Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs

There’s a lot of really good stuff on here. All blues that at times reminded me a lot of the allman brothers. The vocal quality took away from this album a bit, but the guitar playing is so good it makes up for it. Layla is probably one of the best songs of the genre. 3.6

Every song on this album is great. Perfect example of blues rock.

Blues guitar driven Rock and Roll is the backbone of Rock since its inception. This album represents the peak of the mountain for blues rock. I consider it one of the major lasting artistic achievements of popular music. Every song is excellent. Detractors complain that many songs are appropriated. But putting your stamp on standards has been the way of Jazz and Blues for over a century. And this band certainly makes these their own. It created standards here as well with Bell Bottom Blues and of course the venerable all time title track. I saw many reviews panning the album because they do not like who Eric Clapton is. But this is not an Eric Clapton album. D&D and this album took many excellent musicians to complete. None more important than Duane Allman who contributed much including at least half of the song Layla. 5+

Smooth with some incredible guitar and some jammy vibes. Great album but lacked many songs that transcended on their own to become hit (outside of Layla obviously).

Jebenom brit naziju nije bilo dosta šta je pokra crnce nego ovdje manje više više izravno krade sourhern rock do te mjere da duane allman svira slide i ritam gitare. Uz sve rečeno vjerojatno njegov najbolji solo album

Ok so Clapton sucks, but this album was pretty decent. It waffled on far too long in some parts but he can definitely play guitar. Layla is obviously a great tune.

Layla is amazing

Good stuff!

A deep dive into the blues. Classics mixed with musings. The anniversary editions much longer than the original. Cherry pick your favorites and you have plenty to enjoy.

No need to separate the art from the artist here, they both suck!

The title sums this album up perfectly. Competent music, but for a collection of love songs it feels cold and perfunctory.

It's a perfectly fine album, even if it is a little bloated. But Layla is so obviously superior to almost everything here.

Layyy-laaaaaaa, you got me on my knees, Layy-laaaaaaaaaaa, I'm beggin' darlin' please

Goshdarnit. I went in thinking I was over Clapton, but then Bell Bottom Blues started playing and that is still a five star song. Most of the rest of the album is a beaten-horse-meh. Layla is still pretty good I guess.

Getting this out of the way early: Eric Clapton is a garbage person. That definitely impacts my rating of this album. That said, about a third of this is pretty good. Can’t deny the power of Layla, Bellbottom Blues sounds like an outtake from Let It Be, and Little Wing is gorgeous. But there are way too many cliche 12 bar blues songs that all sound the same. Ultimately pretty shrug worthy overall.

This album has a bunch of under 3 star songs, maybe some three star songs, and Layla (which is a song I never really liked anyway). It sits pretty consistently at a 2, and that’s what I’m going to give it. And it’s so damn long.

My god. What an amazing album. I need to get this on vinyl.

Prolly my favorite so far

3/5 The songs on this album are mostly ok and rarely great. It can be a bit of a boring listen at times. However there are still enjoyable movements, including the Hendrix cover and the inescapable Layla, and you have to give it credit for starting and finishing strongly. I Looked Away 4/5 Bell Bottom Blues 4/5 Keep On Growing 2.5/5 Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 2.5/5 I Am Yours 2.5/5 Anyday 3.5/5 Key To The Highway 3/5 Tell The Truth 3/5 Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? 2/5 (LEAST FAV) Have You Ever Loved A Woman? 3/5 Little Wing 4.5/5 It's Too Late 3/5 Layla 5/5 (FAV) Thorn Tree In The Garden 4.5/5

Really enjoyed it. Never been into blues but this was a nice surprise.

A classic.

Talented musicians playing boring music. I was going to give this a 3*, but then they absolutely murdered Little Wing, which is one of my all time favorite recordings (Stevie Ray’s version first, Jimi a close second). Controversial statement of the day: Clapton is good, but way overrated.

Clapton could take a 40 year old standard and make it sound as new as his own compositions. This studio album sounds like a live album, jamming for an incredibly short hour and seventeen minutes. Encore!

Layla's undeniably a great song. Rest of the album is pretty good, if a bit "jammy" for my taste.

just an all time album. Clapton really operating on all cylinders

Fuck Eric Clapton

Ah old slow hand - using your guitar prowess and some old school classic rock to steal your best friend’s woman

Decent songs, Clapton over noodling on like all of them.

Original von "Layla". 70er Rock. Erfrischend, gute Laune verbreitend. 4/5

An incredible album. Lots of great songs that I hadn't heard before (Layla and Bell Bottom Blues were all I knew). Dropping a star because some of the songs are too long, even if I like them, and because Clapton sucks total shit as a person.

These are exactly the kind if blown out love songs I’m in to, they are so melodramatic but sometimes that is what you need. Delightful.

DNF. Too long. Not terrible.

Man. This one is probably the strongest '4' I've got so far, and the only reason it doesn't get a '5' is that something about Eric Clapton's voice just doesn't quite resonate with me. Every song is fantastic and full of energy and endless talent. A diverse album that never gets too repetitive. I can see how this is a masterpiece, but not quite for that level for me.

Overall a good album. There's a few misses, but I enjoyed most of it.

Never heard of this band yet they sound very familiar.

I expected to love this album because Lola is an absolute banger. However, listening to it made me realise that I’d maybe only listened to a shorter radio edit. Did you know there is a whole second half that’s more piano focused, with noodling guitar over it? I found this to be a common theme on the album, as almost every track would have been more better if the second have was scrapped and there was a bit less fret wanking. Don’t get me wrong, Clapton is a great guitarist. However, too much of a good thing can make it actually become a bit shit.

A couple of genuine rock-and-roll tracks interspersed throughout a bunch typical Clapton hyperformulaic blues-rock tracks. Another 1 hour+ of absolute banality suitable only for boomers to play in their man caves while drinking light beer and being mad about taxes.

This album is kinda fun, on the whole I did enjoy it, and to be honest I can't find a lot to criticise about it. It's just sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo looooooonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg.

Эрик Клаптон? Значит будет скукота смертная. Лучшая песня - Layla.

