The Top 100 Eric Clapton Songs/Studio Albums Ranked

Eric Clapton Top 100 Songs/ Studio Albums Ranked

He was born Eric Patrick Clapton on March 30, 1945 in Ripley, England. His father was a Canadian airman named Edward Fryer who met Pat Clapton at one of his dance-band gigs. The married Fryer had an affair with her and she got pregnant. When the war was over, Fryer went back home to Canada and his wife. She was 16 when Eric was born. JR-1 When he was only 2, his mom left him with her mother and stepfather and met another Canadian serviceman, married him, and moved to Canada. JR-2 In his youth, Clapton was swept up by American rock-and-roll, especially a Jerry Lee Lewis performance of “Great Balls of Fire” in 1958, via television. Clapton’s grandparents bought him a guitar for his 13th birthday. JR-3 He became more enamored with the blues artists who inspired rock and roll, namely Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red Whittaker, and Robert Johnson. JR-5-6 He would go on to work with the Roosters, the Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos. He launched a solo career in 1970. Over the next eighteen years, Clapton released ten studio albums as a solo artist, including the celebrated 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) and Slowhand (1977) albums. He delivered memorable covers of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and a pair of J.J. Cale songs with “After Midnight” and “Cocaine.” He also penned album rock staples like “Lay Down Sally,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Promises,” and “I Can’t Stand It.” Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Layla (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 2. Tears in Heaven (1992) 3. Wonderful Tonight (1977) 4. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream, 1967) DMDB Top 2%: 5. Change the World (1996) 6. White Room (Cream, 1968) 7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles, 1968) 8. I Shot the Sheriff (1974) 9. For Your Love (Yardbirds, 1965) DMDB Top 5%: 10. Badge (Cream, 1969) 11. Cocaine (1977) 12. Layla (Unplugged, 1992) 13. Lay Down Sally (1977) 14. After Midnight (1970) 15. Crossroads (Cream, live, 1968) 16. I Feel Free (Cream, 1966) 17. My Father’s Eyes (1998) 18. Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith, 1969) DMDB Top 10%: 19. Strange Brew (Cream, 1967) 20. Promises (1978) 21. Bell Bottom Blues (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 22. Forever Man (1986) 23. I”ve Got a Rock and Roll Heart (1983) 24. Let It Rain (1970) 25. Anyone for Tennis? (Cream, 1968) DMDB Top 20%: 26. I Can’t Stand It (1981) 27. Pretending (1989) 28. Spoonful (Cream, 1966) 29. Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith, 1969) 30. I’ts Probably Me (with Sting, 1992) 31. Tales of Brave Ulysses (Cream, 1967) 32. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1975) 33. Willie and the Hand Jive (1974) 34. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1975) 35. Hello Old Friend (1976) 36. Bad Love (1989) 37. Tulsa Time (1978) 38. Coming Home (Delaney & Bonnie, 1969) 39. Blues Power (1970) 40. It’s in the Way That You Use It (1986) 41. Circus Left Town (1992) 42. Motherless Child (1994) 43. Riding with the King (with B.B. King, 2000) 44. Watch Out for Lucy (1978) 45. Running on Faith (1989) 46. Blue Moon (with Rod Stewart, 2004) 47. Tearing Us Apart (with Tina Turner, 1986) 48. SWLABR (Cream, 1967) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 49. All of Me (with Paul McCartney, 2013) 50. Good Morning Little School Girl (Yardbirds, 1964) 51. Crossroads (Derek & the Dominos, live, 1970) 52. Wrapping Paper (Cream, 1966) 53. Before You Accuse Me (1989) 54. Only You Know and I Know (Delaney & Bonnie, 1970) 55. Little Wing (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 56. She’s Waiting (1985) 57. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, 1966) 58. I’m Tore Down (1994) 59. My Back Pages (live with Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, & George Harrison, 1992) 60. Let It Grow (1974) 61. After Midnight (1988) 62. Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 63. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (with Randy Crawford & David Sanborn, 1989) 64. Miss You (1986) 65. Ramblin’ on My Mind (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, 1966) 66. See What Love Can Do (1985) 67. No Alibis (1989) 68. N.S.U. (Cream, 1966) 69. Key to the Highway (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 70. Blue Eyes Blue (1999) 71. Runaway Train (with Elton John, 1992) 72. The Usual (with Bob Dylan, 1987) 73. Superman Inside (2001) 74. Goodnight Irene (2013) 75. Another Ticket (1981) 76. Further on Up the Road (live, 1975) 77. She’s Gone (1998) 78. I’m So Glad (Cream, 1966) 79. The Core (1977) 80. Stone Free (1993) 81. Motherless Children (1974) 82. Come Rain or Come Shine (with B.B. King, 2000) 83. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 84. Born Under a Bad Sign (Cream, (1968) 85. Lawdy Mama (Cream, 1966) 86. Fight (No Matter How Long) (The Bunburys, 1988) 87. I’ll Be Seeing You (2016) 88. The Sky Is Crying (1975) 89. Run (1986) 90. Politician (Cream, 1968) 91. Sea of Joy (Blind Faith, 1969) 92. Help Me Up (1992) 93. Revolution (2005) 94. Keep on Growing (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 95. Tell the Truth (Derek & the Dominos, 1970) 96. Travelin’ Light (2001) 97. Boom Boom (Yardbirds, 1963) 98. Don’t’ Think Twice, It’s Alright (live, 1992) 99. Rita Mae (1981) 100. Ride the River (with J.J. Cale, 2006) Eric Clapton: Studio Albums Ranked Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. Also factored in are the status of each album’s songs in Dave’s Music Database for songs. Note: In addition to Eric Clapton’s studio albums, this includes works with the Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie, and Derek & the Dominos. Also, although they are live albums, Delaney & Bonnie’s On Tour with Eric Clapton and Eric Clapton’s Grammy-winning Unplugged have been included on this list because they consisted largely of material not previously on Eric Clapton studio releases. 1. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (Derek and the Dominos, 1970) 2. Disraeli Gears (Cream, 1967) 3. Unplugged (1992) 4. Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, 1966) 5. Blind Faith (Blind Faith, 1969) 6. 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) 7. Wheels of Fire (Cream, studio/live, 1968) 8. Slowhand (1977) 9. From the Cradle (blues covers, 1994) 10. Riding with the King (with B.B. King, 2000) 11. Me and Mr. Johnson (Robert Johnson covers, 2004) 12. Journeyman (1989) 13. Fresh Cream (Cream, 1966) 14. Eric Clapton (1970) 15. Reptile (2001) 16. Pilgrim (1998) 17. Backless (1978) 18. Another Ticket (1981) 19. On Tour with Eric Clapton (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, 1970) 20. Back Home (2005) 21. The Road to Escondido (with J.J. Cale, 2006) 22. For Your Love (Yardbirds, 1965) 23. No Reason to Cry (1976) 24. There’s One in Every Crowd (1975) 25. Money and Cigarettes (1983) 26. Goodbye (Cream, studio/live, 1969) 27. Behind the Sun (1985) 28. August (1986) 29. Clapton (2010) 30. Old Sock (2013) 31. The Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale (with various artists, 2014) 32. I Still Do (2016) 33. Happy Xmas (Christmas songs, 2018) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers” DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Eric Clapton DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Yardbirds DMDB Encyclopedia entry for John Mayall DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Cream DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Blind Faith DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Delaney & Bonnie DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Derek & the Dominos JR Jan Reid (2006). Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. Rodale Inc.: New York, NY. First posted 3/30/2012; updated 11/11/2021.

