For My Buddy, Dan:

Eric playing Layla with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and some of the Stones.

Eric Clapton Again!

For all you Clapton Lover's and Hater's, here is just one example of why he is so good. Please give it a listen with an open mind and then tell me it wasn't worth your while.



This song also happens to be off my favorite solo Clapton album, recorded soon after quitting his on again and off again romance with heroin. He was a great guitarist, songwriter and vocalist even during his addiction.

For the Haters, rather than rant on with how much you hate him, it might be more helpful to give examples of why you hate him. For you Lovers, give us examples of why you love him.

He is famous because people enjoy his musical style and revered in the music industry for his actual talents. Give me quotes of other famous musical artists who do not look up to him and his success.

Thanks for reading my rant.

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God's Birthday

This is it! Eric Clapton's birthday. I can't believe he is 65 already. I know he is still playing like he is 30 and lovin every minute of it. The Rock and Roll Guru reminded me of this date today and he also reminded me that this summer in Chicago is the Crossroads tour. What a place to be. If you get a chance to check this event out in your locale, take it. Here is a peek at a previous concert.



So Happy Birthday Eric. May you live long and play blues hard. Maybe someday we will meet at the Crossroads. I am looking forward to it.
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Rock Gods Didn't Win

The Grammys were held last night and I felt compelled to announce one award they got wrong. Here is a video of a close facsimile of the nominated song/group, in concert. They were nominated for "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group"




It is awful hard to get any of the awards right if the best are not nominated (some of the best were by the way), although I cant argue with what the buying public keeps shelling their hard earned dollars on. The most generic, most bland, most artistically challenged dregs of the music world. My son loved the Lil Wayne-Eminem-Drake performance. We couldnt listen to half the song due to its profanity laced, excised time on the stage. How much do you really have to grab your crotch anyway? Pants on the Ground....Pants on the Ground.....Pants on the Ground!

Well I hope you enjoyed the video. These guys are the epitome of what rock and roll is all about and I'm glad I know their music. They sure dont make em like they used to.

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Derek and the Dominos

Dan here again. I was looking back in the archives of Layla's blog and found that she really has never written about the album that her namesake or her blog badge comes from. I will now try to enlighten you with my knowledge and research. The album cover really is a beautiful piece of art.

The album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" by Derek and the Dominos (1970) has arguably been considered Eric Claptons greatest musical achievement. A return to the Crossroads blues roots Eric so longed for. The bands name was chosen specifically because he wanted to hide from his celebrity status. He just wanted to create music without all the hype that constantly surrounded him. Remember he was considered God by some at the time. What a tough name to live up to.

This endeavor came shortly after his stint with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends. Former bandmates Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon joined him in the band. Eric was the main song writer, but it really was a group effort with Bobby Whitlock providing help on many of the songs and arrangements. Most of the material on this album was written for Pattie Boyd, George Harrison's wife, who Eric desperately wanted to make his own. The relationship was not officially to be for another 4 years though. A few cover songs were also included. Incidently, a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" was also included in memoriam of Jimi who had died a week after its recording.

Another contributor to the band was none other than Duane Allman who was scouted by Eric after hearing The Allman Brothers were playing nearby. It is said that Duane froze when Eric showed up at the concert. After the show they hung out all night long trading licks and swapping guitars. Eric would later say that Duane "was the musical brother he never had, but wished he did."

Derek and the Dominos only produced this one, four sided, studio recording and then also a live recording "In Concert" (1973). Later in the 90's they remastered the Layla studio recordings for its 20th anniversary and also produced a live concert album from their concerts at The Fillmore East in the 70's.

The most famous song, of course, is Layla, with Duane stepping up big time with his slide guitar. Drummer Jim Gordon's piano solo (Jim was working on a solo album when Eric heard him playing the now famous piano interlude and insisted they include it) rounded out the package and the rest as they say is history. When you really listen to the intensity of those Eric lyrics and the beautiful instruments, you can almost feel the desire he must have had for Pattie. What a love story they had!

The album was originally a flop out of the gate, but when the song Layla was released as a single in 1972, it took off and became a smash hit. Clapton acoustically reworked the song in 1992, which became another smash hit for him. I personally enjoy the acoustic version better than the original, but of course we do miss Duane's slide. I am including that version now. I hope you enjoy!


eric clapton - layla - live



mouse MySpace Video

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Clapton and Winwood

 A 2 CD + 2 DVD set is coming out.  Here's the buzz on it:

Three Historic Shows. Two Rock Legends. A Collaboration Forty Years in the Making.


Includes iconic performances of Blind Faith, Eric Clapton, and Steve Winwood's greatest hits. (Tracklisting for both the DVDs and CDs are below)

They's also announced tour dates:

June 10 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
June 12 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
June 13 Washington, DC Verizon Center
June 15 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
June 17 Chicago, IL United Center
June 18 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
June 20 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
June 21 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
June 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
June 24 Houston, TX Toyota Center
June 26 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena
June 27 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Arena
June 29 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
June 30 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl

John Lennon, Mick Jagger and Others...Yer Blues!

This video is from 1968, Mick looks so young! Mitch Mitchell on drums, Keith Richard on guitar, Eric Clapton on guitar, John Lennon on vocals. BLUES at its finest!

CLICK HERE for VIDEO

Don't miss it!