'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs' is exactly right because that's exactly what this is. Layla is a great song, the rest is just a mish-mash of rock and blues tracks with varying qualities. Pretty fine way to spend an hour though, just not mindblowing.

It was aight. Kinda bland for most of it tho

I have a strange relationship with Eric Clapton’s music

Aside from a couple of songs, this is a cozy Route 66 road trip vibe for me, or evening cozy on the patio with a drink and music. I love it 💓 And who doesn't love Layla?!? It's a great album, I enjoyed it (could take away a couple of songs) but all in all a great listen.

4☆/5 07.02.2024

Boring

The high points on this album are excellent with virtuosic guitar playing and brilliantly written love songs. Think some of the bluesier numbers could have been cut for the sake of a more concise album listening experience.

I had my classic rock phase about 20 years ago and I rarely listen to stuff like this anymore, but it holds up. I don’t care what people say, Clapton (and that other guy) can rip. This album is way too long, but other than that I have no complaints.

Heard the name; don't know the songs.

Cozy, and nostalgic. Nice sounding, but not sure I would listen to the whole album again. Great guitar and voice throughout, but some of the song went on for just a bit to long.

Layla er en ganske, men ellers et jævnt, men småkedeligt album...

Virker lidt nostalgisk selvom jeg aldrig har hørt det før. Måske bare fordi det falder ind i den her Tarentino/James Gunn Guardians of the Galaxy stil af musik? Hits er hits. Layla er best men stadigt lidt lang.

Eric goes pretty hard on the guitar solos in most songs and it becomes a bit self-indulgent. Especially "Key to the highway" is pretty much just a 10min guitar solo. The lyrics are often pretty simple, and the solos often aren't very imaginative either. As a whole the album comes across very cookie-cutter with some notable exceptions. The album gets progressively better towards the end after "Have You Ever Loved A Woman?". Layla is obviously the big draw here and is indisputably a classic Tentative 3/5

Great material for one of those blues dad cover bands that meet up once a week to drink mediocre beer and ward off their incoming midlife crises. The music is well played, but it’s not really my thing and it doesn’t convince me to explore it further. However, it still has a certain vibe. Most tracks are very forgettable, and the album lacks cohesion. Notable tracks: "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" "Little Wing" "Layla" Favorite track: "Little Wing"

Eric Clapton med sin Stratocaster er altid en fornøjelse :) Musikken fylder dejlig meget på albummet og balancerer fedt mellem blues og rock. Mine favoritnumre er ikke på denne plade (Tears in heaven & Knockin on heavens door), men genkendeligheden er der bestemt. Men Layla er selvfølgelig stadig et vildt fedt nummer. Fedt album og godt indspillet.

Totalt hygge - som at være tilbage i mit barndomshjem en fredag aften, når min mor havde fået et glas rødvin eller to og pladespilleren blev tændt.

Eric goes pretty hard on the guitar solos in most songs and it becomes a bit self-indulgent. Especially "Key to the highway" is pretty much just a 10min guitar solo. The lyrics are often pretty simple, and the solos often aren't very imaginative either. As a whole the album comes across very cookie-cutter with some notable exceptions. The album gets progressively better towards the end after "Have You Ever Loved A Woman?". Layla is obviously the big draw here and is indisputably a classic Tentative 3/5

-this album is incredible -I had this album on my list for a long time actually. Now after listening to it, I ask myself: "Why was I so dumb to not listen to this album earlier in my album journey?", but I got it today through this challenge and that's a relief. This album closes off my first month in this challenge in such a beautiful, electrifying way, and that says a lot about it! -a long album, but worthy of it's length -iconic album cover -passionate performances, everybody did an awesome job on this album -Clapton spits fire with his guitar on this album -iconic songs (well, mostly Layla, but there are also a few that are being played on the classic rock radio station) -great cover songs as well (especially the Hendrix cover | "Little Wing") -everything about this album is extraordinary -perfect album for people who are learning to play the guitar -favorite songs: I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues (<3), Keep On Growing, Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out, Anyday, Key To The Highway, Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? (<3), Have You Ever Loved a Woman, Little Wing (<3), Layla (<3) -least favorite song: Tell The Truth

Hello!!!

The name of this album is very fitting because it's really Layla and other assorted love songs, which are at times nice, but mostly way too long and filler-y. I generally didn't mind this; it would have for sure gotten a four if it wasn't so bloated. 3.5 stars

Too long

One of the great blues albums. “Layla” is one of my least favorite songs on here, which shows this album’s strength. 4/5 Will listen again

I enjoyed it. Lots of people giving it 1-2 stars. It’s a nice album

2.5 really besides for Layla and and bell bottom blues there really ain’t much great about the album

right up my alley, but it didn’t quite grip me the way I was wanting it to

Only knew Layla and never really liked that song. Rest is not better, too long and with a "Look at me being brilliant" vibe. Don't hate it but don't like it either.

Good album with one really good song and then one of the greatest songs in Layla.

An album of mourning and melancholy, plenty of space is given for Clapton’s guitar to shine, but the Allman-led backing band is essential in creating a soundscape for the lead to thrive. While not an elite vocalist in the traditional sense, the combination of daring vocal choices (channeling Zeppelin in Anyday, for example) and his unfiltered pain works with the heartbreak subject matter. Listened to: in San Francisco Botanical Garden. Favorite tracks: Bell Bottom Blues, Layla

No me ha parecido interesante

A little long but I had way more fun with this than I thought I would. Feels like Clapton flexing his blues roots a lot more. Don't know if i love it as an "album" experience but there are some good cuts on here besides Layla which is the standout track.

Skydog and Slowhand sounds like an Old West pair of gunslingers. It's ridiculous to have that much talent on one album. Pattie Boyd must have been something else. I guess I get the complaints about Clapton's voice...but if that's the worst thing you can say about this album, it's pretty minor. Great version of Little Wing. Layla...Duane and Eric playing together and it's almost perfect.

