“Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
Cause I know I don’t belong
Here in heaven.....”
An electric silence greeted Mike Hall when he began singing Eric Clapton’s big time hit ‘Tears in Heaven’ and even after the last note was struck on the guitar, the audience was emotively moved before they broke into a thunderous applause. Mike Hall in his performance of ‘Tears in Heaven’ packed in the right amount of emotion, not letting it get melodramatic, and I’m sure if Eric Clapton was sitting in the audience he would have been pleased.
Classic Capton – Eric Clapton Tribute Band from UK commenced their second half with ‘Tears in Heaven’ and moved into an unplugged segment with two guitars which included ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’, ‘Lalya’ and ‘Promises’ before the whole band walked in to pick up the program.
But, in a spool back Classic Capton kicked off their concert with the up tempo Crossroads with some exciting exchanges between guitar and piano, before the band moved into Lay Down Sally, got the audience involved in singing which they enjoyed very much, displayed their individual artistry and command of their instrument, be it the guitar, the bass, the drums or the piano. Talking of the piano, Derek Wilson the pianist also provided backing vocals and his style in playing the solos took one back to the early years when the ‘tinkling’ piano was in vogue and boy! Wasn’t he fascinating behind the keyboard! ‘I’m Here’ was one forceful performance.
Classic Capton, The World’s No. 1 Eric Clapton Tribute Band who performed at Stables, Park Street Mews, Colombo, is led by Mike Hall – lead vocals and guitar, Derek Wilson – keyboards and backing vocals, Danny Davison – drums and Dave Robson – bass guitar and backing vocals.
As the blurbs go Mike Hall not only looks like Eric Clapton, he sings and plays the guitar like him too, and he didn’t fail to dedicate another nugget to Dharshini Sumanasekera, the haunting, Still My Guitar Gently Weeps. More followed. From Eric Clapton’s Yardbirds days ‘For Your Love’, Bell Bottom Blues, a rock oriented instrumental and then the show stopper anthem Wonderful Tonight, and a tune that showcased the drummer Danny Davison and his scintillating drum and cymbal artistry. Mike Hall added on I Shot the Sheriff, Cocaine, Sunshine of Your Love and brought the band’s performance to a close with a medley of familiar rock oriented tunes, but not before he dedicated a tune to Flame the opening band at the concert ‘Teach the Highway’. Classic Capton blew the audience away that evening – there was no doubt about that.
A word of praise to the band Flame, led by Naushad Rasool who opened the concert with well loved acoustic songs from the books of Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, The Eagles, Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. When on stage Flame never fails to deliver the goods. Thank you Flame for living up to your Sri Lankan fans’ expectations.