Eric Clapton plays Tampa May 3

By Sean Daly, Times Pop Music Critic
In print: Thursday, May 1, 2008

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I angered more than a few readers recently when I suggested Eric Clapton's upcoming Tampa show might be a bit of a drag. (The guitar geeks call him God as well as Slowhand, so I should have seen the hate mail coming.) I've seen E.C. play a few times, and his show is fine, cool, at times even exhilarating. But Clapton has always been a stationary player, a statue of slick licks, an aloof talent who barely cracks a smile. And though there's no debating his rock pedigree (the Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominos), he's now 63, and even Slowhand admits he's not as fast as he used to be.

If the camera operators are smart, they'll stay focused Saturday on the man's fingers, 'cause that's where all the action will be. And if Clapton is feeling warm and generous — his recent autobiography was the most open he has ever been — he'll dip into all eras of his mighty catalog . . . but leave out Change the World. Clapton recently reunited with Steve Winwood, his old Blind Faith bandmate, so maybe you'll get some of that good stuff, too. And hey, if he puts on a killer show, let me know. I can take it.

The show, with Robert Randolph and the Family Band opening, is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ford Amphitheatre, Interstate 4 at U.S. 301 N, Tampa. Tickets are $29.50-$125. Call (813) 740-2446.