Monday, July 19, 2004
Another Ticket ,Another Journey
This Kid walks another Mile and Rests Momentarily at the Milestone and looks back and attempts to put into perspective infinite ocean he is yet to fathom. And his preoccupied mind is totally unaware of car that stopped by. Alighting from car came a Master who has weathered many storms in almost double the Kids Life.
Yesterday Afternoon when the kid(me)walked into United Center humming Dire Strait "Here I am again in this mean old town",he was welcomed by sculpture of Giant ,who has left his stamp in NBA the reference is to Soaring to sky sculpture of Michael Jordan. The Sculpture shows MJ in his signature "Floating In Sky" pose with opponents helplessly trying to stop him.
But tonight was night of another of kid's idol and God in his own universe, Eric Clapton was performing at the United Center. The program was to start at 7:30 in evening ,but having booked the tickets online needed to go early to collect tickets at box office.
The Show started punctually at 7:30 p.m.The Opening act was Robert Randolph and Family Band. For myself and probably many others who had come to see the master, first impression was don't keep us waiting .honestly that was my first take but I was in for a surprise !!!
And People Like me who were busy settling, getting their drinks etc ..where captivated, stomping their foot to their songs "Good times", "I Need More Love" and "Run For Your Life"
to put it loosely they have Robert Randolph who plays pedal Steel Guitar, his cousins Daniel Morgan & Marcus Randolph on Bass/Vocal & Drums & Jason Crosby on Plays multiple instruments Hammond Organ, Piano & Violin. But everybody in the band plays everything ,this they did by doing an instrument switching sequence in "Run For Your Life",which was interesting and Tacky at same time
The God is Here
After a short break Mr Clapton took the stage, dressed casually in pair of blue jeans ,small checkered short sleeve shirt. To the crowd that welcomed him with standing ovation "Thank You and Good Evening" was all the Master had to say !! He straightaway got busy with Let it rain...This followed by Hoochie Coochie Man...Walk Out in the Rain ..
EC Fools the Audience:
With very Desi sounding opening riff which made us think is this new number or what .Clapton did a new rendition of famous "I shot the sheriff" the crowd was now on its feet .With the tempo all built up Clapton Shifts gears and went into blues and did numbers from his Recent Album Me & Mr Johnson .Of this set "Possession over Judgement day" sounded like " Rollin' & Tumblin'" from his famed Unplugged album
You have to Follow You have to lead ,Jam with As many people as possible:
Fading Gently out of spotlight ,and effortlessly walking into spotlight : EC is playing with some really top musicians for almost 40 years now. and the way he invited his band mates in limelight with him was simply awesome The best example of this was " Have you ever Loved a Woman" Billy Preston ,Chris Stainton did some amazing riffs on Keyboards, Lead Guitarist the Young Texan Doyle Bramhall II matched them note for note .and needless to say Clapton was Serene .He looks so very unassuming and humble when he is playing ,last I remember of The George Harrison Concert in 80's. I'm fortunate to have the concert video .Harrison & Ringo Starr were introduced to crowd with lots applaud and in One corner was Clapton accompanying Mr Harrison on his Famous "while my guitar gently weeps" number ....and when Clapton quietly accompanied George till the final solo when George Looks at him and they jammed and soloed and crowd was at its feet. Yesterday night provided many such moments especially that Band Had renowned Key board Player in Billy Preston and Talented Lead Guitarist Doyle Bramhall.
Study Those before You ,Encourage Those behind You :
That's all I can Doyle proved to be perfect Apprentice to the Master Both in the Rock Numbers also in acoustic Blues ,the left handed Guitarist was thrill to Guitar Fan Like Myself
Missing Dear Ones :
On my special day I was amidst legions of strangers all of whom were with the families and loved ones only one person I knew their was One in Spotlight and he hit a sentimental note when he played "Wonderful tonight" This was Topped by Layla "what would u do when u get lonely ???" Clapton's song hit the right note .But just when that lump was growing in my throat, he tells us "you wanna kick them blues; Cocaine !!!"
Do What has to be done ,when it has to be done,as well as it can be done, and do it every time:-
After the common exit and ovation by crowd followed the Encore and now sharing stage with EC was the Robert Randolph from the Opening act and They did "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Got My Mojo Working" and Robert did nice job on the Pedal Steel Guitar.
