[Slowhand] Clapton plays Cardiff

[Simon George]

I have to agree with most of Peters review, except to say that I think Tim Carmon was given a little too much opportunity, I would've preferred to see EC take more control, in the past when he's been the only guitarist on stage, he's had to work harder to fill the sound, not sit back and let other Instruments take over. To my mind the setlist was a little weak, my personal favourites, White room and little wing being notable absences. 
On the subject of setlists, I befriended a member of the crew many years ago, so was able to get a copy of the setlist after the show, I was interested to note that tell the truth was optioned as a replacement for going down slow and tearing us apart for before you accuse me, also further on up the road was an alternative encore. Finally my source, who is Welsh. Tells me he's been nagging ec for about 5 years to play Cardiff, so let's hope it's won't be the last time!

> 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

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