Keeping It Real with Rory Auskerry - March 2010

A blast of Clapton and Beck, and a squash on the tube

SINCE I last wrote, I've been able to tick something very important off my 'list of things to do in life'; I went to see Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck perform, together and apart, at the O2 Arena in London. Clapton and Beck are two of my favourite guitarists ever, and to get the opportunity to see them 'live' has long been an ambition of mine.

My godmother bought me two tickets for a Christmas present and since the gig was on Valentine's Day, I decided to take Lizi with me. We had great seats, just a little higher than the stage and off to one side. As a result we had a good view of the entire performance, but we could also see the big projection screens that were showing close-up shots of the action.

Jeff Beck was the first to play. He walked on in a cool white and black top, jeans and a pair of aviator shades. He said absolutely nothing for the first two or three numbers, electing to blow the audience away with his unique style of playing. I've read that he has a new album coming out in April - something I'll certainly be featuring on my blues and rock show on Radio Orkney. He played quite a lot of material that will form part of 'emotion and commotion' as well as several familiar tracks like Big Block and a stunning cover of The Beatles A Day In The Life.

The other main highlight of his set for me was when Sharon Corr of the Corrs joined Jeff on stage. She played the violin for Mna Na Heireann, which I think is a Kate Bush track that translates as Women of Ireland. The track mixed her lamenting violin with a 12-piece orchestra and Jeff's inimitable guitar playing.

After a short interval, it was Clapton's turn to take to the stage. He began on the acoustic guitar - playing Driftin, Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out and Running On Faith. Then he picked up an electric guitar and launched into a fantastic set which included three of my all time favourites: Tell The Truth, Key To The Highway and Cocaine.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the concert was watching Clapton and Beck performing together. I've always enjoyed watching how musicians interact and communicate while they are playing together on stage. The facial expressions and gestures all seem to mean something, but to someone with almost no musical knowledge, to me it's a kind of magic.

It felt to me as if no sooner had it started, than it was time for the encore. I'd been wondering what they might play out with. After a few moments of discussion, and what looked like mildly embarrassed protest from Jeff, they launched into a fantastic rendition of Beck's hit single Hi Ho Silver Lining. I've never seen Jeff singing before, in fact he hardly seems to say anything at all, but he joined in with Eric as they brought the evening to an end in true 'guitar god' style.

As you have probably gathered, I absolutely loved it. Even though Lizi doesn't pretend to be a particular fan of either guitarist, she said she really enjoyed it too. The atmosphere was fantastic, the sound was great and as far as I was concerned it was over far to quickly. One thing that did amuse me was the fact that Lizi and I were probably two of only a hand full of people under 50 in the entire arena!

Over the last couple of weeks I've been thinking about some of the main differences between London and Orkney. The one that became obvious almost immediately centres around the underground tube network. I find that when I'm at home I get used to bumping into folk I know all the time. It doesn't matter where you are, down the street, or on one of the ferries; you just keep an eye out for a familiar face. I have always liked that aspect to life in Orkney and I've found it quite hard to adjust to the complete opposite down here.

Where it's most apparent is on the Tube. I find myself looking around the carriage wondering if I'll spot someone I know, only to realise that everyone thinks I'm being nosy. Nobody looks at anyone else; in fact people seem to make a deliberate show of not looking at you, instead choosing to stare at the floor, advertising boards or the station maps.

I have discovered that there are a few exceptions though. At peak times the trains are often so crowded you literally can't move. As a result everyone is forced to occupy what would normally be someone else's personal space, and therefore a no go area. As a result of this 'rush hour space invasion' people seem to pay more attention to each other, and occasionally, if you're lucky you might catch someone's eye and get a sympathetic 'yeah I'm packed in too' sort of look.

The other thing that happens is some people seem to take a fairly relaxed 'I'll get home eventually' kind of attitude while others get very stressed and sometimes, a little aggressive. A few days ago a woman started shouting at a man for blocking her path to the door. He was trying to explain that he literally couldn't move but that once the people behind him had got off the train, he would move to let her off. She started being a little 'fresh' with him and despite him moving aside the second his predicted space became available she continued to swear at him until she was out of earshot along the platform.

All I'll say is, it's nice to know that when Dave Gray announces: "We are now approaching the Kirkwall terminal …" we are not likely to get barged into, sworn at or squashed like a sardine.

Hit The Beach Track Listing - 9th March 2010

Hit The Beach Track Listing - 9th March 2010

Three Times A Fool - Joe Bonamassa Album: Black Rock
Mama Kin (Live) - AeroSmith Album: Aerosmith
It's Gonna Be Alright - Stefan Schill Album: Don't Say A Word
Sweet Inspiration - The Derek Trucks Band Album: Already Free
Korean Bodega - Fun Lovin' Criminals Album: 100% Colombian
Broken Man - Scott McKeon Album: Trouble
Brimful Of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) - Cornershop
Tryin' To Find The Blues - Bad Taste - Orkney Original Music
Get A Haircut - George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Album: Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock
A Day In The Life [Live] - Jeff Beck
Album: Performing This Week...Live At Ronnie Scott's
Night Life - Joe Bonamassa and BB King Album: Black Rock
Riff Raff - AC/DC Album: Powerage