Eric Clapton and Band At The Royal Albert Hall, London UK, 17th May 2009

Nice tour poster
The ticket for tonight
In front of the hall
Souvenir booth
Promo section of the hall
Mrs. inside the hall
Yours truly seated
Lee Dickson tunes up EC's Gibson L-5 CES
Our shot of the hall
Charlie Sexton pumps up with the Arc Angels
Lee doing the final tests before his boss walks in
8:30pm Sharp, EC walks right in!
"Going down slow"
Ferrari grigio silverstone fender stratocaster customshop guitar
Attentive listening by the soldout crowd
Sitdown set with martin 000-28EC acoustic model
"Somewhere over the rainbow" - Gibson L5 CES
Enjoying every moment
The customary bow by the band
After the band left: on my background, the stage
Sharon White leaving the hall
A memorable photograph with Michelle John; fantastic backup vocals

The missus and I had the rare opportunity to watch Eric and his band at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall last Sunday in London, UK. After an enduring 12 hr journey from Kuala Lumpur , we finally touched down at Heathrow on 14th May. The euphoria waiting months for this is finally over. The experience of being in this hall itself is extremely wonderful. So many great bands played there, and to my surprise, it isn't really a big venue often perceived via the many concert DVDs in my possession. I would say it is perfect for a band to showcase its music and tonality as the hall captures the essence of great acoustics thanks to its fabulous design right from the start (19th century?) Chords and notes reverberate to a pleasing and soothing decay, like my silverface 1978 Fender twin reverb amp at setting 3.

Eric and his band came in at 8:30pm sharp after the Arc Angels had opened for them 40 mins earlier on. Spotting a longer than usual haircut and with compulsory beard, Eric still looked fit and good for his 60+ age. They started the ball rolling with the song "Going Down Slow" from the Pilgrim album. It instantly reminded me on how consistent Eric's tone is. Recalling the many DVDs of Eric's concert I have, clearly his playing tonight is testament to his own saying of "playing at my front hall" and feeling comfortable in front of his home crowd. Often, he nailed solos note for note with great fire and passion. Seeing him play with eyes closed, body bent backwards reminded me of his Cream and Derek & The Dominos days and does make me feel as though I am in nirvana.... indeed I am! :-D

My favorite tune of the entire evening has to be "Old Love" from the Journeyman album. Note for note again, and entire band played very well. From intro to end, Eric's solos were all emotional and full of soul. Tim Carmon's organ solo was also worth mentioning. Chris Stainton was very accurate on the digital piano as well. For the record, Eric only played the Ferrari Grigio Silverstone Fender Stratocaster tonight (usually the Daphne blue one or alternating) , the Martin 000-28EC for "Layla", the chessnut "Lay Down Sally" and Bob Dylan's haunting "Not Dark Yet". He also used a vintage natural Gibson L5 CES for "Anytime For You" and for the Wizard of Oz's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Throughout the set, Eric looked very relaxed and even sounded very spontaneous at times... directing the band with his speech audible to the packed audience.

Twice also, EC stopped between solos of Tim and/or Chris to take a sip of drink and for a chance to remove his wire thin framed glasses to wipe his face. I guess it must have been from the heat of the spot lights as the hall itself was well air conditioned and ventilated.

The rest of the set for the evening came in the form regimental blues tunes such as "Little Queen Of Spades", in tribute to his hero Robert Johnson, and Bo Didley's masterful composition "Before You Accuse Me". Typical EC regulars like "Cocaine", "Wonderful Tonight", and the encore "Crossroads" finished the show in typical Clapton fashion: a big bang!

After the show, I went closer to the stage to try to catch Lee Dickson, but unfortunately he had carted away Eric's guitars into the backstage and was nowhere to be seen nearby. Security was also very nervous there... Absolutely no photographs! I did manage to spot a tweed customshop 57 Fender Twin amp on stage and also a quick glimpse of Lee's workbench. Nice red indian sticker on it! If I'm not wrong, also spotted a bench type Peterson strobe tuner that Lee proudly proclaims as the world's best tuner available.

We then proceeded to the Stage Door where we were surprised to see many people of different nationalities (by their lingo) mingling around all with hopes of catching Eric coming out from the hall and signing autographs for them. I think we waited for around 30 -45 minutes there, and casual chatting with the driver for one of the backup singers (Michelle John) revealed that one can never catch Eric publicly outside the Albert hall during concerts as he has access to a secret driveway into the hall's car park. And from there he goes straight to his dressing room and vice versa. Soon we realized that Eric had driven back to Woking, Surrey just 1 minute after the show, in his silver Porsche. Disappointment.... Neverthelss, we managed to spot and photograph Michelle and Sharon White whose cars waited patiently for them outside. Nice people both of them. I wish Eric and the rest of the band members could have done the same.

We hopped on a London cab at midnight to Sussex Place and proceeded on to supper after a night of great entertainment :-) The next morning we visited Chelsea and stopped by EC's home on Old Church St. No surprises, he wasn't there.

Set List for 17 May 2009 / Royal Albert Hall, London UK

01. Going Down Slow
02. Anything For Your Love
03. Key To The Highway
04. Old Love
05. I Shot The Sheriff
06. Layla - acoustic
07. Lay Down Sally
08. Not Dark Yet
09. Anytime For You
10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
11. Badge
12. Little Queen of Spades
13. Before You Accuse Me
14. Wonderful Tonight
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (encore)

Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton - guitar, vocals
Andy Fairweather Low - guitar
Chris Stainton - keyboards
Tim Carmon - keyboards
Willie Weeks - bass
Steve Gadd - drums
Michelle John - backing vocals
Sharon White - backing vocals