Honestamente, se você me coloca 10 segundos de cada música e pedisse pra mim identificar, eu não acertaria uma. Tudo soa parecido nesse álbum. Só Layla se salva, e por qualquer motivo esqueceram de separar duas músicas diferentes nela. Então assim: Álbum cheio de música genérica e 3 minutos de uma das melhores músicas que eu já ouvi seguido de 4 minutos de mais do mesmo.

Most of the blues is fine-good, however Layla is one of the best rock songs I have ever heard. The opening guitar riff coming in after the rest of the album is akin to the sun setting after a rough day knowing that you are alive and okay. That musical moment alone is why you should listen to this album. Is the rest of the album at the same caliber? No and it doesn't even come close.

Liked Song Layla

Overall solid blues rock album. Layla is the standout song here as expected. A couple gems that are nice too. Standout Tracks: Layla, Bell Bottom Blues, I Looked Away, Little Wing Worst Track: Have You Ever Loved A Woman? ( It just really bored me)

Bit too country folk for my tastes. Also the songs are loooong, especially those solos. Layla slaps though so have to give it to them for that.

Soaring guitars. Such a blues mood.

All songs are very same-ish and no real bangers except for Layla

LOVE LAYLA

I am tempted to give this album 5/5 because it brought us Layla, but I simply can't. 3/5 - It's sad when an album that should be meant for me ends up missing the mark :( Now, let me talk about Layla. When I hear that riff, I ascend to another plane of consciousness. I see the clouds next to me, I see a bright blue sky above and I get higher and higher until I am floating, existing merely as a vessel for these vibrations to enter through my ears all the way towards my heart. I am complete for the 7 minutes and 3 seconds this song lasts, and I thank the universe I could live in a time after 1970. Those poor souls who died in 1969, they missed out big time.

I really enjoyed this album. I had never heard much of this except for Layla. Knew some Clapton, and enjoy Clapton. But early Clapton in this band is really good. I’ve been given some great albums recently. This is a good one too.

Not bad. Enjoyed some of the songs but wasn't my favorite all the way through.

This album has a strong point of view from beginning to end, which I appreciate. It was interesting to hear the context around “Layla,” which I’ve heard 1,000 times, so hearing the whole album gave me more appreciation for the urgency of that song as it tells part of a story that’s told across the album.

Derek & The Dominos was a short-lived project of Eric Clapton and Duane Allman. The band only released one studio album and had one tour. While they recorded material for a second album, it was never finished. After Duane Allman's death, the group never reconvened. Initially, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs was not a commercial success, and met with mixed critical reception. Over time, the consensus has changed considerably. This album includes "Layla," which may be Clapton's best song, and others like "Bell-Bottom Blues," which is on his top-ten list. This album is regarded as Clapton's best, and one of the best albums of blues-rock ever recorded.

OK, so clapton is a scumbag so we're gonna lose some stars there but I actually agree that this album belongs on the list. It stands alone for the year it was released as one of the best rock albums with some of the most talented musicians of the time and its very well produced. Tell you what, if clapton wasnt the garbage human that he is it would have been a 5 star album but lets say it loses 5 stars for clapton but then gets 2 stars back for the production and Duane Allman and then gains one more star for the track "Layla." 3/5

Despite iconic tracks like "Layla," the album feels uneven and overindulgent. The musicianship is impressive, but the emotional impact falls short. A few standout moments, but overall, it doesn’t fully connect.

3.5, not enough listening time

Clapton without so much arrogance

I was only familiar with the work Eric Clapton did with Cream and Yardbirds before today. When this popped up, I assumed it was just a mostly unknown blues album since I didn’t recognize the name of the band. After doing some digging, I discovered that Clapton was also apart of this, and that immediately piqued my interest. I’ve learned a lot about that man today. Mostly bad stuff though. I was not aware of how much of a piece of shit he was in the past, and how much people really don’t like him. But I don’t think that changes the fact that he was great as a lead guitarist and vocalist in this group. No matter how much of it was unfortunately stolen from black people. Not justifying or excusing that, or any of his racist behavior by the way. That isn’t to discredit the other members either, since they are all fantastic as well. The vibe of this is as the title says. These are all love songs. Love songs that feel perfect for when the going gets tough. When life is just beating you down and the only thing bringing you solace is a pack of Marlboro Reds. Very specific imagery, but it’s just what comes to mind when I hear this. Considering this is the only real album they ever released, this is a pretty beefy double LP that’s almost an hour and 20 minutes long. Although I’m a little torn between whether I think some of these songs should be shorter or go for even longer. I can never really tell with jam band blues rock. It still feels like it drags in a couple places though. But all in all, what I have here is an album I honestly expected nothing from. And what I ended up hearing is basically everything I personally look for in a good blues album. Rating: 8/10

Great album, awesome blues rock energy. Layla is the top song on this, but the whole album is great. "Nobody knows you when you're down and out" is a great track, "key to the highway" is great as well. Love all the guitar solos

dur nur nurt

This album has some really nice guitar parts and I especially enjoyed "Layla". However, it did go on for longer than I would have liked and thus became a bit repetitive.

This fits in the class that Dylan and Young used to fill for me, boring folksy music that just doesn't grab me. But I eventually came to appreciate D & Y, but I'm just not there with this album. 2 stars, sorry Layla.

Imagine writing an entire album to express your infatuation with a fellow musician's wife. Couldn't be me. That could only be one man. Well, okay. I'm sure others could do it too, but no one could do it quite like how Eric Clapton and the other members of Derek and the Dominos. Eric Clapton may be a racist antivax piece of shit, but he's a talented racist antivax piece of shit. This is a damn good album. Is it long? Sure. It could've been a bit shorter. But it's definitely not the worst 76 minute long album I've ever heard (I have got to stop complaining about Haunted Dancehall). The singing is alright. The writing, while a bit repetitive, is solid. The best part is easily the instrumental work. Songs like the iconic "Layla" stand out as being really good songs. I mean, there's a reason why this is the one that's mentioned in the title. I hate to say it, but this is a really good album. 4/5.

