Music Monday - CD Review - Layla and associated Love Songs

Now last week despite a few people commenting on my review of Don McLeans American Pie album I only recieved a two votes for this weeks review one for "Layla and associated love songs" by Derek and the Dominoes (thanks Rachel) with the other vote from Cactusfreek who is a Stray Cats fan. So this week I'll do Rachels choice followed by the Stray Cats next week.

"Layla and associated Love Songs" by Derek and the Dominoes is one of the all time Classic Rock/Blues albums of all time. This is the only album ever produced by this superb group and a must for any music collections.

Derek and the Dominoes were made up of Eric Clapton (Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals), Bobby Whitlock (Keyboards & vocals), Craig Randle (Bass) & Jim Gordon (Drums). Also featuring on this album is guitarist the late Duane Allman of Allman Brothers Fame.

Interesting point for those that like trivia the group origionally were going to call themselves "The Dynamics" but as this record was produced on The Dominoe labelthey chose that instead.

Origionally a double album when released on vinyl in November 1970 it amasingly never charted in the UK charts on its release. However it did make the US charts and went Gold despite not making the top ten.

In 1987 this album was voted as the 92nd best Rock Album of all time by the Music Critics and Broadcasters association.

One of the reasons for its early chart failure was at the time none of the songs were well known and it got very little radio air time.

Now on to the Album and the music on it. This is a total team effort and only two of the tracks were written solely by Clapton (a lot of others were in partnership with Whitlock), but what two awesome tracks they are.

Track 13 - Layla - Arguably the best Rock anthem of all time (its certainly one of my favorites). Who can forget the duelling Guitar start with Clapton and Allman. This song is over 7 minutes long and the best thing you can do after listening is play it again.

Track 2 - Bell Bottom Blues - Another Classic I really do love and could listen to over and over again, great song that lasts more than 5 minutes.

Three Blues Classics are amongst this album and I reckon Clapton can play Blues Guitar like no other White Man.

Track 4 - Nobody Knows you when your Down and Out - This Jimmy Cox song is always woth a listen the Dominoes certainly do it full credit.

Track 7 - Key to the Highway - This William Broozny song is almost 10 minutes long and Fans of Blues Guitar will love it.

Track 10 - Have You ever Loved a Woman - This Bill Myles song was origionally a hit for Freddie King but this is the best version. Another long un at just under 7 minutes.

Anyway the rest of the album is not bad :-

Track 1 - I looked Away - Is a great start to this album tells the tale of a faltering relationship.

Track 3 - Keep on Growing - Rock Guitar at its best with this catchy tune.

Track 5 - I am Yours - Change in Tempo for this gentle track.

Track 6 - Anyday - Another long track just under 7 minutes for this Rock track again showing what a skilled bunch of musicians this lot were.

Track 8 - Tell the Truth - Again just under 7 minutes for yet another change of style, not one of my favorites though.

Track 9 - Why does love have to be so sad - Up the tempo for yet another change of style, great use of the instruments.

Track 11 - Little Wing - Even throw in a Jimi Hendrix classic and do it full justice.

Track 12 - Its too Late - Now for a 1970's album this is what I call a typical sixties track, great stuff though.

Track 14 - Thorn Tree in the Garden - Shortest and worst song on the album, certainly not one I like just can't see the point of ot been on.

This album at 70 minutes is a must for collections my mark 8.5 out of 10 a definate classic.