Cream Disraeli Gears 92

Its amazing how only three musicians: Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker created such a groundbreaking album with barely more than guitar, bass, and drums. The sounds of psychedelia, rock, and blues are all here and at full volume with colors coming everywhere. Sort of like a rainbow but a bearded one mind you. See, one of the songs, SWLABR, stands for She Walks Like A Bearded Rainbow. Yes, Cream created vivid imagery on this and other songs on this classic record. A sense of mystery and wonder is the vibe on such numbers as We're Going Wrong, Dance The Night Away, World Of Pain, and Tales Of Brave Ulysses. These guys created some awesome riffs and solos on Sunshine Of Your Love, Outside Woman Blues, and others . Definitely the album to get to sample some of the Eric Clapton's fantastic guitar playing from the psychedelic sixties.

Cream Strange Brew The Very Best Of Cream 93

A near perfect compilation of this bands great career. Some of the best solos in the history of the guitar are featured on this collection. My personal favorites are White Room's famed wah wah solo, the fast blues licks of Crossroads, and the stunning break in Badge. This is not to say Sunshine Of Your Love, Politician, Spoonful, Born Under A Bad Sign, and Strange Brew are understated in the solo department either as they are strong too. The other two numbers, I Feel Free and Anyone For Tennis have non descript solos but add some interesting dynamics to make this a fine compilation. A very cool album.

Blind Faith 58

This album is sort of......incomplete. Well, six songs and one, Do What You Like well overstays its welcome. Also, Eric's guitar playing is a bit understated bar one exception. But what an exception. I'm talking Presence Of The Lord. Great emotional vocals by Steve Windwood and a stupendous solo by Eric. This song alone makes this album a somewhat worthy listen as opposed to frisbee use. Can't Find My Way Home and Sea Of Joy are nice pieces as well but even they can't hold a torch to Presence. Anyway, try to search this disc out cheap. One track will definitely be worn more than the rest.

Eric Clapton(first solo album) 86

At this time, Eric's influence by the musical style of Delaney Bramlett and the result was this soulful record. Eric's vocals and song-writing are greatly benefited by Mr. Bramlett's influences. Whereas Eric's guitar playing is a bit understated on many of the tracks, the effects displayed and the overall texture is well executed with the right amount of flash. After Midnight, Blues Power, and Let It Rain are the most popular numbers on this record, but Easy Now, Bad Boy, and the instrumental jam Slunky are equally worthy too.

Derrick And The Dominoes Layla And Assorted Love Songs: 85

Everyone calls this double album a classic. I do like it but it is somewhat overrated. Why you ask? Well, the bitter bluesy tone throughout is a bit to constant for me. Plus the side two songs are fairly weak. Oh there are many great songs: Layla, Bell Bottom Blues, Have You Ever Loved A Woman, I Looked Away, and more. The guitar jams between Eric and Duane Allman are legendary. Eric's vocals are the most emotional of his career. Hard rocking blues purists will love this but those who desire some diversion will be wanting a little more.

Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard: 72

Fans who loved Eric for his high energy blues from Layla, were shocked at the release of this laid back album. The mood is very low key as Eric does some minor fills on the majority of the tracks. However, the beautiful Let It Grow, the rockers Mainline Florida and Motherless Children, and the spunky Steady Rolling Man make this record a good low budget purchase.

There's One In Every Crowd: 84

The other side of Eric Clapton continues. There's a limited amount of blues(The Sky Is Crying, Better Make It Through Today) delivered in a laid back manner. However the gospel, reggae, and acoustic influences shine through and are performed very nicely. Eric and George Terry's Don't Blame Me is a fine sequel to I Shot The Sheriff. Swing Low Sweet Charriot, High, and Pretty Blue Eyes are other standout tracks. A definite purchase for those who enjoy the "mellow" side of this fine guitarist.

No Reason To Cry: 73

A nice variety of styles on this collection especially the latin flavored Carnival. However, Eric shifts much of the instrumental focus to guest musicians which include Bob Dylan, The Band, Ronnie Wood, and fellow band member Marcy Levy. Whereas the guest contributions are nice, Eric's presence is very limited. Jamie Oldaker's drumming is pretty strong once again.

Slowhand: 80

This collection is among Eric's greatest commercial successes mostly due to the hits Lay Down Sally, Wonderful Tonight, and Cocaine. The songs are very good on this record. However, outside of Cocaine, The Core, and maybe one or two others, this album is comprised of too much lightweight material. Somehow when light music comes to mind, James Taylor and Cat Stevens seems more appropriate. Let me emphasis, that where this record isn't bad by any means, the feeling is Eric isn't using all his talents.

Backless: 67

Very similar in style to the previous release, Slowhand. However, the songs are considerably weaker. Just the fact that a repetitive number like Roll It made the final cut shows you that quality material was not at a premium. Early In The Morning, Tulsa Time, Watch Out For Lucy, and a few others make this worth a minimal investment.

Another Ticket: 88

Probably Eric's best solo album of all new material. Finally Eric gives us what we expect; great guitar solos in a blues oriented setting. On top of that these tunes have some oomph to them. Blow Wind Blow and Hold Me Lord shuffle along quite nicely with very exquisite solos. Catch Me If You Can, I Can't Stand It, and Rita Mae rock with some spirit. Floating Bridge and Something Special are two excellent slow blues numbers. That leaves Black Rose and the title track which add just enough to make this album a near classic for my ears. So why was this record not a top grossing success? Eric collapsed on stage from an ulcer at the beginning of the scheduled tour which in turn canceled the bulk of the concert dates. In addition, the record company did very little afterwards to promote this record. So seek this record out as you will have a bargain on your hands.

Money And Cigarettes: 83

Eric rebounded from his health problems to put out another solid collection. The tunes are a little softer than the previous release and some of the guitar solos lack some inspiration particularly the redundant one on Cross Cut Saw. However for diversity's sake this album is pretty much a winner.

Journeyman: 76

Eric returns a bit more to his roots on this collection after putting out two highly synthesized pop albums Behind The Sun and August which are not reviewed here at this time. Some of the guitar solos really shine specifically on Bad Love, Old Love, and Anything For Your Love. However, Eric seemed to depend too much on others for his songs therefore greatly limiting the potential for this album.

Unplugged: 90

A monster commercial success. A very fine smattering of old and new tunes which are performed well in an all acoustic setting. There are plenty of good blues numbers and some from the pop side as well. Eric's guitar solos are executed well in this acoustic setting and Chuck Leavell contributes quite nicely on piano as well. Layla, San Fransisco Bay Blues, Alberta, and Tears In Heaven are the standouts but almost every number stands tall here. You really can't go wrong.

From The Cradle: 87

Pilgrim Review this way

Main/A-C/ D-F / G-I / J-L / M-O / P-R / S-U / V-X / Y-Z /All Bands