Archive for the ‘Muddy Waters’ Category

Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 1978

Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 1978
Support from Muddy Waters
Clapton was back in Newcastle one year from his last visit, this time with the legendary Muddy Waters as special guest. I was excited about seeing Clapton, but was perhaps even more excited about seeing Muddy Waters, who had truly legendary status. Muddy Waters seemed an old guy to me at the time, although he was actually only 63, which is not much that much older than I am now. I remember him singing his classic songs, including “Hoochie Coochie Man”. Clapton released a clutch of albums during the mid 70s, and new songs like “Wonderful Tonight” were becoming part of the set. He was still playing a lot of blues, which is what he is best at. Looking at set lists for the tour it seems he was opening with “Layla” on most nights, which was an interesting choice for a first song. A recording exists of the concert which shows the setlist as: Layla; Worried Life Blues; Wonderful Tonight; If I Don’t Be There By Morning; Double Trouble; I’ll Make Love to You Any Time; Badge; Key to the Highway; Cocaine; Blues Jam #1 (Tore Down); Blues Jam #2 (Standing Around Crying, Long Distance Call).  Clapton’s band for this tour were a small tight unit of Dick Sims – Keyboard; Carl Radle – Bass; and Jamie Oldaker – Drums.