Scene and Heard

A hot Chicago hosted Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, Saturday at Toyota Soccer Park. It was a spectacular lineup mixed with Hall of Fame blues rock guitarists mixed with many of the new guitar superstars. All gathered for the third installment to benefit Clapton’s Antigua Center for Rehabilitation.

The sold out crowd endured the twelve hour classic through the extreme heat which reached nearly 100 degrees on field level.Medical stations were filled to capacity with fans suffering from heat exhaustion.

Event MC Bill Murray reminded the audience “ to keep hydrated and claimed that on this day beer qualifies as a hydrant”.

The conditions may have been tough but those who attended the festival enjoyed an historic day filled with outstanding music played by various combinations of legendary musicians. It was a marathon show filled with musical highlights. With every performer coaxing the other and carrying the audience to the highest levels of music heaven.

Host Eric Clapton asked as he began his set, “ Can you take any more lead guitar?” After a resolving yes, Clapton played with a purpose, dueling with his guest, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Winwood each pushing each other’s talent to the limit. Clapton sounded like the guitar god of the past. Its obvious that he is at his best when he is challenged.

If you missed the show you will have a second chance, both of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals were previously captured on dvd, but you don’t have to wait long to see this year’s show.

The guitar festival will be shown as a one night event in selected movie theaters nationwide as a special two-hour event on July 27th. Presented in HD beginning at 7:30 pm only on Tuesday July 27th, this special concert film will feature musical performances and artist interviews from this year’s show. More info atfathomevents.com.

Show Highlights

1. Eric Clapton and  Steve Winwood’s complete set  Voodoo Chile had people talking  in the parking lot. Clapton’s guitar solo was breathtaking!
2. Buddy Guy, Ronnie Wood and Jonny Lang playing the Stones “Miss You”
3. Robert Randolph and Joe Bonamassa dueling between each other
4. Jeff Beck’s entire set
5. Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Johnny Winter, Cesar Rojas and David Hillgado- Trucks Guitar was on fire!
6. Sonny Landreth and Eric Clapton :The Promised Land”
7. ZZ Top “Jesus Just Left Chicago”
8. Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton
9. EC and Sheryl Crow
10. John Mayer
11. Robert Cray with Jimmie Vaughn and Hubert Sumlin
12. Warren Haynes “ SoulShine”
13. Doyle Bramhall II, Sheryl Crowe and Gary Clark
14. B.B. King and a stage full of guitarist to close the show with “Sweet Home Chicago”

Cover Songs

1. “Voodoo Chile” –  EC and Winwood
2. “Foxy Lady” – R Randolph
3. “ Crossroads” – (Twice played)  J Mayer and Clapton
4. “Red House” -Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Johnny Winter, Cesar Rojas and David Hillgado
5. “Wait until Tomorrow” – John Mayer Trio
6. “Sittin on Top of the World”- Robert Cray with Jimmie Vaughn and Hubert Sumlin
7. “ I Want to Take you Higher” – Jeff Beck
8. “Shake Your Moneymaker” – EC and J Beck
9. “Well Alright” -EC and S Winwood
10. “Lay Down Sally” – Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow
11. “Coming Home” – Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Chris Stainton, Cesar Rojas and David Hillgado
12. “300 pounds of Heavenly Joy” – Hillgado and Rojas
13. “I Shot the Sheriff” – EC
14. “Live Together”- Derrick Trucks , Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes
15. “ Luxury Liner” – Vince Gill, ALee , Keb Mo and, J Burton

Here are the ages of key performers at Saturday’s Crossroads festival. The average age is slightly more than 54 per artist, with a few twentysomethings lowering the curve:

B.B. King, 84

Hubert Sumlin, 79

Buddy Guy, 73

James Burton, 70

Jeff Beck, 66

Albert Lee, 66

Bert Jansch, 66

Johnny Winter, 66

Eric Clapton, 65

Stefan Grossman, 65

Steve Winwood, 62

Jimmie Vaughan, 59

Sonny Landreth, 59

Keb’ Mo’, 58

Robert Cray, 56

Earl Klugh, 56

David Hidalgo, 55

Cesar Rosas, 55

Pino Daniele, 55

Vince Gill, 53

Sheryl Crow, 48

Doyle Bramhall II, 41

Susan Tedeschi, 39

Joe Bonamassa, 33

John Mayer, 32

Derek Trucks, 31

Jonny Lang, 29

More photos at http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=tV8h7Mfk&a_id=4730242