News

Night Two Of Clapton’s 2004 European Tour

26 Mar 04

It was night two of the European Tour for Eric Clapton. The gig took place at Zenith d’Auvergne in Cournon d’Auvergne, France. One of EC’s fans sent Where’s Eric! his review:

Review by Nicolas Segard

Here a review in a french aproximative english, sorry about this but keeping the idea that this show was perfect with a wonderfull Eric and a superb band. It was the first time for my wife and me that we see eric on tour. We were waiting for that moment since a long time. It was unbelievable :

He start by a tonic Let it rain, then Hoochie coochie man was as usual. The first magic moment was with Bell Bottom Blues. Electric version as the last Japan tour. Eric sings it with a lot of emotion, as if it was played for the first time. Walk out the Rain was good and make the show going up, seeing Doyle Bramhal II playing with more and more feeling. He feels like Charlie Sexton was during his tour with Bob Dylan : trying to give the best under the eyes of a master. I Shot the Sheriff was so great: Eric made a fabulous solo which seems like the one he played in Hyde Park few years ago.

Then starting couples of song from the last record he made as a tribute for Robert Jonhson. When you’ve got a good friend was so good, like the japan tour but with no Crossroads at the end. Milk Cow Blues was funny, very dynamic. And then comes the magic moment with Kind Hearted Woman Blues. Uncredible feeling. I think that with all the crowd we could have made a river of tears. No other guitar player can touched the beauty like that. Wonderful Eric… Then arrives some blues, very electric and good to hear. And the beginning of Have you ever love a woman. He sings that song one more time with a very special emotion. He let Billy Preston, and Chris Stainton play during the solo part of the song. Change the world was specialy good. With one more wonderful solo with the electro acoustic Guitar. Got to get better in a little While, i wanna litle girl, badge, wonderfull tonight….. we can’t believe it… All are wonderful!! I hear a lot of live versions of this song, but i think it was better again for this tour. Cocaine, as usual , Layla always crazy song, Sunshine of your Love with Nathan East singing with eric and making "whooo" every 30 seconds. And the summum "Mojo Workin", all the band played with a lot of fun, laugthing all the time, surprise by Robert Randolph playing a real good part.

Thank you Eric for that, the band is still energic and playing always the better music they can. Waitting for the next time.

Complete Set List:

1. Let It Rain
2. Hoochie Coochie Man
3. Bell Bottom Blues
4. Walk Out In The Rain
5. I Shot The Sheriff
6. When You’ve Got A Good Friend
7. Milkcow’s Calf Blues
8. Kind Hearted Woman Blues
9. They’re Red Hot
10. Hellhound On My Trail
11. Have You Ever Loved A Woman
12. Change The World
13. Got To Get Better In A Little While
14. I Want A Little Girl
15. Badge
16. Wonderful Tonight
17. Cocaine
18. Layla
19. Sunshine Of Your Love
20. I Got My Mojo Working (encore with Robert Randolph)

Band Line Up:
Eric Clapton – Guitar / Vocals
Doyle Bramhal II – Guitar
Chris Stainton – Keyboards
Nathan East – Bass
Steve Gadd – Drums
Billy Preston – Hammond Organ
Michelle John – Backing Vocals
Sharon White – Backing Vocals

Support:
Robert Randolph and The Family Band