Customer Reviews

The Best of Eric Clapton: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (Eco-Friendly Packaging)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Eric Clapton remains one of the most respected musicians we've ever seen. His vocals and music are beautifully arranged works of art that appeal to many people because of his roots in R&B, rock and country. Clapton even helped to introduce America to reggae with his cover of Bob Marley's song entitled "I Shot The Sheriff." Many people know this to be true, so then why is this CD so lacking as a retrospective?

Don't get me wrong: The CD has great tracks on it: the passionate ballad entitled "Layla;" the high-spirited rendition of J. J. Cale's "After Midnight;" the reggae influenced hit "I Shot The Sheriff;" and the memorable ballad entitled "Bell Bottom Blues." The sound throughout is excellent even on my portable CD player. Clapton performs with great sensitivity and passion; and look for both Rita Coolidge and Yvonne Elliman on back-up vocals on several songs on this album.

However, a big problem arises pretty quickly. There is no music on this retrospective "best of" CD after 1978. Clapton is credited with performing great music for a long, long time since 1978--why isn't any of that represented here? The CD clocks in at an anemic 47 minutes; the producers certainly could have added one or two more songs. No "Tears In Heaven?" No "Sunshine Of Your Love?" I agree with the reviewer who writes that the CD entitled The Cream of Clapton is a much better choice--and a much better buy. You get a lot more Clapton for your money for just $1.50 more--and the sound quality will be good, too.

The liner notes do boast some great pictures of Clapton; and Scott Schinder contributes a essay about Clapton's career. Unfortunately, Schinder's essay about Clapton's work ends with Clapton's late `70s work. I guess he couldn't write about Clapton's artistry if it wasn't on this disc. (Sigh.)

If you merely want a brief introduction to Eric Clapton's earlier work during the 1970s, then this IS a CD for you to consider. However, you'll get a much better feel for Clapton's artistry if you choose The Cream of Clapton and/or Clapton Chronicles - The Best of Eric Clapton. Clapton fans will be disappointed in the brevity of this album. The sound is great; and the song selection is also very good; so I give this four stars. This cannot be a five star review. Sorry, 20th Century Masters, but you've got to come up with something much more comprehensive than this to score a grand slam!

I was looking for a reasonably priced Clapton hits package to put on my mp3 player. This turned out to be a winner. With "Layla," "Wonderful Tonight," "Cocaine," and "Lay Down Sally," this disc includes most of my favorites. It also includes his wonderful cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." The only one that appears to be missing is "Tears in Heaven." But every song on here is a classic song, and if you are on a budget, this makes for a great start to a vast Clapton collection.

P.S.: Some other reviewers are complaining that there is no Cream on this CD. That is true, but there is a seperate 20th Century Masters collection for Cream.

20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection - The Best of Eric Clapton is essentially a re-issue of Clapton's 1982 compilation, Timepieces. (Swap "Bell Bottom Blues" with "Willie and the Hand Jive," and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" with "Let It Rain," and you have that other album, track for track.)

This is a fair compilation - not great, but not bad either. It is a good representation of Clapton's work from the '70s - nothing before 1970 (Eric Clapton, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs), and nothing after 1978 (Backless), meaning you won't find anything here by the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, or Clapton's work from the '80s or '90s. If you're looking for a quick overview of Clapton's work from the '70s, or a cheap (meaning most economically feasible), single-disc compilation to answer the question, "Who is Eric Clapton?" then this may be the compilation for you.

For those who want a broader and more in-depth review of Clapton's body of work, I suggest 1995's The Cream of Eric Clapton and 1999's Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton. The first album, covering the years 1966 through 1981, contains hits from Cream, Derek and the Dominos, and Clapton's own work from the '70s and very early '80s. Additionally, the songs are presented roughly in chronological order. The second album covers the years 1985 through 1999. Though the songs are not in chronological order (odd, considering that the videos on the companion Clapton Chronicles DVD are), there are enough hits that should make an '80s and '90s Clapton fan happy.

And, of course, for the most expansive review of Clapton's work, check out the 1988 career retrospective, Crossroads. This is a 4-CD boxed set, and covers the years 1965 through 1988. This set costs considerably more than the two CDs previously mentioned and is geared more towards the Clapton fanatic than to the casual fan, but I can guarantee you won't find a more comprehensive Clapton collection in one package. For his late '80s and '90s work, again, check out Clapton Chronicles.

I hope this review helps. Happy Listening!

