| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
Time is scare, but it may take me a day or so to get back to talking motorbikes after watching Eric Clapton prove, at Madison Square Garden, that time has an identical effect on fine music and fine wine. I confess that Blind Faith never leaves the 6-disc changer in the car and I've never escaped the haunting melodies of "Presence of the Lord". Although Clapton didn't quite reach back to his days with Rick and Ginger, all it took to peg my nostalg-o-meter was an extended version of Badge. I could go on, but will sit back and let the elders share memories. Quick observations: * I was glad he left "Tears in Heaven" off the set; that'd be too much to take in NYC. * He plays the meanest, and coolest looking Strat I've heard in a long time. Worth $1M? Well, perhaps having seen this. * Madison Square Garden is a FAR better venue than I would have guessed. Lighting and JBL audio were the best I have ever heard live. * The food at MSG (I opted for the standard foot long and XXL popcorn) was far better and cheaper than I thought it would be. * Seats were killer. * This is the greatest number of 50ish men in long sleeved RL Polo shirts with web belts on khaki shorts and leather fanny packs you can get into one building. * Had it not been for the two "yutes" blowing a joint in front if me, the ladies leaving toting plastic shopping bags with empty tupperware from the days' lunch would have been unbearable. Erik Clapton has changed many lives and touched many more. I'm proud that both me and my sons are among that number. Court P.S. - if you are musically inclined and have not heard Robert Randolph (the opening act and joined Clapton for the encore) you'd better check out the Robert Randolph and the Family Band website. Few folks are Clapton's equals...he surrounds himself with several of them last night. | ||
| Bomber |
got tix to the July show in Chicago . . . . had my daughter at one for here 14th(?) b-day, and she was gobsmacked -- then, of course, Chicago being Chicago, Buddy Guy came out and did a set . . . . while Caitlin was not inimately familiar with Buddy's music, she quickly sensed the magic that was taking place on stage, and was quiet for 20 minutes straight! (parents of young ladies will understand the enormity of this sacrifice!). Clapton's greatest gift to me has been introducing me to the magic of Robert Johnson, Howlin Wolf, Magic Slim, and on and on . . . . his gifts as a performer and musician are close on the heals of the first gift, which is, indeed, high praise first saw him in a renovated gas station (when they had bays in em) in, er, um, 66 when cream was touring to support their first, epiphoneous album . . .$2 cover got ya into the teen club, and there were these freakin HUGE marshal stacks, and this cadaver setting up the drum kit ... my my my my . . . . . didn't even trhy to pick up the little cute blonde that evening looking forward to the show, Court -- thanks for getting me primed in advance! | ||
| Court |
Clapton and Buddy "Damn Straight I Got The Blues" Guy would be an act that would stun and silence nearly ANY crowd. You are in for a treat... | ||
| Road_thing |
I hate both of you... ...well, not really hate, let's just say I'm envious! r-t | ||
| Rocketman |
There are no bands but one that have changed my life. If what you say about Clapton is not in the slightest an exaggeration, then I understand exactly where you're coming from. Slade have in many ways had profound effects upon my life, most of them good, and a lot more great. I never clicked with Clapton but I love Cream. Cream is the first rock band I ever got into when I was so young. My dad gave me an old 'reel to reel' tape player and tapes. I was in awe of what was on one of those tapes, Cream live on some radio show. I haven't been able to play those tapes in 20 years, but I've still got 'em. Funny, an old friend of mine knows Clapton. He's a very 'down to earth' type I'm told. Loves his Ferrari's too. My man, Noddy Holder. The greatest ever voice in Rock. I defy anyone to play the 1972 Slade Alive album and tell me I'm lying. Wish I could make Chicago, all the same. Rocket | ||
| Captainkirk |
Rocket; My fave, Rory Gallagher, is a still a virtual unknown (except to those of us in the Inner Sanctum) here in the States ten years after his death, no less. Has his popularity waned over the Big Pond? Euro friends have told me in the past he was HUGE over there....  Talk about your Strats, Court..you should see his. (Go to Fender's website to see the reissue!) | ||
| Simond |
I caught Clapton a couple of months ago at The Point in Dublin - great night. Robert Randolph did a great warm up job but Clapton with Billy Preston on keyboards made the night special. Rory Gallagher is still a minority interest over here but one worth sounding out. | ||
