Clapton Announces New Touring Band

Never one to rest on his laurels -- or a permanent group -- Eric Clapton will be performing with a new band in 2014, according to Jambands.com. Clapton's new ensemble promises "familiar faces and old friends," and includes Nathan East on bass, Steve Gadd on drums, Chris Stainton and Paul Carrack on keyboards -- along with Sharon White and Michelle John on backing vocals.

So far, Clapton has only announced dates for his Far and Mid East Tour in February and March, with an announcement for his spring and summer legs expected some time early in the New Year.

Although still one of the greatest axe-men on the planet, Eric Clapton feels his playing lacks then intensity that it did back in the mid-'90s: "I got a, a piece of footage from the mid-'90s of me when I was just playing a blues song, and I thought, 'Whoa.' There were some things that I was doing that I just don't even think I -- (I) consciously let go of. I don't do 'em anymore -- probably because they're too hard to do."

Eric Clapton tour dates (subject to change):
February 18, 20, 21 - Tokyo, Japan - Nippon Budokan
February 23 - Yokohama, Japan - Yokohama Arena
February 25 - Nagoya, Japan - Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
February 26 - Osaka, Japan - Osaka-Jo Hall
February 28 - Tokyo, Japan - Nippon Budokan
March 4 - Singapore - Singapore Indoor Stadium
March 6 - Dubai, UAE - Dubai Media City Amphitheatre