Eric Clapton
Live at Madison Square Garden
New York City, NY 
2015 05-01

Genre: Classic Rock 
Audience Tape: A 
Mikes: Schoeps mk4 > Actives > NBox Platinum > 
Recorder: Tascam DR2d
Transfer: Goldwave (Volume Boost, Compression > Dither to 16b) > Media Monkey (Flac Transfer L8) 
Location: Center E Section 
Recorded by Scooter123

Set List: 

1. Somebody's Knocking
2. Key to the Highway
3. Pretending*
4. Hoochie Coochie Man
5. You Are So Beautiful
6. Can't Find My Way Home
7. I Shot the Sheriff
8. Drifting and Drifting
9. Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out
10. Tears in Heaven
11. Layla
12. Before You Accuse Me+
13. You Look Wonderful Tonight
14. Rain^
15. Crossroads
16. Little Queen of Spades
17. Cocaine

18. It's High Time We Went (with Mayer, Vaughn, Bramhall, and Trucks)

TT: 1:52

Personnel:

Eric Clapton, Guitar and Vocals
Nathan East, Bass and Vocals
Paul Carrack, Hammond B-3 Organ and Keyboards
Chris Stainton, Kurzwiel piano and Nord Synthesizer
Steve Gadd, Drums
Michelle John, backing vocals
Sharon White, backing vocals

John Mayer, Guitar*
Jimmie Vaughn, Guitar+
Doyle Bramhall, Guitar^
Derek Trucks, Slide Guitar^

Tapers Notes: 

It was Eric Clapton's birthday celebration, but it was the sold-out crowd at 
Madison Square Garden that got a gift as the guitar god put on a two hour set
that included some of his biggest hits and guest stars. Never the most talkative 
of rock stars, Clapton let the music speak for itself, but toward the end he let 
on that the night was just as magical to him as it was to the audience.

"I want to thank you for helping me celebrate," he said. "This is the best 
birthday I ever had."

While some aging acts expand their bands over time, adding players to do the heavy 
lifting, Clapton has stripped his down. The evening may have found its peak when 
Clapton had the strongest accompaniment during “Let It Rain.” Clapton traded solos 
with both Trucks and Bramhall, grinning ear to ear. 

That said, I was amazed at his choice of sidemen, including one of the best drummers
in the world, jazz drummer Steve Gadd and jazz bassist Nathan East. Paul Carrack 
(Mike & The Mechanics) made his Hammond B-3 sing, and even had twin Leslies. 
Chris Stainton emulated strings and steel guitar on his Kurzwiel piano and Nord 
synthesizer. 

I had a pair of talkers next to me with a guy who had to explain the intricies 
of Eric Clapton's life throughout the better part of the show. Thankfully he 
was only noticeable at the end of every track. Concequently, the volume (gain) 
at the end of each track was zero'ed out where possible. This also
enabled better volume adjustment for the tracks as well. 

This recording should be nearly identical to Daspyknows recording using nearly 
the identical equipment. His recording uses MK41 mikes and a standard NBox. I would 
think that the two recordings are indistinguishable except he may have had 
different talking jackasses or clappers next to him.