50 years ago: Delaney & Bonnie & Friends recorded On Tour with Eric Clapton

On Tour with Eric Clapton Delaney & Bonnie & Friends

Released: March 1970 Recorded: December 7, 1969 Peak: 29 US, 39 UK Sales (in millions): -- Genre: blues rock

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Things Get Better (Cropper/Floyd/Wayne) [4:20] Poor Elijah – Tribute to Johnson (Bramlett/ Ford/Russell) [5:00] Only You Know and I Know (Mason) [4:10] (10/71, 20 UK) I Don’t Want to Discuss It (Beatty/Cooper/Shelby) [4:55] That’s What My Man Is For (Griffin) [4:30] Where There’s a Will There’s a Way (Bramlett/Whitlock) [4:57] (3/72, 99 UK) Comin’ Home (Bramlett/Clapton) [5:30] (12/20/69, 84 US, 16 UK) Little Richard Medley: Tutti Frutti/The Girl Can’t Help It/Long Tall Sally/Jenny Jenny (Little Richard/Trout) [5:45] Total Running Time: 42:35 The Players: Bonnie Bramlett (vocals) Delaney Bramlett (guitar, vocals) Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals) Dave Mason (guitar) Carl Radle (bass) Bobby Whitlock (keyboards, vocals) Jim Gordon (drums) Bobby Keys (saxophone) Jim Price (trombone, trumpet) Rita Coolidge (backing vocals) Tex Johnson (percussion)

