Eric Clapton at Floridita

I work part-time as a waiter. (Until my music career takes off.)

This week I'm asked to pull an extra Tuesday night shift. Disgruntled, I ask why. My boss responds

'You like Eric Clapton don't you?'

Inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, ranked fourth in Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 greatest guitarists of all time and widely regarded as one of the most influential blues guitar players of the 60s: Yeah, I like Clapton. My boss explains he's booked for the Countryside Alliance fundraiser that night. I had to ask him twice.

Floridita is a Cuban-themed restaurant and salsa club below street level in the heart of Soho, with three hundred capacity and fully booked tonight at £1,500 per seat. It's quite the social event; even our Mayor has made it. I overhear a handful of people musing that they had seen Clapton the last time he played here; with Cream in 1966.

Naturally I'm pretty smug to be on the payroll and when the lights go down I find a reason to procrastinate around the bar. A very formal, gently amusing introduction by the well-spoken head of the Countryside Alliance piques the anticipation before Eric ambles onstage looking rather salubrious. Responding with a smile and a wave to an incredibly warm welcome, he picks up his cream Stratocaster and begins.

And he's great. The band, and their sound is absolutely spot on and they choose a medley of electric blues hits reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's not long before even Boris is nodding along like an embarrassing Dad. The band completely nails their set, revelling in their rock'n'roll perfectionism while Eric's mastery of blues scales and modes is awesome. It's great to see such a seasoned 'swagger'.

His set is supposed to last about 45 minutes but an hour and twenty in he's just moving from classic blues from the Cream / Yardbirds / JM's Bluesbreakers era into his more recent stuff. We know it can only mean one thing. Building from a simple drum beat, Clapton peels of a sublime rendition of 'Layla'. What really makes it for me is his follow up – a haunting 'Wonderful Tonight' that drops straight into 'Cocaine.' The crowd is so electric by the end that the master is coaxed back on to finish with 'Down to the Coast.'

This is probably the only chance I'll ever get to see Eric Clapton. I don't think that I could have paid for a better experience. Genius.

You can find out more about more about Eric Clapton by checking out his website. Click here to see if any other guitar mega-stars are playing Floridita.

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