Derek & Dominos - Layla
|
Our Price: $18.14 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.89 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Layla
Free Music Review: Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Hit: 5 Stars
Rolling Stone Magazine recently devoted a whole issue to the 500 best albums of all time. I was stunned that this album did not appear at least in the top 10. It drives me to drink that there are millions of rock fans out there who don't even know this music exists.It is well known what the back-story is for this record. Clapton fell for George Harrison's wife, Patty. They had a fling and then she turned her back on him. The resulting emotional devastation for Clapton wound up expressed as these songs. When the original album came out, we knew none of this. For the first couple of years, Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs was overlooked not only because the public didn't know the story but also because most didn't even know Eric Clapton played on it. But on first listen, we knew "something" happened. For all we knew, some girl who worked in a teashop could have dumped him. It didn't matter. Something real and wretched happened-this wasn't show business.
Most women, unfortunately, do not know men can feel this way this deeply. This is not to fault them. They simply fall into the common human mistake of assuming that if men do not express it then they do not feel it. Most men know well that these "blues" are all too real-they just rarely speak of them among themselves. Sometimes they can pretend they are immune to them. But deep down men know that "that certain woman" can destroy them.
For all too many the only way we can talk about these things is through the anesthesia of intoxication. While it is true that we often drink to forget, just as often we drink to remember because it is only with a numbness that we can deal and look at what's eating us. So it was with Clapton. He was taking large amount of drugs during the making of this album-heroin being just one. Some argue that it was only through the haze of drugs and alcohol that Layla could be made. Maybe yes. Maybe no. But even if were true that Layla had to have the "blessing" of intoxication to be made, it does not explain why this music is so beautiful.
I have listened to this album ever since 1971. Along the way, every single song at one time or another has become my favorite. "I Looked Away" is the nice, gentle quiet before the storm. It is deceptively a "light" beginning; but it immediately tells the listener what's going on. "Bell Bottom Blues" is more dynamic but interestingly many dismiss it the first couple of listens. Upon repeated hearings one becomes aware just how much this song "cooks". Thematically, I would argue that Clapton's story is first summed up here. "Keep On Growing" seems to a positive, exciting "rave-up" except a few notes of self-doubt which seep in. The end of the first LP side of the album is wrapped up with "Nobody Know You When You're Down And Out". Compared to "Keep On Growing", "Nobody Knows You..." is more somber. It is a blues musing on how as times are good and bad friends come and go and after a while one is no longer so certain what those "friends" are worth.
Side Two begins with "I Am Yours", an acoustic pleading that in spite the loved one's coldness the singers love still flows from the heart. This followed by "Anyday". I am surprised how many people do not care for this song; but you would have to have a heart of stone not the feel the combination of hope and anguish as the refrain is repeated:
The second side finishes a long version of "Key To The Highway" and the third side opens with "Tell The Truth". These two songs may seem to have little to do with the main story until one recognizes that both deal with "leaving". The album then continues with "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad". While good in its own way, this version seems to be a mere blueprint to the extended one which appears on the In Concert album: one of the all too few examples of where the "live" version is much better than the original. The third side concludes with "Have You Ever Loved A Woman". A sort of mediation and prayer over a love in which "the water is wide...I can't cross o'er". It seems it's all over.
But there's more. The fourth side opens with "Little Wing". Clapton worshiped the ground Hendrix walked on and he cried at Hendrix passing not because he left but because Hendrix didn't take Clapton with him. So it has been all the more surprising and delightful that Clapton took Hendrix' sad, quiet and gentle song and made it raw, emotional and thunderous. It is a successful example of two contrary emotions being expressed at the same time: the lyrics are worshipping and loving while the music is heartbreaking and cries of desperation. "It's Too Late" is a relatively simply and "clean" realization that "that one last chance" is gone. It is a little gem.
Then we end with "Layla". "Layla" restates the story of the whole album and begs the lost love to take the singer back. "Layla" ends with a dreamy, grand instrumental suggesting a sweet reconciliation of the two lovers. The time of distress and torment is over.
But with "Thorn Tree In The Garden" we realize that dreamy reconciliation existed only in the hopes of the singer. It is a new day and our lover is still gone.
This is one of the greatest rock and roll records ever made. Do yourself a favor and get it. Listen to it a lot. Make it yours. You will love it. And then maybe after twenty years you'll begin to understand it. May you never have to experience something like it for yourself someday.
Free Music Review: The Layla Lecture
Hit: 5 Stars
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 ;)
Free Music Review: Changed my life. My Favorite Album.
Hit: 5 Stars
As a teenager, I went through many changes and transitions...the major one being the music I was into. I always had a thing for the Beatles, the Counting Crows and the Grateful Dead, but in my early teens, mainly ages 13-15, I was heavily into hip hop in all forms. That is, until this album made its way into my life.
Eric Clapton has always fascinated me. As a songwriter, he can make heartbreak and love sound perfect in words. As a guitarist, he was the best. I'll give Hendrix and Duane Allman their due, because they deserve it. They were the best. But sadly, they did not get to live to keep topping themselves. And in my eyes, that made Clapton the all-time best, even in the poorer albums. That was one reason why this album impressed me.
