Customer Reviews

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos (Rock of Ages)

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

 

 

I bought this book anticipating a knowledgable coverage of this topic. Being a musician and fan of this band, Clapton and Duane Allman, at this point, halfway through the book, I am thoroughly dissapointed. Among other glaring errors: 1. otis Redding did not tour with B.B. King during the early '60s as reported, 2. Clapton did NOT play on the Stones "Love in Vain" released on the "Let it Bleed" album (that was Mick Taylor), 3. the first Allman Brothers' album was NOT titled "Beginnings" (that was a later twofer released during the 1970s including the first two Allman Brothers albums)and 4. Carl Radle was NOT a member of Blind Faith (what PLANET did this author grow up on!!!). All this may seem a bit picky, but, Mr. Reid, if you are seriously considering writing a book with this title - marketed to musicians (it is afterall in the music section)- either do your research or work with a musician who knows his stuff. All the info on Patti Boyd and the tabloid gossip might be accurate (frankly I don't give a whit about all that aspect of the book)- in fact the author might consider sticking to tabloid writing. I hope someone, preferrably a musician with an interest and knowledge of the work of these major artists, will eventually write a book worthy of their names. This one, I fear, is not such a book. Sorry, but its true.

While overall I found this book enjoyable enough to read, I must agree with the aforelisted reviewer Mr. Sam King that Reid does not do a good job in getting his facts straight. I too found glaring errors in his history of rock in the late sixties. His writing style is OK, but I think it's irresponsible to do such a lame research job in such a high-profile publication. Most people probably don't know, won't care, or won't notice, but I was pretty appalled.

The greatest album of all time deserves a CORRECT representation of how it was recorded. This is the Soap Opera Digest version. It is obvious to anyone who lived through the sixties and seventies that the author did NOT do his homework. A perfect example: Blackie, Eric's Stratocaster was made from three guitars purchased at Sho-Bud in Nashville, not five as reported by the author.
Read Marc Roberty's book and the liner notes to the 20th Anniversary CD set for a better and more accurate account.
I wasted my money and time

I had to read the book, I love the Dominoes, its my favorite band and favorite album. But the author had so much wrong, it makes you wonder about what is true and what isn't. For example, the author says Hendrix came to England jammed with Cream then left for the states to form his own trio. Anyone who knows anything about Hendrix knows he stayed in England and got two Brits to back him, N.Redding and M.Michell. There are others but the most glaring is when the author states that D.Allman played on Keep on Growing and even adds some great slide to the end of the song just like the end of Hey Jude with Wilson Pickett. Again, anyone who knows anything about the Dominoes, knows Allman did not play on the 1st three tracks. Its all Clapton overdubs at the end of Keep on Growing. How this guy got so much wrong is a mystery to me......

Thanks to the reviewer who pointed out "plastic medicine bottle". But that wasn't the worst error. The Allman Brothers first album in NOT titled "Beginnings", Carl Radle didn't play in Blind Faith, and......has the author even listened to this album.....Duane does NOT play on "Keep On Growing". Ugh! Read "Skydog" instead. Would have given "0" stars if it were and option.

This Book is not about the making of Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs. At page 115 (!) The Dominoes goes in the studio. Before that you get the story about how pretty Pattie Boyd was (and still is). There are some interesting stories in this book, but none of them are about the making of Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs. Why Does This Book Got To Be So Bad? The answer is: Jan Reid is not focused on the music.

Eric Clapton/Derek and the Dominos Layla record is overlaid with so many layers of mythology no one mayever know the entire story. Until Clapton and Ms. Boyd/Harrison/Clapton write their books this is probably the best narrative we will have.

Reid relies heavily on Bobby Whitlock's recollections. As with any storyteller who is involved in a story, the narrative is shaped by their recollection and how they want to appear in the story. Yet the story is extremely valuable for showing the path each of the other members of the band took on their journey to Criteria Studios in the Fall of 1970. Of special interest to me was some of the story about Duane Allman's father that I had not known and the stories about Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Of interest is the way he speaks extensively about the relationship between Eric and Delaney, but he avoids mention of Bonnie as much as possible. In addition he-like everyone else has been unable or unwilling to untangle the reasons the friendship came apart.

The book is great on the interpersonal angles, but weak on any kind of analysis of the recordings themselves and the process. This is an especially tragic omission since Tom Dowd has passed and can no longer fill in the details. In addition, the aborted sessions for the second record are given a quick brush and put away.

I recommend the book as a great read. I wish Whitlock would write his book

This is a really shoddy effort. The number of factual errors makes me question the value of any other "facts" presented here. Layla deserves a better book than this.

Not a lot new here - but it is nice to hear so much from and about Bobby Whitlock

The author took parts of Barry Rehfield's article written in 1984 and basically dropped it into his so called book on the 70s rock band, Derek & the Dominos. A pathetic attempt at writing. Now, I understand that he is assisting Bobby Whitlock in his version of his time with Derek & the Dominos. Wait! I thought this was his account of his time with the band?? Of course, Whitlock has a few people to pay back that he robbed along the way and left his friends holding the bills.