Eric Clapton is a cunt. Bell Bottom Blues is a killer song tho and Duane Allman is always a welcome edition

Its an classic album and layla has an iconic guitar riff

I only knew Layla before, but otherwise, I thought Derek & the Dominos were a one-hit-wonder. Which it kind of is. But Layla is such a legendry track.

Imagine being beautiful enough to get this album Looked Away - 4.1/5 Bell Bottom Blues - 4.8/5 Keep On Growing - 4.7/5 Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out - 5/5 I Am Yours - 3.5/5 Anyday - 4/5 Key To The Highway - 3.7/5 Tell The Truth - 4.4/5 Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? - 4.9/5 Have You Ever Loved A Woman? - 3.2/5 Little Wing - 5/5 It's Too Late - 4.3/5 Layla - 5/5 Thorn Tree In The Garden - 4/5 Total - 4.3/5

4.4

It's just alright until you hit Layla then it becomes amazing for a bit then goes back to just alright.

Good old classic rock

Layla and Other Assorted Love Song by Derek and the Dominos pleasantly surprised me, exceeding my expectations. While the title track Layla is iconic but somewhat self-indulgent, the album as a whole showcases a rich blend of blues, rock, and soul. Tracks like Bell Bottom Blues and Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? highlight Clapton's emotive guitar work and soulful vocals, creating a compelling musical narrative. The interplay between Clapton and Duane Allman's guitars is particularly impressive, adding depth and texture to the album. Overall, it's a cohesive and timeless collection that showcases Clapton's musical prowess beyond his guitar hero image. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 8 STAND OUT TRACK - Key to the Highway

SO BORING

Avoided this for a couple of days for I am not a fan of Clapton both as a musician and as a personality. The guitar work on this album is impressive, but I much prefer the moodier or poppier tracks such as "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Little Wing" over the meandering blues improvisation numbers. There is an audience for this type of album, but it is not for me. Favorite Track: Keep On Growing Rating: 5/10

the songs went on longer than they needed to and there must be eight guitar parts per song, but good music

Großartig!

Великая песня Layla (которую я больше люблю в анплагед версии) + блюзовые джемы = приятно, но утомляет. Плюс в блюзе мне не нравится этот стандартный рисунок 'ту-тудум-тудум-ту-тууту'

Fine. Too long. Gets old halfway through.

Layla is a classic banger but the rest of the album is pretty meh.

A killer album.

I'll give it 3 stars, only because it has the song Layla on it. The rest of it is basic blues, but not that bad. If it wasn't for Layla, I would have given it somewhere around an 1.75

Definitely an above average album. Great guitar playing (which makes sense considering it's Eric Clapton and Duane Allman). I don't know what it is but I feel like something's missing for this to be truly great though. It's also too long of an album with six songs that are 6+ minutes. 7.5/10 (3.75/5)

Clapton's greatest contribution to music. One of my all time favorite albums.

Hes one of the best. Didn’t know about this album really but enjoyed it along with some of his classics.

some absolute gems in this album

Pretty good!

So, what is it, the absolute best - or complete bore? I bought this album when it came out, and probably listened to the whole thing once. Then, since it was 4 sides - only listened to side one and side four. Too much, too long.

Blues Eric Clapton

The whole album has the classic rock sound that seems to be present across the decade but is really refined here. The guitar solos are epic and amazing. Overall most of the tracks seem to drag on longer than they need with the same riff repeating too many times. The title track "Layla" is great with a wonderful transition into a softer more melancholy tone. The closer for the album also is a beautiful sendoff. Overall the album was good, but each track was a little long.

Eric Clapton is sick on guitars

Some lovely moments!

Not bad. Some well known songs. But the songs went on too long and some were too rocky and not bluesy enough. I give this 3.5 stars.

