Rating : 10/10

6th May 2007

When this album was released it disappointed a few cream fans here in the UK but Clapton could see his future direction in the very under-rated & B s country blues inspired rock...a perfect vehicle for his guitar playing. 'Slunky' is just a jam that was good enough to release....but what a jam!..fantastic brass topped off with Eric's stinging, singing strat. The whole album has quality and remember we're talking about 1970. I don't know of any other album that is quite like it. How to condense the heavy Gibson guitar solos of Cream/blind faith into concise emotionally charged phrases on a strat. Absolutely brilliant.

Rating : 10/10

21 January 2006

I still remember when this album came out and I still I love it...easy now is one of the best acoustic song ever but the whole album is great, so I keep deeply in my heart apart from the "nostalgia" from an Argentinean man, Thank you

Rating : 7/10

15 September 2005

It began in 1968. Feeling professionally trapped by the weight of Cream, Clapton spoke in glowingly terms about the album "Music From Big Pink" by The Band and noted that they were a signpost for him to follow. He publicly lauded their musical direction which emphasized strong compositions coupled with a seamless, unified group approach in stark contrast to Cream's reputation of three competing virtuoso's.

It is no wonder that he was intrigued by a tape of Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett provided to him by George Harrison. He probably saw certain similarities between the groups which was appealing and, in his estimation, preferable to the current situation.

In 1969, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends were selected as the opening act for Clapton's latest project, Blind Faith, and he took the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Bramletts and their large troupe of musicians. He publicly remarked that they were better than Blind Faith and opted to travel with them on their tour bus from gig to gig rather than travel with the members of his own group. In his mind, Blind Faith, had become another source of worry and he revealed in the camaraderie between the supporting musicians.

Clapton and Delaney Bramlett made plans together and after Blind Faith played their final concert in late August of 1969, Clapton joined the Bramletts and their musicians in New York. He co-wrote and played lead guitar on their next single, "Coming Home", and finalized future plans. Clapton would sponsor and accompany the group on a European tour and Delaney Bramlett would assist the guitarist with the recording of his debut solo album. Bramlett realized that a working relationship with Clapton would bolster his band's commercial and financial success. For his part, Clapton realized that he would have a first-rate band to work that he didn't have to form and nurture. Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett was energetic and enthusiastic vocalists and their band included stellar musicians such as bassist Carl Radle, drummer Jim Gordon, keyboardist/vocalist Bobby Whitlock, saxophonist Bobby Keys and trumpeter Jim Price.

In November, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends , joined Clapton in Great Britain staying at his house, Hurtwood Edge, while rehearsing for the European tour. Several early tracks for Clapton's album were attempted in Olympic Studios in London but the serious recording did not occur until January 1970 in Los Angeles upon the resulting album, referred to by Delaney Bramlett in the press as "Eric Sings", was a deliberate attempt to reposition Clapton in the musical world. The overall sound and the choice of material was similar to Delaney and Bonnie and Friends which was hardly surprising since they were the backing musicians along with notable guests as Leon Russell (piano), Stephen Stills (guitar), and the Crickets (backing vocals). The album was notably for emphasizing Clapton's appealing tenor voice (fuelled by Delaney's favourite drink: peppermint schnapps) and his switch to Fender Stratocaster guitars. The songs, largely co-written by the Bramletts and, to a lesser extent, Leon Russell, had an anonymous air. Significantly, the album featured "After Midnight" which was the first of Clapton's J.J. Cale covers. Even more significant though was the fact that there were no blues tracks.

So, is it worth adding to your Clapton collection? Yes. In many ways, it is the prototype of his musical direction as a solo artist. It is a well produced album (by Delaney Bramlett) and there are also enough solid songs to ensure your listening pleasure.

"Slunky" is a good driving instrumental with strong solos by Clapton and saxophonist Bobby Keys. A session with King Curtis around the same approximate time provided evidence of Clapton's musical rapport with saxophonists and predated his later work with Mel Collins ("The Core" from SLOWHAND) and David Sanborn.

"After Midnight", "Bottle of Red Wine" and "Blues Power" (co-written with Leon Russell) are strong tracks and well deserving of attention. "Easy Now", written solely by Clapton, is a strong double tracked acoustic number and "Let It Rain" (co-written with Bonnie Bramlett and featuring Stephen Stills on guitar) is a classic. "Bad Boy" and "Don't Know Why" are entertaining as well but "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me", "Lonesome and A Long Way From Home" (allegedly written for Blind Faith by Delaney Bramlett), and "Told You For The Last Time" are weak.

