Jes.... God
has heard our prayers and gives us a real sunny late afternoon after so
many rainy days for the long announced
Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert, here at Munich's Kings Square. And
the local promoter is even more happy, because of the fact, that many
Blues Rock Fans have decided last minute to come along due to the nice
weather conditions. Yeah well, I mean, nobody loves standing in the
pooring rain for 2 hours. But so the sunshine has pulled last but
not least 14.800 people, and this despite the high ticketprices of
95 Euros.
There is no prologue, as Winwood and Clapton don't need any support
anyway, do they? And both Oldies start their set together at 8.15 p.m.
with Traffics 'Had To Cry Today'. You can feel and see, that these two
boys know each other for more than 4 decades now, when they played
together in the first supergroup of Rock'n'Roll 'Blind Faith'- At this
time both had already made themselves a name individually - Winwood with
the Spencer Davis Group and Clapton with Cream. And last named one
comments this fact now with the words: “It’s
great to play with Steve
again. Something
I’ve wanted to do all my life.” – The magic continues with 'Low
Down' where both share the lead vocals and there is a great keyboard
solo included.
Tonight is a journey in
time throughout all chapters, which means Claptons greatest Hits as
'After Midnight', ' Layla' (of course the acoustic version) and of
course 'Cocaine', - then Traffics no.1 song ''Glad' and the encore 'Dear
Mr.Fantasy'. also by Traffic.
Mr. Winwood performs an impressing version of Ray Charles 'Georgia On My
Mind', which he announces with the words:
„Here’s
something that
takes us back a bit and it might take you back too.” .- Ray could not have
played it any better himself.
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Not to forget Jimi
Hendrix hommage with a 15 minutes version of 'Voodoo Chile'. And when
Steve Winwood starts the first tunes fo the biggest hit of the Spencer
Davis Group - 'Gimme Some Lovin', the whole square is singing along.
Inbetween the songs, there ain't no much talking, exept the usual thank
you. Only once, Eric Clapton remembers his last visit to Munich - same
place, when it was pooring raining. And how nice it is tonight, compared
to then. But that's it what's up to the conversation with the audiance,
which ain't seated today like last time. And while Mr.Winwoods
facelifting is pretty obvious, Mr.Clapton aged 64 now, rather looks like
a old hippie or the poor poet with his long hair again. But that's
exactly what he's not. It's his moody excentric, which is so much known
of the king of bluesguitar. He does what he wants, but not promo or
press. - For what? He doesn't need it anymore, does he?! Everything is
said, what had to be said. Nowadays it's only the music left, doing the
talking.
On drums a very wellknown musican as well - Mr. Steve Gadd.
That one again belongs to
the top ligue of drummers worldwide. Billboard and Rolling Stones have
voted him to the 10 best drummers in the world in the past. Mind me, you
won't get any extensive drum solos at a Clapton/Winwood Show. It
wouldn't suit, would it?
Also to mention is keyboardist Chris Stainton, who shows his skill most
at the performance of 'Cocaine' - Respect!
There is also bassist Willie Weeks and the two background singers sharon
White and Michelle John.
And while Clapton uses
any moments another guitar, Winwood is changing between the six strings
and the piano constantly. Although I can't avoid the feeling, he'd feel
better as a background musician than a frontman like here. Though he's
got the much more impressing voice then Clapton has.
The Munich audiance is
consisting of grandpa's/mum's to grandson's and daughters. And all
generations show a lot of enthusiasm.
It's not the enthusiasm of a teenie generation, well most of us ain't 20
something anymore, but we truly enjoy this show very much. The magic is
finished almost exactly at 10.30 p.m. And before the first fan leaves
the square, those black limousines with our heroes have left into the
night.
However, this trip
into the past has been worth while with two of the last living
Rock'n'Roll icons of the Sixties - Eric Clapton and
Steve Winwood.
who knows whether there will be a next time or not. And there's still
the question in the air, what is left, when all our rocklegends are
history one day?
http://www.ericclapton.com/
http://www.stevewinwood.com/
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