Showing posts with label John Mayall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Mayall. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Top 50 Blues Albums of All Time

Blues:

The Top 50 Albums

This list started as a post on the DMDB Facebook page (Top 10 Blues and Blues/Rock Albums) on 2/23/2010. The list has since been expanded by aggregating more than 50 lists focused on blues and blues/rock albums. This list focuses on those albums which scored higher on the blues lists. Albums which made three or more lists were then sorted by overall status in Dave’s Music Database.

Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here.

1. Robert Johnson The Complete Recordings (compilation: 1936-37, released 1990)
2. Howlin’ Wolf Moanin’ in the Moonlight/Howlin’ Wolf (aka ‘The Rockin’ Chair Album’) (compilations: 1951-62, released in 1959 and 1962) *
3. Bessie Smith The Essential (compilation: 1923-1933, released 1997)
4. B.B. King Live at the Regal (live, 1964)
5. John Mayall & the Blues Breakers Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966)
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Texas Flood (1983)
7. Charlie Patton Founder of the Delta Blues (compilation: 1929-34, released 1969)
8. Muddy Waters At Newport (live, 1960)
9. Robert Cray Strong Persuader (1986)
10. Albert King Born Under a Bad Sign (1967)

11. Eric Clapton: From the Cradle (1994)
12. Bobby “Blue” Bland Two Steps from the Blues (1956-60)
13. Willie Dixon/various artists The Chess Box (compilation: 1951-69, released 1988)
14. Elmore James The Sky Is Crying – The History of (compilation: 1951-63, released 1993)
15. Junior Wells Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
16. Paul Butterfield Blues Band Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1965)
17. Muddy Waters The Chess Box (compilation: 1947-72 released 1989)
18. Skip James The Complete Early Recordings (compilation: 1930-31, released 1994)
19. Howlin’ Wolf His Best: The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection (compilation: 1951-64, released 1997)
20. Little Walter His Best: The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection (compilation: 1952-60, released 1997)

21. Howlin’ Wolf The Chess Box (compilation: 1951-73, released 1991)
22. Magic Sam West Side Soul (1967)
23. Albert Collins Ice Pickin’ (1978)
24. B.B. King Live in Cook County Jail (live: 1970, released 1971)
25. B.B. King His Definitive Greatest Hits (compilation: 1951-93, released 1999)
26. Etta James At Last (1961)
27. Muddy Waters Folk Singer (1964)
28. Muddy Waters Hard Again (1977)
29. Muddy Waters The Anthology (compilation: 1947-72, released 2001)
30. John Lee Hooker The Legendary Modern Recordings (compilation: 1948-54, released 1993)

31. Memphis Minnie Bumble Bee: The Essential Recordings (compilation: 1929-41, released 1997)
32. B.B. King Singin’ the Blues (1956)
33. Albert King Live Wire/Blues Power (1968)
34. T-Bone Walker T-Bone Blues (1959)
35. Blind Lemon Jefferson King of the Country Blues (compilation: 1926-29, released 1990)
36. Gary Moore Still Got the Blues (1990)
37. Robert Cray Bad Influence (1983)
38. Sonny Boy Williamson II Down and Out Blues (1959)
39. Blind Lemon Jefferson Best of (compilation, released 2000)
40. Gus Cannon’s Jug Stompers Best of (compilation: 1928-30, released 2001)

41. Mississippi Fred McDowell I Do Not Play No Rock and Roll (1969)
42. Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter King of the 12-String Guitar (recorded 1935, released 1991)
43. Albert Collins with Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland Showdown! (1985)
44. Freddy King Let’s Hide Away and Dance (1961)
45. Otis Spann Is the Blues (1960)
46. Willie Dixon I Am the Blues (1970)
47. Magic Sam Black Magic (1968)
48. Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers (1971)
49. Sonny Boy Williamson II His Best (compilation: 1955-65, released 1986)
50. Freddy King Freddy King Sings (1961)

* These were initially released as two separate albums, but are now typically packaged together.

Resources and Related Links:

Lists Focused on Blues Albums:

First posted 9/10/2018; last updated 3/19/2024.

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Thursday, November 11, 2021

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:

First posted 3/30/2012; updated 11/11/2021.
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Sunday, August 22, 2021

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Albums (Aug. 2021)

Originally posted 8/22/2021.

January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog. To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This month marks the eleventh group of album inductees. These are amongst the top twenty blues albums of all time, excluding previous inductees Robert Johnson’s The Complete Recordings, Bessie Smith’s The Essential, and Charley Patton’s Founder of the Delta Blues.

