“Layla” - Derek and the Dominos

This one isn’t a save the best for last review. It just happens to be the end of the month and the end of this effort. I really can’t pinpoint a “best” album in my collection. As I’ve said throughout, all of these albums and more contain music that impacted me in one way or another at the time. And they still influence my musical tastes today.

From the beginning I was a big Clapton fan. I can remember my brother bringing home Cream’s “Disraeli Gears” when it was released. Then it was “Blind Faith”. I have both of those today in my digital catalog. When Layla was released in November ‘70, I made a trip to Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, and Universal Records (a Google search determined this was the infamous mecca for music lovers in the early 70s). Universal was to the east bay what Tower Records at Columbus and Bay was to San Francisco. They had it all and at a better price than anything in Napa. Of course in 1970 we didn’t factor in the cost of gas to get to Berkeley.

Of course this record features two of the best guitarists of their time or any other. I’m sure in late 1970 I didn’t know who Dwayne Allman was. As mentioned earlier this month “At the Fillmore” wouldn’t be released for another six months. Layla brought Clapton and Allman together and the result is some of the best guitar based rock and blues ever recorded. What I love about listening to this record now is the purity of their guitar tone. There is absolutely no mistaking who you’re listening to. There isn’t a bank of electronics or a board full of pedals that they’re playing through. It’s Clapton and Allman with a Strat and a Les Paul, and probably a couple of Fender “tweed” amps. I know that means nothing to most of you, but to a guitar player it’s as pure as it gets. Listen to “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”. Clapton’s Strat in the left channel and Allman’s slide guitar in the right. Another must listen is “Key to the Highway”, which started out as a spontaneous jam. One take.

This has been fun. Bring on Spring.