Back home with Birthday Buddy :
Just when I thought my Birthday Bash had perfect ending with the Wonderful concert .On the bus I took back my fellow traveler was celebrating her Birthday ,So that made two of us ,for whom her friends and other bus commuters sang Birthday Song
I
This Kid walks another Mile and Rests Momentarily at the Milestone and looks back and attempts to put into perspective infinite ocean he is yet to fathom. And his preoccupied mind is totally unaware of car that stopped by. Alighting from car came a Master who has weathered many storms in almost double the Kids Life.
Yesterday Afternoon when the kid(me)walked into United Center humming Dire Strait "Here I am again in this mean old town",he was welcomed by sculpture of Giant ,who has left his stamp in NBA the reference is to Soaring to sky sculpture of Michael Jordan. The Sculpture shows MJ in his signature "Floating In Sky" pose with opponents helplessly trying to stop him.
But tonight was night of another of kid's idol and God in his own universe, Eric Clapton was performing at the United Center. The program was to start at 7:30 in evening ,but having booked the tickets online needed to go early to collect tickets at box office.
The Show started punctually at 7:30 p.m.The Opening act was Robert Randolph and Family Band. For myself and probably many others who had come to see the master, first impression was don't keep us waiting .honestly that was my first take but I was in for a surprise !!!
And People Like me who were busy settling, getting their drinks etc ..where captivated, stomping their foot to their songs "Good times", "I Need More Love" and "Run For Your Life"
to put it loosely they have Robert Randolph who plays pedal Steel Guitar, his cousins Daniel Morgan & Marcus Randolph on Bass/Vocal & Drums & Jason Crosby on Plays multiple instruments Hammond Organ, Piano & Violin. But everybody in the band plays everything ,this they did by doing an instrument switching sequence in "Run For Your Life",which was interesting and Tacky at same time
The God is Here
After a short break Mr Clapton took the stage, dressed casually in pair of blue jeans ,small checkered short sleeve shirt. To the crowd that welcomed him with standing ovation "Thank You and Good Evening" was all the Master had to say !! He straightaway got busy with Let it rain...This followed by Hoochie Coochie Man...Walk Out in the Rain ..
EC Fools the Audience:
With very Desi sounding opening riff which made us think is this new number or what .Clapton did a new rendition of famous "I shot the sheriff" the crowd was now on its feet .With the tempo all built up Clapton Shifts gears and went into blues and did numbers from his Recent Album Me & Mr Johnson .Of this set "Possession over Judgement day" sounded like " Rollin' & Tumblin'" from his famed Unplugged album
You have to Follow You have to lead ,Jam with As many people as possible:
Fading Gently out of spotlight ,and effortlessly walking into spotlight : EC is playing with some really top musicians for almost 40 years now. and the way he invited his band mates in limelight with him was simply awesome The best example of this was " Have you ever Loved a Woman" Billy Preston ,Chris Stainton did some amazing riffs on Keyboards, Lead Guitarist the Young Texan Doyle Bramhall II matched them note for note .and needless to say Clapton was Serene .He looks so very unassuming and humble when he is playing ,last I remember of The George Harrison Concert in 80's. I'm fortunate to have the concert video .Harrison & Ringo Starr were introduced to crowd with lots applaud and in One corner was Clapton accompanying Mr Harrison on his Famous "while my guitar gently weeps" number ....and when Clapton quietly accompanied George till the final solo when George Looks at him and they jammed and soloed and crowd was at its feet. Yesterday night provided many such moments especially that Band Had renowned Key board Player in Billy Preston and Talented Lead Guitarist Doyle Bramhall.
Study Those before You ,Encourage Those behind You :
That's all I can Doyle proved to be perfect Apprentice to the Master Both in the Rock Numbers also in acoustic Blues ,the left handed Guitarist was thrill to Guitar Fan Like Myself
Missing Dear Ones :
On my special day I was amidst legions of strangers all of whom were with the families and loved ones only one person I knew their was One in Spotlight and he hit a sentimental note when he played "Wonderful tonight" This was Topped by Layla "what would u do when u get lonely ???" Clapton's song hit the right note .But just when that lump was growing in my throat, he tells us "you wanna kick them blues; Cocaine !!!"
Do What has to be done ,when it has to be done,as well as it can be done, and do it every time:-
After the common exit and ovation by crowd followed the Encore and now sharing stage with EC was the Robert Randolph from the Opening act and They did "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Got My Mojo Working" and Robert did nice job on the Pedal Steel Guitar.
Back home with Birthday Buddy :
Just when I thought my Birthday Bash had perfect ending with the Wonderful concert .On the bus I took back my fellow traveler was celebrating her Birthday ,So that made two of us ,for whom her friends and other bus commuters sang Birthday Song
I
Unsui 12:38 PM