Eric Clapton
"Spiritual Home"
The Centre at
Chicago, Illinois
April 10, 1998

CD-R2 - lun - Aud 4 (Scale 1-6)

Disc 1:

1) My Father's Eyes
2) Pilgrim
3) One Chance
4) River of Tears
5) Going Down Slow
6) She's Gone
7) Tears In Heaven
8) Layla
9) Change the World
10) Old Love

Disc 2:

1) Crossroads
2) Have You Ever Loved a Woman
3) I Shot the Sheriff
4) Wonderful Tonight
5) Tearing Us Apart
6) Cocaine
7) Sunshine of Your Love
8) Sweet Home Chicago/Watch Yourself (with Buddy Guy)

Band Lineup:

Eric Clapton Guitar, Vocals
Andy Fairweather Low Guitar, Vocals
Nathan East Bass, Vocals
Alan Darby Guitar, Vocals
Tim Carmon Keyboards, Vocals
Kenneth Crouch Keyboards
Ricky Lawson Drums
Katie Kissoon Backing Vocals
Chyna Backing Vocals
Charlean Hines Backing Vocals

Eric was accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra with Nick Ingman as conductor.

Geetarz Comments:

History is a funny thing ... for an appreciation, often time must pass, so that events can be seen in a greater context. Often, at the time events are happening, observers are too involved in them to be objective.

Clapton's 1998 tour may be a case in point ... at the time, most fans were really discouraged and disappointed by the production style of the then-new "Pilgrim" release, with its slick feel, looped rhythms, and drum machines.

However, the underlying material was strong, and the performances of this tour have aged well, and in retrospect were really quite good. At the time, a lot of emphasis was put on the addition of a third guitar player and an orchestra, which of necessity took some of the spotlight off EC's guitar work, but with time that has passed, it's clear that it's there in spades.

In reality, it's a blistering show, and off to a great start. During the third number, "One Chance", EC's then-manager, Roger Forrester, got up from his seat near the soundboard and walked forward, motioning downward with his hand as if to say "hold it back". EC quips "I've got to be careful, I've just been warned to slow down a bit...".

Overall, it's certainly one of those shows, where EC and band were really in top form and having to hold back at times in early parts of the set in order to keep the show well paced.

One of the reasons that everyone was so excited becomes apparent at the end of the show, where EC states "well I haven't said much since we've been here tonight ... since I've been 14 or 15 years old, this has been my Spiritual Home ... and one of the reasons ... is the man standing on the side of the stage right now ... he was my hero then, he's my hero now ... please welcome to the stage, Buddy Guy!".

Guy then joins the band on "Sweet Home Chicago" (who would have guessed?) and "Watch Yourself".

One of the best 1998 shows, and recommended.

Lineage:

Unknown AUD > CD-R (trade) > EAC v. 0.99 Prebeta 5 (Secure, Offset Correct) > FLAC

Artwork, checksums, info file, and EAC logs included.

Enjoy!

~Geetarz, September 2010

www.geetarz.org