See the full list of album inductees here.

Muddy Waters At Newport (live, 1960)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

This was “a great breakthrough moment in blues history.” AMG “Though his ‘50s recordings…revolutionized modern blues, it wasn’t until his raw, plugged-in steer blew up the Newport Folk Festival that whites in America gave Muddy (and the blues) proper respect.” VB “This was many white folks’ first exposure” BL “to live recorded blues.” AMG It was also significant because “the jazz audience opened its ears and embraced Chicago blues.” AMG Read more.

Bobby “Blue” Band Two Steps from the Blues (recorded 1956-60, released 1961)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

“Two Steps from the Blues is the definitive Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland album and one of the great records in electric blues and soul-blues. In fact, it’s one of the key albums in modern blues, marking a turning point when juke joint blues were seamlessly blended with gospel and Southern soul, creating a distinctly Southern sound where all of these styles blended so thoroughly it was impossible to tell where one began and one ended.” STE Read more.

Howlin’ Wolf Moanin’ in the Moonlight/Howlin’ Wolf (aka “The Rockin’ Chair Album”) (1959/1962)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

Howlin’ Wolf’s first two albums were compilations covering the years 1951 to 1962. Amongst the songs are “How Many More Years,” “Smokestack Lightning,” “Spoonful,” and “The Little Red Rooster,” all of which have been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. In the CD era, they were packaged as one release, making for an effective overview of “the cream of Wolf’s Chicago blues work.” SC Both albums have been inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame. Read more.

B.B. King Live at the Regal (recorded live 1964, released 1965)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

B.B. “King, who has been called ‘The King of the Blues’ and the ‘best blues artist of his generation,’ has been a primary influence on a number of artists, including Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield.” NRR “King is not only a timeless singer and guitarist, he’s also a natural-born entertainer, and on Live at the Regal the listener is treated to an exhibition of all three of his talents.” DG The album was significant in King’s career because it graduated him from a largely black following to a much larger white audience. Read more.

John Mayall’s Blue Breakers Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

“Rarely has any single record album induced such a shift in popular music.” LP This is “perhaps the best British blues album ever cut.” BE It reinvented “the American blues for a fresh audience” LP giving “rise to subgenres such as heavy metal and other roots-related rock.” LP The album significantly featured guest Eric Clapton on his “first fully realized album as a blues guitarist,” BE coming in between his stints with the Yardbirds and Cream. His work “catapulted him” LP “to the helm of the burgeoning British blues-rock scene” LP and “international exposure as well as legendary guitar rock idol status.” LP Read more.

Albert King Born Under a Bad Sign (1967)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

This Grammy Hall of Fame and National Recording Registry inductee features two songs (“Born Under a Bad Sign,” “Crosscut Saw”) which are Blues Hall of Fame inductees. The album marked King’s arrival at Stax Records where he recorded with Booker T & the MG’s and found the crossover appeal he’d previously been missing. AllMusic.com’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine calls this “one of the very greatest electric blues albums of all time.” AMG Read more.

Willie Dixon The Chess Box (compilation: 1951-69, released 1988)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

“Songwriter, producer, and talent scout, singer-bassist Willie Dixon essentially built Chicago's Cobra and Chess labels with his sweat.” AZ This collection features 13 different artists including Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Koko Taylor, and Muddy Waters, but with one unifying theme – all of these songs are written by Dixon, making a case for him to be crowned “king of the blues composers.” BF Read more.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Texas Flood (1983)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

“Produced by legendary talent scout John Hammond,” TD1 Texas Flood “captures the rising guitar star” TD1 “as rockin’ blues purist.” TD2 “Critics claimed that, no matter how prodigious Vaughan’s instrumental talents were, he didn’t forge a distinctive voice” STE but “that was sort of the point of Texas Flood. Vaughan didn’t hide his influences; he celebrated them, pumping fresh blood into a familiar genre” STE and becoming the “torchbearer of the ‘80s-‘90s blues revival.” TD2 Read more.

Robert Cray Strong Persuader (1986)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

Strong Persuader, Cray’s fifth studio album, was his mainstream breakthrough, opening up blues to a wider audience than it had received in decades. The Village Voice, Robert Christgau called it “the first album to break out of the genre’s sales ghetto since B.B. King was a hot item” WK and “the best blues record in many, many years.” WK Read more.

Eric Clapton From the Cradle (1994)

Inducted August 2021 as “Top Blues Albums.”

