Richard Clapton @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide,(18/04/08)

Tue 22nd Apr, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Check out all the photos HERE

Richard Clapton is a prime example of an artist who has been cursed by his nationality. The first genuine singer-songwriter Australia had to offer, he managed never to veer into the trappings of the James Taylor soft-rockesque connotations of that classification. His back catalogue is peppered with songs that are achievements within themselves, songs that have captured perfectly, representations in time of Australia and the culture that grew around Clapton as he grew. When Clapton sings about Bondi or George Street it doesn’t matter that they are not yours, that you have not lived them like him, his songs are universal in microcosm. Last night seeing the man on his 35th Anniversary Tour, provided ample evidence for the fact that this man’s back catalogue shouldn’t be lost on newer generations. It made the argument, loud and abrasively at times, touching and soothingly at others that Clapton will always have something to say that all people should hear.

While Clapton has never had a high profile, he has managed to release a number of songs that have become iconic and loved by both his hardcore fan base and greater Australian’s alike. Therefore an anniversary tour gave a good excuse for people to hear these songs and watch the way they affected those who have known them now for the majority of their life. The gig opened with two Diamond Mine (his latest album) songs that set the scene for the gig, most noticeably through Obsession’s flurry of hyper-funky baselines that at times made you wonder if Flea was onstage. Note should go out now to the crack young band whose bounty of skills only added to the atmosphere, especially the guitarist who kept spitting out solos that lifted most of the songs that they snaked there way through. After the one-two punch beginning, Clapton then began the roller-coaster ride through his musical history that was suitably greeted with appreciation and admiration by the predominately Clapton aged crowd. Deep Water and Lucky Country were early favourites that got the always ‘pissed and loving it’ Gov crowd off their feet singing and no doubt reminiscing. Deep Water especially was played with enough vigour to show why it is still an FM radio rock staple on Australian shores. Capricorn Dancer was given a gentle re-working that played nicely to the songs hippie strengths. Clapton’s banter between songs was quick and at times hard to understand which only added to his impressive and commanding stage presence. He knows which of his songs demand attention and he knows how to grab it from his audience. His voice has aged well, and it didn’t have any of the negative impacts it might have had on the songs that were written when he was so young.

But it was from out of nowhere that Clapton and his band decided to crank the decibel level for I am an Island which closed the main portion of the gig. The anger and pain inherent in the song was perfectly represented by a significant increase in loudness that pushed The Gov a little further than most people thought it could go. After this blast Clapton went off and then returned for an encore with just his keyboard player for a rendition of the classic The Best Years of Our Lives that left the crowd in one of those beautiful slow burn, torch song moments. Quickly the band returned and played the obligatory Girls on the Avenue, which was again greeted with rapture. The band left the stage again and the house music came on and people began to leave. What hadn’t been anticipated that Clapton was eventually to decide upon turning the music off and coming back on for his Coup de grace, Goodbye Tiger. Maybe Clapton’s greatest achievement he let the song flow back and forth until once deep into the song, he put his guitar down and decided that a Van Morrison scatting homage was necessary. As he laughed his way through it you realized how much Clapton had to offer in his early days and maybe if he could of got within an eon of Morrison’s popularity he might have got at least some of what he deserved.

Check out all the photos HERE