The definitive edition of the first leg of the 2008 European tour! This week, we received a master from Taper, a veteran in the UK known for Eric Clapton recordings. This is a DAT master recording of the full stage of the first leg of the 2008 European tour, the Nottingham performance on June 23rd, with astonishingly superb sound quality and a stereo audience! As for the sound source of this day, our shop released a superb sound source from the festival held in London's Hyde Park on the 28th, five days later, under the title "Ultimate Hyde Park 2008: DAT Master (2CD)." However, this work is even more valuable because it includes one more song, the rare Midnight Hour Blues, and the encore was "Got My Mojo Working" instead of the usual Crossroads. The sound quality is extremely clear, and the master has excellent sound balance. The sound field is also wide. As expected from Taper, we could only groan. Therefore, it is completely unedited and unadjusted. Clapton's performance quality is just as high as Hyde Park's throughout the entire recording! Please enjoy Clapton's incredible performance, which was on fire during the first leg of his European tour, with this superb sound quality. A motivated stage after the rhythm section change! Here's a look back at Clapton's activities for the year: 2008: February 25, 26, and 28: Joint concert with Steve Winwood at Madison Square Garden in New York; April 30: Surprise appearance with Sheryl Crow's band at the Sunfest Sports & Arts Festival in Palm Beach, Florida; May 3–June 5: American tour (11 shows); June 20–29: First leg of European tour (5 shows); August 6–23: Second leg of European tour (11 shows). While he efficiently incorporated vacations, he managed to hold a joint concert with his old friend Winwood early in the year (his first since Blind Faith, 39 years ago), and then embarked on an energetic American and European tour. The first leg of the tour, however, only featured five shows. It's worth noting that during this time, the rhythm section was replaced in the 15 days between the American and European tours. On the American tour, bass was played by Pino Palladino (a session bassist renowned for his work with Phil Collins, The Who, and John Mayer, who previously performed with Clapton on "Bad Love" from the album "Journeyman"), and drums by Ian Thomas (a British session drummer who was selected for the MSG performance with Winwood in February of that year, and is currently with the Mark Knopfler Band). For the European tour, however, bass was replaced by Willie Weeks, and drums by Abe Laborial Jr. (from the Paul McCartney Band). With all of these musicians being busy, it seems Clapton had a difficult time securing them. Clapton had been a big fan of Willie Weeks's groove since they first performed together in 2006, and had nominated him, but Weeks' schedule had been conflicting, so it was only at this point that the opportunity finally came together. As for Abe, it seems that Clapton borrowed him as a courtesy to Paul McCartney, as Clapton's regular favorite Steve Gadd and Steve Jordan, who provided excellent support on the 2006/2007 tour, were unable to make arrangements. As a result of this arrangement, Clapton was able to perform with Weeks & Laborial Jr., the rhythm section supporting him for only this period in his career. As expected of both musicians of the highest caliber, they mastered Clapton's repertoire with only a short period of rehearsal, delivering a superb performance in this first leg. Abe's distinctive bottom-heavy drumming, in particular, is a perfect fit for Clapton's repertoire, making for a truly enjoyable listen. A rare number from this period in the setlist is Outside Woman Blues, a song from his Cream days. He likely enjoyed playing it at the 2005 Cream reunion concert. It's also fascinating to hear Clapton's band version here. Then there's "Here But I Am Gone," a song by Curtis Mayfield, whom Clapton adores. This was the only time he performed Mayfield's music. And Double Trouble, performed for the first time in 13 years since the 1995 "Nothing But the Blues Tour," is amazing! Clapton drives the drums wildly, and the backing musicians each take dense solos, creating a very tight performance. Also worth listening to is the Dominos-era "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad," showcasing the interplay between Clapton and the rhythm section. This intense number features Weeks and Clapton riding on Abe's drumming, which is different from Gadd and Jordan's previous work. The transition to a sitting set is also quite captivating. While everyone usually plays "unplugged," here Clapton plays acoustic guitar, while the others play electric. Particularly noteworthy are "Midnight Hour Blues" and "Rockin' Chair." These two tracks were originally featured on the album "CLAPTON," released two years later, making it rare to see them debut two years earlier. Clapton's beloved Leroy Carr's "Midnight Hour Blues" was not included on the standard edition, but was instead included as a bonus track on select limited editions (it's now included on the digital release "Rarities 2001-2010," released in 2023). Chronologically speaking, playing these two tracks on this tour likely inspired him to record them in studio for the "CLAPTON" album. Motherless Child also made an appearance on the set, marking his first appearance since the 1995 "Nothing But the Blues Tour." And Robert Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues" also featured. It's a delight to hear live versions of tracks from the "SESSIONS FOR ROBERT J." album. Even when he returned to the standing-room electric set, there were plenty of impressive tracks. The double slide with Doyle on "Motherless Children" is brilliant, while the rich blues of "Little Queen of Spades" is a blast. "Wonderful Tonight" is inserted as usual, but the solo in the middle of this take is Clapton's signature phrasing and is wonderful. Hearing this kind of playing, you can't help but think, "That's Clapton!" And then there's Abe's Layla, with its powerful bottom section. Clapton also delivers a sharp solo in the postlude. Listening to this, Clapton's enthusiasm, playing to the end, is incredible, as if he was simply inspired by the new rhythm section. As mentioned above, the encore, originally "Crossroads" at Hyde Park, is replaced here with Muddy Waters' "Got My Mojo Working." Robert Randolph, who performed as the opening act, joins in to showcase his signature pedal steel. He was a rising star whose talent Clapton had been keeping an eye on at the time. His playing, with Clapton's help and freedom of movement, was also superb. This day, packed with passionate performances, ended with him also heating up the atmosphere. As an added bonus, the intro to "Key to the Highway" is an arrangement from a Tampa concert on December 1, 1970, when Clapton performed with Duane Allman in Derek and the Dominos (Clapton listened to a bootleg recording of that performance and revived this arrangement in 2006). Even at this point, Clapton was an advanced 63-year-old. Clapton was truly amazing. Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, UK 23rd June 2008 ULTIMATE SOUND (from Original Masters) Disc:1 (70:32) 1. Tell The Truth 2. Key To The Highway★The intro is the arrangement from the Tampa concert with Duane Allman (Clapton listened to a bootleg from that day and revived this arrangement after 2006) 3. Hoochie Coochie Man 4. Here But I Am Gone★ 5. Outside Woman Blues★ 6. Double Trouble<★ 7. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad 8. Midnight Hour Blues★ 9. Rockin' Chair★ 10. Motherless Child★ 11. Travelin' Riverside Blues★ 12. Running On Faith Disc:2 (46:12) 1. Motherless Children 2. Little Queen of Spades 3. Before You Accuse Me 4. Wonderful Tonight 5. Layla 6. Cocaine 7. Got My Mojo Working★ (encore) * Eric Clapton - guitar, vocals Doyle Bramhall II - guitar, backing vocals Chris Stainton - keyboards Willie Weeks - bass Abe Laboriel Jr - drums Michelle John - backing vocals Sharon White - backing vocals Special Guest: Robert Randolph - pedal steel *
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