No white man did more to expose blues to mass audiences than Eric Clapton. Before launching his solo career, his work with groups virtually established the blues-rock genre. As a solo artist, he regularly slipped blues covers into his albums. When his Unplugged album became the most successful of his career, selling 20 million copies and winning the Grammy for Album of the Year, he used his new-found clout to record his first all-blues cover album. Whle “he doesn’t have the strength to pull off Howlin’ Wolf’s growl or the confidence to replicate Muddy Waters’ assured phrasing” STE “the album manages to re-create the ambience of postwar electric blues, right down to the bottomless thump of the rhythm section.” STE Read more.
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Friday, July 22, 2016

Today in Music (1966): Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton released

Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton

John Mayall’s Blues Breakers

Released: July 22, 1966

Charted: July 30, 1966

Peak: -- US, 6 UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.1 UK

Genre: British blues rock

Tracks:

Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks)

  1. All Your Love (Dixon/ Rush) [3:35]
  2. Hideaway (King/ Thompson) [3:14]
  3. Little Girl (Mayall) [2:33]
  4. Another Man (Mayall) [1:44]
  5. Double Crossing Time (Clapton/ Mayall) [3:00]
  6. What’d I Say (Charles) [4:26]
  7. Key to Love (Mayall) [2:05]
  8. Parchman Farm (Allison) [2:21] (single, 10/66)
  9. Have You Heard (Mayall) [5:54]
  10. Rambling on My Mind (Johnson/ traditional) [3:07]
  11. Steppin’ Out (Bracken) [2:27]
  12. It Ain’t Right (Little Walter) [2:40]

Total Running Time: 37:39

The Players:

  • John Mayall (vocals, piano, organ, harmonica)
  • Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals on “Ramblin’ on My Mind”)
  • John McVie (bass)
  • Highie Flint (drums)

Rating:

3.736 out of 5.00 (average of 19 ratings)

Quotable:

“Perhaps the best British blues album ever cut” – Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

Awards:

(Click on award to learn more).

About the Album:

“Rarely has any single record album induced such a shift in popular music.” LP This was the “best LP ever recorded by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers” BE and “perhaps the best British blues album ever cut.” BE This incarnation reinvented “the American blues for a fresh audience whose ultimate response would give rise to subgenres such as heavy metal and other roots-related rock.” LP Mayall sang and played guitar and keyboards while Bassist John McVie (later of Fleetwood Mac) and drummer Hughie Flint “provide a rock-hard rhythm section” BE giving “the tracks an extra level of steel-strung tension and power.” BE

“While their contributions prove immeasurable, they are likewise sadly eclipsed by that of Clapton.” LP “His guitar naturally dominates most of this record.” BE It was his “first fully realized album as a blues guitarist,” BE coming in between his stints with the Yardbirds and Cream, but he “needed precious little time to gestate the blues.” LP His “ability to express himself is uncanny, as if he were a man twice – if not three times – his age.” LP “One can hear the very direct influence of Buddy Guy and a handful of other American bluesmen in the playing.” BE

“The passionate inflections and unforgettable impressions Clapton makes upon these grooves swiftly catapulted him” LP “to the helm of the burgeoning British blues-rock scene” LP and “international exposure as well as legendary guitar rock idol status.” LP

“It became obvious for those involved that the best way to approach making a studio recording was to document the same material that was concurrently being performed by the band night after night in various London area clubs.” LP Credit goes “to producer Mike Vernon for the purity and simplicity of the record; most British producers of that era wouldn’t have been able to get it recorded this way, much less released.” BE

The album combined “originals such as Double Crossing Time and Key to Love with revered blues standards, including Freddie King’s Hideaway and Robert Johnson’s Ramblin' on My Mind – which features Clapton’s very first lead vocal.” LP

The collection “made significant noise on the other side of the Atlantic – where the blues had literally been born, bred, and buttered.” LP In short, “Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton is an invaluable touchtone into primordial pre-metal rock & roll.” LP

Notes:

“In 1998, Polygram Records issued a remastered version of this album on CD, featuring both the stereo and mono mixes of the original tracks and new notes.” BE The album was re-released again in 2001 with two bonus cuts (“Lonely Years” and “Bernard Jenkins”) added to the original twelve.

Resources and Related Links:

Other Related DMDB Pages:

First posted 3/31/2008; last updated 3/18/2024.

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Tuesday, October 12, 1999

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:

On the Web:

Lists:

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:

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:

First posted 11/18/2020; last updated 11/9/2021.

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