| Bomber |
Court You were right (!), this go round of the Clapton circus was aces -- he played well, and long, with a passion that seemed to be a bit lacking the last time through Chicago (it's always astounded me that some performers can bring that degree of involvement night after night after night after year . . . . . .EC is one of them) The United Center (Chicago -- B'ball and hockey) sounded better than it ever has -- hats off to JBL, as you say Tears in Heaven pulls at the heart string, and HARD, no matter where you are, I'm thinkin -- we've all suffered through losses, and hearing someone speak of his won so eloquently never fails to get me leaking (big old tough biker/war criminal that I am) -- remind me to tell you of Bomber's Theory of Emotional Equivalency some time ;-} I'd forgotten about your raving on the Randolph band -- after we found our seats, I was a little nonplussed to see a pedal steel on stage, front and center -- now, I know that many get a huge charge outa country, and Steve Earle's one of my all time faves, but I'm jst not much of a fan of the big hat brigade (alright, got my nomex undies on, flame away!), and was wondering at who might be behind picking a band that's fronted by a pedal steel player but when the man came out on stage, and started with the opening riff to Voodoo Chile, i was awestruck! what a great band! if those guys smiled any bigger, their heads woulda fallen off -- it is clear they were enjoying themselves as much as we were, which is, as rank ametuer that's played in a bunch of bars can say, the measure of a great set! Lesson of the night was, there is huge comfort and joy to be found in the company of old friends -- making new ones can be just as satisfying -- you need to check these guys out if you're not familiar with them wow . . . .then a great day riding on SUnday . . . .I'm gonna go hide in the basement in a cardboard box, as I've used up all my good luck for the quarter, I'm thinkin | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.robertrandolph.net/ Hide not in a box, the world awaits, open eyes see more, night or day matters not, hide not in a box, tools used by a craftsman become gifts in the hands of an artist. | ||
| Court |
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| Paulinoz |
"what the water-bath is to the body. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Mr Holmes is obviosly not of English stock, it is well known down here that the English use their baths to store coal in. Ducking now for the volley of coal from the UK. Only ever seen Old Slow Hand once live and he was all but Booed of stage, I will tell you about it some time. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
I have to agree that Robert Randolph and the family band is an amazing band. I can't say I'm a big Clapton fan but he is with no doubt an amazing guitarist. I have to say I admire his playing on the acoustic more so then on his electric. IMO there is just a special sound from an acoustic guitar that can't be replicated with an electric. When Clapton breaks out the acoustic it just sounds right. Dam...now I have to go find my SRV box set and listen to that for the next two weeks.  | ||
| Court |
>>>>now I have to go find my SRV box set and listen to that for the next two weeks. Or pickup a copy of the Fender Legends of The Stratocaster 50th Anniversary CD with samples from many of the fabled players. Clapton does "Let it Rain" from his days with Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Raitt does "Something to Talk About" and a host of others. Paul and I listened to my son play Hendrix on Paul's new Strat yesterday...no denying that the Strat is a classic. Court | ||
| Ingemar |
In the mid eighties I visited EC's concert here in the Neherlands. No other concert I've been to has stayed with me like that one. Images are permanently burned into my brain like it was yesterday. A few months ago I remembered my parents had an old VHS tape with a Clapton concert. Wired up to my pc I digitized it and burned it to DVD. I was completely flabbergasted to find out this concert was recorded in '86, Birmingham, and is basically the same concert I visited in the NL. Eric Clapton, Nathan East, Greg Philliganes and Phil Collins. Killer concert with songs like Crossroads, White Room, Tearing us Apart, Layla, Sunshine of your Love etc. I then got the surprise act: at the end of the tape was the MTV unplugged session Clapton did. Don't know the date of that one, but my guess is late '80s. | ||
| Jerseyguy  |
Clapton concert on PBS tonight (Wednesday 12/1) I believe. I've got the Tivo set to record it. | ||
| Court |
