[Slowhand] Greetings #2

[Kelly Murphy]

Awesome review, Mark!!  You had me laughing a few times. :o)

BTW, I have a question for you or anyone else who reads this.  How does the
crowd react?  I mean if I want to stand for most of the show is that a
problem?

Take care!
Kelly
----- Original Message -----
From: <mark at inna.net>
To: <slowhand at planet-torque.com>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 3:12 PM
Subject: [Slowhand] Greetings #2


> Cleveland Review Part 2:
>
> The Gund Arena in downtown Cleveland isn't bad for a fairly large arena,
seems they have done some renovation and rework over the past couple years.
I don't know about ticket sales but concessions etc. were a breeze and not
like some other places we've visited on this tour (ie Philly) where the
lines were just nuts.
>
> With all the griping about the nonchanging setlist, no one seems to have
noticed that the one guy who "gets it" is the always awesome Robert
Randolph!  In Philly he was joined onstage by his sister, at the first NYC
show he switched out and replaced his cousin on guitar for that show, and in
Cleveland he was joined by a man whom he introduced as his mentor who taught
him "how to play this thing" and they proceeded to blow the roof off the
place, steel guitar style.  I can't remember the name of the song but the
opening number was that Herbie Hancock (I think) song that was ubiquitous in
the 80s, and it was great!  I've never seen an opener I've liked better for
EC, kudos for the choice of Randolph.  Of course I've never forgiven EC for
making me sit through Buckwheat Zydeco but that's another email ...
>
> EC and band strolled on stage promptly at 8:30, and after a little
noodling kicked into a nice "Let it Rain".  "Hoochie Coochie" was great,
EC's finding ways of doing this a bit differently each night but still with
intensity - great stuff.  Maybe I've adjusted, the background vocals still
are out of place but not quite so grating now. "Walk Out in the Rain" ...
what can I say, I can't get enough of this one.  It was interesting watching
the crowd to see who out there 'got it' and/or knew it was coming.  And
about the crowd - the best crowd I've seen at an EC show, EVER, these folks
came to see the show - not to chitchat, not to see&be seen, but to sit in
their seats and pay attention.  It was a complete turnabout from the Garden
shows where the people just could not shut up even when they managed to stay
in their seats.
>
> "I Shot the Sheriff" was the first place where the band really went over
the top, EC in particular seems to go in a different direction with this
each night but still pulls out all the stops. The best comment of the night
was the otherwise subdued woman sitting behind me who, after EC's solo in
"Sheriff" turned to her date and said "Old slowhand MY ASS!!!".
>
> EC really worked up a sweat and took off his glasses for the RJ set, which
got a really nice response from the crowd.  Unlike some shows (DC, Philly)
where the crowd to some degree used the RJ set as a beer/restroom break, I
overheard a lot of folks who were really looking forward to it.  It was
great having Billy Preston back, but he wasn't really pushing his way into
the band, he was a little more laid back than he has been in the past.
>
> "Got to Get Better" as usual was a showstopper.  Not only did EC blow the
doors off (better than most of the shows so far), but it was Nathan who was
simply all over the place on this one, maybe it was where we were sitting
(on the floor in front of Nathan's amps) but his fills and general "feel" of
his bassline really moved this one into the stratosphere.
>
> "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" - wow.  The band all shined here.  EC's
intro solo was unusually fiery, but I gotta give this one to Doyle.  His
solo was understated, in an Albert King sort of way, but still totally
Doyle.  Think I'm crazy? I'll bet if you asked EC he'd say the same, he was
all grins as Doyle had his turn, and as it finished was simply shaking his
head in amazement.
>
> "Wonderful Tonight" - no comment, other than it was (mercifully) short.
>
> "Layla" and "Cocaine" - good grief, how do these guys play these songs
with this intensity after all this time?  I haven't seen "Layla" like this
since the 1990 tour, and EC's vocals are better than ever, he was simply
growling the lines, all tensed up.  And not only on "Cocaine" but on
"Sunshine" ... Steve's drumming at times, especially in 2001, veered a bit
toward the jazz side of things, which is great at a jazz gig but it's like
he decided to screw the subtle stuff and pound the hell out of the skins
which is fantastic in my book.  His right foot carried the encore, he was
laying it down and bringing everyone else along for the ride.  Ginger Who?
>
> And the finale, "Got My Mojo Working" was worth the price of admission
alone.  The whole band went into overdrive, and then Robert Randolph came
out for a friendly duel with EC during "Sunshine" and then into "Mojo", and
these guys were just over the top.  As they got up EC gave Robert a huge
bear hug, laughing, it was clear he was just tickled at the guy's
performance, and so Randolph put his hat on EC as they all took a bow - I am
praying someone got a nice picture of that!
>
> After the show we went out for a nice time with friends we see all to
rarely, and then back the RnR HoF annex for more after-show party.
>
> And the highlight of the trip, you ask?  A very special tour of the "Head
on a Stick" closet, I got to view the entire collection!  Now that was worth
the trip alone.  Many public thanks to Sam, Tracy, and Steve-O for a
fantastic time and wonderful hospitality.  And it was great seeing fellow
SD'ers Rick, Anita, Lisa, and Ish - tonight in Columbus in a few hours,
round #2 !
>
> Cheers,
> Mark
>
>
>