Album : Derek and the Dominos – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

This was just CB’s progression with the members of Cream. I had some Jack Bruce albums under my belt, Blind Faith. So it was onto Eric Clapton in this group. I was  expecting more good music from Eric and this band. Well I got lots of it. A departure from the style I was used to from him. Where Bruce was leaning more into his jazz more off the beaten track this album was almost country blues.  It had a real good sound.

It took a little getting used to. I had to shift my perceptions. For one thing Eric was sharing the guitar parts with Duane Allman. Plus vocals with Bobby Whitlock. Side one hooked me. The first two cuts have some nice licks, not the hard guitar I was used to by Clapton. Softer approach. Different style for CB. ‘Keep on Growing’ was the tune that got my attention, it had the double guitar attack. It’s a blues/rocker. The band cooks on this one. I was liking the direction the music was going. Not what I was expecting.  I was liking the guitars and the shared vocals.  CB always likes numerous vocalists in a group. The last cut ‘Nobody Knows You ..’ is a straightforward slow blues number. Eric’s vocals nail it. Solid blues tune.  Some nice licks on this one. Side one was my intro into the Dominos. I was slowly digging it.

Side starts slow then the band gets into ‘Anyday’ with some more great guitar from one of those guitar guys. Eric and Whitlock were sharing vocals and I was liking Bobby’s style. They complement each other. I really liked this cut. ‘Key to the Highway’ ends side two. The song fades in with the band already in full flight. It grabs you right off the bat. Eric is laying down some real nice rockin/blues riffs with Duane adding his touches. The band is in the groove. I could have listened to this jam for awhile.  Eric’s vocals come in and are perfect. Good stuff. The song just cooks with great playing. Yeah CB was getting pulled into this record. I liked the blues and I liked what these guys were doing to them. That Duane guy ( I think ) was playing some fantastic slide. This is just a real good blues jam. End of side two and I was eager for the last two sides.

‘Tell the Truth’ opens side three and it’s a continuation of the groove these guys were in. Allman (I think) provides his great slide work. Great tune. The next cut has some more great guitar licks in an up tempo rocker. They end the side like they did with the previous sides with a killer blues tune in their own style ‘Have You Ever Loved a Woman’. No wonder I was digging this record. Man there’s some good work on this one.

Side four opens with a Jimi Hendrix song, ‘Little Wing’, that I had never heard. The Dominos’ version is real good. The guitar work is fantastic and the song has guts. Man there is a load of good music on here. ‘It’s Too late’ is a change of pace, blues/country/rocker. Eric and Whitlock trading vocals. Love it. The guitar just keeps coming and it’s all good. The title cut is a real good song with some great playing. The piano helps take it out. Bobby Whitlock ends the album with a softer touch.

 

The album justs grows on you. So much good music. Eric was pulling this from his inspirations and playing it with a lot of commitment. Really good accompaniment from everybody. Carl Radle and Jim Gordon were holding down bass and drums. This music was new to CB but it was just good stuff.  It felt like it was about the music and not a bunch of other bullshit (the inside cover showed the boys having a few cocktails).  Make no mistake this is a guitar album with lots of great playing . They were all feeling what they were playing. Great record.