Rating: 3.920 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

About the Album: Delaney and Bonnie were “a hot commodity build around a volatile marriage” JR-47 between Delaney Bramlett and Bonnie Lynn O’Farrell. “George Harrison passed through Hollywood hoping to hear them, and back in England he passed their record [1969’s Accept No Substitute] to Eric Clapton.” JR-47 They toured as the opening act for Blind Faith and ended up “blowing his headliners off the stage.” JR-27 When Blind Faith finished their American tour, Clapton stayed in the U.S. to hang out with Delaney while the rest of the band went back to England. “Despite all the money that had come his way, Clapton felt burned out by his experience with both Cream and Blind Faith, and his disgust with the star charade was deepened by observing and listening to George’s unhappiness with the Beatles.” JR-71 “Clapton preferred the company of the Bramletts and their band to his own group” JR-28 and “was now going to be just a journeyman player in an up-and-coming band.” JR-71 As Clapton said, “I joined Delaney’s band because I was in total awe of him, and I thought everyone else should see this. I knew I had the drawing power, even then. I could make the public aware of them just by putting my name on the bill.” JR-72 In addition to Clapton, Harrison and even Mick Jagger had come to regard Delaney & Bonnie as “being the best band in the world.” JR-73 Leon Russell was instrumental in assembling the lineup which worked with Clapton for the On Tour with Eric Clapton album. He played on the TV show Shindig with Delaney Bramlett and brought his friend Carl Raddle who he’d known since high school, in as a player on Delaney & Bonnie’s second album. Russell was also part of the famed session players known as the Wrecking Crew who played on Jan & Dean’s “Surf City,” and Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” JR-42 and met drummer Jim Gordon. JR-45 Gordon had played with Glen Campbell, Judy Collins, Bobby Darin, the Everly Brothers, Gordon Lightfoot, the Monkees, the Righteous Brothers, and Andy Williams. JR-46 Bobby Whitlock had hung out at Stax Records and was mentored by legendary guitarist Steve Cropper and bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn. When Stax signed Delaney & Bonnie, Cropper ended up playing with them. JR-40 Radle and Gordon came via Leon Russell. Guitarist Dave Mason was also part of the proceedings. He got his start as a roadie for the Spencer Davis Group when Steve Winwood was the lead singer and then went on to form Traffic with Winwood. As part of Delaney & Bonnie, he and Clapton treated audiences to good-natured shuffles and short riffs of the kind championed by the Band’s Robbie Robertson” JR-74 instead of the “furious solos associated with Cream, Blind Faith, and Traffic.” JR-74 This live album was recorded at Croydon. It “is not only the peak of Delaney & Bonnie's output, but also the nexus in the recording and performing careers of Eric Clapton and George Harrison. On Tour with Eric Clapton features the guitarist performing the same blend of country, blues, and gospel that would characterize his own early solo ventures in 1970. He rises to the occasion with dazzling displays of virtuosity throughout, highlighted by a dizzying solo on I Don't Want to Discuss, a long, languid part on Only You Know and I Know, and searing, soulful lead on the beautifully harmonized Coming Home.” AMG “Vocally, Delaney & Bonnie were never better than they come off on this live set, and the 11-piece band sounds tighter musically than a lot of quartets that were working at the time, whether they’re playing extended blues or ripping through a medley of Little Richard songs. It's no accident that the band featured here would become Clapton's own studio outfit for his debut solo LP, or that the core of this group — Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon — would transform itself into Derek & the Dominoes as well; or that most of the full band here would also comprise the group that played with George Harrison on All Things Must Pass and at the Concert for Bangladesh, except that the playing here (not to mention the recording) is better. Half the musicians on this record achieved near-superstar status less than a year later, and although the reasons behind their fame didn't last, listening to their work decades later, it all seems justified.” AMG Notes: A four-disc box set was released in 2010.

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for This Act AMG All Music Guide review by Bruce Eder JR Jan Reid (2006). Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. Rodale Inc.: New York, NY. Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 3/31/2008; last updated 11/9/2021.

Jim DeRogatis “The Great Albums”

