Concert Review - Crossroads Benefit 2010

From the parking lot I could hear Sonny Landreth and Eric doing Further on Up the Road. Turned out they let me bring in my stadium seat cushion (huge move).  Robert Randolph, Joe Bonamassa, and Pino Daneile were ending as I got to my seat in the fan club pre-sale section: off to the side, in row 10.

In the all-afternoon run up of acts and artists to Eric's main performance, the set were typically 30 minutes, with 10 minuntes in between - so the flow and pacing was great.  Bill Murray MC'ed again.

At 1 pm, first full set I saw was Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan, and Hubert Sumlin (oxygen tube under his nose). They were great. Bert Jansch and Stefan Grossman next for an accoustic lull, giving the 10K on the soccer pitch a chance to sit down. They baked down there - it must have been 110 in the sun.

At 2:30 ZZ Topp did Jesus Just Left Chicago of course and LaGrange ("they got alot of nice girls there").  Doyle Bramhall, Austin's Gary Clark Jr. (check him out) & Sheryl Crow's following set was plagued by technical sound problems.

My favorite afternoon combo was Vince Gill, Albert (not Alvin) Lee, James Burton (photo, left), and Keb Mo starting with Gill's One More Last Chance Chicago-stype (each getting a 16 bar solo round the horn). They nail 1956's Mystery Train, fittingly since Burton was Eliv's top ax man. Lee had his daughter sing on _____. and - with the host's permission - Lay Down Sally, rockabilly style.

Next up - Citizen Cope (why?) and then Earl Klugh.  John Mayer at 5:25 went small ball with power trio of drummer Steve Jordan and bassist Pino Palladino. I went for a water break to get ready by 6 pm for Buddy Guy with Jonny Lang and unbilled guest - Ronnie Wood.  [Mick was in South Africa preparing to watch England lose to Germany.]  Their Miss You send up was magic.

Subbing for the Allmas Bros. were Derek Trucks, wife Susan Tedeschi, joined by Warren Haynes, and Sheryl Crow. They did a killer version of Delaney, Bonnie & Friends - Comin' Home. David Hidalgo and Cesar Rojas (Los Lobos), et al. helped (literally) Johnny Winter tackle Red House.  Eric's piano guy Chris Stainton joined for Joe Cocker song (off Mad Dogs and Englishmen) called Delta Lady.

Jeff Beck - OK, I get it - he's great, but he's not in my wheelhouse. His drummer was Narada Michael Walden.  Long set-up break, then Clapton and band come out: Chris Stainton on piano, Steve Gadd on Drums (Aja), Nathan East on bass and ____? on organ.  Long Reggae intro gave away I shot the Sheriff.  He asked Citizen Cope out for an unmemorable song.

Then finally Steve Winwood.  Starting with Buddy Holly's Well Alright (via Blind Faith), Glad, and Dear Mr. Fantasy.  They might still be playing Voodoo Chile (Slight Return), doubltless the show's peak.   I headed out to the choral/response of Cocaine and did not stay for BB King with Jimmy Vaughn and Robert Cray.