The last time was in Mogador in January 2018. Eric Clapton then accepted the invitation (and money) from Edouard Carmignac to give an anthology private concert. But the story between the god of the six-string and France seemed complicated. A dark story of speeding in the 2000s got the better of his relationship with France. But all this seems forgotten since yesterday evening in an Accor Arena which had been sold out for months, Eric Clapton gave the first of four concerts of a short French tour.
First impression when he arrives on stage at 8:55 p.m., Clapton has made an effort, looking handsome in his dark suit and white shirt. A smile and there he grabs his Stratocaster now displaying the colors of the Palestinian flag. Clapton starts with “Blue Dust”, a new instrumental track, but which immediately lays the foundations for a show without frills: a huge sound, impressing Paris, which gives this reunion a standing ovation with passion. “Good evening Paris, it’s been so long” says the person before singing “Key To The Highway”, a classic from his repertoire borrowed from Charles Segar.
Before continuing the blues atmosphere on “I’m your Hoochie Coochie Man” by Willie Dixon. But it is the first bars of “Badge”, one of the historic hits of Cream, his first group, which thrill the audience. Without overdoing it but with the ease of a lord, Clapton delivers a breathtaking solo, which he plays with his eyes closed. He continues with his recent single “Prayer of a Child” played against the backdrop of images of destroyed buildings and children wandering the streets of Gaza. Rarely has Clapton played the political card in his concerts. And it is without a word that he concludes the piece – the words displayed on the screens being sufficiently eloquent.
The artist still so comfortable
Then there he sits down on a chair and picks up an acoustic guitar. The acoustic set starts with “Back Home”, a surprising choice, intended for purists. “It’s been what, ten years since my last concert here?” It’s ridiculous,” asks Clapton (fourteen in reality), “but I hope to come back one day, because afterward…. »
At 79 years old, Clapton does not, however, give the feeling of being at the end of his career, more at ease than ever when he performs “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”. Another rarity of the evening, “Golden Ring” taken from the album “Backless” (1978) and played for only the sixth time! But Paris especially applauds the first bars of “Tears in Heaven”, the iconic ballad, written after the accidental death of her young son Connor in 1991.
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Since then, Eric Clapton has never stopped playing it, performing it at each of his concerts, with a devotion and emotion that command respect. Paris made no mistake and gave him a long ovation. But Clapton is not the kind of man to let himself be overwhelmed. No, here he reconnects his Stratocaster and launches “Got to Get Better in a Little While” created when he was part of the group Derek & the Dominos. There for almost 10 minutes, Clapton gives a real lesson between magical solos and powerful groove. The machine is only more impressive when it revs up.
1 hour 30 minutes of show
Surrounded by Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon on keyboards, supported by guitarist Doyle Bramhall III, bassist Nathan East and two backing vocalists, Clapton behaves like a generous leader, leaving space for his musicians, de facto accepting a (short) solo drums from Sonny Emory. “Holy Mother” – third and final rarity of this evening – then makes its appearance, allowing the temperature to drop again. Before Clapton unsheathes his last three uppercuts: “Crossroads” played funkier than usual, “Little Queen of Spades” stretched over almost 10 minutes and “Cocaine” where the audience finally gets up to rush in front of the scene.
Clapton now sings “Dirty Cocaine” during the chorus, twisting the initial meaning of the title song of “Slowhand”. But Clapton, back from everything, from the hell of drugs and alcohol, would definitely not want to encourage the younger generations to stick their noses in white powder… One last solo and there he is leaving the stage after 1 hour 30 show. Only one song on the encore, a cover of Bo Diddley “Before you accuse me” played with almost juvenile enthusiasm. Clapton retires with a smile on his lips, the feeling of duty accomplished – without forcing too much. But therein lies the strength of geniuses…
In concert on May 27 in Paris (Accor Arena), May 29 in Lyon (LDLC Arena) and May 31 in Nîmes (Arènes)
Setlist for May 26 Paris, Accor Arena
1/ Blue Dust
2/ Key to the Highway
3/ I’m your Hoochie Coochie Man
4/ Badge
5/ Prayer of a Child
6/ Back Home
7/ Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
8/ Golden Ring
9/ Tears in Heaven
10/ Got to Get Better in a Little While
11/ Holy Mother
12/ Crossroads
13/ Little Queen of Spades
14/ Cocaine
15/ Before you accuse me
