What a Treat!

It was a magic day. My friend, Jack, flew all the way from Philadelphia to Tokyo and treated me a lunch and a concert experience of Eric Clapton.

A Magic Happened

I just watched Jackson Browne on my birthday and returned to my home. Shortly after that, Jack texted me to ask if I am interested in watching Eric Clapton at Nippon Budokan. I was a bit bewildered since I had never received such an offer. But, I said yes since I love Eric Clapton and Jack’s intention. Then, this happened.

Lunch and Japanese Garden

We met each other in Komagome in 8 years since we had met in my town, Sendai. Jack treated me with a lunch as one of his 2023 challenge, “Take A Musician To Lunch Every Week.” It was a feast. We had a steamed meat dumpling and Mapo Tofu at a venue.

We visited a Japanese garden and had a Matcha tea at the garden. We went down to Suidobashi on foot and took a train to IIdabashi.

Nippon Budokan

Here we were! We arrived in the venue, Nippon Budokan. There were already so many people there. Our seats were pretty good to watch Eric Clapton. We had a very good time there.

Key To The Highway

Among the set list, I loved “Key to the Highway since this is a tune on the late Duane Allman and Eric Clapton jammed when they were Derek and the Dominos. Keith Richards and Eric Clapton played this tune together 10 years ago in 2013 at Eric’s Crossroads Guitar Festival. See this video on YouTube.

I Shot The Sheriff

“I Shot the Sheriff” was also a landmark and reminded me of his excellent performance with his great Tulsa musicians when Eric played with Jamie Oldaker, Carl Radle, and Dick Sims from Tulsa, and George Terry, Yvonne Elliman, and Marcy Levy from other areas. Here is a great video clip of “I Shot the Sheriff” in 1977. You may find one of the best live versions of “I Shot the Sheriff” in Disc 2 of Eric’s “Crossroads, Vol.2: Live in the Seventies.”

Tears In Heaven

“Tears in Heaven” was emotional as this tune was dedicated to his son lost in 1991 and always reminded me of his wonderful “MTV Unplugged Live” in 1992. I chose this tune at the funeral ceremony of my late wife. This album was the only album which my late wife asked me to copy.

I love “Badge,” “Wonderful Tonight,” and “Crossroads.” But, they were not as exciting as before.

My Gratitude to Jack

After the concert, I said good-bye to Jack and departed Nippon Budokan. Thank you so much for your kindness and a great memory, Jack. I could never imagine I was able to make it to see Eric Clapton 4 times. Love for my guitar hero and god, EC.

Set List

According to the Set List on the web:

Electric Set 1:
Blue Rainbow
Pretending
Key to the Highway
I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man
I Shot the Sheriff

Acoustic Set:
Kind Hearted Woman Blues
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
Call Me the Breeze
Sam Hall
Tears in Heaven

Electric Set 2:
Badge
Wonderful Tonight
Crossroads
Little Queen of Spades
Cocaine

Encore:
High Time We Went