If we'd sussed when we booked tickets for Clapton in Nottingham that he would be playing five days later in Hyde Park, it'd have saved a long drive. It was a good gig though, especially as Uncle John had arranged a prime-sited executive box - not very rock and roll, but nice to be able to stretch one's legs, sup cold beer or wine, and have well-found loos all to ourselves.
The openers, Robert Raymond and the Family Band, were electric, putting heart and soul into their set (K reckoned they stole the show). Their Voodoo Child (Slight Return) was magic.
Clapton, on his magic carpet, was worth going for, inevitably. And long overdue - I last saw him with Cream at Wembley in April 1967, along with the Troggs, the Move, the Kinks, the New Vaudeville Band and Geno Washington (some gig, eh? Well, it should have been, except I couldn't hear a thing for teenage girls screaming). But there was something minimal and lacklustre about him and his band. There was no spark, no sign of enjoyment, no interaction with the audience. Except perhaps Abe Laboriel Jnr who drummed his big cotton socks off. The single encore (for which the punters had to work too hard), 'Got My Mojo Working' was enriched by the return of a bouncing, leg-waving Robert Raymond on his pedal guitar.
We were intrigued by Eric's rhythm guitarist who, K pointed out, was playing his guitar upside down. It looked like a left-handed guitar, being played left-handed, but strung right-handed. A quick Google showed that this was Doyle Bramhall II, who has toured before with Clapton with his own band, Smokestack. There must be a story behind his strange technique.
By way of contrast, my ordered debut album from Hannah Scott, 'Till Angels Fall', arrived today. With a personal note of thanks and good wishes from Hannah, and a kiss. Bless! I love it when artists are that approachable and appreciative. I had a similar response from Rachel Carns of Twin (King Cobra), who is fêted enough not to bother.
If you haven't come across Hannah, visit her MySpace here, then order her CD; it's really good and she's destined for great things.
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
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Very jealous.. the only time I've ever sat in a private box anywhere was a choral concert and the free booze and snacks barely made up for the unsatisfying nature of the programme. Oh, we got some Mozart all right, but there's only so much Carmina Burana a woman can take...
ReplyDeleteYou should do some more digging and discovery more about Doyle Bramhall ii. Let's say it's not for nothing this is the second consecutive year EC has invited him to tour.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Lucy - It still feels a bit good though, doesn't it? Having hay fever, I wore Gene Simmons shades. Couldn't see a thing, but might have been mistaken for someone more showbiz if it hadn't been for the red hair...
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Thanks; I will. If he can play that well upside down, he's got to be seriously good.
Brother T - I just saw your kind offer of a free rubbish book on Lucy's blog. Very good of you. I can't find an email address for you, so if you send me a message at rolhirst @ gmail dot com, I'll forward you my address. Many thanks! Include your own address and I might send you something equally rubbish in return.
ReplyDeleteCheck you out, you old groupie you. Very jealous, sounds amazing; although really sad he didn't interact with the audience, I hate that.
ReplyDeletePS good to have you back!
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ReplyDeleteRol - You're on.
ReplyDeleteMarianne - It was; you'd have loved it. And thanks. Haven't been away, so much as going through one of those bloggy dry spells.
it's Good To See Eric near 63 is out still playing. I hope he keeps on going for many years.
ReplyDeleteAnyways Very nice, tons of great information.You really did your homework on this.
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