Eric Clapton - my darling you look wonderful tonightJun 02 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Whether you are a fan or Clapton or not, you will be mesmerized by his performance! It was 8:50 pm, June 1, 2001, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio. The stage went dark and one lone spotlight shone in the dark. Entering from the side stage, Eric Clapton walked out to a thunderous applause in white shirt and blue jeans, guitar slung around his neck. Going to center stage, he sat in the chair placed on the Audubon carpet and melodious sounds of his guitar soon hushed the crowd. He appeared somewhat scruffy with that five-o'clock shadow look he is noted for, the lines of a hard life and stage after stage, night after night, showing in his face. This was reputed to be his final tour, my first experience with him in person, and I was delighted I had again been coerced by fellow employees to enjoy this concert. The stage had minimal sets - three chairs, a drum, a keyboard, the carpet and a few lights. What transpired for the next 2-1/4 hours was pure showmanship. Clapton does not play his guitar, he makes love to it and his passion washes over the audience like a thing that is alive. The music caresses your body, moving through your veins, making you hot with desire and longing. Dreams and memories are stirred with every note he plays, every lyric he sings. He seduces you and cajoles you and tempts you with love. He is a true master, one among few, a man that loves his music and conveys that love to his devoted audience. His repertoire focused on older works: opening with Get Around Too Slow playing alone under that spotlight. He was joined in the second song by the rest of the band - unfortunately when he introduced them later the crowd was so vocal I could not catch their names other than Dave Sanchez on keyboard and guitar. Other favorites he shared were Tears In Heaven which garnered his first standing ovation of the evening but certainly not the last, Bell Bottom Blues had the crowd rocking and a lot of in-seat dancing, Change The World and Draw The Line. As the sounds of River of Tears started out, the audience came to their feet and remained there for the balance of the song, swaying to the music. A soulful, plaintive song tugging at your inner fears and feelings of defeat and despair. From there he brought the crowd right up with She's Gone in a rousing rendition that had everyone rocking and dancing. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight brought a tear to my eye and Paradise made me smile, as did Hootchy-Cootchy Man. With no breaks at all between songs, he flowed, one right after the other, seldom stopping for a breath and certainly not a drink of water. Next was Stormy Monday, Lord Have Mercy and most definitely a crowd pleaser Cocaine. At 10:30, the song I had been waiting all evening for finally hit - it appears I wasn't the only one holding my breath, waiting for this one. A gentle rift introduced the beginning chords and the audience fell into an immediate silence, the stage darkened and then a single light glimmered center stage as Clapton caressed you with You Look Wonderful Tonight. No one moved, no one spoke. No answering calls or singing was heard. Only Eric Clapton making love to you with his voice and his guitar. I was flooded with memories and my heart filled with an overwhelming passion as I remembered the time that someone played that song for me and made me feel like I was the most precious person in the world. I wished at that moment I could convey those same feelings to them, what a wonderful memory to be given forever. As soon as my heartbeat returned to normal and I no longer felt the tremors course through my body I realized I was not the only one affected by this song. Front row center I saw a man get down on his knees and propose to his fair lady and she answered with a resounding "YES" to a smattering of applause, even from the Clapton tribe. I dare say it is an evening that neither will forget for the rest of their lives. Clapton followed up the lyrical version of this song with the instrumental version, two treats for the price of one! In all, the rendition of You Look Wonderful Tonight lasted 15 minutes and I was exhausted and drained afterward. When everyone got their senses back, he moved on to Hang Tough, I Wish You Love and I could feel the concert coming to a regrettable end. A fellow employee and I set a little bet on what the encore would be - I said Layla and he said I Shot The Sheriff.Ater a 10 minute break of non-stop clapping and whistling, Clapton and troop returned to stage and broke into Sunshine Of Your Love. We both lost the bet! Once again the solitary chair was brought center stage, the solitary spotlight hovered over the chair, and Eric Clapton sat down for the last time to end his tour in Columbus, Ohio. His final song was a bittersweet Somewhere Over The Rainbow, certainly something I did not expect. Just when I thought there was no more moisture in my body, I felt a single tear slide down my cheek as he sang this beautiful song. The crowd sat in awed silence. I looked around at the crowd. Two rows down I had been watching a young man enjoy this talent on stage, he seemed raptured during the entire concert. At the end I saw him standing there, hands clasped before him, and he, too, was crying. There were 50 year olds with ponytails down their backs and 20 year olds with dreadlocks. Young and old alike, we had been transported to another time and another place. Just a spotlight, a rug, a chair, a guitar and a voice. All that is really needed anyway. Eric Clapton, unplugged. Sensational and breathtaking! Thanks, Susi :) p.s. I might note that I am horrible at song titles, if I have quoted a song title incorrectly I sincerely apologize to you and more importantly to this great artist.  |
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