"Layla", you look "Wonderful Tonight". Then again, it may just be the "Cocaine". Jun 08 '01    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line Experience one of the greatest guitar players live if you have a chance. You won't regret it. Do you remember how excited and giddy you felt as you prepared to go see your very first ever concert? Come on, it couldn't have been that long ago. Think about it for a while. It doesn't matter who you went to see, the feelings still had to be there. What feelings, you ask? There's the butterflies in the stomach, the rapid heartbeat, the sweaty palms, the overwhelming desire to laugh and sing and dance. Do you remember now? Although it's been many, many years since I was a concert "virgin", I still get worked up and giddy inside when it comes to concert going. I get especially so when it comes to Eric Clapton. There's just something about seeing him live in concert that makes each time feel like the first time. How many artists can do that to a person? I can say only one. The morning of May 24, 2001 is a big blur. All I could think about was - I'm going to see Eric Clapton in concert tonight!. This was the day I'd been looking forward to since March - the day my sister stood in line and bought our tickets. The excitement was almost too much to bear but somehow I managed until the time finally came. Pre-Show Preparations The only way we (we refers to all of us - myself, my husband, my sister, and my brother-in-law) ever concert go is to listen to the artist's music the entire way to the auditorium. It helps prepare us mentally for the concert. Don't laugh. I'm sure we aren't the only ones who do that. The hour and a half drive to Nashville, TN went by pretty fast as we talked about the last time we all attended a Clapton concert, pondered on how it would be the same and different, wondered if our seats would be decent, and discussed - in length - the various concerts we have attended over the years and how they all differed. We also had a few laughs at my sister's expense because she "primped" all the way there - insisting that Eric might see her and she needed to look her best. (Yes, my sister and I both wouldn't mind bringing him home for a few days. But, shhh, don't tell our husbands.) Before we knew it we were looking for parking in the general area of Gaylord Entertainment Center. We finally found a parking lot two blocks away and paid the obligatory commission for parking our vehicle (which was $10, by the way). We had the final primping session before locking the van doors and making our way up to the main entrance. My sister applied more lipstick and I grabbed a bottle of body spray and spritzed myself lightly - because Eric might have smelled me. Can't go around stinking when Eric is around. No siree , Bob. We made our way in, despite the crowds of people trying to do the same thing we were. Once in the doors, my sister and I took a bathroom break. Then we made the obligatory stop at one of the many alcohol vendors scattered throughout the main floor and purchased a $6 mixed drink. Next item on agenda was finding our seats, which proved to be harder than we thought. You see, our seats were in section 101 - row MM - seats 10-13. Instead of finding row MM, we accidentally stumbled on row M. But thanks to the nice auditorium staff we were soon redirected to the proper seating. By this time the excitement level was almost at the peak. My sister and I sat in our seats, sipping our drinks, and giggling like a couple of school girls on a first date. It was quite fun. The Opening Act It wasn't long until the stadium was completely full. We watched as all the seats scattered throughout started filling up. People from every age group- ranging from the young (teenagers, if not younger) to the old (the ladies sitting beside us had to be at least in their late 70's). Then the lights went dim and the opening act entered stage left (or was it stage right?). For the life of me I can't remember the name of the band. I do, however, think they were good. I suppose the excitement of seeing Eric was overwhelming and all my focus was on him. After all, I did make sure I smelled good for him. And, of course, I was worried with the competition sitting next to us. Those old ladies looked like they would put up a fight for him. Finally, he's HERE! There was a small break between the opening act and Eric Clapton's actual appearance. The stage had to be completely redone to accommodate the main entertainment. Then, the moment we all had been waiting for - Eric Clapton came onto stage. He doesn't make a grand entrance. There are no fancy light shows or fireworks blazing. He simply walks onto the stage. But, believe me, that's enough. That's more than enough. With his trademark stubble, jeans, button down shirt, tennis shoes, and a guitar in his hand, he sat in a chair center stage and immediately started playing. The opening song was Reptile from his new cd titled Reptile. It has no words, just him playing the guitar. This is, after all, what he does best. He sat there and played. The