Clapton delivers 'Wonderful' performance

REVIEW
	Eric Clapton April 8, 1998 Palace of Auburn Hills

What do you get when combine amazing lyrics, wicked guitar skills and prestige? The answer: Eric Clapton.

This living legend took the stage Wednesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Finding the seats in the slow-moving middle-aged crowd took until 9 p.m., when the opening act finished.

As soon as the spot lights hit Clapton, his presence was felt. Clad in a black suit, this legend opened with the hit "My Father's Eyes," off his recent release, "Pilgrim."

Clapton was backed up by a 10-piece orchestra, three other guitarists, a bass, one keyboardist, an organ player, drummer and three back-up singers. Needless to say, the stage was full, yet there was plenty of room to view this guitar hero in his finest setting.

Once "Pilgrim," the title track of of his latest release, began to play, the full spectacle of this show became apparent.

The aesthetics consisted of an all-white stage complete with an all-white backdrop. Different colored lights illuminated the backdrop capturing the mood of each song.

Ever-present throughout the show were the classic Clapton slow-hand solos. Perhaps the most amazing solo was in "Pilgrim;" this raging solo in the midst of a slow-emotional ballad was superbly laid out.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Eric Clapton made a "Pilgrim"-age to the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday night.

After rounding out the series of songs from his recent release with "River of Tears," Clapton hit the crowd with "Going Down Slow." Once the audience began to wonder when the acoustic section was coming, Clapton and his backup guitarists took a seat and began "Tears in Heaven."

The release from his appearance on the 1992 soundtrack for "Rush" grew the most audience response thus far in the show - for the crowd with an average age of 40, that wasn't all bad.

Clapton came in knowing what the audience wanted to hear and he supplied it.

Rounding out the acoustic section with "Layla" and "Change the World," Clapton proved that the Palace does have good acoustics. He sounded almost exactly like on a CD - only better - which is unexpected of most Palace shows.

Clapton also included classics such as "Old Love," and "Crossroads" in his set list. During "Crossroads," the lights hit him for a vision almost god-like.

It seemed as though he was beamed down from heaven, and his playing justified it.

The two large screens placed on either side of the stage displayed close ups of his slow-hand work. From a guitar solo in "I Shot the Sheriff," he moved right into "Wonderful Tonight" which produced an overwhelming sensation throughout the crowd.

Being one of Clapton's best songs, "Wonderful Tonight" was an immediate hit amid the audience. The most cheers came when the opening riff was blasted from Clapton's black and white Stratocaster.

A pink hue mixed with white gave this song, and the experience a feeling of purity. The music, the lights and seeing perhaps the greatest living guitarist on stage almost brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance.

The concert could have stopped there, and the audience would have left happy.

But he had more in store for his audience. Clapton moved into a lengthy blues song, "Tearing Us Apart," which contained a tremendous solo from both Clapton and the organ player.

Just when the audience was ready for more, Clapton called it quits.

After exiting the stage Clapton took 10 minutes before returning for an encore. The audience was almost ready to give up, but the wait was justified in his talent.

Clapton finally returned with "Sunshine of Your Love, " which was definitely worth the wait. The audience appreciated it, as they cheered for a good 10 minutes after the house lights went up.

On Wednesday, Eric Clapton was "simply wonderful tonight," delivering a spectacular performance that places him among the greatest talents of all time.

04-10-98