[Slowhand] EC at the NEC, Birmingham

[Michael Sawin]

Another day, another City, another slight tweaking of the set-list. Just got 
back from the NEC in Birmingham and I am happy to tell you that all is going 
well. The rhythm section are really grooving together as though they've been 
together forever (actually, they have) The Kick Horns add great effect on 
songs such as 'After Midnight' and 'Nobody Knows You....' and the BV's are 
really spot on. And also I'm happy to report that Eric's solos are no less 
intense with special mentions on 'Pretending','Lost and Found, 'Sheriff',', 
'Queen of Spades'and 'Crossroads'. I still feel that Doyle, although a great 
counter to Derek, still looks a little like a fish out of water in the whole 
context of things. He's given a solo, steps forward, performs totally 
competently and then steps back out of the lime-light. Ditto Tim on keys 
(only he doesn't step forward).
We were all worried that having 3 guitarists would dilute the effect but I 
can honestly say that Eric doesn't play less solos than on other tours, it's 
just that he's a bit like a doting parent on stage, looking after everyone 
and trying to be fair. I reality it should be 'Me, Me, Me'. Who remembers 
his  band of late 78? (am I going back a bit too far for some of you? 
Indeed, were a lot of you born by then? God, I've been doing this too 
long!)). That year he had just a 4 piece-Jamie Oldaker, Dickie Sims and Carl 
Dean Radle. And it rocked. He had to do all the rhythm and lead work and it 
was obviously challenging but not unsatisfactory. Check out some recordings 
from that year if you can. To be fair, some of his finest stuff has happened 
when he has one other guitarist on stage with him-be it George Terry, Tim 
Renwick, Albert Lee or Phil Palmer. The only other time I remember 2 backing 
guitarists was when he had Andy F-L and the totally under-rated Alan Darby. 
Actually, I quite liked that tour. Ummm.That sort of disproves my theory!
Anyways, the tour progresses, the set gets refined. And still no Robert Cray 
sitting in with him on some delicious Blues number.
I think I'll mosey on up to Nottingham on Sunday, score a ticket and then 
it's the run at the RAH. Time to meet up with old friends and enjoy the 
brief few days of madness. And then, possibly Paris? Or Lille? Or Umbria? 
Why can't I be a millionaire and just go to them all?

NEC Setlist:

Pretending
So Tired/Got to get better
Lost and Found
Sheriff
Let it Rain
Back Home(acoustic)
I am Yours (acoustic)
Nobody Knows You (acoustic)
MilkCow Blues (acoustic)
Running On Faith(acoustic)
After Midnight
Little Queen of Spades
Eveybody Oughta make a Change
Motherless Children
Wonderful Tonight
Layla
Cocaine
Enc: Crossroads