[Slowhand] EC plays Cardiff

[PETER GASKELL]

14 May 2011 Set List
Motorpoint – Cardiff 

It was good to see EC playing in Wales outside his RAH residency. In contrast to the opening support of besuited Andy Fairweather Low who gave a warm and personable performance that had to overcome mistuning and lost song sequencing mishaps, Eric in his workaday casuals was understated, flawless and professional. There was no banter with the audience but we’ve learned to expect this. I’ve put some comments against individual songs in the set list below but the arrangements of Crossroads, Layla and I Shot the Sheriff  in particular showed how well he still adapts songs to keep them fresh and interesting. He gave good space to his keyboard soloists who took their opportunities effectively. 
The 2 hour set was predominantly blues covers but having produced such a diversity of song styles over so long, I wished the set could have extended by half an hour at least (Springsteen is not much younger but puts in 3 hours of high energy performance). There was not much Cream for example and I suppose he was keeping Blind Faith material back for RAH with Steve Winwood.  Anyone going to this? Keep Slowhand posted. I’d love to be there.
 
01. Key To The Highway
02. Going Down Slow
03. Hoochie Coochie Man
04. Old Love  - EC hits his stride on the solo, excellent keyboard solos too
05. I Shot The Sheriff – lovely fluid  feel to this and wonderful solo too
06. Driftin'
07. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
08. Still Got The Blues -  pleasing the crowd as a worthy tribute to Gary Moore 
09. Same Old Blues (JJ Cale) -  vocals and solos just perfect
10. When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful
11. Layla
12. Badge
13. Wonderful Tonight
14. Before You Accuse Me
15. Little Queen Of Spades – Chris Stainton’s solo peak
16. Cocaine
17. Crossroads
 
Pedr