Description
This is the first audio release from the tour that saw the realization of a long-held wish for Eric Clapton: bringing Doyle Bramhall II into the fold. The master recording arrived from a prominent UK-based taper; it is an original DAT master capturing the complete April 17, 2004, concert in Copenhagen, Denmark—part of the “Me and Mr. Johnson Tour”—in exceptionally clear stereo audience sound. This specific show had never been released in Japan and saw only a very limited CDR release overseas. True to form, this veteran taper has delivered a gem from their private collection. The stereo recording is so vivid, well-balanced, and powerful that, were it not for the surrounding audience applause and cheers, no one would question it being a soundboard recording. Let’s look at the timeline of events surrounding this concert to understand where it fits into Clapton’s career. ≪March 30, 2004: Release of the album “Me and Mr. Johnson”≫ • March 24 – May 11, 2004: European Tour ← ★Here★ • June 4, 5, & 6, 2004: First Crossroads Guitar Festival held • June 9 – August 2, 2004: US Tour. Thanks to the superb support of Doyle Bramhall II, it was a day of one brilliant performance after another! As you can see, this tour coincided with the release of the album “Me and Mr. Johnson.” It was a year defined by his drive and enthusiasm, as he went on to host the inaugural “Crossroads Guitar Festival” and embark on an extensive US tour. The bootleg review site Geetarz includes the following commentary regarding this show: This was one of the standout performances of the 2004 tour’s first leg; “Walk Out in the Rain” was executed brilliantly, and “I Shot the Sheriff” featured an intriguing, percussive solo heavy on hand-muting techniques. Unlike the up-tempo, funky rendition in Belfast, “Got to Get Better” was played at a slower, edgier tempo. However, the true highlight of the show was an exceptionally passionate version of “Have You Ever Loved a Woman.” Kicking off with a raw, aggressive intro, EC gave it his all, seemingly deploying his entire arsenal of techniques for the track. It appears to have been a truly unique and magnificent performance. Naturally, the setlist included new material from the album he was promoting at the time; the mid-show segment drew particular attention to how he would perform live the songs by Robert Johnson—an artist Clapton has revered his entire life—that he had just recorded. Additionally, as this was the tour that marked the debut of Doyle Bramhall II as second guitarist, his supporting role was another point of interest. While the seated set in the middle offered plenty of opportunities to enjoy tracks from *Me and Mr. Johnson*, the tour’s real highlights arguably lay elsewhere. It opened with the unexpected and rare choice of the nostalgic “Let It Rain.” This was followed by the surprise inclusion of “Walk Out in the Rain”—a Dylan song originally from the 1978 album *Backless*—delivered with a laid-back feel reminiscent of The Band. “I Shot the Sheriff” closed out the first electric set; as noted in the *Geetarz* commentary, the solo during the song’s outro was a rare, brilliant performance unique to this specific show. It stands as one of the finest live renditions of the song ever recorded—a truly phenomenal performance that comes highly recommended. Kicking off the set following the acoustic interlude, the band unleashed a storm of playing on the Derek and the Dominos track “Got To Get Better In A Little While”—performed here for the first time in 34 years—before segueing seamlessly into a blistering rendition of “Have You Ever Loved A Woman.” This track is a highlight of the show, featuring solos from every melodic instrumentalist, ensuring maximum listener satisfaction; Clapton’s playing here is truly exceptional. The first half alone is enough to leave the audience completely floored. In the second half, the version of “Layla” featuring Doyle Bramhall II stands apart from previous iterations, brilliantly recapturing the raw intensity of the original recording. The outro solo is nothing short of magnificent—and impressively long. The 2004 tour is highly acclaimed in Clapton’s career, and the quality of the musicianship is the reason why. The chemistry of young guitarist Doyle Bramhall II—whom Clapton had long courted to join the band—is simply outstanding; seeing him entrusted with solos on various tracks makes it clear he had already earned Clapton’s absolute trust. Just listen to the interplay of their fiery solos during the “Got To Get Better In A Little While” outro—it’s the kind of passion Clapton was clearly seeking. Furthermore, this tour marked the final time the dynamic Billy Preston performed live (he passed away in 2006). The lineup also introduced a powerful African-American female backing vocal duo: Michelle John and Sharon White. Their soulful backing vocals deliver a gospel-like intensity. Together, this ensemble delivers a truly staggering performance. For the encore, Robert Randolph—a young artist Clapton was championing at the time and had selected as the opening act—joined the band on stage to showcase his signature pedal steel guitar skills. It is a magnificent performance that reveals just how vibrant and energized Clapton was, both physically and mentally, as he approached his sixtieth birthday. Parken Stadium, Osterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark 17th April 2004 ULTIMATE SOUND Disc:1 (58:10) 1. Intro. 2. Let It Rain 3. Hoochie Coochie Man 4. Walk Out In The Rain 5. Bell Bottom Blues 6. I Shot The Sheriff 7. Milkcow’s Calf Blues 8. When You Got A Good Friend 9. They’re Red Hot 10. Kind Hearted Woman 11. Got To Get Better In A Little While ★Performed for the first time in 34 years since 1970 Disc:2 (51:41) 1. Have You Ever Loved A Woman 2. Badge 3. Wonderful Tonight 4. Layla 5. Cocaine 6. Sunshine Of Your Love * 7. Got My Mojo Working * Eric Clapton – guitar / vocals Doyle Bramhall II – guitar / backing vocals Chris Stainton – keyboards Billy Preston – keyboards / backing vocals★ Nathan East – bass / backing vocals Steve Gadd – drums Michelle John – backing vocals Sharon White – backing vocals Special Guest: Robert Randolph – pedal steel *
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