As most of you know, the Drunkard has been away, doing research for a book he’s writing on the blues trail. We certainly wish him luck, and for a couple of good reasons.
First, the vast blues catalog that’s been built over the last many decades is sprinkled with many names you know. But by and large, it’s composed of names you don’t. Local musicians are often hometown heroes, but anonymous outside their region.
Second, the sheer magnitude of the blues ripple has been felt to an extent unlike many other genres. Of note, is the blues trek across the pond, where its influence hit hard on the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton (to name a modest few).You all know Clapton’s various contributions, band memberships and collaborations, so I won’t list them here. Plus, there’s simply not enough room. But in the name of the Drunkard’s return from Blue Country, below are some licks from one of the blues’ most influential offspring, coming from a good cross section of his blues contributions.
Beyond two of the more popular bands included below (Blind Faith and the Dominos), please take note of three tracks. John Mayall’s Bluebreakers were a collective of blues and rock heavyweights whose members drifted in and out like gypsies–there for a song or two, or the leg of a tour. Notable participants were Clapton, Jack Bruce (Cream), Mick Taylor (Stones), John McVie and Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Don “Sugarcane” Harris (Zappa sideman) and Larry Taylor (Canned Heat). You’ll also find a tune from blues legend Howlin’ Wolf. You won’t hear Clapton’s voice there, but you’ll certainly hear his guitar. And another track sees Clapton paired with fellow six-string legend Duane Allman.
If you think for a moment that Delta blues was arguably Eric Clapton’s biggest influence. And then you think for a moment how incredibly huge this man’s influence has been on generations of musicians across the globe. What does that make the blues? That’s one fertile granddaddy if you ask me.
Download:
MP3: John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers :: All Your Love
MP3: Blind Faith :: Sleeping in the Ground
MP3: Howlin’ Wolf :: Rockin’ Daddy (Clapton on strings)
MP3: Clapton and Duane Allman :: Mean Old World
MP3: Derek and the Dominos :: Crossroads (Live)
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He actually does have a son that plays guitar I believe he said this on the Larry King interview
1 | Me November 1st, 2007 at 6:02 pmIf you listen to Howlin’ Wolf or Junior Wells it’s amazing how close that music is to the stuff made in Britain a few years later. By that time you had blues bands, Wells had Buddy Guy on guitar, with set-ups similar to rock ‘n’ roll combos. It’s not just that The Yardbirds were covering “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl,” they were really learning a new way to write and perform songs.
2 | Ian Brill November 1st, 2007 at 7:56 pmA quality post!
3 | dudeasincool November 1st, 2007 at 11:52 pmoooo speaking of, did anyone catch on KPBS, they aired two weeks ago Blind Faith in concert, Live in some New York park? It was pretty rad, and Eric’s playing was phenominal ! He was cross-pickin’ in one song, makin’ this huge sound with just one guitar, nevermind the rythm guitarist, but man I was blown. So who was god Jimi or Eric?
4 | Aaron November 2nd, 2007 at 11:39 amBlind Faith was one of the first concerts I ever attended. It’s a shame that Clapton and Winwood didn’t get along – they made great music together.
5 | dudeasincool November 5th, 2007 at 10:47 amThat live Crossroads is an Allman-less Dominos, correct?
6 | Dan November 5th, 2007 at 3:45 pmI’m reading his auto-bio right now – it is downright one of the best auto’s I’ve read – and I have been building a brilliant music library collection for some years. According to him – it was less him and Winwood getting along but more of his lack of interest in what BF were doing – and Delaney & Bonnie capturing his attention and wanting to release the UK version of what The Band was doing at that time. . . .
7 | Jason November 7th, 2007 at 1:10 pm