[Slowhand] Belated Indianapolis Review

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So, what's a skronk?
 
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Guitar legend Clapton is in his element at Conseco

The middle part of Eric Clapton's show focused on "Me and Mr. Johnson," his collection of Robert Johnson covers. -- Sam Riche / The Star
 
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Eric Clapton
• Where: Conseco Fieldhouse.
• Bottom line: Elemental genius at work.  
By David Lindquist
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July 16, 2004
 

Eric Clapton has auctioned off many guitars to bankroll his Crossroads addiction rehabilitation center, and these days he plays an aesthetically confused Stratocaster.

But that instrument's three patterns of aqua-gray, white and orange-red made sense during Thursday night's masterful performance at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The color schemes represented the elements of water, earth and fire that Clapton and his band summoned at will.

Water could be heard in the sly kiss-off "Walk Out in the Rain," a Bob Dylan composition Clapton recorded in 1978.

Few songs are earthier than "Got to Get Better in a Little While," which sprawled across 12 minutes of sonic real estate.

"Layla," of course, was fiery enough to ignite cheers from the estimated audience of 8,000.

And "I Shot the Sheriff" brandished a solo that had it all -- from an ethereal and liquid passage to an agitated skronk that raked across a figurative grave.

The two-hour concert celebrated Clapton's enduring skills, and it will stand as a fitting victory lap if the 59-year-old never tours at this scale again. Retirement was the rumor when he played the same room in 2001, and that sleepy showing made it seem like a good idea.

But there's vim and vigor to this Clapton, who made the messy recent visit from Eddie Van Halen -- a guitar hero from a later era -- seem even worse.

A good deal of Thursday's success should be credited to a trio of fantastic sidemen: guitarist Doyle Bramhall II and keyboard players Billy Preston and Chris Stainton.

Following the water, earth and fire theme, Bramhall proved to be a gritty complement for Clapton throughout. His experimental low-end solo during "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" nearly trumped everything the boss played.

Preston, meanwhile, watched over sustained organ tones suggestive of human weeping.

Stainton countered with a soft touch on piano, representing raindrops too often not to mention.

Clapton reserved the middle section of the show to promote current album "Me and Mr. Johnson," his collection of Robert Johnson covers.

This hit-and-miss segment rocked when Clapton and Bramhall dug into the essence of "Milkcow's Calf Blues."

"If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day" careened into fire-and-brimstone territory as Clapton exhumed some of Johnson's legendary demons.

But the unplugged "Me and the Devil Blues" and "They're Red Hot" seemed better suited for a front porch or gin joint. They lacked weight in an arena, where Clapton has few equals when he sticks to the basics.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404.
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