The recently released two-disc Eric Clapton retrospective "Blues" bundles 25 familiar and previously unreleased tracks the great guitarist cut over a 10-year period beginning with his classic 1970 "Layla" sessions. Disc one is comprised of 15 studio tracks, while disc two features 10 live cuts (there are, in total, four previously unavailable selections). Here's Clapton drawing on heroes such as Muddy Waters, Elmore James, and Robert Johnson for inspiration.

EC explores his beloved blues while in a fragile state of mind and body. After all, he was on heroin when he concocted Layla, and though he kicked that habit in the early '70s, he continued to test his tolerance for alcohol throughout the decade. When you think of the Clapton of the '60s, you think of the fire and ice of his playing with the Yardbirds, John Mayall, and Cream. When you think of his '70s playing, it's wearier and perhaps more reflective. Just about anyone, however, will be able to appreciate how this music reflects Clapton's strengths as a musician... and weaknesses as a man.

ERIC CLAPTON's "Blues" @ Amazon
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JNMN/ref=ad_m_rm_1

ERIC CLAPTON's "Blues" @ CDNOW
or search from here:
www.GuitarSite.com/search.htm#CDNOW

More on Clapton
www.GuitarSite.com/clapton.htm

Cream
www.GuitarSite.com/clapton.htm#cream

Clapton @ UBL
ubl.com/ubl_artist.asp?artistid=1131

Lyrics to "Tears In Heaven"
www.lyrics.ch/search/song.asp?song_id=45040&label_id=6807&band_id=2531

Related Artists:

Buddy Guy
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990517/10.shtml

Bo Diddley
www.GuitarSite.com/BoDiddley.htm

BB King
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990517/9.shtml
www.GuitarSite.com/bands2.htm#BBKing

Rolling Stones
www.GuitarSite.com/stones.htm

Led Zepellin
www.GuitarSite.com/LedZep.htm

GNW Review of Blues Sites:
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990621/5.shtml

BluesGuitarist.Org
www.bluesguitarist.org

The Blue Flame Cafe
www.blueflamecafe.com
An interactive biographical encyclopedia of the great blues singers and singers of the blues

The Blue Highway
www.thebluehighway.com

More Blues Artists
www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/990719/4.shtml