Eric Clapton March 28, 2007 MTS Centre, Winnipeg

4.5/5

I'm docking him half a star for not playing more songs that I knew. Other than that, this was a magnificent display of guitar playing, better than anything I have ever seen. Eric Clapton is a peerless musician. Is he the best guitarist in the world? For the bluesy style he plays, I would say absolutely without a doubt. Clapton shared the stage with another guitarist who was also amazing, Doyle Bramhall II.

The show had both electric and acoustic sets and while everything sounded great, there was huge anticipation for Clapton to play some of his better known tracks, like I Shot The Sherrif, Lay Down Sally, It's In The Way That You Use It, Forever Man, and After Midnight.

The closer was Layla, which was an extended jam. The encore opened with Cocaine and closed with Crossroads, both of which turned into jams, the latter with Robert Cray joining in.



Opener Robert Cray was one of the few contemporary blues guys who actually got airplay on rock radio. He became the bluesman people who knew nothing about blues liked. His opening set was fine. Cray's vocals were very sensual and more R'n'B leaning than traditional blues.

The Band:
Eric Clapton - guitar, vocals
Doyle Bramhall II - guitar
Chris Stainton - keyboards
Tim Carmon - keyboards
Willie Weeks - bass
Steve Jordan - drums
Michelle John - backing vocals
Sharon White - backing vocals


Setlist:

01. Tell The Truth
02. Key To The Highway
03. Got to Get Better in A Little While
04. Little Wing
05. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad

Sit Down Set
06. Driftin' (EC Solo)
07. Outside Woman Blues
08. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
09. Running On Faith
10. Motherless Children
11. Little Queen of Spades
12. Further On Up The Road
13. Wonderful Tonight
14. Layla

Encore
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (with Robert Cray)