bons arranjos algo quase blues mas com alma de Rock

**Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs** is the only studio album by the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, released in November 1970. The band was formed by Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon, and the album is widely celebrated for its emotional depth, intricate musicianship, and groundbreaking guitar work. Below is an in-depth review focusing on lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with an analysis of the pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs* predominantly revolve around themes of love, heartbreak, and longing, capturing the emotional turmoil Clapton was experiencing at the time, particularly his unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his close friend George Harrison. The title track "Layla" is the most poignant expression of this unrequited love, drawing inspiration from the Persian love story of Layla and Majnun, where the protagonist’s unattainable love drives him to madness. Other tracks like "Bell Bottom Blues" and "I Am Yours" also reflect Clapton’s deep emotional struggles. In "Bell Bottom Blues," Clapton’s yearning is palpable, as he sings about the pain of separation and the desire for reconciliation. "I Am Yours" is a more poetic and tranquil expression of love, borrowing verses from the ancient poem by Nizami Ganjavi, showcasing Clapton's ability to blend literary influences with personal sentiment. ### Music Musically, the album is a tour de force of blues, rock, and gospel influences. The dual guitar work of Eric Clapton and Duane Allman is a standout feature, creating rich, interwoven textures and soaring solos that have become iconic in rock music. The opening track, "I Looked Away," sets the tone with its soulful melodies and intricate guitar interplay. "Bell Bottom Blues" follows, driven by Clapton’s emotive guitar work and plaintive vocals. "Keep on Growing" and "Anyday" highlight the band's collaborative synergy, with Bobby Whitlock’s soulful keyboards and vocals complementing Clapton's guitar prowess. "Layla," the album’s centerpiece, features a dynamic structure with a powerful riff, passionate verses, and an unforgettable coda—a piano piece composed by drummer Jim Gordon. This track alone is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time, encapsulating the album's emotional and musical intensity. ### Production Produced by Tom Dowd, the album’s production is both a strength and a limitation. Dowd’s experience with artists like Aretha Franklin and John Coltrane brought a polished yet organic feel to the recording. The sound is raw and vibrant, capturing the spontaneity of the band's performances. However, the production has been critiqued for its somewhat muddy mix, which at times obscures the clarity of the instruments. The dense layering, particularly in tracks like "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?" can overwhelm the listener, making it challenging to discern individual musical elements. Despite these issues, the production generally enhances the album's emotive power and live feel. ### Themes The central theme of *Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs* is unrequited love, encapsulated in the title track and echoed throughout the album. This theme is intertwined with motifs of longing, pain, and redemption. The album also explores themes of personal growth and resilience. In "Keep on Growing," Clapton and Whitlock sing about overcoming heartache and moving forward, reflecting a sense of hope amidst despair. "Thorn Tree in the Garden," the album’s closing track, is a somber acoustic piece that conveys a sense of loss and introspection, bringing the emotional journey full circle. ### Influence *Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs* has had a profound impact on rock music and has influenced countless artists across genres. The album's innovative guitar work, especially the interplay between Clapton and Allman, has been emulated by many musicians. Clapton’s expressive playing and Allman’s slide guitar techniques set new standards for rock and blues guitarists. The album also contributed to the popularization of the double album format in rock, demonstrating that an extended collection could be both artistically cohesive and commercially successful. Its influence extends beyond music, as the story behind "Layla" and Clapton’s personal life has become part of rock mythology. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros 1. **Emotional Depth**: The album’s lyrics and music convey profound emotional intensity, offering a raw and honest exploration of love and heartache. 2. **Guitar Work**: The collaboration between Clapton and Allman resulted in some of the most memorable and influential guitar performances in rock history. 3. **Songwriting**: The songs are well-crafted, blending blues, rock, and gospel influences seamlessly. Tracks like "Layla," "Bell Bottom Blues," and "Keep on Growing" are standout examples of exceptional songwriting. 4. **Musical Synergy**: The band’s chemistry is palpable, with each member contributing to a cohesive and dynamic sound. 5. **Iconic Tracks**: Several tracks from the album, especially "Layla," have achieved iconic status and continue to be celebrated for their artistry and impact. #### Cons 1. **Production Quality**: The production, while generally effective, has been critiqued for its muddiness and lack of clarity in some tracks. 2. **Overwhelming Density**: The dense layering of instruments can sometimes overwhelm the listener, making it difficult to appreciate the individual contributions of each musician. 3. **Inconsistency**: While most tracks are strong, a few like "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" and "It’s Too Late" are considered filler and do not match the high standard set by the rest of the album. 4. **Emotional Uniformity**: The album’s focus on heartbreak and longing, while powerful, can also feel emotionally one-dimensional to some listeners. ### Conclusion *Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs* by Derek and the Dominos is a landmark album in rock history, celebrated for its emotional depth, innovative guitar work, and enduring influence. Despite some production flaws and occasional inconsistency, the album’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It remains a testament to the power of music to convey complex emotions and tell deeply personal stories. Whether for its lyrical poignancy, musical virtuosity, or historical significance, *Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs* continues to resonate with listeners and inspire musicians across generations.

If we're talking about the music alone, which I am because I'd have to give this a one otherwise, this is pretty enjoyable.

Don't understand all the hate, it's not that bad. Some of the songs are wayyyy to long

Clayton’s lead guitar throughout was special. Apart from Layla enjoyed Bell Bottom Blues and the lead Blue riffs through Have you ever loved a woman….

This album is excellent. It is certainly among Eric Clapton's best work out of his entire long career. There's a mix of originals and covers and a mix of tight songs and longer jams. The guitar work is superb, with both Clapton and Duane Allman. My favorite part of the album might be the vocal harmonies of Clapton and Bobby Whitlock. It's a shame we never got a second album.

Really great Clapton album. Bell Bottomed Blues is one of my personal favourites.

dreary

Apart from "Bell Bottom Blues" and the massive "Layla", I'd not heard any of the tracks from this double album before. Not the best blues-rock I've ever heard, but pretty close. I liked their version of the blues standards "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out", "Key to the Highway", and "Have You Ever Loved a Woman", but wasn't so keen on their cover of the Jimi Hendrix song "Little Wing".

Honestly, I was mainly excited to just finally hear the song 'Layla' when I started listening to this - having heard nothing but incredible things about it. 'Layla' unfortunately overshadows most other songs here in terms of being an incredible standalone blues-rock staple - especially those first 3 minutes right before it mellows out and cruises through this stunning sun-kissed piano-driven outro. As for the rest of the album, it's just some solid blues-rock with some decent covers sprinkled in here (including Hendrix's 'Little Wing'). I'd say Eric Clapton and company wear their influences on their sleeves. However, they still have a solid foundation and intricate understanding of blues-rock and they cultivate it into this grimy and dirty hour-plus experience. While not every song blew me away, especially on the songwriting and vocal side of things, I have to credit the virtuosity that's put on full display here - especially in Clapton's sharp and tight playing. This album won me over on the long blues epic that is 'Key to the Highway' and I love the general chorus on 'Anyday' and slicker rhythm guitar on 'Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?'. While I do think it's a tad long and there were quite a few forgettable songs here (personally wasn't a fan of 'Have you Every Loved a Woman'), you'd be hard-pressed to find a (white) blues-rock album that delivers this consistently while still paying homage to its parent genre. Despite some of its shortcomings, when it delivers it DELIVERS.

01) I Looked Away - 7,0 02) Bell Bottom Blues - 8,0 03) Keep On Growing - 6,5 04) Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out - 7,0 05) I Am Yours - 7,5 06) Anyday - 7,5 07) Key To The Highway - 7,5 08) Tell The Truth - 7,0 09) Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? - 7,5 10) Have You Ever Loved a Woman - 7,0 11) Little Wing - 8,0 12) It's Too Late - 7,0 13) Layla - 10,0 14) Thorn Tree in the Garden - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,46 (75/100) Current ranking: 103/186 It seems that Eric Clapton is an asshole, but one cannot deny that he is a master on the guitar. As the name of the album itself says, it's really all about "Layla" and not much about other assorted love songs. And while "Layla" is a supreme rock masterpiece, other assorted love songs... are not that much. I liked "Bell Bottom Blues", "Little Wing" is also one of the better ones, while the others sound more or less the same. The guitars are great, but the album is too long, so I lost interest in them after a while.

