Off-topic! Eric Clapton, Key Arena, Seattle, Tues 27th July 2004
So as a brief interlude to the normal technical post on my blog, I thought I would just inject something a little more interesting! :)
Part of my birthday present this year from the lady in my life was to go and see Eric Clapton at Key Arena. So last Tuesday. off we went, braving the horrible traffic over the 520 into Seattle center at 6:00pm. Surprisingly, the journey only took us 45 mins (thanks to the HOV lanes. They HAVE to introduce HOV lanes to the UK before I agree to return home!).
The gig was kicked off by Robert Randolf and the Family Band who I saw for the first time when they rocked the House Of Blues in New Orleans in July 2002. If you've never seen these guys live before and are into loud blues, then go see them at all cost - never did I think that someone could play Hendrix on a lapsteel - AWESOME stuff! :D
And then of course, the man himself arrived on stage. This is my 9th Clapton gig! I used to get to see him at his practically annual 15+ nights in London's Albert Hall (and once at Earls Court) for a variety of sets. The last couple of gigs that I saw were entirely acoustic, but this year he was electified once more. Playing his newly designed Fender Strat, he ripped the place apart with a stack of his standards (Cocaine, Badge, Sunshine of your Love, Layla, etc) as well as a few classics (Hoochie Coochie Man, Me and the devil blues) and then closed the show playing a couple of songs with Robert Randolph on stage.
If anyone ever worried that Eric is getting a bit slow and mellow, they should go see him today! This guys's virtuosity, style, esthetic, speed and power is just staggering!
All in all a thoroughly spectacular night :D
