Who's your guitar daddy now?

Philojet, I saw Clapton about six years ago, and I came away thinking the same as you. His show seemed to be on autopilot as if the entire performance was done to a click track (no disrespect to Steve Gadd).

I've seen EC absolutely tear it up, but I've also seen him phone it in. Sometimes on the same night.

Marty

Top flight musicians are like professional athletes in that on any given night they'll be good, real good. But on some special nights they'll be utterly fantastic. Tiger Woods doesn't win ever round of golf, Kobe doesn't score 81 every night and Clapton isn't God-like at every show. It's just the way it is.

Onhwy61,

You are right, BUT, Kobe has to face other people trying to stop him who are also good every game.

Musicians do not have others being paid also to impede what they do. Its mostly up to them.

The golf analogy might be a little better one. But even there, if Tiger doesn't have a good day, someone else does. Those who pay to watch still get their money's worth. If I drop a couple hundred to see Clapton or any other musician for that matter perform, I expect them to deliver. Otherwise, lower the price.

When I saw Clapton seemingly on auto pilot, it was at Staples Center in Los Angeles. I would think he'd have been on his "A" game for this show (and perhaps he was). The performance was extremely professional. I just thought it lacked spontaneity and soul.