Eric Clapton at Scotia Saddledome Calgary, Canada
Opener: Robert Cray
March 27, 2007
Robert Cray – has been on my playlists for a while, with his bluesy, funky guitar playing and those cutting, soulful vocals. When he took the stage, he played exactly as I had imagined—absolutely excellent. His energy was fresh but never overwhelming, carrying the songs with an effortless groove and solid rhythm
As for Eric Clapton – this was one of the most professionally mixed concerts I’ve ever heard at the Saddledome—the sound was an absolute dream. One of my rock heroes from my youth was right in front of me, and I had an excellent section one stage-front seat to take it all in. Clapton was incredibly professional, his setlist leaned heavily toward the relaxed and laid-back and I was extremely glad to finally see him perform live. Doyle Bramhall II was part of the touring band on guitar and on bass he had Willie Weeks instead of the usual Nathan East.
By the time he launched into Further On Up the Road, I was already drifting into drowsiness from the laid back songs and the lesser known material, but that old tune pulled me right back into the moment. A few hits followed, along with two encore songs that at least left me with some earworms for the drive home.
This was Clapton’s fourth and last concert in Calgary, he also played here in 1968 at the Stampede Corral with Cream, then in 1988 and 1998 at the Saddledome. Since 2007 Clapton has not returned to Calgary.
Setlist:
- Tell The Truth
- Key To The Highway
- Got To Get Better In A Little While
- Little Wing (Hendrix Cover)
- Let It Rain
- Driftin’ (Eric Solo Acoustic Set)
- Outside Woman Blues (Acoustic Set)
- Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
- Running On Faith
- Motherless Children
- Little Queen Of Spades
- Further On Up The Road
- Wonderful Tonight
- Layla
- Cocaine ( Encore)
- Crossroads (Encore)