Fuunt you should say that....on my calender for tonight it says "Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival" at 8:00PM. Problem is, it also says something about cocktails with the ConEd folks at 6:00PM at Tavern on The Green in Cnetral Park! If someone tapes this, let me know. This is going to be KILLER and all the names that ARE names will be performing. If you can tape it, I'll swap you a totally ripped copy of Fender's "50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster" CD which coincidentally features Clapton and Delaney Bramlett performing a song Delaney wrote on a flight to London..."Let it Rain". Court (who admits to having bought an ELP CD last week just to crank up Lucky Man on the office system during lunch...I lure them in with Moedeski, Martin and Wood...and them finish them off! As soon as they begin to show signs of resistance, I'll bring in some Last Poets) (Message edited by court on December 01, 2004) | ||
| Whitetrashxb |
just thought i'd mention that i watched the Crossroads show last night, and all i can say is, "DAAAAMMMMNNN".... that was definitely one of those special events that happen maybe once in a lifetime with all who played there. I'm definitely regretting not picking up some tix when they were advertised her in Austin last spring/summer.... | ||
| Court |
>>>.....all i can say is, "DAAAAMMMMNNN".... And to those who witnessed, that'll be an understatement! I, due to a sick dog, saw only parts of it and am counting on a gray market tape a fellow badwebber offered up in exhcange for a ripped copy of the Fender 50th Anniversqary Stratocaster factory CD. The jam with Buddy, Eric and Co. too much! I have the DVD on the way from PBS as well. Now, I suppose I'll have o break down and pop $30 for a DVD player! | ||
| Bomber  |
Court -- I taped it as well - pop smoke if ya need it (I'll be watching it tonight) | ||
| Road_thing  |
 Bomber, you have my address, right? rt | ||
| Bomber |
Thang -- I got goofy grape! wilco | ||
| Road_thing |
Yer a peach, Bomber... | ||
| Bomber |
sshhhhhhhhh -- you'll ruin my rep | ||
| Bluzm2  |
What's it going to take to cop a copy of the tape? I had a meeting last night and totally forgot to set the recorder.... Damn ADD Brad | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Court, et al, The concert is on the hard drive of my HD cable box. I haven't had the time to watch it yet, but I will copy it to VHS when I get a chance. I'm off to Maryland for the weekend, so I won't get to it until next week. | ||
| Bomber |
Thang -- didn't get a chance to watch last night, but it'll be given over to uniformed minions of the federales on Monday Brad -- mebbe you could tease Thang into sending it to you when he's done -- pass the sucker round, sez I! | ||
| Jerry_haughton  |
is it ok to talk about the Doobie Brothers here? i mean, would that be as bad as high-jacking a rear suspension set-up thread and mentioning "pro sag" (politics, religion, or sex and guns)? well, ban me if you must but D 'n me saw the Doobs live in concert about a month ago, in a small, little venue that holds maybe a thousand people. i was a teeeeeny bit concerned that maybe after all these years they wouldn't "give it up", especially for such a small audience. couldn't have been more needlessly consternated, as they tore the place into little shreds, singin', bleedin', rockin' and rollin', and even after a 30-minute encore the (very mature) crowd was begging for more. still the signature sounds, instrumental and vocal, bringing back all the signature memories and emotions from a life gone by. we hung around after the show, in no hurry to leave, soaking in the glow, and were rewarded by getting to chat with and get an autograph from Doobies founder Tom Johnston. this guy worked his ••• off tonight - hell, the entire band did (three drummers - COOL!) - and we told him so. big, boyish grin and genuine, heartfelt thanks in return. what is it about live music, especially stuff you grew up with, that touches so deeply? this night was pure magic. ok, feeble effort to get back on track: with the possible exception of Mark Knopfler, i think i've got more Eric Clapton CD's in my collection than any other artist. lay down, Sally.  | ||
| Bomber |
Doobies are great! fun to remember that they started as the Angel's house band -- several interesting scoots USED to be owned by band members (including a Black Shadow, if memory serves) | ||
| Ingemar  |
Jerseyguy, Can you make it a dvd and ship it to this side of the ocean? I'll make you a dvd of the '80 concert I mentioned earlier ... PM me oke? | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Road, You up for that? I'll even get some dupes made if needed. I had a friend over tonight, he was talking about how great the show was. Now I'm really bummed! |
