Eric Clapton @ SydneyEntertainment Centre(08/03/09)

Mon 9th Mar, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Eric Clapton and his band cruised through Sydney last night and the Entertainment Centre was filled with people who had obviously bought their tickets prior to the G.F.C. (Global Financial Crisis). At $399 for the pricey seats, this was double the going rate from the 2007 shows with Derek Trucks. Either Eric or his management saw this G.F.C. approaching and decided to take advantage as they could – or it was plain greed. I’ve been debating this one quite a bit and I am still shocked by the prices.

Joined by Doyle Bramhall on guitar, the incomparable Chris Stainton on keys, Sharon White and Michelle John on soulful back-up vocals, Willie Weeks on bass and Abe Laboriel Jr. pounding that drum kit into submission, Eric provided us with the fairly consistent 18-track performance. With a couple of great video screens to show his fretwork up close, Eric really had some great solos during the first two songs.

The Willie Dixon penned Hootchie Cootchie Man was the strongest highlight during the first half of the set. Eric and Doyle and Chris took extended solos that were magnificent. Muddy Waters would have been proud. Jimi Hendrix would have been just as pleased with a dreamy cover of Little Wing.

Eric pulled out the acoustic guitar for an error-free Driftin’, which showed his finesse with that style of picking. But the majority of punters came to hear Eric shoot electric guitar solos out into the ether – so Motherless Children, Little Queen Of Spades and a fiery Before You Accuse Me brought Doyle and Eric to the forefront.

All in all, it was a good-spirited show. The entire cast of band members seemed to be enjoying performing, even if the audience remained in their seats throughout the gig. Finishing with the trifecta of Layla, Cocaine and the encore of Crossroads, Mr. Clapton gave his loyal following the hits and I guess what they wanted.

The only qualm I have with the Eric Clapton Band is the choice of songs. With a back catalogue as large as his to choose from, seeing him again and again and hearing 80% of the same songs is a bit tiresome in some ways. Of course the solos are different – and without Derek Trucks maybe not as fiery. However some variety in the set-list would offer a new experience for the faithful who probably saw ‘god’ the last time he was here.