STEVE GADD WITH ERIC CLAPTON
ROBERT JOHNSON TOUR
Madison Square Garden, NYC

Eric Clapton Performance at MSG, NYC

by Marcia Stevenson

The talented and beautiful background singers Sharon White and Michele John
The talented and beautiful background singers
Sharon White and Michele John
Eric Clapton’s phenomenal career spans five decades; his legendary blues guitar work was definitive in such groups as the Yardbirds, Cream, Delaney and Bonnie, and Derek and the Dominos. An early graduate of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Clapton has played with and recorded with many top artists including B.B. King, George Harrison (who can forget his outstanding lead guitar solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps") and countless others.

His straight ahead approach to the blues guitar along with his even and appealing vocals draws you right into the soul of his music. The band, which featured Nathan East on bass, Doyle Bramhall II on guitar and vocals, Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon on keyboards, Sharon White and Michele John singing background vocals accented with LP hand percussion, along with legendary drummer and LP artist Steve Gadd, was tight and forceful.

A Steve Gadd fan since the late 70s, it was wonderful to see him play with Clapton. Gadd is often referred to as a drummer’s drummer and is one of the most influential percussionists of contemporary times. His natural style of drumming pulls you into the rhythm and groove of the music.

Steve GaddMany of master blues man, Robert Johnson songs were featured during the performance, all of which Clapton considers staples in his personal repertoire. He also played several of his biggest hits from Cream and Derek and the Dominos. The encore included "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Got My Mojo Working", at which point he brought out the unbelievable, slide guitarist from the opening act, Robert Randolph, who is from Queens, New York. Obviously by Randolph’s smile this was the highlight of his career.

At the post concert party, Steve Gadd was gracious enough to spend time with his fans. I feel fortunate that I was able to see Gadd perform at an early stage of his career at the Joyous Lake, a small club in Woodstock, New York. I was curious to know what the other band members were up to. Steve mentioned, "It just so happens that I am playing at a concert next month with Mike Mainieri (vibes) in Japan. David Spinoza (guitar) is doing very well working on Broadway."

While leaving we met again at the elevator, Steve confessed that he loves LP, and of course, LP loves Steve Gadd!