pete simmons photo

Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood @ The Garden

Wow!  That pretty much sums it up.  

So what we have here is Steve Winwood who wrote “Gimme Some Lovin” at like 19 years old when he was in The Spencer Davis group, plus “Dear Mr. Fantasy” & “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” while in Traffic and trunkload of other classics.  And Eric Clapton who penned “Layla” & “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” with Derek & The Dominos, played guitar on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” on The Beatles White Album, and oh yeah, “Badge”, “White Room” & “Sunshine of Your Love” with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce in Cream…and by the way is nicknamed “God”.

Together they were half of Blind Faith, one of the first supergroups, and penned “Presence of the Lord” and “Can’t Find My Way Home”

Tuesday was the 2nd of 3 shows here in New York, and the only ones scheduled so far.  This lent an air of something special, and it was.  They layered the music with so many textures, from the flat out rockin “Glad -> Well Alright” to Winwoods beautiful rendition of “Georgia On My Mind”.   They busted out the Band Of Gypsies “Changes” and another Hendrix nugget, “Voodoo Chile” from Electric Ladyland (which Winwood played organ on the album version). And EC gave us a solo acoustic “Ramblin’ On MY Mind”,  two and a half hours of musical bliss.

From the opener “Had To Cry Today” to the “Dear Mr Fantasy” encore, every tune was great, and both of these guys once again showed why they are Music Royalty.  I feel privledged to have been able to see one of these shows and would recommend to anyone that has an opportunity or inkling to go on Thursday to do it!  As a consolation for those who don’t get a chance to see them live, the “we are recording this for DVD” disclamers were posted through out the arena, so hopefully we will see a DVD in the future.

A few pictures follow, check back later for more.