[Slowhand] Review

[Mel Boss]

Gdmorning  :-)
 
In a word - "best" - that's how I'd describe Monday's Clapton-Winwood show at the Oracle Arena. The best sound (from the 21st row just off-center) and the best setlist from the best artists collaborating to produce the best performance - I've ever seen! Seriously good sound with perfect balance among the players - all crystal clear.
 
The 20-song setlist was unchanged from LasV with my personal highpoints being Had to Cry, VooDoo and Fantasy for their shear power and endurance and the acoustic LowSparks. Particularly in "Had to Cry," I loved the double-lead guitar solos of E and Steve at the song's end - simultaneously played with different, complementary leads. You don't hear that much! 
 
Also, I thought that the version of Driftin' played was the best Id ever heard (and I've heard gazillions). E started finger-picking flesh-to-the-strings and then materialized a pick and continued in a particularly feisty fashion, and then the song transitioned into a brief, yet, spicy Winwood keyboard part. Nice!
 
Split Decision sent chills down my spine, and Forever Man pinned our ears back! Even the well-worn, acoustic-Layla played by seated E & Steve picking and strumming in perfect harmony was crisp and fresh, punctuated by some fine keyboard work by Chris Staiton who also played a key role on this particularly animated version of Cocaine.
 
Hell. I loved it all. There was no lull.
Twenty songs in a little over two hours.
Not bad for a couple of old guys (although, up close with my binoculars, I think I saw a visibly tuckered man in god)... He's back people!