Venue:
Royal Albert Hall
Date: 18/05/2015
Thought I’d better catch the old sock before he retires, 35 years on from the last time, as well as taking the opportunity to see Albert’s Hall for the first time. Quite a grand old pile, ain’t it? Up in the gods, standing room looking down, I can fair see the appeal, if not quite the performers. Andy Fairweather-Low on first, probably no great surprise, trying hard to get the appreciative audience to remember him. No more than pub-rock really, with the highlight being “Legless”, showing he can still sing, the lowlight “If Paradise etc”, showing he can’t. A short gap and, echoes of ELP, down goes the turkish carpet. A sprightly double-denimed dude strides on and we’re off, banging straight in with some J.J.Cale, then Key to the Highway. It was clear he was not going to see what we thought of his new direction. This was play some old. And some. His solos all effortlessly, um, claptonesque, I have to say it was the the keyboards of forever-the-bridesmaid, Chris Stainton, still stick thin and becurtained by long straight hair, and, a surprise, Paul Carrack, that impressed the most. I had always thought of Carrack as a singer who plays organ. Tonight he showed his absolute mastery of the hammond, singing mainly backing vocals, together with 2 sturdy sashayers on a podium. The usual rhythm section of Nathan East and Steve Gadd, and this could have been a show from the last century. The setlist certainly was. With the usual sitting down acoustic amble thru’ Layla, Down and Out and a bossa nova Tears in Heaven out of the way, it was back to the blues. As they ripped thru’ Crossroads, Shot the Sheriff, Presence of the Lord (Nathan East handling the vocal), Cocaine, hell, all the ones you’d expect, I found myself thinking of all those who were playing with him no longer: Jack Bruce, J.J., B.B., who had a prolonged workout in his memory, Clapton shouting B.B. King, repeatedly, at one stage. I even thought of Carl Radle, bassist extraordinaire, as they whipped out Let it Rain. (O, and Joe Cocker, as Carrack sang that paean to homely women, You are so Beautiful. Yuk)
So, yes, a good show and glad I went. Clapton can still play, even if he is no longer the divinity he was.
The audience:
All ages, well, from late twenties and an occasional grandchild, to the positively ancient, with lots of foreign tongues, it still being 1970 in France and Germany. Very vocally partisan for their man, tapping feet energetically. (Are you even allowed, except in the roof, where you have no choice, to stand up at the Albert?)
9 quid for a pint of Spitfire and a tasty chicken caesar cob, by the way.
It made me think..
We mock him for his growing older, but let’s not forget, Burty Saucepot, he was there and defined our youth. And didn’t sour that memory tonight.
Great review. I never have mocked him. I’ve been one of his defenders here (on the coattails of the great and much-missed mojoworking). An amazingly important and talented artist, and it’s to the UK’s shame that he’s considered as anything less. I hate the way he emasculates Layla, a howl of passion on record, a sappy clapalong live. But he’s aged very gracefully, always a bit of a clothes horse, good hair etc.
Bloody hell. Clappo at the Albert. With Steve Gadd. You lucky, lucky bastard. I always hated you, but now I have a reason.
Did he say good evening , good night or thanks ? That’s my beef these days. In 74 when he threw up on stage he at least said Hello.
His actual words were …”hello, I don’t remember eating that.”
He did, eventually, after about 4 songs……….
Made Van seem quite the raconteur.
Nice review and even nicer to hear mention of Carl Radle. My favourite bassist. What a player.
Big Clapton fan hear although I haven’t seen him live in 15 years. Saw him 15 times at the Albert Hall in the 90’s (back in the days when it was £25 a ticket and I got priority seating due to being a member of his fan club.) The setlists got stale in the late 90’s so I gave up going. Then ticket prices rose way up high.
I nearly bit the bullet a few years back and got tickets for me and the wife but it was £150 for 2 tickets so £200 odd for the night. Would rather remember those blues shows from 1993 which were ace.
I’d like to see him again but unlikely now. But pleased he’s still going for it.