But it's much more than impression. I got into this album by sheer chance. My father had always had it on in the car when I was littler. And when I had the chorus of "It's Too Late" stuck in my head one day, but couldn't figure out what song it was from, my father helped me out, and he explained to me how important this album was to him. He said it was the one and only album he can ever remember going out to buy on the day it was released. And my father owns a lot of albums. That made an impact on me. He also told me the gist of the story behind it, which you probably know (Clapton's unrequitted love for George Harrison's, his best friend's, wife.) And he gave me this album to listen to, because "It's Too Late" was stuck in my head.
I can remember it exactly. It was a cold, tuesday morning in October of 2003. I was sitting on the school bus, with this album blaring in my headphones, and I don't know how i refrained from breaking down and crying. Not two months earlier, I had experienced my first bout of heartbreak, when the girl I loved commited infidelity and broke my heart. We were still together, but it hurt everytime I saw her. And this album made it better. I couldn't stop listening to this album. I just couldn't. Every song was perfect, and every song helped me out in its own way.
I won't describe my feelings on each song, because no one has the time for that. I will however mention my favorite tracks, and why. First and foremost, "Bell Bottom Blues" may be the saddest, most powerful, teary-eyed, bottom of the bottle song I've ever heard. When Clapton and Bobby Whitlock wail in anguish on the pre chorus and chorus, I got chills up my spine, and not only on first listen. "Keep on Growing" and "Anyday" always seemed to stick with me as well. (I have the lyrics for "Keep on Growing" taped above my bed.) It's odd that both are upbeat-sounding (even though "Anyday"s desperate, longing, and in one part suicidal lyrics could crush any man), yet both make excellent heartbreak music. "Keep on Growing" is just such a great love song. It's amazing that Clapton wrote a song like that what with all he was going through. Also, Bobby Whitlock's soulful voice gets to be heard solo on the pre-chorus of "Keep on Growing", and on the second verse of "Anyday". "Key to the Highway" might be the most impressive guitar playing I've ever heard. Clapton and Allman on one album together is amazing, so when each is duelling solos with eachother, you know it's gonna be good. And finally, the title track "Layla" is one of the greatest singles ever released. It goes from a rock song, into an insane jam, crescending right before the ease-off into the most beautiful piano piece you could hope for. It's sad that Jim Gordon, who was a skilled drummer and wrote that piano piece, is in prison for life, but that's a different story.
While each of these songs may have lifted my spirit, the album as a whole touched my life. It got me into more classic rock, more blues, more Clapton, more Allman. It really did change my life. Whenever I have a bad day, I know that waiting for me when I get home, or one click away on my mp3 player, is this album. I keep a copy of the vinyl propped up on my nightstand next to my bed, because I wanted a poster of the album artwork (what an amazing cover photo! and I absolutely LOVE the pictures in the liner notes) and that's as close as I can get to displaying the album's image to anyone who enters my room.
I hope this, in it's entirely rambling way, inspires at least one person to buy this album. Whether you're looking for ease from the pain of love, the best rock record ever, or just simply amazing musicianship and well-written and played songs from five musicians who should have stayed together forever, pick up a copy of this album. It will do something for you. I've listened to so much music in every genre I can find since my transition from hip hop head to general music lover, and I will always tell anyone, without a doubt, that this album is now, and always will be, my favorite album of all time.
Free Music Review: The pinnacle of blues-rock
Hit: 5 Stars
First, let me say that I believe this album will one day finally receive the acclaim it deserves. That acclaim is here (read any of the other reviews), but it's not yet widespread enough (as in "Stairway"-type recognition) to match up to the phenomenal music within.
I have for a long time though of the Layla album as a concept album. Perhaps it was intended as one; we may never truly know. Some of the tracks don't quite fit into my ideas, but I figure that's to be expected. Just review the tracks:
"I Looked Away": The intro piece. Sets the scene; it could be a man looking back sorrowfully on his troubled past. Then again, maybe he's come past his emotions and can quietly smile at his memories.
"Bell Bottom Blues": The protagonist takes us back to his day, when he could think of nothing but that girl that seemed so beautiful and when the next time he could talk to her was.
"Keep On Growing": His friends tell him he'll get past it. "Don't worry, kid, ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on."
"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out": He hits a low point; he hasn't seen the girl in days. He hasn't heard that sweet voice or stolen a gaze at those alluring eyes.
"I Am Yours": He's back on top. He's seen the girl, talked to her about music, TV, and all the clichés of life. His head swims with the euphoria of the moment.
"Anyday": The euphoria begins to slip away. He fantasizes to keep his mind off the moment, but his mind wanders.
"Key To The Highway": He hasn't seen her in too long, and is trying anything he can to keep his mind off her.
"Tell The Truth": He thinks about what he'll say the next time he sees her. A meticulously placed comment here, a witty crack there.
"Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad": The night after the days he sees her again; he is happy enough to stay upbeat, but wistful enough to reflect.
"Have You Ever Loved A Woman": His friends (who still can't understand) think they know what he's going through. He doesn't think so.
"Little Wing": Tragedy strikes somewhere else in his life; probably a close family member or friend dies. He is crushed, already unstable anyway.