Jim DeRogatis: The Great Albums

From the jimdero.com website: “As the never-ending parade of pantheonic lists by MTV, VH1, and Rolling Stone magazine attests, the five-decade history of rock ’n’ roll has produced a canon of classics just like any other art form, from literature, to theater, to film. Inspired by my Chicago Sun-Times colleague and critical hero Roger Ebert, I launched this bi-weekly column in ‘Sunday Showcase’…as an in-depth forum for delving deep into the grooves of rock’s bonafide masterpieces, as well as for shedding light on some lesser-known efforts that deserve to be acknowledged for their genius. In introducing his ‘Great Movies’ column, Roger wrote, "One of the gifts one movie lover can give another is the title of a wonderful film they have not yet discovered." The same is true of music and the Great Albums--so tune in, turn it up, and read on.” Check out other best-of album lists by individuals/critics here. These are the articles from the series. Click on the dates before the album titles to see Jim’s original review. Click on the album title to see the DMDB page for the album. 9/23/2001: Derek and the Dominos Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) 10/7/2001: James Brown Live at the Apollo Volume 1 (live, 1962) 10/21/2001: Nirvana In Utero (1993) 11/4/2001: The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed (1969) 11/18/2001: Jethro Tull Aqualung (1971) 12/2/2001: My Bloody Valentine Loveless (1991) 12/16/2001: The Beatles Revolver (1966) 1/13/2002: Patti Smith Easter (1978) 1/27/2002: Rush 2112 (1976) 2/10/2002: Ramones Mania (1988) 2/24/2002: R.E.M. Murmur (1983) 3/24/2002: Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) 4/21/2002: The 13th Floor Elevators The Psychedlic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966) 6/2/2002: David Bowie Heroes (1977) 6/16/2002: X-Ray Spex Germfree Adolscents (1978) 6/30/2002: Supertramp Breakfast in America (1979) 7/14/2002: Bob Marley & the Wailers Confrontation (1983) 8/11/2002: The MC5 Kick Out the Jams (live, 1969) 8/25/2002: Public Enemy Fear of a Black Planet (1990) 9/8/2002: Jane’s Addiction Ritual de lo Habitual (1990) 10/6/2002: Jefferson Airplane Surrealistic Pillow (1967) 10/20/2002: Liz Phair Exile in Guyville (1993) 12/1/2002: Queen A Night at the Opera (1975) 12/1/2002: Queen A Day at the Races (1977) 2/9/2003: Teenage Fanclub Bandwagonesque (1991) 3/9/2003: Ride Carnival of Light (1994) 4/6/2003: De La Soul 3 Feet High and Rising (1989) 5/4/2003: Black Sabbath Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973) 5/18/2003: Wire Pink Flag (1977) 6/1/2003: Love Forever Changes (1967) 6/15/2003: Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde (1966) 6/29/2003: Tone-Loc Loc-ed After Dark (1989) 7/13/2003: Barry White The Ultimate Collection (1988) 9/21/2003: Tori Amos Little Earthquakes (1992) 10/5/2003: John Cale & Brian Eno Wrong Way Up (1991) 10/19/2003: Simon & Garfunkel Bookends (1968) 1/25/2004: Arrested Development 3 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days in the Life of… (1992) 6/13/2004: PJ Harvey To Bring You My Love (1995) 2/5/2006: Common Like Water for Chocolate (2000) 3/19/2006: Queen Jazz (1979) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: Best-of Album Lists by Individuals/Critics Jimdero.com (2006). “The Great Albums” First posted 6/7/2024.

Eric Clapton: A Retrospective, 1963-1999

Eric Clapton A Retrospective: 1963-1999

Overview: He was born Eric Patrick Clapton on March 30, 1945 in Ripley, England. His father was a Canadian airman named Edward Fryer who met Pat Clapton at one of his dance-band gigs. The married Fryer had an affair with her and she got pregnant. When the war was over, Fryer went back home to Canada and his wife. She was 16 when Eric was born. JR-1 When he was only 2, his mom left him with her mother and stepfather and met another Canadian serviceman, married him, and moved to Canada. JR-2 In his youth, Clapton was swept up by American rock-and-roll, especially a Jerry Lee Lewis performance of “Great Balls of Fire” in 1958, via television. Clapton’s grandparents bought him a guitar for his 13th birthday. JR-3 He became more enamored with the blues artists who inspired rock and roll, namely Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red Whittaker, and Robert Johnson. JR-5-6 He would go on to work with the Roosters, the Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos. He launched a solo career in 1970. Over the next eighteen years, Clapton released ten studio albums as a solo artist, including the celebrated 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) and Slowhand (1977) albums. He delivered memorable covers of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and a pair of J.J. Cale songs with “After Midnight” and “Cocaine.” He also penned album rock staples like “Lay Down Sally,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “Promises,” and “I Can’t Stand It.” Bands: The Roosters (1963) The Yardbirds (1963-65) John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (1965-66) Powerhouse (66) Cream (1966-69) Blind Faith (1969) Delaney & Bonnie (1969) Plastic Ono Band (1970) Derek + the Dominos (1970) On the Web: EricClapton.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia Lists: Eric Clapton: Top 67 Songs Eric Clapton: Top 10 Albums

Awards:

The Studio Albums: Hover over an album cover to see its title and year of release. Click on the album to go to its dedicated DMDB page. Compilations: TP Timepieces (covers 1970-78, released 1982) CC The Cream of Clapton (covers 1966-81, released 1995) CR Crossroads (covers 1963-87, released 1988) CH Chronicles (covers 1983-99, released 1999) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to singles charts.