Claptons a wank but of course this was great and he’s kind of forgiven - just ask me in person

I'm starting to think this Derek guy might be kind of an asshole...

Can't stand his politics,, but you can't argue with his guitar playing

Good album, loses a star for being dead racist 3

This feels like a watered down version of Jimi Hendrix's "Band of Gypsys" album, which came almost a year before this. Is there a connection or influence? I have no idea. But if they are drawing from the same well, I would take the Hendrix album just about every time. It's not bad! But it pales in comparison.

Tedious noodling blues-rock. The second half of Layla is good though.

Standard blues rock with Laila as yhe stand out track

Okay. A bit too much guitar solos... Not my thing.

Really loved the last song, overall pretty solid performance from this Clapton colab

For me this is one of the best blues rock albums. So much emotion in each song, both through the vocals and instrumental soloing. Clapton at his best, this album is much more than just LAYYYYYLAAAAA

A song or two felt a little long, but still a damn good album!

Really great blues and rock and roll. Fantastic playing by the whole band, great songs, though maybe it was about twenty minutes too long. Too bad Eric Clapton is a POS or I could see myself listening to this again.

For the sake of trying to separate art from the artist, I did actually find this album mildly enjoyable. But I must mention that Clapton is a real pos and shouldn’t be glorified the way he is in the music industry.

i like how they knew they had a hit with Layla so they decided to really push it with the album title

nope

Layla alone holds this album up, rest is very generic blues rock and album on the long side, but Lyla makes it worthy of the list.

Guitar guy music… can’t fully enjoy without a fedora and a fender shirt

Easy listening, nothing bad to say

i get really torn about this album. if you can separate the art from the artist, this is a really great 12/14ths of an album (i am not a fan of 'i am yours' and 'thorn tree in the garden' at all). that being said, eric clapton is a big ol' pile o' shit (and he continually loves to announce this to the world) and this album's origins are so bizarre (falling in love with george harrison's wife and writing an album about how much you love her, and then subsequently marrying her yourself). patti boyd was not the only thing eric clapton lifted from george harrison, as a very good portion of this album sounds like a hypothetical 'all things must pass 2' all that said, i still think it's a pretty great album, and even though i am (un)officially part of the Eric Clapton Resistance Force, this one still holds up - i mean 'bell bottom blues' is such a great, emotional track that i can forgive its weird origins.

Bell Bottom Blues

Great

A great blues album that doesn't need to put its famous title track so much out front - all the other songs are great as well.

I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would

What a strange album. It should get a prize for worst album name as well, I think. Cheese deluxe. Some pretty sweet blues here and there, but got quite boring quickly. Whole album was hovering around 2 stars for me until I got to 'Layla'. That was also when I thought "wait, isn't this an Eric Clapton song?". And that's when I realized this was his band before he went solo. Interesting. Anyways, that song slaps so hard it's ridiculous. I have heard it before many times, but either this version had more energy than I'm used to or I had just forgot how good it was. Perhaps the 2nd half could be cut off, but still. It definitely doesn't fit in with the rest of the album's theme or sound, but it's without a doubt the best song of the album, and the only reason to listen to it in my opinion. It also explains why they put it in the album title. Even though 'Layla' is superb, I still have to give this album 2 stars since most of it was a drag.

Not necessarily bad, just kind of generic and bland blues rock. Failed completely to grab my interest. Sure "Layla" is a good song but I can't remember any of the others. Actually that is not entirely true, the cover of "Little Wing" stood out. Not a great cover as the original is better but I didn't think it was terrible either.

decent album great guitar from Eric Clapton' but the only memorable song was Layla, the rest weren't really noteworthy.

Great album overall! Love the instrumentation and really appreciate the Little Wing cover!

My god, how do you fuck up Little Wing so badly? Little Wing is perfect because it’s understated, because it’s soft and pretty, because Jimi’s delivery imbues the song with a sense of true love, a sense that he can’t quite express himself properly through his words, and so lets loose with the most beautiful, most heartbreaking guitar solo ever. You don’t turn it into this lumbering cod blues jam, you don’t make it big and loud as a way of expressing mY eMoTiOnS!! It’s emotional enough already, and it’s a song about love you fucking moron, not heartbreak! Jesus, how fucking badly can you fuck something up. I was going to be charitable, because I like the song Layla, because it’s one of the few on the album that has a recognisable riff and structure, and the rest of the albums crime is mostly just being boring. But fuck me, ruining one of my favourite songs is a sure way of getting onto my shitlist, not that Clapton needed any help getting on there in the first place. Fuck you Eric Clapton. Fuck you and your whole schtick, your fucking sell out, cod reggae, boring white boomer music. Even when you were electric, you were fucking boring. Hendrix is God, and was and always will be 100 times cooler, more talented and better remembered than you ever will be. Eat shit and die

This sounds like generic dad rock.

Tl;dr: this album is a mess. I love how Derek & The Dominos got there name by someone messing their original name Eric & the Dynamos up. And they just said "that sounds better" and kept it. I had to look at the wiki because I remembered that there were a few covers on this album. Out of the 14 songs, 5 are covers. That's a lot for a debut album... Honestly, they could've done maybe one or two and maybe had a more cohesive album. The covers stand out from the originals for sure. But they all flow in a way... The guitar tone isn't great in this record. And the vocals sound bad. The recording of the vocals do not due this record justice. I think this record I plagued by a lot of talent and ego. There is a lot of ideas going on and often times the record sounds noisy, in a bad way. There isn't room for instruments or vocals to breathe, per se. The song Layla is about Claptons creepy infatuation of Pattie Boyd, George Harrison's then wife. The fact this record is called 'Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs' and knowing the meaning behind the focal song, Layla... Clapton really comes off as a douchebag. I picture Clapton being that guy at a party who picks up a guitar and tries to impress every woman with his guitar skills. He doesn't care if they are single or not... He's Eric Clapton, he is better than everyone. That's how I feel about Clapton after this record. Anyways, back to the record... Again, it's not terrible. It's not the worst thing ever written.. But do I want to go back to it? Is there something on this record that I need to show anyone? That I need to make reference to? Other artists in this genre and era have just written better records. And that's not to slam the abilities of the force that this band is capable of... But there is a reason why this record was a failure at first.... Really enjoyed Key To The Highway. Great guitar work. But not an original.... Soo, like I said, the talent is there. The original's just aren't interesting. Even the song Layla... Yes, it's overplayed, and without a doubt it has fatigued everyone's ears.. But the unplugged Clapton version is far superior. The ending solo is just musician masterbation at its finest... And not a lot is going on. Could easily just had a fade out. The final song should've been axed.

