"The Very Best of Freddy King" - (2005)

If you are an Eric Clapton fan then you are a Freddy King fan. You just might not know it. Quickly scanning the first 3 decades of Eric Clapton’s career will give you some proof of that. From “Hideaway” with John Mayall in the 1960’s; to “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” in the 1970’s; and even on into the late 1980’s cover version of “Tore Down” on his “Journeyman” album; Clapton has never been shy in giving credit to those who came before him.

All of the songs represented here were recorded between August 1960 and July 1961 in King’s own studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. He used a house band instead of his usual working band based in Chicago. I don’t know why he did this. But the result is a collection of some of his all-time best work done in a clear and sharp style.

A native of Texas, King was born in 1934 in Gilmer. At 16 he moved to Chicago and worked in a saw mill. He spent nights working in the nightclubs, at first playing with 2 harmonica players; Little Sonny Cooper and Earl Payton. He cut his first record at age 22 in 1956. By 1958 he kissed the saw mill goodbye and began working full time as a musician.

At about the same time as this he was introduced to Sonny Thompson, a piano player who would go on to co-write most of King’s hits with him. 11 of the 25 songs on this CD were co-authored by King-Thompson. And, with the exception of 3 tracks his name appears in some capacity; even solo; as the composer of all the rest.

Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac was another huge fan of Freddy King and he recorded many of the same songs as Clapton did. The two were both products of the John Mayall music machine which seemed to spout great guitarists non-stop throughout the 1960’s. And while they all had somewhat different styles; they all had one big thing in common; they were all influenced by Freddy King.

"Crossroads" - Cream (Live - 1968)

Few groups have ever achieved the stature of Cream, the forerunner of all hard rock music as we know it today. Although founding member Eric Clapton never has never “kissed the sky” in quite the same way as Jimi Hendrix, he did kick music in the ass a bit when he left The Yardbirds to form a new sound of his own.

And what a sound! Along with virtuoso bass player Jack Bruce and the maniacal drummer Ginger Baker, Cream went on to mesmerize the entire world of rock and roll in the last half of the 1960’s. By the time 1970 rolled around Clapton was already in Blind Faith and on his way to creating some of the best music of the time with 1970’s double album “Layla.”

Of course, today he is known as the Ambassador of the Blues, and is sort of in charge of keeping classic blues alive. His goal seems to be to pass the music on in as pure a form as possible.  But every now and then I hear some of the old Cream records on the radio; “Badge” has weathered time particularly well; and then I start to look around on You Tube for something I haven’t heard in a while.

This clip is of Cream at their “farewell” concert at Royal Albert Hall on November 26, 1968. It was broadcast on BBC the following January, but never released in the United States until 1977. The group Yes opened the show; along with Rory Gallagher, who was in a band called Taste at the time.

There are many problems with the film; the most notable being that the cameramen seemed to have no real experience filming music;  most of the footage is focused on the faces; rather than the hands; of the musicians. Guitar players everywhere are disappointed when watching this film. We already know what they look like. We just want to see their hands.

Also, if you do watch the entire concert you will notice that Clapton and Baker seem to change clothes in the middle of some songs; and Clapton even has a different guitar for part of some numbers. This is because the film was cobbled together carelessly, with footage from the first show as well as the second show. Still a good video, in spite of the annoying camerawork. 

The Concert for Bangla Desh

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Concert for Bangla Desh. In comparison to today, the concert is almost dated, but it is arguably the first of the "benefit" concerts, as defined by today's standards. This clip is a great example of the mixing and matching of different musicians, irrespective of record company contracts, which was almost normal for the times. Musicians were starting to really assert themselves in taking control, and direction, of their own careers. This is one of the best "pick up" bands ever assembled for a song or two. Leon Russell is on bass, Bob Dylan and George Harrison are trading ryhthm; note that Harrison is transposing by sight, while Dylan is using s capo; and Ringo is just thrilled to be there, letting everyone know, just by his presence, that everything would be alright, "with a little help" from his friends.

Delaney and Bonnie and Freinds - 1969

1969 was a pivotal year for Eric Clapton. It was the year he learned to sing. It happened on the Delaney and Bonnie and Freinds tour,which at times included George Harrison, who was still with The Beatles. The comparative luxury of playing with a band, on tour, without all the fanfare generated by The Beatles, was one of the things which influenced him in his decision to leave the band briefly in January 1969 during the filming of "Get Back."

Clapton had not sung while a lot while in Cream, leaving that task to Jack Bruce, and it wasn't until the Blind Faith Album on which he began to sing. But still, for the most part, the singing was left to Steve Windwood.

Listen to the vocals on this video and see if it's not the same vocal style as Eric Clapton. Not only was this association with Delaney and Bonnie beneficial to Clapton as a vocalist, but as you will note in the video, it also marks his first association with Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock and Jim Gordon, who would become the nucleus of Derek and the Dominoes, along with Clapton and Duane Allman. Their album "Layla", recorded a mere 2 years later, would go on to make musical history.

"When Did You Leave Heaven"

This is a song that I first heard in the early 1960's, once again on WOR-TV in New York. It was in a musical called "Sing, Baby, Sing" from 1936, written by Richard Whiting and Walter Bullock. The song has been recorded by scores of artists over the years, including Big Bill Broonzy, Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone, Bob Dylan and even Jools Holland from Squeeze. My favorite is the unreleased version by Eric Clapton.

Here is a video link, courtesy of you tube, with Eric Clapton singing these lyrics on a train in 1978, while crossing America on tour. The embedding was disabled so I can only post the link;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDrMKfYdF-A&feature=related

When Did You Leave Heaven

When did you leave Heaven?
How did they let you go?
How did you leave Heaven?
I’d really like to know.

