Palace Of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
13th July 2004


Review by : Tom Stephens

This was as fine a rock show as I've ever attended. Totally professional, passionate, technically and spiritually mind-blowing. Great song choices with the widest appeal to the greatest number of fans (though I see by another review it's the identical set from 7/4...) Clapton delivers!


Review by : Kim

As with all the other reviews, I have to say, the man can rock. No matter his age, he still can play guitar better than anyone I've ever heard! I don't know how he continues to play 'Layla', 'Wonderful Tonight', and all his other classics with such freshness and without getting extremely bored with them! I know I like to listen to them repeatedly, and will never tire of another rendition of 'Cocaine' or 'Badge', but he still plays 'em with a lot overpowered enthusiasm. That or he's a good actor! Anyway, he was, of course, magnificent, and even picked up in the middle of a song with his guitar fixed after it malfunctioned in some manner, and he began the song guitar less, (which looked really funny as I've never seen him sing without a guitar strapped on him!) Anybody on the line about going to see him, my advice, Go! The sound was good at the Palace, and, though I was stressed to see that he didn't sell out there, there were a lot of people who did have the good sense to come, and seemed to really enjoy him as much as I did! My 24 year old son said he was one of the best 5 concerts he's ever been to. Guess the old guy can cross the generations, his music's that good!


Review by : Carl Savich

Eric Clapton's concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills north of Detroit was a great success. The Palace is the home of the Detroit Pistons who just won the NBA world championship this summer. The Palace was not sold out, but attendance was respectful befitting the legendary guitarist. Clapton performed the same set list of his previous concerts. The "fifth Beatle" Billy Preston was on keyboards while Doyle Bramhall II provided the second lead guitar. One of the loudest ovations was for the performance of "Badge", a song co-written by George Harrison for the final Cream album GOODBYE in 1969. It was also Cream's last single. George Harrison played rhythm guitar on the original Cream track. Billy Preston did extensive solos on "Badge" while Clapton added the concert coda to the song where he sings "Where is my badge?"

"Layla" was another standout. Clapton performed the original Derek and the Dominoes version complete with the piano coda performed by Chris Stainton and Billy Preston. Clapton and Bramhall also duplicated the Duane Allman and Clapton interplay of guitars of the original. This was a great performance. Another highlight was the Dominoes song "Got to Get Better in a Little While", a song Clapton hadn't performed on tour. Clapton delivered a great performance of this song. Clapton was on fire for all the songs. "Let it Rain" started a bit tentative but once Clapton warmed up, there was no looking back. It is easy to see why they called Clapton God in the 1960s. Slowhand is still the master of the electric guitar. I can't think of anyone who can surpass him as a guitarist. He is the cream of the crop.

The Palace show was a great success. Clapton received huge ovations after every song. I found his encore performance of the Cream classic "Sunshine of Your Love" as a bit lackluster though. It sounded like he was just going through the motions on that song. It was too fast and the bass and drums were not quite right. But it obviously cannot compare to the Cream versions of the song. But I though Clapton performed it much better in concert, especially with Phil Collins. The Robert Johnson acoustic set was also impressive.

This tour is highly recommended. It is well worth the money to see "God". This is a unique concert experience that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. It is worth whatever you pay to get in. But whatever you do, go and see it!


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