One of the classic LPs, Duane’s guitar evokes joy and longing. Clapton passionately captures love’s stormy journey. Clapton’s and Whitlock’s songwriting is soulful and heartfelt.

Early Clapton. Generic bluesy-rock. 2.5 stars

Good stuff.

the album does have a few okay songs, however, all of them but one are covers (and still can't hold a candle to the original). Layla is not included in that list, by the way, and is highly overrated – it's the epitome of dad rock, but the uncool one. Clapton is a decent guitar player, but that isn't enough to redeem this extremely boring and derivative album. ugh

the jams where both guitars are soaring are the highlights of this album (e.g., keep on growing). People pay too much moms to Clapton and not enough to Allman, who is a monster player and shines often. Solid tunes and playing throughout - some great songs and some alright. Could take or leave it overall, but this album certainly has its moments of power.

Clapton is a pretentious idiot

Every once in a while I would be talking to my dad and I’d start talking shit about Eric Clapton. My dad wasn’t a very opinionated guy, but would always say, in that situation, “I never liked much of his stuff either, but Layla is a really good record.” He didn’t seem to care much one way or another, he wasn’t passionate about Layla or anything, but he still always put it out there. Anyway it had been a long time since I had listened to Layla, and now I have again, and I still think my dad was wrong about this one. It is what it is.

I quite liked it, I didn't even get bored of the SEVEN MINUTE LONG SONG

There are some surprisingly sweet love songs on the album yet the songs' catchy rhythms struggle to exist under waaaaay too much squealing blues guitar noodling and unfortunate vocal performances. Layla sucks and Eric Clapton sucks.

- no idea this was Eric Clapton - gritty, raw, great guitar and organ - distortion Faves: I looked away and nobody knows you

An impressive showcase of guitar playing - but a disappointing album.

Rly enjoyed this one, groovy

The first four bars of the verses from 'Bell Bottom Blues' (one of my favorite tracks off the album) sound like ‘Everybody’s Gotta Live’ by Arthur Lee which came out just two years later. I realized the other day that it makes a huge difference whether you are listening on earbuds or monitors (no matter how good your earbuds are). Monitors let the sound evolve and have more weight to it. It is almost like watching someone do a cool/exciting thing compared to doing it yourself. You can feel it. ‘Have You Ever Loved A Woman’ sounds like some Jimi Hendrix song I can’t think of right now. This slow blues transports a cool attitude. I remember reading about a club where Jimi would play and guys like Clapton or McCartney would go and see him play. ‘Little Wing’ is also a great, long-stretched cover. Going back to the original I started appreciating it even more. While Clapton's version sounds cleaner and more polished, Hendrix's has more character and sounds raw, cool, and flawless. I like both for what they are. To me 'Layla' is iconic. There are few tracks I would skip when listening to it again. Altogether this was a very enjoyable listen.

This is pretty classic stuff, but I don't find it terribly relevant or interesting in today's world.

Layla is a banger obviously and the rest of the album is decent, but too long and not consistent enough for top marks

Layla is so much better than all the other songs that they’ve even reflected this in the name of the album. I’m not sure it even helps it sneak a 4. Simpsons: No

Solid album with some good tunes. Layla in particular a classic. Don't think it's quite enough for 5 though.

Some of the songs are a little to long, but it's easy to listen to and Layla is an absolute tune

The first song reminded me of That One Night by The Hunted. Layla is like the opposite of Synergy. It’s 2 songs that when put together are worse than the sum of their parts. The rest of the album was fine.

I really expected this to be a bunch of floaty yacht rock songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love yacht rock. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much electric guitar the songs have. It was a good listen that left a really good first impression.

Fucking awesome

Only really Layla stood out for me. Skipped a lot of them

Blues magic. Great playing. It does include that famous (overplayed !) song, but the rest are stone-cold classics.

You ever want to go back to the first time you heard a particular album or song? Well I want to go back to this morning when I first heard Bell Bottom Blues. I mean that shit just hit me instantly. I love this album, I’m adding it to the rotation.

🎸✨

To my ears, this is unimaginative, overlong, boring blues rock. There's one all-timer on here. The rest feels like I'm at a bar with a sticky floor where the resident band is playing covers for people who aren't listening. Sure, they're good musicians, but I was ready to pay my tab and go home about forty minutes ago. Highlight: Layla

Still a great album, though maybe more blues than rock now. But amazing musicianship and lyrics.

Se eu conhecer alguém algum dia que não sabe o que é blues, eu usaria esse álbum para apresentar. Ele tem todas as características definidoras do gênero, é do início da carreira solo de Eric Clapton e tem simplesmente Layla, um dos riffs de guitarra mais famosos da música (ironicamente em uma música que tem 7 minutos dos quais 4 são um instrumental de piano). Uma pena que blues não é um gênero que me cativa muito.

Great album and a great guitar player.

Great album. A lot of these songs I love but didn't realize were Derek & The Dominos.

An essential album in the blues rock genre and includes one of the greatest rock songs ever written.

Its a great record. Initially I was skeptical about the length, but it's just a classic double rock album, deserves it's 76 minutes. I think Allmans here puts Clapton in a more relaxed version, not trying to prove anything. And he shines ad a result. Good balance of blues and ballads. Fantastic listen.

eric clapton

I don’t know much about music, but even I could tell the guitar work was amazing. That being said, I found most of this kind of boring besides a couple of really great tracks. This may have more to do with my indifference towards the blues than the objective value of the album.

