Chris Thilk

Clapton/Winwood: United Center, Chicago

Posted in Music by CThilk on June 18, 2009
Pic from Clapton's official site

Pic from Clapton's official site

I’m not going to try and write my own review of the Steve Winwood/Eric Clapton concert last night at the United Center in Chicago. I will say that it’s just incredible to see two consumate professionals like these guys who are, after all these years, still at the top of their game. Their voices might be a little tired but that’s the only outward sign of age they show outside of how they’ve actually gotten better at their trade.

There was a marked lack of pretense about the entire evening, with both the stars and their backing band simply going about their business and having fun in the process.

Here’s the setlist, retrieved from Greg Kot’s review of the show:

1. Had to Cry Today (Blind Faith)
2. Low Down (J.J. Cale)
3. After Midnight (J.J. Cale)
4. Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith)
5. Sleeping in the Ground (Sam Myers/Blind Faith outtake)
6. Glad (Traffic)
7. Well Alright (Buddy Holly/Blind Faith)
8. Tough Luck Blues (Big Maceo)
9. Pearly Queen (Traffic)
10. Crossroads (Robert Johnson)
11. There’s a River (Winwood)
12. Forever Man (Jerry Williams/Clapton)
13. Georgia on My Mind – Winwood solo (Hoagy Carmichael)
14. Driftin’ Blues – acoustic (Charles Brown)
15. How Long Blues – acoustic (Leroy Carr)
16. Layla – acoustic (Derek and the Dominoes)
17. Can’t Find My Way Home — acoustic (Blind Faith)
18. Split Decision (Winwood)
19. Voodoo Chile (Jimi Hendrix)

Encore:
20. Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson)
21. Drowning on Dry Land (Al Jackson)

2 Responses

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  1. Jess Vetter said, on June 18, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Ahh… ok, that explains everything. I went running last night and saw the crowds moving to the united center. I was trying to figure out who would pull in such a diverse audience.

    • CThilk said, on June 18, 2009 at 3:49 pm

      Yep, that’s that. I was a bit surprised it was as varied a crowd as it was. Expected it to be me, my brother and 20,000 near-retirees.


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