one point during Old Love I realized I had tears in both eyes. The guitar work in that song was the highlight of the entire night.

It occurred to me at one point that he wasn’t playing to impress us. He had to impress himself. When he accomplishes that, we have no choice but to be blown away too. I can only guess that might be the reason he keeps coming back for more. Amazing.

Review by Sharon Smith / Overland Park KS
I attended the Kansas City show at the the Sprint Center. I have been a huge fan of Mr.Clapton for my entire life (40 of 50 Years), grew up listening to and loving Eric’s music. This is the first time I got to see him perform in person. Life always got in the way before, so this time I was particularly determined to not miss the show. My favorite performance was "running on faith"! What a lovely song! But mostly, I just let the music flow over me, with this huge smile on my face. And, although I had paid for my ticket, I felt that it had been a privelege to have seen Mr. Clapton perform, I left with the feeling that I had been in the company of greatness. Mr Daltrey was very fine. I wish he could lose some of the macho bravado, and gain some of Mr Clapton’s humility! But the music is what will be remembered and it was all wonderful!

Review by Phil Eklem
I just attended the show at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri on 3/3/10. This was the first E.C. concert that I’ve been to and it was unbelievably rewarding to see him live. I was brought up listening to the music of my parents’ generation (60s, 70s, and 80s) which gave way to a deep interest in finding the greatest guitar players in history. During this expedition, I stole The Cream of Clapton and Unplugged from my mother’s collection when I was in high school and spent the next 4 years listening, analyzing, and finally deciding that Clapton is my favorite guitar player to listen to (and I don’t believe in having favorites). I almost felt cheated for never having the opportunity to see him in his glory days.

A month ago my girlfriend called and told me she got tickets to see Clapton in concert and I could not believe it. The show was great. Much like the review posted about his show in Tulsa, it was an awesome journey through his earlier works with Derek & The Dominos and Cream as well as his solo works. He seems to be showing his age a bit with his long gray hair and thick glasses, which gave an interesting feeling when he played songs that MY PARENTS probably saw him play when they were my age. But it seems to fit him well. I enjoy how his songs tell stories, and seeing him at his age is like being there for the next chapter.

But most of all, it was great to finally get the chance to see him play and hear the sound of his music fresh off the strings. It is so refreshing to see and hear Clapton live. It really makes you appreciate the fact that he can play so well. It is a real treat to hear the Slowhand firsthand.