Solo gig set list 2/28/08

My set list comprised almost entirely of music Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood were playing at their concerts at Madison Square Garden that week. I can't remember exactly when during the week the idea occurred to me that I could replicate their music during my Thursday night solo gig. It could have been on my mind during Monday night's opening show!

First set
Had to Cry Today (Blind Faith)
Forever Man (Eric Clapton)
Them Changes (Buddy Miles - and dedicated to him because he died Wednesday)
Sleeping in the Ground (Blind Faith)
Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith)
Glad (Traffic) / Lady Madonna (Fats Domino/The Beatles) / Well Alright (Blind Faith)
Pearly Queen (Traffic)
Tell the Truth (Derek and the Dominoes)
After Midnight (J.J. Cale)
Ramblin' on My Mind (Robert Johnson/John Mayall's Bluesbreakers)
Georgia on My Mind (Ray Charles)

Second set
Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) (Jimi Hendrix Experience) / Come Together (The Beatles)
Can't Find My Way Home (Blind Faith)
Crossroads (Robert Johnson/Cream)
Collision (The Interface)
The Production (The Interface)
Only the Good Die Young (Billy Joel)
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Billy Joel)

The last two were not fulfilling any request. I just actually felt like playing those two songs. I know, I don't go out of my way to play songs by the two rock piano players who have become almost synonymous with the instrument (Billy Joel and Elton John, or three if you count Ben Folds), because I don't want people to think I worship those guys. But I'm in no hurry to play their material any more or less than I would play something by the Stones or Floyd or whatever.

As for how I did on all the songs above, there were times that I was feelin' it, and there were times I was fakin' it. My vocals were OK through most of the night. Would have been better if so many of the vocals weren't in that high Steve Winwood range that he always hits so fluidly at any age while leaving many other performers in the dust. Between the two sets, I engaged in a bit of self-deprecating humor about my vocals, and this kitchen guy Mike said I sounded better singing than I was giving myself credit for. So, thanks, Mike! But what I certainly needed was a bit of a longer vocal warm-up before I launched straight into the opening line of "Had to Cry Today." Man, that was tough to pull off!
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