Customer Reviews

Strictly the Blues

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These recordings are essential for anyone's collection of Eric Clapton or British Blues.All titles were recorded before he reached total stardom with Cream. Some are with the Yardbirds, some with John Mayall, and some are small band sessions done between Eric being in groups.Just the 2 songs done with Mayall,"telephone blues" and "I'm your witchdoctor" are worth the price(bargain) of the disc. The screaming (almost) one note distorted solo in "witchdoctor" is amazing and the solo in "telephone" has to be one of the best he ever recorded. These were recorded during the time that the "Clapton is god" graffiti appeared in London and listening to the intensity of his playing helps you understand why.Awesome music.

There are some very good tracks on here - but the sound quality of many is poor. I particularly like the Blues Breakers tracks, like Telephone Blues. The early Yardbirds tracks are interesting but some of the songs are so-so. They are interesting because they have some of that great heavy, distorted guitar sound which is generally associated with Eric Clapton's later Blues Breakers work. Sound quality is dubious to bad on several tracks (perhaps not surprisingly considering how long ago they were made)e.g. tribute to Elmore. The CD includes a couple of covers of Chuck Berry songs with a more rocking feel, as well as more traditional blues.

Before you buy this though, consider buying the following Eric Clapton blues albums first - they are much better:
Eric Clapton with John Mayall's BLuesbreakers,
From the Cradle,
Unplugged.

I really enjoyed this album. The way it's put together.. the sound quality is not that wonderful but that can be overlooked because this is Eric Clapton after all. Maybe not his best, but it's certainly up there.

3 great guitarists, Eric clapton, jimmy page and jeff beck team up to create a great blues album that includes 20 songs. any blues fan will love this record.

This is by far not my favorite Eric Clapton CD. I enjoy it, but am not bowled over by it.