I've been conducting a poll over the past year or so with people whose music tastes I respect concerning Eric Clapton's "Godliness". It seems I naively thought it went unquestioned, but I have recently learned that many question the depth with which Clapton plays "White Man's Blues". My instant retort was simply, "But what about Layla?" Apparently that mighty riff was conceived by Duane Allman. "But what about..." The conversation ensued, and I was left questioning all I loved about EC.
Last night at Madison Square Garden put to rest any doubts I had as to whether I still worship the man and his profound yet dazzling bluesy touch. This concert blew away the Cream reunion show I was lucky enough to catch a few years back (whose highlights were Ginger Baker and a Stormy Monday). Last night's show was that much superior because Clapton shared the stage with the wonderful Steve Winwood-- thus the talent and the classic rock song pool were doubled. Hearing Winwood sing live was a revelation: he just may be my favorite rock n' roll vocalist ever. Never trying too hard, never hitting a bad note, simply Steve Winwood. It doesn't hurt that his talents on the keyboard are matched with his going-toe-to-toe with the other guitar player onstage. From the opener of Had To Cry Today it was clear that these men were going to deliver rock n' roll in a straight-ahead, nostalgia-free manner, and their interplay was remarkably natural and tight. You can get a taste of that clean, driven sound in this opening segment of Forever Man:
Once I knew the rock was going to be legitimate, I was rather satisfied. But Clapton delivered some unexpected gems (Them Changes by Jimi Hendrix!), some gorgeous blues (again Hendrix, with Voodoo Chile), and even some freakin' psychedelic jams. I am of the opinion that psychedelics should only be played by bands that once delivered the style in their youth-- and on the condition that they now do so sober. And I have to admit that if I closed my eyes and boogied, (which I did a lot of) there were some suspiciously phish-y moments in the later half of the show. Granted, Trey has always had Clapton in his bag of tricks and licks, but I didn't know that EC could plumb the depths of heady jams so well. Listen to this clip of Glad and tell me if you can't hear a little bit of the Vermont quartet in there (especially toward the end of the clip...)The only complaint I had about the show was typical of these sorts of aged-superstar shows,
where the crowd is composed of people who paid a lot of money in order to remain seated during a rock n' roll concert. In 30 years (and you can hold me to this), I hope I'm never one of the ones yelling "Sit Down!" instead of "Hell Yes!" at a concert. From behind the stage, the seated bumps-on-a-log were pretty spoiled with 3 big screens to see the magic of quick fingerwork, so I stayed true to the cause. I picked my moments to concede (acoustic solo songs from both EC and SW), but eventually we created a small revolution of dance in our section. (Attendees at the final show this Thursday: just see which section is grooving and go join 'em... and once After Midnight starts up, if everybody in there isn't dancing, well, then something has gone terribly, terribly wrong in this world).
2 comments:
Look, if you're comfortable with standing and ruining someone's view then go with it. Don't make it their problem (bump on a log). If you can admit to yourself that you're selfish and are comfortable with that then rock on. Given your post it's likely that you have too much Phish on the brain.
Sorry to disagree.......unless you are a grade A troll (if so, well done!)
Selfish are the granpa boomers (re; "the worst generation") who think they can buy rock'n'roll.
Dancing at a concert is the least selfish thing I can think of.
"Ruining someone's view?" You must be joking. Music is to be felt, not seen.
The worst attendees at concerts are 50 year old men standing still while the music is moving everyone else.
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