Richard Clapton – A Summer Essential

A Richard Clapton show can be a bit of a lottery. He’s got a superb repertoire of songs matched by only a few contemporary songwriters in Australia and so the potential is always there for a memorable show. He’s a great singer and usually has a rock solid and often inspired band behind him.

But he can be a moody ol’ bastard and sometimes he gives the impression that there’s somewhere else he would rather be. But even on those shows where he gets the shits with the sound, with the audience, with the venue and with himself can be entertaining because ‘Ralph’ is not one to hide his feelings.

On the good nights though he can be transcendent – when songs such as the glorious Goodbye Tiger, the driving I Am An Island, Deep Water, Lucky Country and Get Back To The Shelter are nailed on one night a brilliant concert is guaranteed. And given the subject matter of his songs there’s something special about seeing Clapton in the Australian summer, preferably in a coastal location.

Richard Clapton has an interesting series of shows lined up in the early New Year, including a number of shows where he is sharing the bill with Jackson Browne.

There’s a couple that maybe have potential for things to go wrong too….maybe they will be the ones to see!

Fri Jan 02       Mundaring Weir, Perth, WA
Sat Jan 03      Wignalls Wineries, Albany, WA
Fri Jan 23       Shoppingtown Hotel Doncaster
Sat Jan 24      Capers
Sun Jan 25     Barwon Heads hotel
Mon jan 26    Spiegeltent Melbourne Open Tennis
Sun Feb 15    Victoria Park, Perth, WA
Fri Feb 27      Riverstage with Jackson Browne , Brisbane ,QLD
Sat Feb 28     Tempus Two Winery with Jackson Browne ,Hunter Valley,NSW
Sat Mar 07     Sutton Grange Winery with Jackson Browne, Sutton Grange,VIC
Tue Mar 10    Entertainment Centre with Jackson Browne,Townsville, QLD
Wed Mar 11   Convention Centre with Jackson Browne ,Cairns,QLD
Fri Mar 13      Lizottes, Kincumber, NSW
Sat Mar 14     Lizottes, Kincumber, NSW