Tonight's set list was different from the past 2 shows: No "I Shot The Sheriff" but instead "Anyday" and "Driftin'" were played !!!
Percussion and bass were now joined on "Outside Woman Blues". "Driftin'" was just only EC.
First reaction from Japan:
A definitive night and marvelous show. Out of this world indeed!
Eric, Doyle, Derek, all of them were on top form.
Review by Old Blue
And...it happened eventually -- Osaka third night saw Eric and the band in full flight.
I Shot The Sheriff was dropped, a sign of something to come. On previous nights, Tell The Truth was segued into Motherless Children. Tonight they finished the song as it was. With counts, Anyday exploded in full blast to the delight of those in the know among the audience. A fabulous moment!
The sit-down set started with Eric's solo performance of Driftin' Blues, reminiscent of Rambling On My Mind from the 1999 Pilgrim Japanese tour, which made for an intimate atmosphere about there. San Francisco Bay Blues was gone with the kazoo. Outside Woman Blues was now joined by Willie and Steve, supplying a skipping feel to the performance.
The guitarists were on top form, all three of them. What a feast of solo after solo! Every solo was inspired, and a highlight tonight.
Now I can observe with due confidence that, favorable as the shows were, the band was still in the embryonic stage at the RAH back in May. The emotion, the intensity, the inspiration, everything, just EVERYTHING was way above higher here in Osaka, and tonight had them all in full display.
The audience was great, too -- there was a warm, cheerful vibe felt throughout the show. Before Wonderful Tonight, someone shouted, "Welcome back to Japan," to which Eric replied, "Thank you," startling the crowd buzzing with delight.
This will be remembered as not only one of the best shows of the tour but also one of the greatest concerts EC has ever played in Osaka -- or in Japan for that matter.
