Derek and the Dominos - Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

Layla stands as one of a handful of pillars of classic rock. The short-lived ensemble that was the Dominos provided an outlet for Eric Clapton to vent his then unrequited (and secret) passion for the wife of his best friend, George Harrison. Romantic anguish inspired Clapton to write and collect an embroiling and interconnected song cycle. Meanwhile, latecomer Duane Allman prodded Clapton to tear it up on guitar, so as not to be overwhelmed by his even more talented foil. Of course, Clapton eventually won the hand of his lady love. And then he divorced her. Sometimes real life messes up a good plot line. --Steve Stolder Amazon.com essential recording

Classic Clapton.

Whenever I need my fix of classic 1970s' rock, I always turn to this album. After touring as a sideman with Delaney and Bonnie, Eric Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos out of Delaney and Bonnie's rhythm section (Bobby Whitlock, keyboards and vocals; Carl Radle, bass; and Jim Gordon, drums) and The Allman Brothers' guitarist, Duane Allman, and then released the penultimate rock love song, "Layla," which takes centerstage on this iconic rock album. Inspired by his then-unrequited love for model Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend George Harrison, Clapton took the name "Layla" from Nezami Ganjavi's poem, "Layla and Majnun," which tells the story of a young man who goes crazy after falling in love with a beautiful, unavailable woman.

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is undeniably one of the ten greatest rock and roll albums of all time, and with the dual guitars of Allman and Clapton, it features Clapton at his best. The album is a collection of blues standards ("Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out," "It's Too Late," "Have You Ever Loved A Woman," and "Key To The Highway"), jams ("Tell the Truth"), and as the title suggests, "Other Assorted Love Songs" ("Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad," "Bell Bottom Blues," "Layla"). Ironically the album was in production at the time of Jimi Hendrix's drug-overdose. (A reverent cover of "Little Wing" was included on the album in tribute to Hendrix.) In fact, the album is eerily surrounded by death and drug addiction. (Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident soonafter the album release; Gordon later murdered his mother in a psychotic rage; and Clapton was addicted to heroin.) Unrequited love, incendiary guitar, drugs, and unexpected death: this album is definitive 70s' rock and roll. The complete album tracklist includes:

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

G. Merritt
June 5, 2008

Gorgeous!

I've never been a big fan of Eric Clapton. His work with Cream, while enjoyable, was never as mind blowing to me, as it seems to be to many other listeners. And that is what makes my love of this album all the more stunning. A mix of originals and revitalized blues classics, this album is very strong, from front to back. "I Looked Away" and "Bell Bottom Blues" are both great openers, while covers of "Key to the Highway" and "Little Wing" are both familiar, while still very innovative in their treatment. The only flaw to be found is that the band was short lived, and no follow-up to this masterpiece was ever created. February 2, 2008

layla is a must own album

There's a reason people consider Layla and other Assorted Love Songs a classic album. It's because it IS!

The album has a variety of moods and is mostly a songwriting album, and for those of you who are sick of hearing the song "Layla" on radio stations all the time, you should check out the album anyway, because there's a lot more here to enjoy besides that same overplayed song all the time.

I love Clapton's singing on the opening track "I Looked Away". Really emotional singing style with a brilliant vocal melody. "Bell Bottom Blues" is thankfully no longer a radio staple, which means the song still remains fresh and will continue to remain fresh as many times as you feel like playing it. "Keep on Growing" features some excellent guitar soloing that really proves the album has some variety, since the first three songs are drastically different from each other.

"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" is a powerful slow blues rocker. It's not boring either. I like the lyrics too. The lyrics are exactly what you'd expect, packed with some emotions to elevate it WAY above average. "When you finally get up on your feet again, everyone wants to be your long lost friend". Amazing! Some of the guitar soloing near the end is quite fantastic.

"I Am Yours" is just a really nice song. It stands out in a positive way, just being so simple and pleasant. "Anyday" is a big WOW song, because the vocals and guitar playing is really sweet. "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad" is the same way.

The final song I want to mention is "Key to the Highway". It's a stomping blues track that's not really anything like the other blues number on here (the "Nobody Knows" track I mean). It's a really good song.

Just buy the album already! January 28, 2008

What a "Supergroup"

Derek and the Dominos was one of the great supergroups. Short-lived, to be sure, but what a legacy. Kind of like a supernova? Shines brilliantly for a bit and then disappears. The pictures of the group at work that come with the CD are shocking in a sense. Man, were they young when they created this masterpiece! I'm used to Eric Clapton the way he looks now. . . . One characteristic of this work that makes sense is that the cuts are long, and they feature a lot of instrumental work; it's like the group wants to jam a lot. And why not? The group was made up of some power house players: Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Duane Allman (Guitar), Bobby Whitlock (Keyboard/Vocals/Acoustic guitar), Jim Gordon (Percussion), and Carl Radle (Bass).

Some illustrative cuts from this masterpiece:

"Bell Bottom Blues" (Clapton). One nice line:

"Bell bottom blues,
You made me cry.
I don't want to lose this feeling.
If I could choose a place to die,
It would be in your arms."

Splendid guitar work and nice ensemble playing. This is a kind of "laid back" song, with real power in the instrumental work.

