In classic fashion, Clapton lets his guitar do the talking
MANSFIELD - The venue formerly known as the Tweeter Center received its formal christening as the Comcast Center last night. It was a baptism by fire performed, appropriately enough, by guitar god Eric Clapton.
The Powers That Be couldn't have asked for a better blessing as Clapton and his band filled the house with a brisk and bristling set of classic blues and rock.
A percentage of those in the packed-but-not-quite-sold-out house who came expecting a greatest hits set likely left disappointed. Outside of the trio of tunes that closed the regular set - "Wonderful Tonight," "Layla," and "Cocaine" - the 19-song, two-hour performance was weighted heavily toward blues covers. Clapton has clearly reached an age where, if he's going to tour at all, he’s going to do what he wants. And apparently he doesn't want to revisit his seminal, pre-solo career '60s hits or latter-day pop excursions.
Instead, the guitarist offered a trip though favorites by a roster of musicians that read like the entire early influences slate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But those with open ears and minds may have departed with a deeper appreciation for the soul-nourishing music Clapton fell in love with as a boy and still clearly relishes playing with a band of like-minded mates. And the feet of guitar freaks probably didn't touch the ground on the way out, so kinetic were the fret board trade-offs of Clapton and Doyle Bramhall II.
There was the lacerating, deep blue of "Double Trouble" by Otis Rush; Muddy Waters' sassy "I Got My Mojo Working," featuring opener Robert Randolph on stinging steel guitar; and, of course, idol Robert Johnson, who got two tips of the cap with the greasy backbone slide of "Traveling Riverside Blues" and the smoky "Little Queen of Spades," one of many tunes to benefit from keyboardist Chris Stainton's inventive, jazz-tinged phrasing.
And on it went with Willie Dixon, Bill Broonzy, and Jimi Hendrix, who was represented by an elegantly aching version of "Little Wing."
Truthfully, two-thirds of the way through the show a few pop nuggets like "Tears in Heaven" or "She's Waiting" would have been a welcome break from the night’s template. But the playing was so exquisite, their absence was forgivable. (Oddly, journeyman bassist Pino Palladino never got a share of the spotlight or much of a boost in the sound mix).
A man of few words, Clapton offered his heartfelt thanks a few times verbally but mostly showed his gratitude with his guitar.
The cheerful Randolph and his family band rolled through 45 minutes of their spirited blues rock.