Why did you trade Heaven,
For all these Earthly things?
Where did you leave your Halo?
And where did you leave your wings?

Haven’t they missed you?
And can you get back in?
And if I dared kiss you,
Would it be a sin?

I am only human,
You are so divine.
Why did you leave Heaven?
Angel of mine.

"Rough Mix" by Ronnie Lane and Pete Townshend

This is a gem of an album. Released in 1977 it is a collection of songs, some by Ronnie Lane, some by Pete Townshend. That the 2 styles of music merge so well is truly amazing. Recorded in the winter and spring of 1976-77 this album is one of my all time favorites. It doesn't age with time, it is still as musically valid as the day it was released.

Opening with the solid bass driven sound and stinging guitar of Pete Townshend on "My Baby Gives It Away", the album moves on to the plaintive ballad by Ronnie Lane, "Nowhere to Run". Mr. Lane, who passed away in the 1990's, is in great form both vocally and lyrically on this one. It is a song of desperation and hope.

"Rough Mix", the title track of the album, is an instrumental featuring a dueling Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend. It has all the rough edginess of real rock and roll.

"Annie" is a soulful ballad written by Eric Clapton and Kit Lambert along with Ronnie Lane. The singing is soulful and Benny Gallagher lends a beautiful nuance to the song with his accordion.

Moving on to Townshend's "Keep Me Turning" tweaks things up a bit as he explores the feelings of life spiraling out of control and pleads with his Higher Power to "keep me turning". A very introspective song.

"Catmelody" is a raucous affair in which Ronnie Lane gets to wail away like a cat on a backyard fence. The skiffle like arrangment gives this one the real feel of out and out rock and roll. Clearly, Mr. Lane is enjoying himself on this number.

"Misunderstood" opens the second side of the original vinyl album. It is a tongue in cheek appeal by Pete Townshend to be "mysterious and bleak." He wants to be "misunderstood". A great song with a beautifully understated harmonica.

"April Fool" is probably the most lyrical and beautiful song on the album. A surprisingly easy song to play, it features Eric Clapton on Dobro. The lyrics and music by Ronnie Lane, along with his plaintive singing make this one outstanding. I'm a sucker for ballads.

"Street In The City" is undoubtedly the most ambitious song on the album. Mr. Townshend does a superb job of blending his acoustic guitar with a full orchestra resulting in a musical portrait of a "street in the city on a working day."

"Heart to Hang Onto" is an insistent song in which Mr. Townshend laments the lack of something, or someone, that he can count on, someone "true".

Closing out the album is a cover of Don Williams' country hit "Till The Rivers All Run Dry". It is at once a love song and a prayer. Beautifully done it reinforces my assertation that no one appreciates, or does more justice to, country music than our English cousins.

The album was re-released a few years ago with 3 added bonus tracks which I have not reviewed here. This album is very special to me and so I suppose I want to remember it as it was originally released. Perfection seldom needs an added incentive.

The cover photo says so much about the recording of this album. Much of it was recorded in the middle of the night with copious amounts of booze as a lubricant. The photo shows a very tired but content looking duo at about 7:30 in the morning after an all night session.

When the album was released the credits included this line, "Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane - various acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and bass guitars, ukuleles & very involved mind games." It's really not that complicated at all, just 2 great musicians and some of their freinds making great music.

Eric Clapton and Steve Windwood- Live at Madison Square Garden

In May 2009 PBS aired the Eric Clapton- Steve Windwood concert "Live from Madison Square Garden." Where the hell was I? How did I miss this?

Clapton and Windwood go way back. Windwood recounts that “I was 15 or 16 and he was 18 or 19, and he definitely looked after me. We played records and talked about music. From very early on, he took on a brotherly role."

Clapton moved on to Cream, making musical history. Windwood moved on to form his own band, "Traffic." They would become huge and leave a definite mark on the music scene with "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and other groundbreaking hits, such as "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." The freindship between these two musical giants would continue to flourish.

In 1969, after the breakup of Cream, Clapton formed the legendary "supergroup" Blind Faith. The album was a smash and the music was fresh and exciting, uniting the ethereal sounds of Traffic with the searing guitar work of Clapton. Rounding out the band were Ginger Baker on drums and Rick Gretch on bass. "Sea of Joy" was a monumental step forward in music, combining blues, pop and even a bit of jazz for a new and unique sound.

The Blind Faith album was still on the charts when Clapton decided to move on. This strained relations between the two but over the years they have remained friends.

In late 2007 Clapton was thinking of doing something to revive the old sounds and he turned to Steve Windwood for assistance. As they explain on the DVD they each chose songs from one anothers catalogues for the performance. The resulting concert at Madison Square Garden on February 25th, 2008 is mind boggling.

Windwood alternates between an organ and guitar, delivering magnificent versions of "Had to Cry Today", "Well All Right" and of course, his signature hit "Dear Mr. Fantasy." This was one of the highlights of the performance for me. Clapton takes the initial lead, but Windwood takes it home with his searing licks that cut right to the bone.

Equally breathtaking is the Blind Faith tune "Can't Find My Way Home." Clapton and Windwood mix it up together like a couple of prize fighters. The audience wins.

They both shine when they tackle "Voo Doo Chile" by Jimi Hendrix. Wisely avoiding any attempt at imitating Hendrix, they serve up a wonderful mix of guitar and vocal.The result of this collaboration is astounding. Clapton had covered "Little Wing" by Hendrix when he was with Derek and the Dominoes. Windwood had played on the Electric Ladyland album with Hendrix.

The concert is about 2 hours long but leaves you wanting more. The whole performance is flawless and not to be missed. I don't know how this one slipped past me.