Eric Clapton
Jerry Portnoy Buddy Guy Albert Collins Robert Cray Jimmy Vaughan Eric Clapton Royal Albert Hall 1991
Well, the Royal Albert Hall is everything one might think of in this structure and more. It was built for comfort and sometimes the sound gets carried away in the dome. If you are travelling from the states or Europe, make sure you're sitting in the stalls or the orchestra.
Twenty four nights was an historical event and it was great to be there to capture those passionate moments
The last blues show was looser than the other performances and everyone felt good and played out. After five nights at the same hall it starts to feel like home. Eric is a great team player because he ripped, but he also let the others strut their signature styles. Albert came on stage playing hard and walked up to the stalls in the audience. The fans were overwhelmed by his emotional playing that was up close and personal. The audience and band had a great laugh because of Albert's showmanship and antics. He was plucking that telecaster as he walked on his tiptoes hitting high notes.
Buddy came out of his dressing room playing his guitar over the house PA system and walked right into the middle of the orchestra to mark his arrival. I am surprised he didn't get lost in that maze downstairs like the boys in "Spinal Tap". Buddy was in fine spirits and talked about his friendship with Eric as well as his love of the blues.
It was great to see Guy sharp in a suit and tie. He danced and made funny faces like a theatrical performer, but never losing that masterful stroke of genius.
I never thought a more powerful line up of the blues would form than Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Jimmy Vaughn, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. Then I went to the Apollo Theatre for the Hall of Fame for B.B. King.
B.B. King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton were there for a private rehearsal, formal rehearsal and the live performance. Yes, you did want to be there for the private rehearsal with the other twenty people in the room.