I saw 2 of the Blues shows in 1993 – bloody hell was it that long ago? Truly memorable but would have liked to see this tour as it may be his last. Can’t believe it is your first visit to Albert Hall Retro what with you being a man of culture and all that.
My Dad and little brother went last Thurday. They’ve seen him a few times in recent years and said that this one was by far the best.
Great review, retro. I’ve never seen him – almost went this time, because of the band – but I know he’s one of those people I’ll regret not seeing, when he’s gone.
Paul Carrack, as you say, is a killer Hammond player. He plays a fair bit in his own shows and his voice and that fat sound is right up there with Stevie Winwood, for me.
The tour with Derek Trucks when they showcased the Dominoes era is the tour I regret missing. Esp when I saw the Tedeschi Trucks band play Anyday
Yes indeed, a very good review. I also revere the man’s genius but have only ever seen him live once, in a double bill with Jeff Beck which was a great night. I dig out his albums occasionally, especially the late period blues collaborations.
But I must say I tend to play Cream a lot more, and especially their Live 2005 reunion concert, which for those of you who’ve never seen or heard it, is basically Eric the God!
It’s been many a year since I last saw God (end of Cream then different line-ups through the 70s). I found his stuff just became a bit too comfortable for my taste. I think he needs competition on stage to get his juices flowing. He always seemed to get a kick up the arse playing with Buddy Guy (who wouldn’t) and I’ve got a radio show with Dr John where he’s on top form. It’s odd to think that one day the oldest living bluesman will probably be white.
I was never that bothered by Cream. But Layla and 461 have been constant companions since they were released, and for those alone it’s been worth the ride. There is no greater rock song than Layla, and although the very idea of “rock song” gets some Pitchfork hipsters tittering with embarrassment they can’t come up with anything remotely in the same league. And I do admire the way the man has lived through bad times (some self-inflicted, some disgraceful, some tragic) that would be the end of many, and emerged a respectful and decent bloke who doesn’t mind playing some old. Even if he does desecrate Layla.
Nice comment HP
Despite the absence of Duane I was always taken with the live album by D and the D’s esp Have You Ever Loved A Woman sung with great conviction due to the Patti Harrison thing and Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad- live a runaway train only just staying on the rails.
EC was here has some pretty nice mid period blues.
Me and Mr Johnson seemed to me to be a bit overlooked.
I first saw Circe Du Soleil at The Albert Hall. It was astounding!
I remember we had lunch at The Ivy and spent the small hours in the basement club at the Nobu Hotel (where Becker squired the waitress in the broom cupboard). They played reggae and dub all night.
Last time I saw Eric was at Blackbushe. I don’t have an urge to see him again.
What does it tell you about this place that when you said Becker I assumed you meant Walter?
There’s another?
That’s the thing you pick me up on? Not all the *lies* about my millionaire away day? Have you seen the prices at Nobu and The Ivy?
Tonight, I’ll raise a glass to Boris.
Moose thought you meant the “Knob-You Hotel” so saw nothing unusual there. “The Ivy” he thought was Cockney rhyming slang; ivy-covered log = bog. He’s never heard of the establishments you mention (he’s a drummer), and you must lower your sights a little, Tig.
Oh. I didn’t know Moose is a drummer. I thought he’s a professional perv. Well, he is very good at it.
As a drummer, the only hotel I’m familiar with is the Fleas’n’Peas B’n’B in Hounslow, very reasonable rates, free go on the hairdryer if you catch a rat.
EC – loved 461 as a teen lad. Motherless Children? Not ‘arf! Fell out of love with him post his drunken racist rant given I was in full blown ANL/SWP phase at the time.
In any event, his music became deeply dull at that point so felt no loss.
Saw him about 20 years ago at the Albert Hall when he was in his Armani Suit phase. Came to the conclusion he knew his way ’round a fretboard.
He’s one I admire, rather than revere and tend to feel he is a superior craftsman rather than true artist.
Played this number as I was cooking dinner the other night. And my significant other opined that “it was good, kinda sexy”
Who am I to argue?
“I Can’t Hold Out”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWobe4Y998w