audience sat in their seats completely quiet - soaking in every note and every emotion Clapton seems to be able to invoke with his music. It was beautiful. The music was crystal clear. And the large tv screens on each side of the stage allowed us to get a closer view of him - seeing how our seats didn't give us the closest of views. He played and played, one song after another. He started with is newer songs from the Reptile cd. Some of those were Got You on my Mind (one of my favorites), Travelin' Light, I Ain't Gonna Stand For It. While the audience (and us for that matter) seemed to enjoy these tunes, it was very obvious that everyone was waiting for the same thing - the good, old songs that Clapton is known for. Then it happened - Clapton started playing the introduction to Layla. The crowd went wild before the first lyric was sung. It was as if someone lit a fire underneath all their seats - ours included. Everyone was out of their seats, yelling, doing cat calls, whooping and hollering (that's a Southern thing, sorry). And as if that wasn't enough, he followed Layla with Change the World. After a couple of upbeat songs, things slowed down a bit. We got to hear Tears in Heaven and every woman's favorite Wonderful Tonight. There's nothing in the world that can melt my heart more than those two songs. Clapton has a way of singing and playing those songs with every inch of his heart and the audience can't help but feel it. Amazingly beautiful are good words for it. Midway through the concert he brought out the Impressions who sang a couple of songs while Clapton took a break. This was a surprise, for me at least. I'm not sure anyone was expecting these surprise guests, but it was a welcome surprise. For those not familiar with the Impressions, here's something that may - or may not- jog your memory. The song It's All Right : "You've got soul and everybody knows that it's all right, Oh it's all right." The concert continued with the Impressions singing along with a couple more of the new songs from Reptile. The audience, still pumped from the "oldies but goodies" selection, seemed to be generally pleased with this combination. The concert ended with the finale song of all time, Cocaine. This song, needless to say, had the audience on their feet and in an uproar. Clapton didn't even have to worry about singing the chorus because the audience was more than happy to do it for him. Clapton thanked everyone for coming, waved good bye, and exited stage left. But every Clapton concert goer knows that this doesn't mean it's over. Oh no. Everyone was still clapping, yelling, whistling, and started stomping their feet as they chanted "Eric! Eric! Eric! Eric!". Within two or three minutes he was back on stage for one final song. Everyone quieted down for a moment in anticipation of what that final song would be. I think he shocked everyone with his selection - Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Yes, you heard me right. That isn't a typo. Eric Clapton actually sung Somewhere Over The Rainbow - and believe it or not it was breathtakingly beautiful. I don't think I've ever heard anyone sing that song so well. Final Conclusion If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing Eric Clapton in concert, I highly suggest you do it if you can. This man is an absolute wonder to see and hear live. There are no fancy light shows to distract you from the music. There are no fireworks going off every two seconds. There are no fancy stage show at any point in time. It's just Eric, his music, and his lyrics. It's beautiful and well worth any amount of money. It's been said by many that he doesn't just play his guitar, he makes love to it. If you ever see him in concert, you will totally understand that statement. And you will also totally believe that statement. Clapton's music isn't limited to just one age group. There are people from every generation that adore and love his music. His music is universal and his concerts are family friendly. The sound system is crystal clear and even if you don't have the best seats in the house you still get a great view with all the cameras aimed at him. And if you happen to catch a concert at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, TN, be prepared to walk quite a bit and pay out the wazoo for parking and drinks. And hey, don't forget a t-shirt before you leave. They're only $30. Recent Discovery I just read an article from RollingStone saying that Eric Clapton's current tour will be his last. So if you have the chance to catch him in concert before this tour is over, I suggest you do it. Thanks, Eric, for years of wonderful music and the opportunity to see you in concert. Your music will live forever. The above mentioned article can be found at the following link if you would like to read it : http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=13961 Detail Wrapup Date of concert: May 24, 2001 City, State: Nashville, TN Location: Gaylord Entertainment Center Tour: Reptile 2001 World Tour

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