Is it just me or are "greatest hits" and "best-of" albums always a frustrating ordeal? They almost always leave off some of the hits and/or include new(non-hits) or live versions in their place. Take the new "20th Century Masters" Eric Clapton best-of disc; instead of just chronicling all of his solo hits(from his Polygram/RSO years), it also includes two tunes from Derek & the Dominoes("Layla" and "Bell-bottom Blues"). Two great songs to be sure, but their inclusion meant no room for the solo hits "Hello Old Friend"(1976) and "I Can't Stand It"(1981). But I suppose with Derek & the Dominoes being practically synonymous with Eric Clapton, not having them represented(especially "Layla") would be considered a heinous omission. A much better choice if you're considering a Clapton hits compilation is 1995's "The Cream of Clapton". It's a pretty good overview(1966-1981) covering his Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominoes as well as all his solo hits(on Polygram). I thought, finally, a greatest hits album with every hit when I bought it a few years back, but beware: no "Lay Down Sally"!?!?! ARRRGGG!!!

This CD has great songs, and I love every one, but they are only Clapton's older work. I don't think there is even one from 1980 or later. If you prefer the older songs anyway, this is the collection for you. It's reasonably priced and has great sound.

Great times, great songs, great singer. I really enjoyed this cd. It's great to have his best on one cd. The eco-friendly packaging is cool too.

This is a MUST for all Eric Clapton fans! I have so many sweet memories of these songs and this CD brings it all back again!

What is this? This is not a Eric Clapton compalation, this is a mix tape of someones favorite Eric Clapton songs. I dont know if they were going for a best of, greatest hits, or anthology type compalation but they failed horriably on all levels.

20th Century Masters-The Millennium Collection:The Best Of Eric Clapton is what this is called. But for this to be a best of or a millenium collection you would have to include some work with John Mayall, Cream, as well as with Blind Faith. John Mayall's album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton is what made Eric Clapton who he is. Its why they wrote Clapton is God in London, its why Gibson started to build Les Pauls again, and they think they can just leave that massive part of this mans life and music history out, no it doesnt work that way. Then there is Cream, one of the all time greatest bands ever! Not a single song to be found from them here. That band influenced more people then just about any other group ever! While I do understand Blind Faith was only around for one album and they were not that succesful the playing on that album is some of Eric Claptons all time best so I dont understand why it was left off. Besides Derek And The Dominos was only around for one album before Duane died and there are two tracks from that album here.

For what is here the songs are good. His solo work 'I Shot The Sheriff' 'After Midnight' 'Knockin' On Heavens Door' 'Cocaine' 'Lay Down Sally' 'Promises' 'Let It Grow' and 'Let It Rain' were all very big songs for him. And a few of those are among his best, except only a select few have decent guitar playing in them which is why people listen to Eric Clapton. The two track 'Layla' and 'Bell Bottom Blues' for The Derek And The Dominos album Layla And Other Assosted Love Songs are two of his all time best and feature some of his best playing ever. So the few songs the did pick belong on here but they forgot so many more.

The other problem I have with this is its the same compalation as Timepieces:The Best Of Eric Clapton except that one didnt have 'Bell Bottom Blues' and 'Let It Rain.' The reason I gave this three stars is because the songs it does contain are must haves, but I took of two because this is lacking so much that it isnt even funny.

No doubt a straight out 5 for the music recorded here. The songs on this single disc are indeed some of the best from Clapton's post-Cream, pre-commercially driven/Phil Collins produced phases. But you have to cut off a couple stars for the brevity of this album (or to put it another way, for a very, very low "song per your hard earned dollar" ratio).
Why shell out 10 bucks here when you can drop down a few extra for the much better and longer "Cream Of Eric Clapton"? "Cream Of" boasts 8 more tracks, better liner notes, plus a better picture of Clapton on the cover. If you need to start your Eric Clapton cd collection on the cheap, I quess this disc purchased on zShops would be the way to go (notice how many there are to go around?). But you can't take it with you, so my advice is to pull a few more singles outta your wallet (or purse) & go for the "Cream Of Eric Clapton" on zShops. Heck, go all the way and opt for the real "cream" of the crop, the four disc compilation "Crossroads" and take a pass on this.

I usually despise the "20th Century Masters" releases, for obvious reasons. However, most of the volumes I've heard come from bands that I have more than a passing interest in. I like Eric Clapton, but but I won't go much further than these songs when it comes to collecting his work. This CD contains "After Midnight," "Layla," "Cocaine," and "I Shot the Sheriff," plus his beautiful Dylan cover, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." The only song that I like that's missing is "Tears in Heaven."

There is no Cream or Yardbirds material on this CD, but those can be found on other Clapton compilations. (As a matter of fact there is a 20th Century Masters CD devoted entirely to Cream, which I also have and like.) What's here is Clapton's solo essentials -- in other words, the basics that you hear on the radio. As I said I'm not the biggest Clapton fan in the world, so for me, this will do.