News
Keeping it real with Rory
05/03/2010 08:43:00
A blast of Clapton and Beck, and a squash on the tube
SINCE I last wrote, I've been able to tick something very important off my 'list of things to do in life'; I went to see Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck perform, together and apart, at the O2 Arena in London. Clapton and Beck are two of my favourite guitarists ever, and to get the opportunity to see them 'live' has long been an ambition of mine.
My godmother bought me two tickets for a Christmas present and since
the gig was on Valentine's Day, I decided to take Lizi with me. We had
great seats, just a little higher than the stage and off to one side.
As a result we had a good view of the entire performance, but we could
also see the big projection screens that were showing close-up shots of
the action.
Jeff Beck was the first to play. He walked on in a cool white and black
top, jeans and a pair of aviator shades. He said absolutely nothing for
the first two or three numbers, electing to blow the audience away with
his unique style of playing. I've read that he has a new album coming
out in April - something I'll certainly be featuring on my blues and
rock show on Radio Orkney. He played quite a lot of material that will
form part of 'emotion and commotion' as well as several familiar tracks
like Big Block and a stunning cover of The Beatles A Day In The Life.
The other main highlight of his set for me was when Sharon Corr of the
Corrs joined Jeff on stage. She played the violin for Mna Na Heireann,
which I think is a Kate Bush track that translates as Women of Ireland.
The track mixed her lamenting violin with a 12-piece orchestra and
Jeff's inimitable guitar playing.
After a short interval, it was Clapton's turn to take to the stage. He
began on the acoustic guitar - playing Driftin, Nobody Knows You When
You're Down And Out and Running On Faith. Then he picked up an electric
guitar and launched into a fantastic set which included three of my all
time favourites: Tell The Truth, Key To The Highway and Cocaine.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the concert was watching Clapton
and Beck performing together. I've always enjoyed watching how
musicians interact and communicate while they are playing together on
stage. The facial expressions and gestures all seem to mean something,
but to someone with almost no musical knowledge, to me it's a kind of
magic.
It felt to me as if no sooner had it started, than it was time for the
encore. I'd been wondering what they might play out with. After a few
moments of discussion, and what looked like mildly embarrassed protest
from Jeff, they launched into a fantastic rendition of Beck's hit
single Hi Ho Silver Lining. I've never seen Jeff singing before, in
fact he hardly seems to say anything at all, but he joined in with Eric
as they brought the evening to an end in true 'guitar god' style.
As you have probably gathered, I absolutely loved it. Even though Lizi
doesn't pretend to be a particular fan of either guitarist, she said
she really enjoyed it too. The atmosphere was fantastic, the sound was
great and as far as I was concerned it was over far to quickly. One
thing that did amuse me was the fact that Lizi and I were probably two
of only a hand full of people under 50 in the entire arena!
Over the last couple of weeks I've been thinking about some of the main
differences between London and Orkney. The one that became obvious
almost immediately centres around the underground tube network. I find
that when I'm at home I get used to bumping into folk I know all the
time. It doesn't matter where you are, down the street, or on one of
the ferries; you just keep an eye out for a familiar face. I have
always liked that aspect to life in Orkney and I've found it quite hard
to adjust to the complete opposite down here.
Where it's most apparent is on the Tube. I find myself looking around
the carriage wondering if I'll spot someone I know, only to realise
that everyone thinks I'm being nosy. Nobody looks at anyone else; in
fact people seem to make a deliberate show of not looking at you,
instead choosing to stare at the floor, advertising boards or the
station maps.
I have discovered that there are a few exceptions though. At peak times
the trains are often so crowded you literally can't move. As a result
everyone is forced to occupy what would normally be someone else's
personal space, and therefore a no go area. As a result of this 'rush
hour space invasion' people seem to pay more attention to each other,
and occasionally, if you're lucky you might catch someone's eye and get
a sympathetic 'yeah I'm packed in too' sort of look.
The other thing that happens is some people seem to take a fairly
relaxed 'I'll get home eventually' kind of attitude while others get
very stressed and sometimes, a little aggressive. A few days ago a
woman started shouting at a man for blocking her path to the door. He
was trying to explain that he literally couldn't move but that once the
people behind him had got off the train, he would move to let her off.
She started being a little 'fresh' with him and despite him moving
aside the second his predicted space became available she continued to
swear at him until she was out of earshot along the platform.
All I'll say is, it's nice to know that when Dave Gray announces: "We
are now approaching the Kirkwall terminal …" we are not likely to get
barged into, sworn at or squashed like a sardine.
Keep it real.