Eric Clapton and special guest opener The Robert Cray Band kick off Clapton’s 2007 North American Tour in Dallas February 28.
This leg focuses on the Southwest, Midwest and West coast, and will travel to 11 U.S. states plus four Canadian shows in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg.
Since the Clapton tour is coming through North America again, Here’s my review of the Eric Clapton/Robert Cray show i saw at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday September 20, 2006. On a crisp fall-like Wednesday night crawling through Chicago rush hour traffic on my way to the United Center, I was eagerly anticipating seeing Eric Clapton for the first time since 2004. I strolled past the shockingly expensive concession stands ($7.25 for a can of beer, $16 for a large mixed drink) and headed towards my seat. Robert Cray started off the night with an abbreviated yet soulful 35 minute set highlighted by a particularly moving rendition of the title track to Twenty . It was time for Clapton to hit the stage which was adorned with a brightly lit tattered cloth backdrop. Clapton started off his set with Pretending and a fantastic version of I Shot The Sheriff thrilling the capacity crowd. Robert Cray joined Clapton onstage for Old Love and shortly thereafter it was time for a four song bluesy acoustic sit-down set. Derek Trucks (current Allman Brothers guitarist) has joined Clapton for this tour and played especially amazing slide-guitar on Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out . Following a rousing rock infused After Midnight came what would be the main highlight of the evening Little Queen of Spades . The Robert Johnson blues classic (which Clapton recorded for his 2004 tribute album Me and Mr. Johnson ) was accented with exceptional six stringed musicianship by Clapton, Doyle Bramhall II, and Derek Trucks. Chris Stainton capped the song with a phenomenal piano solo near the end of the number. The crowd stood and cheered with delight upon hearing Clapton play the familiar opening chords to Layla and finish the set with an extended guitar heavy Cocaine . As the lights dimmed, I was hoping for an encore overflowing in guitar solos and I wasn’t disappointed. Robert Cray once again joined Clapton onstage singing the encore Crossroads with more blistering solos from Clapton, Bramhall II, Trucks, and Cray! Clapton had a definitive edge..more of a rock-than-blues feel still playing with emotion, and feeling every note he played. I really enjoyed the show and my need for some Slowhand was happily fulfilled! Crazy Mike Paine – said CrazyMikePaine on Feb 02, 2007
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