"Key to the Highway" (Segar/Broonzy). A great blues sung well rendered by this group. The band plays well; they project a fine blues sensibility onto this song. This cut lasts over 9 minutes (like many cuts, it is leisurely, as if the band enjoys playing with one another, playing off one another). The vocals are okay, but almost secondary. The guitar work is stellar. A recurring line:

"I got the key,
The key to the highway."

"Little Wing" (Hendrix). I like this cut, first, simply because it's a Jimmy Hendrix song. Second, the group does it justice. The guitar work is what it should be, which is no surprise, given who is playing guitar with this group.

Finally, "Layla" (Clapton/Gordon). What a great opening guitar riff. Indeed, the guitar playing is stunning throughout. Clapton, in my view, has never been a great rock and roll singer, but he does what he needs to do in this song. The backing vocals are fine, too. What power from this band! The extended instrumental playing works throughout this CD--and in this song as well. No filler or fluff here.

So? This is one of the finest supergroups of the time. This CD stands up well several decades later. One of the best of rock and roll albums. . . .
January 13, 2008

The Layla Lecture

The following is a copy of the manuscript of a lecture I gave at the Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 21, 1995. I am hopeful that this will convince people that I am a very serious Seer about music and just not some phantasm they created after a bad nights sleep.....

"Good evening people - are you ready to rock and roll with Metamorpho? (loud applause). Yes yes, I can see all of you are here to hear about Clapton. Mr. Eric Clapton - you all know him, don't you? (fanatic cheers). OK Now, listen closely people and you might just learn something - then again, probably not (loud laughter and applause). Let's see now, where did I put my notes? (peers up his sleeve and finds nothing-then tries the other sleeve and produces a stratocaster). That Clapton - I told him not to leave his guitar at my place unless he axes me! (some laughter but mostly boos and hisses over a very bad joke). OK Ok, let's get to the topic of the evening, shall we? (cheers). We are here to discuss Mr. Clapton's masterpiece entitled "Layla". And no people, she is not the one who broke up the Beatles, so put that thought out of your heads (smiles sheepishly thinking he's scored points when, in reality, nobody heard it because the mike cut out). OK now. Way back when, Mr. Clapton, who gained alot of fame by being in alot of groups, decided that he would finally branch out on his own and create this classic recording. What can we say people? This recording, in itself, is the culmination of many years fine tuning his craft and taking part in many ventures. Unfortunately, Mr. Clapton gave the Dominos a short time of investment. There have been studies to suggest that he had ADD - but nothing has been proved (beams with self-absorbed knowledge). OK now - why is "Layla" so special? Well, at the time, Mr. Clapton was absorbed by love for Patti Boyd, who was George Harrison's wife. This situation produced alot of inner turmoil and a way of dealing with these emotions was to invest all his energy into this recording. Mind you, he aquired alot of fine, top-notch musicians such as Bobby Whitlock (piano, guitar), Carl Radle (bass) and Jim Gordon (drums, percussion). All of them excellent and well-versed in the rock/blues arena. They all shine on gems such as "I Looked Away","Keep On Growing", and the eternally great Clapton composition "Bell Bottom Blues". And, believe me people, if Eric had continued with that format it would have been a very good album. That, however, was not the case. Instead, he decided to invite Duane Allman over to play on the recordings, and with that little inclusion he produced a classic album. (clapping). Why you may ask? Well, I will tell you but don't forget the donation ushers at the egress! (much laughter). Duane was a top notch guitarist and more than capable of giving Eric a run for his money on guitar. Duane, if you will, pushed Eric into a higher stratosphere, making him excel. And they both fed off the energy that the other would produce. This created a spiral effect which comes across so clearly. Examples would be "Anyday" (a magikal whirlwind of slide guitar), "Little Wing" (an awesome take on the Hendrix song) and, of course the sonic riffs on "Layla". Duane's contibutions cannot be discounted. No. He brings with him the smokey, gritty southern rock sound and infuses it into Eric's English-blues acumen. This produces an awesome hybrid, especially on the blues numbers such as "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out", "Have You Ever Loved a Woman?", and "Key to the Highway". And people, people! (sees people talking in front row and peers at them), alot of the reason why these blues are so effective is because they are born out of Eric's pain. You could consider this recording as a therapy and Duane, in some metamorphic way, the therapist he needed at the time. Oh, I see some of you scoff at this (hears giggles). Perhaps I should have worn my clown outfit? Bet you'd listen then! (crowd laughs with appreciation). Yes, yes....that's more like it.
In conclusion, you have to look at "Layla" as a classic for all the reasons I told you - but also because of the variety they included here. You certainly have the rockers and the blues, but also the tender acoustic "Thorn Tree in the Garden" and the wispful meter of "I Am Yours". All selections masterfully done. (crowd cheers).
And so my people, please get this right away. It belongs in any serious rock collection. I do hope you enjoyed it! (crowd stands and loud cheering and applause are THUNDEROUS!). Thank-you people, thank-you people. I am reluctant to take your generous appreciation but I will anyway (grins with self satisfaction). Ok people- you know what's next (in the tradition of Metamorpho's closing of a lecture, he takes his Seer Hat off and tosses it into the air- Mary Tyler Moore style). Bye for now (winks and skates off the stage).

Well people, hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for being part of the "lecture experience".

Checking the donation box- your own, Metamorpho ;) December 30, 2007

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