Customer Reviews

Blues Years

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This compilation seeks to examine the early recordings of Clapton beginning in the early 60's. It begins with examples of his work with the Yardbirds including two songs--"Take It Easy Baby" and "Good Morning Little School Girl" from the sessions with Sonny Boy Williamson. There are also recordings on this disc featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitar which, according to the liner notes "possibly featuring Eric on rhythm guitar". Unfortunately the recording is not top notch and if you can get by the extremely dated and poor quality "I Ain't Got You" and "A Certain Girl" there are some tasty guitar tracks on the disc including, Page's "Draggin' My Tail", Clapton's "Tribute To Elmore" and "Snake Drive" and Jeff Beck's "Steelin'". Overall, this disc will appeal to the completest or those seeking to find some old rare recordings that just might "possibly" feature Eric on guitar. If you find it used or in a discount bin, it may be worthwhile to pick up and add it to your collection.

This is not only an incredible collection of his early work before cream, but it is my favorite, and hardest blues albums I have. The first seven tracks are the best of the yardbirds, with the incredible "Got To Hurry" and "I Ain't Got You", which show the true spirit of Eric. two covers of Chuck Berry classics, "Let it Rock" and a live "Too Much Monkey Business which are both superior to chuck's originals. The next seven songs are Eric Clapton with a band called The Immediate All-Stars. Although none of these songs have words, they are perfectly put together to create that true blues flavor. The next two are from Jimmy Page with The Immediate All-Stars. The next two after that are Jeff Beck with the Immediate All-Stars. the last three songs are from Eric Clapton with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers signing off with a memorizing although poorly recorded On Top Of The World. The perfect highway blues collection. If you listen through the whole thing twice on the highway you'll be convinced this is the ultimate blues collection with some of the truely greatest guitar solos ever.
Everyting on this album was greatly influenced from Little Richard and Chuck Barry, and at the same time is better than them. A definite must for all Clapton fans, even if you don't like Clapton and prefer straight up blues/rock, this is right up your alley.

Any Eric Clapton fan has to own this CD.
There are some great blues songs on here. I remember buying this... When I got home, I put in the CD player and listened to "Got To Hurry"... and after about a minute.. I realized "theres not gonna be any singing on here".. But after listening to some of the others, I realized why. The sogns didn't need anyone singing on them. The instruments were doing the singing.
You do have to be a fan of the blues to enjoy this album. In fact, now that I think about it, this was the album that started getting me into blues. I highly suggest it.

If you like Eric Clapton, this is a must have CD. It demonstrates the early blues career of this guitar master. The tracks by the Yardbirds et al, reveals the beginnings of brilliance and progresses skyward from there. History is an important part of any endeavor and appreciating the blues is no different. This CD is a great example for those beginning to listen to and appreciate the art of the blues guitar. Having mastered the stlyes and guitar licks of the great blues artists of the day and preivous, Eric Clapton moves into his own style and genre. Do yourself a favor and pick up this CD. Listen to it carefully and revel in the sounds of a future guitar hero. You will not be dis-appointed.
penrodj