My Eric Clapton collection is down to just three releases. I didn’t feel the need to expand or get more or to be a completest with it.
On most occasions when I heard a track from Eric Clapton on TV or Radio, I was a fan. But when I sampled one of his albums in a record shop, I wasn’t prepared to part with my dollars as a lot of the other tracks just didn’t resonate. And then “The Cream Of Eric Clapton” came out. And finally I had a collection of the songs I liked.
The Cream of Eric Clapton
Released in 1987 but I picked it up a few years later.
“Layla” opens this collection and you can’t ask for a better track. Then his Cream output is wilted down to just 6 songs. “Badge” and “I Feel Free” are out of place on this list. “Sunshine Of Your Love” has that guitar store riff.
“Crossroads” is a song originally written by Robert Johnson in 1936 and the most popular version of it is by Cream. It was the first single of their “Wheels of Fire” record in 1968. “Strange Brew” is basically a slower re-write of “Crossroads”.
And then there is “White Room”. My favourite Cream track. That intro, the verses and the psychedelic bridge which acts like a Chorus.
From his solo output, his covers of previous songs stand out, like “Cocaine”, “I Shot The Sheriff” and “Knockin On Heaven’s Door”. And of course, there is “Wonderful Tonight”.
From a sales point of view, this little greatest hits collection, went Gold in Canada, France and Switzerland, Platinum in Australia and New Zealand, Platinum x2 in the U.S and Platinum x3 in the UK.
Unplugged
Released in 1992.
It’s basically an acoustic blues album. This is Clapton showing his Robert Johnson roots by re-imagining his songs in the style of Johnson’s blues.
And it became a monster of an album on the back of “Tears In Heaven” and his re-imagined acoustic interpretation of “Layla”. But you need to also check out “Old Love”, “Running On Faith”, “Walkin Blues” and “Before You Accuse Me”. The acoustic versions of these songs are pretty definitive.
Me and Mr Johnson
Released in 2004 as a tribute to Delta Blues legend Robert Johnson.
Put simply, the music that Clapton became famous for has a lot of Johnson in it.
Press play, have a drink or two or three and listen to the blues.
destroyerofharmony 
Who didn’t buy Unplugged back in 92!!? I did, you did everyone did and to this day it’s the only Clapton I have ever purchased. Like how stuff but never went into the fox hole with his stuff.
Same Deke. As a guitarist I had enough of his songs to learn for the cover bands I was in.
Deke’s not wrong. I think I had that one too. I might have also had the Cream of Clapton on CD at one time, but not anymore. I need to get these back in to the collection.
I think in reality if you have those albums or one of the newer best offs, then you should be sweet with EC.
Unplugged was a cassette my dad used to play in the house while he cooked meals in our family kitchen. Tears In Heaven and Layla are my favorites. I’ll have to give those you mentioned, Destroyer. I don’t recall them.
It is nice to have pleasant nostalgic memories attached to specific songs and albums.
My dad died about three years ago. It sucked for a while.
How are you holding up nowadays?
It is an album that can be spun in the background while making food. I’ve been spinning music my whole life while cooking as well. I get my kids into bands that way. Lol.
We are getting close to doing the 40 days since my bro passed next week. I got a good support team with my wife and kids. My parents are doing it tough and my oldest brother is doing it really tough. Thanks for asking.
Pete
I’ll have to give those other songs on Unplugged a re-listen, is what I meant.
As a fan of all things Clapton (Except for his views on British immigrants which I am only just learning about and I am quite disturbed by) I’m getting that you are a fan of his blues. So I have a few recommendations for you:
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers feat. Eric Clapton. – This came out 1 year before Cream’s first album. Some blistering guitar work by Clapton
Fresh Cream – Cream’s first album is a solid ’60s Brit blues album from top to bottom.
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs – His album with Duane Allman whose slide work is everywhere.
From The Cradle – His follow up to Unplugged. Some great dirty blues.
Riding with the King – His album with B.B. King.
Give them a spin on Spotify or YouTube.
Thanks for the recommendations.
Queued up on Spotify after I finish listening to Heartbreak Station from Cinderella.
I do like the blues. Sometimes it’s too much same same in the riffs but then you hear the leads and I’m like yeah, that’s pretty sweet.
I love that Heartbreak Station! I should just buy it already. You are right about the blues using the same riffs. But it is all about the way they’re played for me. I’m also an AC/DC fan who has become accustomed to everything sounding alike, lol
Agree with Riding with the King and From The Cradle comment above- also I would throw in his live album One More Car, One More Rider from 2002 as well as 1989’s Journeyman.