Eric Clapton – Complete Clapton (2CD) (2007)

Released in conjunction with Eric Clapton’s autobiography, COMPLETE CLAPTON provides the soundtrack to the original guitar hero’s decades-spanning journey. Over the course of two discs, this collection tracks Clapton’s progress from the ground-breaking psychedelic blues-rock of Cream and the short-lived supergroup Blind Faith, through his Duane Allman collaboration, Derek & the Dominos, and on to his prolific solo career. Clapton is personally responsible for a huge chunk of the classic-rock canon, and it’s all included here. The primal crunch of Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love,” the bluesy riffarama that is Derek & the Dominos’ evergreen “Layla,” the country-tinged twangfest “Lay Down Sally”–you name it, COMPLETE CLAPTON has it. This set doesn’t stint on later material, either, like Clapton’s Robert Johnson tribute and a duet with J.J. Cale. With the possible exception of his very early work with John Mayall, there’s nary a career highlight missed on this comprehensive anthology. Complete Clapton CD Eric Clapton Audio Remixer: Adrian Barber. Liner Note Author: Nigel Williamson. Recording information: Winterland, San Francisco, CA. Photographers: Gered Mankowitz; Carl Studna; David Gahr; Michael Putland; Terry O’Neill ; Kevin Mazur; Barry Feinstein; Jack English; Barrie Wentzell; Norman Watson. Arrangers: Chris Blackwell; Eric Clapton; Dominos; Robert Stigwood. Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, dobro, background vocals); Delaney Bramlett, George Terry , Stephen Stills, B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Albert Lee (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards); Gary Brooker (vocals, keyboards); Jerry Allison , Marcy Levy, Rita Coolidge, Sonny Curtis, Yvonne Elliman, Tom Bernfield, Bonnie Bramlett (vocals); Jerry Williams (guitar, background vocals); Doyle Bramhall II, Andy Fairweather Low, Phil Palmer (guitar); Ry Cooder (electric guitar, slide guitar); Gayle Levant (celtic harp); Jerry Portnoy (harmonica); Michael Brecker (saxophone); Tim Sanders (tenor saxophone); Simon Clarke (baritone saxophone); Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Roddy Lorimer (trumpet); David W. Bargeron (trombone); Joe Sample (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Chris Stainton (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards, background vocals); Albhy Galuten (piano, ARP synthesizer); Leon Russell, Billy Preston (piano); Dick Sims (organ, keyboards); Bobby Whitlock (organ); Chuck Leavell, Alan Clark, Simon Climie (keyboards); Jeff Bova, Michael Omartian, Peter Manning Robinson, Randy Kerber, Richard Cottle (synthesizer); Nathan East (bass guitar, background vocals); Dave Bronze, Donald “Duck” Dunn (bass guitar); Phil Collins (drums, snare drum, percussion, background vocals); Jim W. Gordon, Jamie Oldaker, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Keltner, Roger Hawkins, Steve Gadd , Henry Spinetti, Steve Ferrone (drums); Lenny Castro (congas, percussion); Carol Steele (congas); Jimmy Bralower (drum machine, drum programming); Ted Templeman (timbales); Ray Cooper (percussion); Paul Waller (drum programming); Chuck Kirkpatrick, Chyna, John Sambataro, Susannah Melvoin, Katie Kissoon, Shaun Murphy, Tessa Niles, Wendy Melvoin, Chaka Khan (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Ed Cherney ; Gary Wright; J.J. Cale; Jimmy Miller ; Alan Douglas; Alex Haas; Mark Linett; Mick Guzauski; Nick Launay; Andy Johns; Phil Collins; Rob Eaton; Russ Titelman; Steve Boyer. Uncut (p.89) – 4 stars out of 5 — “[He's] come up with some gems and they’re all here….His ability to pick just the right cover is also well represented and there’s a good smattering of potent blues covers, too.”