Fastdecision = Slowhand

What to do, what to do, on a Saturday night.

Robert Cray, opening bandOur hiking plans were scrubbed because my ankle would have hated being in a boot for several hours. So at 6:40pm, I discovered that Eric Clapton was in town and playing at the Olympiahallle in one hour and 20 minutes. With a quick look on Ebay, the concert was sold out but people were still selling tickets for dirt cheap. All one had to do was call the number on the Ebay listing.

We called the dude selling tickets for floor level, standing only for 50 bucks a piece, he had two left. We got quickly dress and headed to the U-bahn and the Geldautomat (ATM). Worse case, Tixdude sold the goods before we made it to the Olympiaeinkaufszentrum and we’d be left with a little extra cash. I like these split-second adventures.

Tixdude was at the U-bahn entrance with tickets in hand. Whoa, we’re going to see Eric Clapton and rock out with the german clapton fans. So what if the average age was probably about 45 year olds -it’s Slowhand, man!

With this past week’s temperatures being in the record 90′s (F), the heat inside the Olympiahalle was a little stifling. I wondered if that deterred people from attending the concert, many people were selling their tickets infront of the doors.

The concert started exactly on time with the Robert Cray band. You can listen to his music here. This was first I heard of Robert Cray. I would have been satisfied to hear his smooth, soulful voice and guitar sound for the rest of the evening. But the band’s set ended and we were ready for the main event.

I’ve never been to a major rock/blues concert before. I’m used to the small venues at local bars, like Skippers in Tampa, or the State Theater in Gainesville. I did see DMB in Fort Lauderdale. But Eric Clapton’s band was beyond anything I have ever heard live. Here’s why:
2 Side Guitarists, Derek Trucks(a must follow-up) and Doyle Bramhall II
2 keyboardists: Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon (he played a wicked synthesizer solo on Old Love)
3 horns: Simon Clarke, Roddy Lorimer, Tim Sanders
2 backup vocalists: Michelle John, Sharon White
bass Guitarist: Willie Weeks
Drummer: Steven Jordan

lf to rt: Doyle Bramhall II, Derek Trucks, & Eric ClaptonThe sound was so full it was unbelievable. Alex admitted that German people recognize Clapton’s music because it’s played with many commericals; rather than on the radio. I’m familiar with Clapton’s music because while growing-up my family played the rock stations pretty much all day long, way before Unplugged existed. Most people didn’t sing along with the music, just bobbed their heads a bit. One guy ahead of us brought out a lighter to ‘Wonderful Tonight’ and I admit, it was sweet to hear it live with Alexs’ arms around me.

The last song of the night was Crossroads with Robert Cray. Damn, four gifted guitarists on one stage was definitely a treat. I didn’t take any photos but eventually the evening in Munich should be posted here.