What do you get when you combine one of the greatest concert venues in the world with a birthday celebration? Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall in London last Friday night!

Clapton turns seventy this year and is holding a series of concerts in New York and London to celebrate.
People come to hear the hits and Eric delivered.
Best songs of the night : Wonderful Tonight and an acoustic version of Layla.
Best guitar solo of the night was a tie between I Shot the Sheriff and Crossroads.
I’ve seen Clapton a number of times and this is the first time I’ve heard him play Tears from Heaven.
You could have heard a pin drop in the hall. I’m sure everyone in the hall was thinking about Eric’s son and also the death this week of BB King, a strong influence to Clapton’s music. It is maybe also a sign that Eric has recognized his advancing years.
How did it end? with a rousing version of Cocaine which had the entire venue dancing in the aisles.

What this all goes to show is that even at seventy, ‘Old Slowhand’ can still deliver.

Live fom London,
Blake

Thank you Blake! We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the show.

This special feature of guest bloggers with reviews of awesome concerts is open to submissions so please feel free to connect if you have something you would like to share.

Fredericton’s own Sleepy Driver will deliver a special show to celebrate the 10 years they have been making music together. The full band does not perform often so their fans know not to miss an opportunity to see them live. Members include Barry Hughes (drums & vocals), Mike Hatheway (bass), John Heinstein (keys), Ethan Young-Lai (guitar), Peter Hicks (vocals & guitar) and Dave Palmer (pedal steel).

I asked Peter what their fans can expect from the night?

“Sleepy Driver has been at it for about ten years now, from being a humble three-piece combo all the way to the existing six-member band. Ten years is an accomplishment. We think that’s worth celebrating, and can’t think of a better way than to play our debut album ‘Steady Now‘ from start to finish. Largely because that’s what introduced most people to us. Of course we’ll also dig deep into our other albums. We’re also very proud to have to have Juanita Bourque join us on Friday. She’ll open the night with Shane Guitar then lend her voice to our set. It’s going to be a great night of music.”

The band has a solid foundation of songwriting and creates an alternative roots rock that is a formidable blend of college rock, blues, and old school country. Their sound is dark yet optimistic, gritty and honest with a healthy respect for tradition, full of dynamics, subtlety and noise.

According to the Facebook event this show is now SOLD OUT! and all indications lead me to think this event is something we will be talking about for a long time. I hope you were wise and picked up your tickets early!

See you at the James Joyce Pub!

The Young Novelists are once again playing their way through the maritimes  from Toronto and will take the stage at The Capital tomorrow night (Thursday, May 7) at 10PM. If you can’t make that show you should consider catching their show at the Roots & Soul Music Room on Friday night at 8PM.

I first saw the band playing Mama’s Pub about like 5 years ago and I was more than impressed with the songwriting and harmonies. Since then they’ve come back to Fredericton numerous times both as a duo and full band in different venues including a house concert and a sold out show at Roxstone Cafe.

CBC’s Bob Mersereau has prepared a great review of the band’s new album :

With James’ lyrics, there’s a strong emotional core that affects the listener on first listen, with all those communal themes. The folk nature of the group has grown closer to rock along the way too. “There is a part of me that likes to rock out,” admits James.

Click here to read Bob’s full review. When I contacted the band to see what the good people of Fredericton could expect from their show this was their response:

“Beards, plaid, & harmonies with an even mix of songs from the new album and the back catalogue, sing-alongs & stomping good times!”

How can you possibly resist that?!

Also on the bill at the Capital is Jerry Leger & the Situation in support of their album Early Riser produced by Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies. One of Jerry’s earliest supporters was Ron Sexsmith, who’s played piano on a couple previous albums including Some Folks Know which also featured a duet with Serena Ryder. I had not heard of him before but after seeing him at the Capital a while back I definitely won’t forget him.

I know it isn’t always easy to get out so late on a ‘work night’ but I think you’ll agree it was worth it on Friday 🙂