Eric Clapton

Tracklisting.

1.When You Got A Good Friend
2.Little Queen Of Spades
3.They're Red Hot
4.Me And The Devil Blues
5.Traveling Riverside Blues
6.Last Fair Deal Gone Down
7.Stop Breakin' Down Blues
8.Milkcow's Calf Blues
9.Kind Hearted Woman Blues
10.Come On In My Kitchen
11.If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
12.Love In Vain
13.32-20 Blues
14.Hell Hound On My Trail

Me and Mr. Johnson

Review

It's impossible to overemphasize the importance of singer-guitarist-songwriter Robert Johnson's contribution to blues music. The same can be said of Eric Clapton, one of Mr. Johnson's most dedicated interpreters. From his work with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to Cream and beyond, Clapton has arguably attracted more widespread attention to Johnson's music than any other living musician. A decade after his all-blues From the Cradle (which included no Johnson material), Clapton jumps into the icon's catalog with both feet by covering 14 Johnson tunes. With a stripped-down veteran band that includes such longtime associates as drummer Steve Gadd, keyboardist Billy Preston, and harmonica ace Jerry Portnoy, the guitarist attacks these songs with passion, intelligence, and a refreshing lack of blues-rock pretense. From the upbeat jump of "32-20 Blues" and "They're Red Hot" to the slower, grinding "Little Queen of Spades" and "Milkcow's Calf Blues," Clapton acquits himself well, eschewing his slicker inclinations with arrangements that underscore Johnson's rawest tendencies--although perhaps he doesn't seem sufficiently terrified when walking with Lucifer on "Me and the Devil Blues." Still, this is a successful and admirable return to his roots, one that will hopefully introduce an even larger audience to Johnson's seminal work

Hal Horowitz - amazon.com