The Yardbirds For Your Love (1965): As a teen, Clapton started playing in “clubs in Surrey towns and in the West End, first in a guitar duo and then in a five-piece band…called the Roosters” JR-9 in 1963. He “made an impression on the Yardbirds with cocksure and vocal critiques of their gigs around Kingston. He told them that he was a better lead guitarist than anyone they had tried, and in October 1963, they hired him.” JR-9 A Certain Girl (Naomi Neville) [2:17] (5/64, --) CR Good Morning, School Girl (H.G. Demarais) [2:45] (10/64, 18 CL, 44 UK) CR I Ain’t Got You (Calvin Carter) [1:59] (10/64) CR For Your Love (Graham Gouldman) [2:29] (2/28/65, 6 US, 6 CB, 4 HR, 4 CL, 3 UK, 1 CN, 22 AU) CR Got to Hurry (Oscar Rasputin) [2:35] (2/28/65, --) CR John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (1966): Clapton disagreed with the choice of “For Your Love” as a single (which he said was dominated by session players), wanting instead to release a cover of an Otis Redding song called “Your One and Only Man.” He told them he was quitting, which was fine with them since they’d already decided to hire Jeff Beck. JR-11 Within two weeks he accepted a job with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. JR-11 Ramblin’ on My Mind (Robert Johnson) [3:07] CR Hide Away (instrumental) (Freddie King/Sonny Thompson) [3:14] CR All Your Love (Willie Dixon/Otis Rush) [3:34] CR Cream Fresh Cream (1966): After one album with the Bluesbreakers, Clapton formed a new group with Jack Bruce, who’d played bass with the Bluesbreakers, and drummer Ginger Baker. Their time together was only 2 ½ years. Clapton “felt from the start that his devotion to the blues and ambition to sing were always being…thwarted.” JR-14 He also said, “There was a constant battle between Ginger and Jack…They loved one another’s playing but couldn’t stand the sight of each other. I was the mediator and getting tired of that.” JR-18 I Feel Free (Jack Bruce/Pete Brown) [2:52] (12/15/66, 6 CL, 11 UK, 53 AU) CC, CR Spoonful (Willie Dixon) [6:30] (8 CL) CR Cream Disraeli Gears (1967): Strange Brew (Clapton, Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins Pappalardi) [2:46] (6/10/67, 5 CL, 17 UK, 23 AU) CR Sunshine of Your Love (Clapton, Bruce, Brown) [4:10] (1/6/68, 5 US, 6 CB, 4 HR, 1 CL, 25 UK, 3 CN, 18 AU) CC, CR Tales of Brave Ulysses (Clapton, Martin Sharp) [2:46] (10 CL, 23 AU) CR Cream Wheels of Fire (1968): White Room (Bruce, Brown) [4:56] (9/28/68, 6 US, 5 CB, 7 HR, 1 CL, 28 UK, 2 CB, 1 AU) CC, CR Crossroads (live) (Robert Johnson) [4:14] (1/25/69, 28 US, 17 CB, 17 HR, 2 CL, 13 CN, 45 AU) CC, CR Cream Goodbye (1969): Badge (Clapton, George Harrison) [2:43] (3/29/69, 60 US, 65 CB, 56 HR, 4 CL, 18 UK, 49 CN, 43 AU) CC, CR Blind Faith Blind Faith (1969): After Clapton left Cream, he “jumped right back into another overhyped supergroup.” JR-25 Cream drummer Ginger Baker came along with Clapton in the pair’s merger with former Traffic alums Steve Winwood (vocals, keyboards) and Rich Grech (bass). Presence of the Lord (Clapton) [4:48] (8 CL) CC, CR Can’t Find My Way Home (Steve Winwood) [3:15] (4 CL) CR Delaney & Bonnie & Friends On Tour with Eric Clapton (1970): Delaney & Bonnie & Friends toured with Blind Faith as their opening act. Clapton befriended Delaney Bramlett and ended up doing this one-off project with the group. Coming Home (Bonnie Bramlett) [3:13] (12/20/69, 84 US, 74 CB, 73 HR, 20 CL, 16 UK) CR Eric Clapton Eric Clapton (1970): When the sidemen (keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle, and drummer Jim Gordon) who worked with Delaney & Bonnie were either fired or quit, Clapton scooped them up for his first solo endeavor. They also worked together on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass album. After Midnight (J.J. Cale) [3:17] (10/10/70, 18 US, 13 CB, 16 HR, 2 CL, 10 CB, 51 AU) TP, CC, CR Let It Rain (Clapton, Bramlett) [5:01] (9/16/72, 48 US, 57 CB, 52 HR, 5 CL, 42 CB, 99 AU) CC, CR Blues Power (Clapton, Leon Russell) [3:06] (live: 11/8/80, 76 US, 9 CL) CC, CR Derek and the Dominos Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970): The same players on Clapton’s solo album returned for this supergroup project with one important addition – guitarist Duane Allman from the Allman Brothers. Tell the Truth (Clapton, Bobby Whitlock) [3:23] (8/70, --) CR Layla (Clapton, Jim Gordon) [7:07] (3/20/71, 10 US, 14 CB, 12 HR, 8 AC, 1 CL, 9 AR, 4 UK, 9 CB, 100 AU) TP, CC, CR “Bell Bottom Blues (Clapton) [5:02] (2/13/71, 78 US, 95 CB, 91 HR, 5 CL, 100 AU) CC Key to the Highway (live) (Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie Segar) [6:27] (1970, original studio recording) CR Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974): I Shot the Sheriff (live) (Bob Marley) [7:48] (studio version: 7/13/74, 1 US, 1 CB, 1 HR, 1 RR, 33 RB, 1 CL, 9 UK, 1 CN, 11 AU) TP, CC, CR Willie and the Hand Jive (Johnny Otis) [3:28] (10/26/74, 26 US, 40 CB, 44 HR, 15 CL, 31 CN) TP Let It Grow (Clapton) [4:56] TP, CC, CR Motherless Children (traditional) [4:51] (15 CL) CR Eric Clapton There’s One in Every Crowd (1975): Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (traditional, arranged by Clapton) [3:29] (5/10/75, 25 CL, 19 UK) TP Better Make It Through Today (Clapton) [4:05] CR The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James) [3:57] CR Eric Clapton No Reason to Cry (1976): Hello Old Friend (Clapton) [3:34] (10/16/76, 24 US, 28 CB, 56 HR, 15 CL, 37 CB, 54 AU) CC, CR Double Trouble (live) (Rush) [8:01] (original studio recording: 1976) CR Sign Language” (with Bob Dylan) (Dylan) [2:56] CR Eric Clapton Slowhand (1977): Lay Down Sally (Clapton, Marcy Levy, George Terry) [3:50] (12/13/77, 3 US, 3 CB, 8 HR, 3 RR, 25 AC, 2 CL, 39 UK, 3 CN, 57 AU) TP, CR Wonderful Tonight (Clapton) [3:42] (5/13/78, 16 US, 24 CB, 25 HR, 39 AC, 2 CL, 30 UK, 15 CB, 53 AU) TP, CC, CR Cocaine (Cale) [3:35] (6/14/80, 30 US, 36 CB, 35 HR, 1 CL, 3 CB, 57 AU) TP, CC, CR Eric Clapton Backless (1978): Promises (Richard Feldman, Roger Linn) [3:00] (10/14/78, 9 US, 11 CB, 18 HR, 14 RR, 6 AC, 4 CL, 37 UK, 7 CN, 26 AU) TP, CC, CR If I Don’t Be There by Morning (Dylan, Helen Springs) [4:34] CR