There is very little of Clapton's musical personality on this album and he relies too heavily upon the Bramletts for direction. The same criticism could be levelled against him for over-reliance upon Bob Dylan and The Band on NO REASON TO CRY and Phil Collins on "AUGUST".

Interestingly, this album was not released until August 1970 when Clapton was working with a number of former Bramlett musicians in Derek and the Dominos. In fact, the hit single from this album, "After Midnight", was released when Derek and the Dominos withdrew their first single, "Tell The Truth"/"Roll It Over" from the market. A number of the songs from this album would be featured on subsequent tours up to and including 2004 concert appearances and "After Midnight" was re-recorded and released as part of a Michelob Beer commercial campaign in 1988.

Overall, this is an entertaining album which captures Clapton's musical transition from a guitar hero to a triple threat singer/songwriter/guitarist..

Rating : 6/10

26 January 2005

This CD is of interest if only for two reasons:
First its his first solo effort and second its his first with a Fender Stratocaster.
At the time he was hanging out with members of Delaney and Bonnie and it shows in the music.
It opens with "Slunky" which is an instrumental that is not a solid effort.
He then goes to Bad Boy, which has a blues feel to it and is worth a listen, Long and lonesome way from home, is a sub-worthy effort. Next is the classic After Midnight and it has a very solid but short guitar solo for you guitar lovers. Easy Now is his acoustic effort and to me still resonates even after 35 years. Bottle of Red Wine shows some energy that had been lacking throughout the CD. Of the remaining songs only Let it Rain is worth the listen. Let it Rain to me is still a classic song of Claptons'.
This is not his best effort but it is worth having.

Rating : 7/10

27 December 2003

A strong debut from the by then already established blues legend. 'Slunky' is a great instrumental opener and sets the tone perfectly for what's to come. 'Bottle of red wine' is a sing along rocker with some fine guitar work and 'blues power' swings along nicely. There are a few niggles but so minor that they really aren't worth a mention, all in all well worth hearing.

Rating : 10/10

26 July 2002

I remember when the album came out. After midnight was the big hit, but when I started to play it I found a refreshing new EC. Generated, and ready to rock.

The album showed a side of Eric that gave him new life, and started to develop a sound that was his, and remains with us today. The soulful sounds, rocking rhythms had many of us listening to Eric Clapton in a new light. Welcome here is Bruser my cat is helping with this review.

Rating : 10/10

9 February 2002

This album is a great rock 'n' soul album thanks to the production of Delaney Brammlet .You can feel the influence that Delaney had on Eric in this album. But this album has the same affect of "No Reason To Cry". Its a required taste album ,only after you've heard a respected amount of Clapton's material you start to enjoy the album and you get to a point where you listen to it from start to end without skipping one quarter of a second.

Rating : 7/10

20 October 2001

Although Eric had contributed the occasional song or vocal to his previous groups, he must have surprised many fans with the strong singer/songwriter stance he takes on this first solo album (eight original songs, all but one composed in collaboration, including the concert staples 'Blues Power' and 'Let it Rain'). This album also introduced the music world to Eric's trademark 1970's guitar tone - the out of phase switch-position of a Fender Stratocaster (used with biting effect here on 'Slunky', 'Bottle of Red Wine,' and 'Let it Rain'). Most importantly, however, it was during these sessions that Eric consolidated his partnership with Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordan - the musicians who with Eric would go on to become Derek and the Dominos. As such, this record was something of a warm-up for the superb 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs', one of the greatest records in rock history!

Rating : 10/10

21 July 2001

This E.C. masterpiece is one of the essential elements of Clapton's discography.  From the opening pieces of "Slunky" and "Bad Boy", it is evident that Clapton is going to continue to deliver the goods that were being demonstrated in his early days with the Yardbirds, Cream, etc.  Throughout the whole album, Clapton plays with a type of perseverance, confidence, and soulful emotion that could keep his listeners singing his songs in their heads all day.  This is true for the whole album, right down to the last song "Let it Rain".  To this day, I can't here that song without dropping what I'm doing and picking up my guitar and singing to it.  Clapton is simply the best, period!!!