This was the annual (actually the last one was 2011) Clapton bash at the Albert Hall and I approached it with a little less enthusiasm than normal. The set list from earlier gigs on the tour seemed little changed from gigs over the last few years and it was a long trip to London from Wales.
However the first pleasant surprise was the support act, Gary Clark Junior. He played a mean blues guitar with other influences thrown into the mix. It is always a good sign when a guitar player reminds you of a range of other players and he had hints of Hendrix, John Fogerty, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Chuck Berry intruding into a basic chicago blues sound. His first track was 10 or 11 minutes long and he played with confidence and panache for around 45 minutes.
Clapton came on as part of a 9-piece band, two other guitarists, two keyboards, a rhythm section and two backing singers. The main changes from previous band members were that Greg Leisz was on pedal steel guitar and mandolin, Paul Carrack was on organ and vocals and Steve Jordan was on drums. They were all excellent - Paul Carrack took some of the vocal strain from Clapton and Greg played a beautiful and measured pedal steel. Steve Jordan was an energetic and precise drummer and was one of the reasons that the band had an authentic 70s live feel for the few Derek and the Dominoes tracks they played. He just seemed to drive a similar rhythm to that band. The others were stalwarts of previous Clapton bands and it is always a joy to see Doyle Bramhall and Chris Stainton both very talented musicians with individual styles.
The opening tracks were nothing special but third track in was 'Tell the Truth' done in authentic Derek and the Dominoes' style with Doyle Bramhall contributing the Duane Allman slide to great effect. This was followed by a rocking version of 'Gotta Get Over' one of the best tracks of the new album, a track that featured some great steel guitar from Greg Liesz called 'Black Cat Bone' and then a return to 70s Dominoes with 'Got to get better in a little while'.
The acoustic interlude began with EC's usual masterclass in acoustic playing that is 'Driftin' Blues' and whilst the 'Layla' version which ended the acoustic part was a little desultory I think we can forgive that little lapse. I'll pass swiftly over 'Wonderful Tonight' which seems to be an audience favourite onto the highlight of the evening for me, a powerful blast of 'Bluespower'. Derek lives.
'Bluespower' was the start of the typical Clapton barnstorming finish. Next up was 'Love in Vain' and then a super version of 'Crossroads'. Onward and upward to 'Little Queen of Spades' with brilliant solos from Chris Stainton and then Doyle Bramhall which made sure that Clapton gave it his all when it was his turn. 'Cocaine' finished the main part of the show and the encore gave us a final breathless couple of tracks, 'Sunshine of Your Love' and 'High Time We went'.
A cracking Clapton show and the journey back to Wales flew by.