Timepieces Eric Clapton

Released: May 22, 1982 Recorded: 1970-1978 Peak: 101 US, 20 UK, -- CN, 28 AU Sales (in millions): 7.0 US, -- UK, 13.5 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: (1) I Shot the Sheriff (2) After Midnight (3) Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (4) Wonderful Tonight (5) Layla (6) Cocaine (7) Lay Down Sally (8) Willie and the Hand Jive (9) Promises (10) Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (11) Let It Grow Total Running Time: 44:52

Rating: 4.156 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

About Timepieces: This compilation gathered songs from Clapton’s six solo albums from 1970 to 1978 as well as “Layla” from his one-off album with Derek and the Dominos. It also included his cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” not previously featured on a Clapton solo effort. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan) [4:21] (8/16/75, 9 CL, 38 UK, 99 AU) TP, CC, CR

Eric Clapton Another Ticket (1981): I Can’t Stand It (Clapton) [4:09] (2/27/81, 10 US, 13 CB, 13 HR, 8 RR, 6 CL, 1 AR, 15 CN) CC, CR

The Cream of Clapton Eric Clapton

Released: March 7, 1995 Recorded: 1966-1981 Peak: 80 US, 3 UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.9 UK, 7.0 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: (1) I Feel Free (2) Sunshine of Your Love (3) White Room (4) Crossroads (live) (5) Badge (6) Presence of the Lord (7) Blues Power (8) After Midnight (9) Let It Rain (10) Bell Bottom Blues (11) Layla (12) I Shot the Sheriff (13) Let It Grow (14) Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (15) Hello Old Friend (16) Cocaine (17) Wonderful Tonight (18) Promises (19) I Can’t Stand It Total Running Time: 78:00 (U.S. version)

Rating: 4.499 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About The Cream of Clapton: This compilation essentially served as an expanded edition of Timepieces, omitting “Willie and the Hand Jive” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” in favor of five songs from Cream (I Feel Free, Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, Crossroads, and Badge), one from Blind Faith (Presence of the Lord), and another Derek and the Dominos’ cut (Bell Bottom Blues). The collection also added solo songs Blues Power, Hello Old Friend, and I Can’t Stand It.

Eric Clapton Money and Cigarettes (1983): The Shape You’re In (Clapton) [4:09] (4/23/83, 75 UK) CR Eric Clapton Behind the Sun (1985): Forever Man (Jerry Lynn Williams) [3:11] (3/9/85, 26 US, 24 CB, 19 RR, 12 AR, 26 UK, 75 CN, 92 AU) CH She’s Waiting (Clapton, Peter Robinson) [4:55] (3/30/85, 11 AR) CR, CH Eric Clapton August (1986): It’s in the Way That You Use It (Clapton, Robbie Robertson) [4:11] (11/8/86, 11 AR, 34 AU) CH Miss You (Clapton, Greg Phillinganes, Bobby Columby) [5:05] (1/24/87, 9 AR) CR

