At Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Eric Clapton walked on stage looking noticeably older, perhaps happy to join the ranks of the elderly bluesmen he has emulated his entire career. The setlist would support this, with blues being plentiful. “Key to the Highway” and “Little Queen of Spades” were electric standouts. “Kind Hearted Woman” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” were performed during the acoustic set.
It was during the night’s fourth song, “Pretending,” that I was struck by how Eric’s second guitarist was taking most of the solos. Doyle Bramhall II is a fine blues player, but he is not the reason I bought a ticket. Clapton’s own playing was good but rarely sounded inspired. And there was not enough of it.
At a couple of points, it sounded like Clapton briefly lost his bearings. During a solo in “Layla,” he travelled a halting atonal path. More than once he seemed to attempt electric guitar lines that were slightly out of reach, usually taking a second run at the musical idea. How many noticed? I’m sure he did.
“White Room” was played for the first time on this tour. But even here, Clapton’s song-ending stretch solo was curtailed. Other favorites were performed as the 90-minute plus show began to wrap. “Wonderful Tonight,” “Crossroads,” and “Cocaine,” which closed the second electric set.
Eric Clapton’s seven-piece band included longtime pianist Chris Stainton. Tim Carmon was on prominently featured organ, with Sonny Emory on drums. Sharon White and Katie Kissoon were the band’s backing vocalists. Nathan East played upright bass for the acoustic set and five-string electric the rest of the night. It was a tight ensemble, providing solid backing for Clapton.
The generous, seven-song acoustic set had a spiritual tone. “Give Me Strength,” “Running on Faith,” “Tears in Heaven,” and “Can’t Find My Way Home” seemed to come from a performer who knows he is confronting his own mortality.
As Clapton sang “Before You Accuse Me (Take a Look at Yourself)” for his encore, I couldn’t help but think this was a message to aging observers like me. Yes, Eric Clapton was older and not the tireless, amped-up guitar slinger he had been in the 1970s. But before you accuse him …
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