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<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>For
the record: (i.) Tom Scott plays alto sax and Jim Horn plays tenor sax and not
vice versa as indicated in the credits and booklet. (II.) “Give Me Love…” features
a ghost guitar. Dhani Harrison, Albert Lee, along with Jim Keltner, leave the
stage for this number. Both Eric and Jeff Lynne are seen and heard playing rhythm
on their acoustic guitars. Andy Fairweather Low and Marc Mann are seen playing “duet”
slide guitar. But - another guitar is clearly audible throughout. <o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>The
Director of Photography should be blacklisted or chained in a room for a year watching
70 year old musical spectaculars. His camera crew are all over the place and
this detracts from enjoying the show at times, e.g. focussing on Dhani who
sings supporting vocals here and there, but not all the time, and for not zooming
in on instruments being emphasised. Although “Wah Wah” is nothing more than a
fun number, the cameramen had no cooking clue who was singing when Andy FL did
his bit nor who was soloing when Marc Mann did his - they’re silhouettes in the
background. But, in the camera crew’s defence it can be said that the stage was
crowded throughout. Musical Director Eric clearly steps out of the way during
Albert Lee’s solo on “Honey Don’t”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>As
far as the music is concerned, I have to admit that I have always
underestimated George as having a weak voice, whereas it is now evident he used
gentle and subtle nuisances in his vocal performances. Sam Brown delivered the
best and certainly the most lively vocal performance of the evening and her dad,
Joe Brown, the weakest. I wonder who the dickhead executives are who decided to
leave “Horse to the Water” off the CD release. Jools Holland appeared on this
number only and Klaus Voormann on 2 songs, “All Things Must Pass” and “Wah Wah”.
Sam Brown’s backing vocals, along with Katie and Tessa, on “My Sweet Lord” was
particularly welcome. The stage was really wired for sound. You actually hear
Eric speaking when he is some distance from the mikes and above the roar of the
audience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>“Old
Brown Shoes” with Gary Brooker on vocals should be released as a single. It
rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Eric’s
best performance of the evening was on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, even
though he almost fluffs the vocals just after his first guitar solo. The camera
captures his guilty grin; pity there was no multiple angles to capture old Paul’s
expression. That aside, it is to Eric’s credit that the orchestra was left off this
number. Through the multiple guitars chugging away, the horns and keyboards ploughing
a field of sound and drums pounding in unison, Eric weaves a solo that teases
of places he’s taken it before and at the same time is beautiful in its
simplicity. “Isn’t It a Pity” was not the guitar highlight I expected. I was
surprised to see that Marc Mann did the solo on “Something”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Thankfully,
the concert does not descend into sentimental mishmash. The musicians looked
enthusiastic in their roles, especially Ringo. Sadly, Jim Capaldi was relegated
to percussion for the latter part of the show - perhaps he pitched up late for
rehearsals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>I
enjoyed the mini feature on the rehearsals at the end of the Theatrical Version
disc. All in all, Eric did an exceptional job in putting together a band that
captures the spirit of George’s music. Well done Eric. I paid 400 bucks for the
discs, which is twice the normal rate over here, but it’s a well-deserved and much-appreciated
Christmas present to myself. I’ve been listening to it for 2 weeks and will put
it on for many more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>The
essence of Eric Clapton is not in his longevity or in showcasing his phenomenal
capability as a bluesman, but in the success of the projects he takes on. A
true leader, where others fear to tread.<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span><o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=EmailStyle15><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><span style='mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Kevin<o:p></o:p></span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;color:black'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]></span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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