Crossroads Eric Clapton

Recorded: 1963-1987 Released: April 18, 1988 Peak: 34 US, -- UK, -- CN, 68 AU Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, -- UK, 4.0 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: Disc 1: (1) Boom Boom (2) Honey in Your Hips (3) Baby What’s Wrong (4) I Wish You Would (5) A Certain Girl (6) Good Morning, School Girl (7) I Ain’t Got You (8) For Your Love (9) Got to Hurry (10) Lonely Years (11) Bernard Jenkins (12) Hide Away (13) All Your Love (14) Ramblin’ on My Mind (15) Have You Ever Loved a Woman (live) (16) Wrapping Paper (17) I Feel Free (18) Spoonful (19) Lawdy Mama (live at the BBC) (20) Strange Brew (21) Sunshine of Your Love (22) Tales of Brave Ulysses (23) Steppin’ Out (live at the BBC)” Disc 2: (1) Anyone for Tennis (2) White Room (3) Crossroads (live) (3) Badge (4) Presence of the Lord (5) Can’t Find My Way Home (6) Sleeping in the Ground (7) Coming Home (8) Blues Power (9) After Midnight (10) Let It Rain (11) Tell the Truth (12) Roll It Over (13) Layla (14) Mean Old World (15) Key to the Highway (live)” (16) Crossroads (live)” Disc 3: (1) Got to Get Better in a Little While (2) Evil (3) One More Chance (4) Mean Old Frisco (5) Snake Lake Blues (6) Let It Grow (7) Ain’t That Lovin’ You (8) Motherless Children (9) I Shot the Sheriff (live) (10) Better Make It Through Today 11) The Sky Is Crying (12) I Found a Love (13) (When Things Go Wrong) It Hurts Me Too (14) Whatcha Gonna Do (15) Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (16) Someone Like You Disc 4: (1) Hello Old Friend (2) Sign Language (3) Further on Up the Road (live) (4) Lay Down Sally (5) Wonderful Tonight (6) Cocaine (7) Promises (8) If I Don’t Be There by Morning (9) Double Trouble (live) (10) I Can’t Stand It (11) The Shape You’re In (12) Heaven Is One Step Away (13) She’s Waiting (14) Too Bad (15) Miss You (16) Wanna Make Love to You (17) After Midnight (re-recording) Total Running Time: 293:03

Rating: 4.745 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings) Quotable: “No other Clapton album accurately explains why the guitarist was so influential, or demonstrates exactly what he accomplished.” – Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About Crossroads: Eric Clapton’s career was perfect for a box-set treatment. At this point, he had a 25-year run which included stints with the Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Derek and the Dominos, and his solo work. The box set touched on all of them, while including live cuts and rarities along the way. “Crossroads manages to sum up Clapton’s career succinctly and thoroughly, touching upon all of his hits and adding a bevy of first-rate unreleased material (most notably selections from the scrapped second Derek and the Dominos album.” AMG While “none of his work as a session musician or guest artist is included…every truly essential item he recorded is present.” AMG “No other Clapton album accurately explains why the guitarist was so influential, or demonstrates exactly what he accomplished.” AMG Fans and critics alike responded well. Bob Dylan’s Biography had been successful two years earlier, but Crossroads was “a bona fide blockbuster.” AMG It was the fastest-selling box set ever released at the time, racking up nearly a quarter million in sales in its first few weeks and ultimately four million worldwide. WK It also scooped up a couple of Grammys. Billboard noted the production work and that “compiler Levenson has unearthed some superb rarities for the set, and Anthony DeCurtis contributes intelligent annotation. Classy package and bounty of unheard material will attrack Slowhand’s legion of fans.” WK Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: The Yardbirds Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker) [2:25] (3/63, --) CR Yardbirds Honey in Your Hips (Keith Relf) [2:18] (3/63, --) CR Yardbirds Baby What’s Wrong (Jimmy Reed) [2:40] (1963) CR Yardbirds I Wish You Would (Billy Boy Arnold) [2:19] (5/64, --) CR John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Lonely Years (John Mayall) [3:17] (1965) CR John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Bernard Jenkins (Eric Clapton) [3:47] (1965) CR John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Have You Ever Loved a Woman (live) (Billy Myles) [6:41] (recorded 4/30/66, 18 CL) CR Cream Wrapping Paper (Jack Bruce/Pete Brown) [2:21] (10/20/66, 34 UK) CR Cream Lawdy Mama (live at the BBC) (traditional) [1:50] (recorded 1966) CR Cream Steppin’ Out (live at the BBC) (James Bracken) [3:31] (recorded 1966) CR Cream Anyone for Tennis (Clapton, Sharp) [2:37] (5/11/68, 64 US, 83 CB, 59 HR, 33 CL, 40 UK, 37 CN, 64 AU) CR Blind Faith Sleeping in the Ground (Sam Myers) [2:50] CR Derek and the Dominos Roll It Over (Clapton, Whitlock) [4:29] (8/70, --) CR Eric Clapton with Duane Allman Mean Old World (Walter Jacobs) [3:50] (recorded 10/2/70) CR Derek and the Dominos Crossroads (live) (Johnson) [8:17] (recorded 10/23/70) CR Derek and the Dominos Got to Get Better in a Little While (Clapton) [5:31] (recorded 5/31/71) CR Derek and the Dominos Evil (Dixon) [4:25] (recorded 5/31/71) CR Derek and the Dominos One More Chance (Clapton) [3:17] (recorded 5/31/71) CR Derek and the Dominos Mean Old Frisco (Arthur Crudup) [4:02] (recorded 5/31/71) CR Derek and the Dominos Snake Lake Blues (Clapton, Whitlock) [3:33] (recorded 5/31/71) CR Eric Clapton Ain’t That Lovin’ You (Jimmy Reed) [5:26] CR Eric Clapton I Found a Love (Leon Russell) [3:38] (recorded 9/30/74) CR Eric Clapton Whatcha Gonna Do (Peter Tosh) [3:01] (recorded 9/30/74) CR Eric Clapton When Things Go Wrong It Hurts Me Too (Mel London) [5:34] (recorded 9/30/74) CR Eric Clapton Further on Up the Road (live)” (Joe Medwich Veasey, Don D. Robey) [6:18] (recorded 6/25/75) CR Eric Clapton Someone Like You (Arthur Louis) [4:30] (8/16/75, 99 AU) CR Eric Clapton Heaven Is One Step Away (Clapton) [4:09] (1985, from Back to the Future soundtrack) CR Eric Clapton Too Bad (Clapton) [2:37] (2/85, --) CR Eric Clapton Wanna Make Love to You (Jerry Lynn Williams) [5:43] (recorded 1/31/87) CR Eric Clapton After Midnight (re-recording) (Cale) [4:05] (4/30/88, 4 AR) CR

