Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton [Deluxe Edition] (CD)

Eric Clapton (Deluxe Edition) CD Review

By Ben  Jul 21, 2007 | 1 out of 1 found this Eric Clapton [Deluxe Edition] review helpful

Pros: Two versions of each song, Excellent additional material

Cons: Song lyrics not provided

This album was Eric Clapton's first solo album. The self-titled album marks a transition in Eric Clapton's career and is thus, a landmark album in classic and blues-based rock. The most noticeable transition for Clapton is in sound. This is ...Clapton's first album with a new guitar and amp set-up. Clapton switched from the Gibson guitars and Marshall amp stacks he made famous in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and in the supergroup Cream. Gibson guitars are famous for their full raw power and sustain, and Marshall amp stacks are known for their astounding volume and distortion capabilities. In this album Clapton uses a 50's model Fender Stratocaster guitar and a Fender amp. The change in hardware leads to a "cleaner, sharper" tone. The Deluxe Edition CD contains two discs. Due to miscommunications between the record label, the producer Delaney Bramlett, and Eric Clapton, three versions of the album were engineered - only the label's version made it to production and release. The Deluxe Edition contains the originally released album and the Delaney Bramlett version. Each disc contains additional material containing unreleased songs, and other versions of songs. The originally released version is a great ablum in itself. This is Clapton's first attempt as a solo artist, so he was slightly conservative in writing these songs. The songs are a good preview of Clapton's material to-come, such as "Let it Rain" is a precursor to "Layla," or "Don't Know Why" is to "Bell Bottom Blues." The Delaney Bramlett version is worth the price by itself. The versions of these songs are usually slightly longer and often contain a horn section. This version accentuates Clapton's guitar sound better as well. Many Clapton fans largely prefer this version to the original. The best feature of the additional material is the song "She Rides." This is "Let it Rain" with the original lyrics, unreleased. This Deluxe Addition album is a MUST for anyone claiming to be an Eric Clapton fan. This album contains an excellent mix of fast-paced blues-rock and slow, soulful ballads. No matter what style, they all contain Clapton's powerful guitar work. Read more Less