"It's Too Late": He sees here with another man. He laughs crazily instead of actually accepting the truth.
"Layla": The lowest of the low. He contemplates suicide, but lacks the resolve. His emotion tears him apart with violent force. But somehow... it all works out. She breaks up with the other man and comes to the narrator for comfort. He tells here everything. They fly to a little island in the Caribbean and sleep in a hammock on the beach. (Or something like that.)
"Thorn Tree In The Garden": She dies; we don't know how much later. He is sad, but treasures the time he had enough to stay clear.
These are mostly just some musings I threw down; now I'll get to the real review.
The opener, "I Looked Away", sets up the album perfectly. It mixes nice guitar work with the right feel to segue into...
"Bell Bottom Blues", the raging torrents of emotion surging together.
"Keep On Growing" is acceptable; not the best on the album, perhaps, but it's in elite company.
"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out"; a classic blues standard with new life pumped into it. Allman makes his sizzling debut.
"I Am Yours", a blissful piece of calm.
"Anyday", full of emotion (though not the same caliber as "Bell Bottom Blues" or the title track).
"Key To The Highway", a nice, lengthy blues jam.
"Tell The Truth"; see "Keep On Growing".
"Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?", blazing guitar work from both guitarists.
"Have You Ever Loved A Woman", the definitive version thereof, Allman and Clapton dueling calmly.
"Little Wing", the blistering Hendrix tribute. Stunning.
"It's Too Late", the nice little piece that gives the final setup to "Layla".
"Layla". The whole album builds up to it. I'll never forget how I felt the first time I heard it; me, this silly little teenaged kid who had had two crushes in his life, could feel every fiber of emotion raging through this piece. The guitar work is superhuman. The vocals are overpowering. And then, when you think it can't go any emotionally higher... it doesn't. The bliss of the piano coda crests over you, calming all your fears and worries. Let it suffice to say that if the Democrats lose in 2008, it won't be the first time "Layla" has prevented my suicide. There has never been a shred of doubt in my mind that it is the single greatest piece of music ever recorded.
"Thorn Tree In The Garden", the quietly beautiful closer.
If Rolling Stone submits its apologies and reranks the Layla album in the top five or ten, I would accept that.
Free Music Review: ULTIMATE
Hit: 5 Stars
There aren't enough adjectives in the English language to describe this stunning album, yes it is just that good. It is a perfect blend of pure blues and good rock and roll, which is hard to find anymore. And it is played with much emotion and excitment. One can just picture the excitement in the studio during Clapton's blistering solo on "Key to the Highway". The sound is under produced which is a relief. An atempt to put violins or synthesized instruments on this album would have ruined it completely. As it is the album sounds like a free form jam session which had been rehearsed a few times. All the players are right on, especially Clapton and Allman. The best way to describe this superb album is track by track in order to get a full view.I Looked Away: A solid opener with meaningful words and a slight country flavor to it. Good solo.
Bell Bottom Blues: One of Clapton's most beloved songs, which has been in and out of his stage act for nearly thirty years, and for good reason. It is emotional and shattering. Good use of harmonics in solo.
Keep On Growing: A sprawling jam, featuring vocals from Bobby Whitlock-pianist in the group. Good rocker great solo.
Nobody Knows You...: A slow blues standard which allows Clapton to articulate his singing voice-very heartfelt. Good slide work from Allman.
I am Yours: One of Clapton's most beautiful songs, not a rocker a good acoustic ballad with words borrowed from Persian writer Nizami. Poetic and touching
Anyday: If any song lacks something it's this one. Not one of my favorites, but a good one all the same
Key to the Highway: Best Clapton solo ever i believe. This old blues songs gives Clapton a chance to showcase his extreme skill for over nine minutes and it doesn't even seem long. It leaves you wanting to hear more of his spine tingling fret work.
Tell the Truth: Great rocker standout slide work from Allman
Why DOes Love Got to be so Sad: Powerful, Emotional and Impressive Rocker, great numbing solo
Have You Ever Loved a Woman: Another slow blues, impressive soloing, heartful lyrics-which seem fitting fro Clapton amidst his love triangle with best friend George Harrison and Harrison's wife Pattie
Little Wing: Clapton gives a completely different spin on Hendrix's masterpiece, making it his own. Powerfully played and sung, great solo
It's Too Late: Blues at it's best, solid solo
Layla: There's a reason this song is regarded as rock's best love song, it's powerful emotion. Clapton seems on the verge of a breakdown on his vocal and his playing is equally tormented, a masterpiece perfectly describing the trials of a lovesick man. The piano bit at the End written by drummer Jim Gordon is a real nice touch.
Thorn Tree in the Garden: Written exclusively by Whitlock it is a pretty acoustic ballad, soulful vocals by Whitlock and beautiful playing by Clapton, the perfect end to a perfectr album
NOTE: NO SONG ON THIS ALBUM SHOULD BE SKIPPED. IT TAKES A FEW LISTENS TO APPRECIATE ALL THE BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS THAT OBVIOUSLY WENT INTO THE MAKING OF THE EXTRAORDINARY ALBUM.