Journeyman (1989): Pretending (Jerry Lynn Williams) [4:43] (11/11/89, 55 US, 50 CB, 16 AR, 24 CN, 85 AU) CH Bad Love (Eric Clapton, Mick Jones) [5:14] (11/25/89, 88 US, 73 CB, 13 AR, 25 UK) CH Before You Accuse Me (Elias McDaniel) [3:57] (5/5/90, 9 AR) CH Unplugged (live, 1992): Layla (Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon) [4:37] (9/5/92, 12 US, 7 CB, 7 RR, 8 AC, 9 AR, 45 UK, 11 CN, 7 AU) CH Running on Faith (Jerry Lynn Williams) [6:26] (3/5/93, 28 AC, 15 AR) CH From the Cradle (1994): I’m Tore Down (Sonny Thompson) [3:02] (9/10/94, 5 AR) Motherless Child (Robert Hicks) [2:57] (10/15/94, 81 CB, 23 AR, 63 UK, 9 CN) Pilgrim (1998): My Father’s Eyes (Eric Clapton) [5:24] (2/20/98, 16 US, 16 RR, 2 AC, 7 A40, 17 AA, 26 AR, 33 UK, 10 CN, 77 AU) CH River of Tears (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie) [7:21] CH

Chronicles Eric Clapton

Released: October 12, 1999 Covers: 1985-1999 Peak: 20 US, 6 UK, 6 CN, 16 AU Sales (in millions): -1.78 US, 0.6 UK, 7.8 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: (1) Blue Eyes Blue (2) Change the World (3) My Father’s Eyes (4) Tears in Heaven (5) Layla (Unplugged Version) (6) Pretending (7) Bad Love (8) Before You Accuse Me (9) It’s in the Way That You Use It (10) Forever Man (11) Running on Faith (Unplugged Version) (12) She’s Waiting (13) River of Tears (14) I Get Lost Total Running Time: 67:19

Rating: 4.209 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

About Chronicles: Chronicles essentially picked up where The Cream of Clapton left off, covering the years of 1985 to 1999. Within that period, Clapton released his huge-selling, Grammy-winning Unplugged album as well as major hits like “Tears in Heaven” and “Change the World.” The collection shows his transition from an album rock artist to adult contemporary. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Tears in Heaven (Clapton, Will Jennings) [4:33] (1/8/92, 2 US, 11 CB, 3 RR, 13 AC, 9 AR, 5 UK, 12 CN, 37 AU) CH Change the World (Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick) [3:55] (6/14/96, 5 US, 4 CB, 2 RR, 113 AC, 17 A40, 11 AA, 54 RB, 18 UK, 15CH Blue Eyes Blue (Diane Warren) [4:42] (8/21/99, 4 AC, 29 A40, 30 CN) CH I Get Lost ( Clapton) [4:21] CH Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Eric Clapton DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Yardbirds DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Cream DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Blind Faith DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Derek & the Dominos AMG All Music Guide review of Crossroads JR Jan Reid (2006). Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. Rodale Inc.: New York, NY. WK Wikipedia page for Crossroads WK-CH Wikipedia page for Chronicles First posted 11/18/2020; last updated 11/9/2021.