Eric is starting to look cool

Last night, the first of seven at his beloved Royal Albert Hall, was a breeze. Indeed, Clapton was so comfortable with himself and his mastery of the guitar that he featured another two lead guitarists in his 11-piece band: the majestic but too-cool-for-his-own-good Doyle Bramhall II, and Derek Trucks, a name to savour and a talent to remember.

When the trio played off each other on Back Home (not, alas, a cover of the England football team's 1970 anthem) and on a rattling charge through JJCale's After Midnight, it was Clapton in excelsis, three times as powerful. And when support act Robert Cray joined in on the encore, Crossroads, there were four outstanding guitarists, but Clapton remained in control.

As is his way, Clapton had little to say beyond some cheery thank-yous. As is also his way, there were sections of drear, not least the lumbering assault upon Robert Johnson's Little Queen Of Spades. So Tired, the wretched title track of his most recent album, suggested the only thing that really gives him the blues these days is lack of sleep.

Worse still, Britain's 420th richest man really should have known better than to attempt the old standard Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out. He couldn't have been more patronising if he'd delivered it in a Steptoe outfit.

Although even the most rampant pyromaniac would have struggled to find genuine fire in Clapton's admirably trim belly, risks were taken. Layla (that fabulous riff still thrills) and Cocaine were wheeled out, but this was not a night of peddling old hits. Instead, there were the relatively obscure I Am Yours, Anyday from Clapton's Derek And The Dominos project, and gentle overhauls of I Shot The Sheriff and Wonderful Tonight.

The evening's emotional high point, the gorgeous Running On Faith, proved yet again that the less bluesy Clapton is, the more believable he becomes. It was also a timely reminder that when he purrs rather than growls, Clapton is a fine singer. Too much more of this and he'll become hip in his dotage.

Eric Clapton plays the Royal Albert Hall tonight and on 19, 22, 23, 25 and 26 May.

Eric Clapton