In addition, Eric Delaney & Bonnie had discovered, bound for the opening act for Blind Faith, and then enjoyed in concerts with them its role as a (relatively) anonymous sideman who no longer had to wear or to fulfill the responsibilities and expectations of standing in the spotlight Guitar God (very nicely documented on "Delaney & Bonnie & Friends - On Tour with Eric Clapton").
Delaney Bramlett it was he who encouraged Eric Clapton in his idea and supported to record a solo album. Had Clapton rather shy and reserved, sometimes almost unwillingly, sung with John Mayall and Cream, it was clearly Delaney's merit to encourage Eric to reinzuhängen fully and to give him so self-confidence in his own singing. Although Eric on this album not yet sings continuously with confidence - already on the follow-up album "Layla" he had this lesson more than internalized.
For his first solo album Eric enlisted the help of many fellow musicians, ie next to Delaney & Bonnie's band also took Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Leon Russell, Stephen Stills, Rita Coolidge and Sonny Curtis and JJ Allison (Crickets) in the recording part. At that time, the British-American music scene from a single huge clique seemed to be made; so many of the musicians involved here were among others to be found on such seminal albums as George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass," Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" or the Stones albums of the early seventies. In addition, Eric was following the shooting Carl Radle (bass), Jim Gordon (drums) and Bobby Whitlock (keyboards & vocals) "borrow" and take them on as Derek & The Dominos' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs ".
The album, which was this is not a classic, but a very beautiful and rock solid debut, who dropped a concert favorites with JJ Cale After Midnight and Let it rain two Clapton classics and with Blues Power. How to announce to the change of direction to coincide with the placement of the needle and to sweep any expectations from the table, the album begins with the funky instrumental (!) Slunky. Not that Eric would forego here entirely solos; but unlike in previous recordings he embeds it more conducive to the song arrangement a, instead of in the foreground. He also demonstrated increasing significance rather than virtuosity.
Bad Boy, lovin 'you, lovin' me and I've told you for the last time, no filler, but also no more than album title; better I think Do not Know Why and outstanding Lonesome And A Long Way From Home (the following year also on "Motel Shot" by Delaney & Bonnie appeared) and the cheerful Bottle of red wine; Clapton duet with Bobby Whitlock already took the vocal style of "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" anticipate. Easy now is a beautiful acoustic guitar number, when Eric his guitar and his singing twice. Blues Power sounds in the studio version somewhat wooden and came live, for example, on "Just One Night" (1980), only really ride.
Unfortunately, mastering can '96 CD is not fully convincing (like all of Clapton's '96 remasters it sounds too little punchy and low volume); the Deluxe Edition then ten years later was much better! Should also be noted that many years with this album Clapton mutual love relationship was ushered to his Fender Stratocaster. When it was published, the Dominos Been with Tom Dowd in the studio to record the participation of Duane Allman "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs", the medium not only Eric Clapton's career, but perhaps the history of rock music missed a decent boost.
