mail: daniel_fjall@hotmail.com
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layla and other assorted love songs live at the fillmore
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs Released: 1973 Rating: 10/10 Track listing: 1. I Looked Away/ 2. Bell Bottom Blues/ 3. Keep On Growing/ 4. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out/ 5. I Am Yours/ 6. Anyday/ 7. Key To The Highway/ 8. Tell The Truth/ 9. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad/ 10. Have You Ever Loved A Woman/ 11. Little Wing/ 12. It’s Too Late/ 13. Layla/ 14. Thorn Tree In The Garden After having spent the last five years in the spotlight as a superstar, Eric Clapton seeked anonymity. He succeeded by forming a band under his alias, Derek. The Dominos was some of the musicians he’d been working with on his self-titled and first solo album. The most important member of the group was Bobby Whitlock (Keyboards and backing vocals) who co-wrote most of the originals here. In fact, Eric and Bobby are the only members of Derek And The Dominos who still are active musicians. Bass player Carl Radle committed suicide in the late ‘70s, drummer Jim Gordon is schizophrenic and is in jail for stabbing his mother to death. Duane Allman (slide guitar) was never a formal member of the group, but he was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971, at the age of 24. This album is, as the title says, a collection of love songs. Sad, depressing songs but not cheesy or banal. This is a blues rock-album. The energy level is high, the emotions jump out of the speakers and if you’re not affected I suggest you try to look inside of you. Look at your past. Have you ever loved anyone that you can’t have? Have you ever felt desperate and lonely, don’t know what to do? This is what Clapton was going through at the time and expressed it very well in his songwriting, singing and playing. He expressed his love for his best friend's wife, Patti Boyd Harrison. That’s right, Harrison. Harrison as in George Harrison of the Beatles. Not only are the original songs obvious hints at Clapton’s love-life (“Looked Away”, “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad”, “It’s Too Late”) but also the covers. The old blues classic “Have You Ever Loved A Woman” features some great guitar playing along with simple, yet revealing and emotional lyrics (“have you ever loved a woman, so much it hurts/ but all the time you know she belongs to your very best friend”). Yet the most affecting and personal songs here are the ballad “Bell Bottom Blues” and the title track. Great guitar playing on both numbers, personal lyrics and ecstatic performances. The first is beautiful and the latter has one of the best riffs ever put on record. Two of Clapton’s best songs, fan favorites that he still perform live these days. Sadly without matching the intensity of the original recordings. But that’s not possible anyway. The Dominos didn’t last very long which is a shame. Fortunately they did leave behind this classic album and it’s the highlight of Clapton’s career almost 30 years after its release.
Live At The Fillmore While Eric was hiding away from his super stardom his record company became anxious. No new material was available so they decided to settle with an archive release. The Dominos was captured live at the Fillmore after the recording of Layla, but before it was released. It’s also rumored that the band wasn’t aware of it being recorded. Perhaps that’s why Clapton sounds so relaxed and loose compared to other recordings. You will never, and I mean never, find another album where Eric is stretching out in the same way as here. Long, improvised solos. Yes, the solos with Cream were long, but here they are structured and the band isn’t competing the same way. It’s very clear that the others are backing him up and not trying to steal the show. Duane Allman wasn’t with the band at this point, but he was never a true member of the group anyway. In fact, some of the songs are very much improved in these live versions. Eric gets a chance to show his full register, a chance to shine without having another guitarist to consider. Also a rhythm guitarist isn’t needed. Bobby Whitlock’s magnificent keyboard playing prevents the band from sounding too thin. Especially check out the two first songs. Clapton makes us understand that second guitarist is not needed. He can do it himself. “Got To Get Better In A Little While” keeps the listener on his toes, while “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” will put you into trance. Great guitar stuff. And it’s only the beginning. The only misstep here is the reading of “Little Wing”. Eric seems uncertain on what equipment to use and it end up in a minor tragedy. Otherwise there are only winners here. The record company rereleased this one with loads of bonus tracks in the ‘90s and that’s the version reviewed here. If you’re in the mood for some blues guitar wanking, you can’t find any better than this!
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