Tuesday 21 May 2024

Tuesday 21 May 2024. ERIC CLAPTON + ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW live at The Royal Albert hall. I am back to see the second of E.C. four shows here. Again it is totally rammed sold out. AFW and band played exactly the same set. AFW and band had a blast from the past in their line-up, as 72 year old NICK PENTELOW was on sax. He was in the band that was my first ever gig . WIZZARD at Hammersmith Palais in Sept 1973. Again ,one of ERIC CLAPTON'S Fender guitars is adorned in the colours of the Palestinian flag. Again , he avoided some of his biggest hits Ike ' Wonderful Tonight', 'Layla' 'I Shot The Sheriff '. or 'Sunshine Of Your Love:' and plays what he likes. I have seen him play those songs many times here . Some of those songs are being played outside of London where he doesn't play as often. Again, an extended version of ' Cocaine' was a fantastic muso workout from all the great band . A 90 mins set tonight, so 5 mins shorter than the opening night, as a couple of songs changed and one song less played. Eric's guitar playing was totally sublime as always. Full ERIC CLAPTON setlist played tonight.... ELECTRIC SET Blue Dust Key to the Highway ( Charles Segar cover) I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man ( Willie Dixon cover) Badge ( Cream song) Prayer of a Child ACOUSTIC DET Back Home Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out (Jimmy Cox cover) Golden Ring Tears in Heaven ELECTRIC SET Got to Get Better in a Little While (Derek and the Dominos song) You Were There Cross Road Blues ( Robert Johnson cover) Little Queen of Spades ( Robert Johnson cover) Cocaine ( J.J. Cale cover) Encore: Before You Accuse Me (Bo Diddley cover) (with Andy Fairweather‐Low) ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Monday 20 May 2024. ERIC CLAPTON plays the first of four sold out shows at The Royal Albert Hall....Eric is now aged 79. Guitar legend Eric has performed on the RAH stage over 200 times during his career,including a 24 night stint in 1991. Once a member of such seminal bands as the Yardbirds(he joined them in 1963) , Blind Faith and Cream. Eric Clapton will be joined by special guest ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW and the Low Riders. I have seen Eric Clapton over 30 times since July 1976 at The Crystal Palace Bowl (earlier that same month i saw The Ramones and The Sex Pistols for the first time) along with all four Cream shows when they reformed in 2005 at The Royal Albert Hall. EC is playing a full UK tour , as part of his world tour. This same time last year I was this venue for two tribute shows to JEFF BECK R.I.P. The show featured Eric Clapton , Rod Stewart and many more. ------- Being a proper A-list rock legend , Eric Clapton always sells out quickly here, even though seats are £100 to £200, and hospitality tickets are £459....even gallery standing up in the gods is £70 ....plus booking fees. The venue is rammed solid. ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW and THE LOW RIDERS on stage at 7.30pm for their 40 mins set. Andrew Fairweather Low (now aged 75) , is a Welsh guitarist and singer. He was a founding member and lead singer of 1960s pop band Amen Corner, and in recent years has toured extensively with Roger Waters, Eric Clapton and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. His good set started with The Amen Corner hit from 1969 'If Paradise is Half As Nice' and ended with his solo hit from 1975' Wide Eyed and Legless'. Not sure why there was a long 50 mins gap until Eric. ERIC CLAPTON on stage at 9pm for his 95 mins set. Eric is backed by seven others on stage, including two female backing singers. His band are fantastic , as they all have solo bits , including the two superb keyboard players . Eric has his huge rug as usual , to stand on. The tone on Eric's guitar is superb as usual . A nice mix of solo material, his previous bands and blues covers. Sadly 'Wonderful Tonight' and 'Layla' are not being played on this tour , but Eric has been changing the setlist, by a couple of songs each night. Eric has 60 years worth of material so could easily play a two hour set, but it is the standard 95 mins. Overall though , a great show. Full ERIC CLAPTON setlist played tonight.... ELECTRIC SET Blue Dust Key to the Highway ( Charles Segar cover) I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man ( Willie Dixon cover) Badge ( Cream song) Prayer of a Child ACOUSTIC SET Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover) (Dedicated to Eric's Auntie Sylvia in the audience, on her 91st birthday.) Driftin' Blues ( Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover) Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out (Jimmy Cox cover) Back Home Tears in Heaven ELECTRIC SET Got to Get Better in a Little While ( Derek and the Dominos song) Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith song) Cross Road Blues ( Robert Johnson cover) Little Queen of Spades (Robert Johnson cover) Cocaine (J.J. Cale cover) Encore: Before You Accuse Me (Bo Diddley cover)

Posted 19th May 2024