Too old

Layla is a banger, a few other good song and a cool vibe overall. But it's a bit too "forgettable".

Slowhand' finest hour

nice album, bell bottom blues is my favorite track. production is a little wonky but still sounds nice. 7/10

Good music but, slow tracks.

Bluesy, smoky, twangy, and just really cool. Very Allman-esque and just so good. The good songs (Bell-Bottom Blues, Layla) are just amazingly good, and even the forgettable songs were great to listen to. Four stars.

Seeing that today's album was Derek and and Dominos made me regret rating any other album 5 stars - this is the only ☆☆☆☆☆ album here, layla and other assorted love songs is as good as it gets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this really makes you *feel * like a country boy but like, in a good way. I'm usually pretty turned off to a lot of country music, but this feels much less commercialized and a lot more soulful compared to a lot of country rock from today. Little Wing fucks.

This was surprisingly great. I came in with zero expectations and was blown away. The songwriting, guitar parts, the old school blues were all lovely and the diversity kept me engaged throughout. This should be better known

Classic

bloody hell what a slog that was

Very good blues album has two of my favorite songs of all time in Layla and Bell Bottom Blues. Hard to not love it. Was happy to hear some tracks I haven't heard in a while. This is a very easy album to listen to. Was tempted to lose a star for Clapton's comments in the 70s but he's raising money for kids in Gaza so...

Great 70’s rock record

Favorite Tracks: Layla Bell Bottom Blues Keep On Growing

Well sung, cool drums and world percussion, but this gets a five cause of the allman leads. And the part in layla where they’re like: ‘hoo hoo hoo!’ They dont overdo it but when the lead guitars duel/ intertwine its pretty fucking amazing

Eric Clapton with Duane Allman hitting on all eight cylinders. Only a couple of weak tracks here. This is all classic blues rock. Some of it sounds a little noodly but it's all good. Along with Layla and Bell Bottom Blues, my favorites are. Have You Ever Loved a Woman and Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out. However, there are far far better versions of Little Wing out there.

One of the best albums ever recorded.

Divorced dad blooz 1-3-5 pretty boring tbh. Waaaaay too long.

Can you die several times of boredom? I naively thought that you couldn't. Thank you for Clapton and friends to help me push the boundaries of the Unknown. OK, let's aknowledge the fact that Clapton gave here an almost Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Licks in only 75 minutes.

💖 layla 🗣️ 6️⃣

Great blues rock, especially the guitar from Clapton. Some great covers in here including Little Wing by Hendrix.

In the spirit of “separating the art from the artist”, I’d just like to say that this is decent record by a talented band that happened to be fronted by a massive douchebag. (Seriously, do yourself a favor and google “Eric Clapton $11 Lawsuit”)

Really want to give it a 5, but due to a few songs on this LONG album I cant. But the rest are standout, feel good, amazing tunes with spectacular guitar work. 4.5 forsure. Heavily recommend.

Much better than I anticipated

Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out 💙

When they’re attempting American blues, which is much of the album, it’s weak. Shame on them for what they did to Little Wing. They probably should have stopped at Layla.

Incredible talent, but not a lot of soul in the album outside of Layla. Still a solid listen, but not one I'll come back to.

This has some nice songs! And Layla is still a huge hit.

I don't like Eric Clapton. I heard way too much dad rock growing up, and I'm pretty sick of it. However, I can't deny that Delaney and Bonnie were a great group, and I can't hate this album, but I have to draw the line at these wanky long jams that the classic rock years are known for. Nine-and-a-half minutes of "Key To The Highway"?! Three or four minutes makes the point. Get over yourselves.

A classic.

Layla - that is all

Why does love have to be so sad’ and a couple of other bits where they do the fast blues/country rock thing (largely I think as one of the Allman brothers plays). Otherwise it’s pretty dull blues rock about how much Eric Clapton wants to steal George Harrison’s wife. I think this album marks the point post Cream and Blind Faith where Eric Clapton loses any interest to me. 2/5

Could listen to Layla all day. Happy memories of gangsters being shot. Despite some great riffarama, bit dull. Must have been all that skag and wife stealing plotting.

It’s a good album, it certainly deserves its place on the list. Honestly, Duane Allman’s contributions are way under-appreciated compared to Clapton’s. “Layla” is iconic, overindulgent, awesome, and overlong. All these things are true. My favorite track is “Bell Bottom Blues,” and the final acoustic track, “Thorn Tree In the Garden,” was a pleasant surprise. But I think their cover of Hendrix’s brilliant song “Little Wing” best exemplifies why this is a mid-tier album: well played, reinterpreted consistently, but losing the magic of the original. Side-note while thinking about “Little Wing:” it would be interesting to see the songs that appear on more than one release on this list.

I objectively realize this is a very good album. But this type of music is not my thing.

4/5 - amazing guitars and vocals, catchy, songs can start to sound a little samey toward end of album as it drags a little.

Another great 70's rock (in this case more blues but still) record. Didn't realize that it was one of Eric Clapton's bands but you could tell once you listen. Very much enjoyed it! 3/5

- epic jamming on this one - some blues and oldies vibes - very enjoyable - 3.5

- Eric Clapton! - Guitars are sick - love the vibes of this album

I’ve never heard of these guys, and probably for good reason as they weren’t around very long, and their music is entirely unremarkable. There are a lot of okay blues and rock songs here, I just can’t imagine anyone would geek out over this music.

Meh

I didn’t like this. It seemed like something that you’d hear at an open mic night rather than some all time album.

He got a great guitar sound on this album and for all his faults as a human being it sounds great throughout. Could take or leave the vocals and there were a few too many nondescript tracks for me but I did enjoy this

Love Eric Clapton

Ci od "LEJLA!", calkiem fajne, kilka nieprzeszkadzaczy

Overstays it's welcome. There's no reason this needs to be nearly as long as TPAB. Definitely a "one and done" type of album, where I find the tracks I like first listen and then return to those and those alone.

4/5

The first

Boring as hell, Layla and Bell Bottom Blues are the only songs that don't overstay their welcome

You’re getting the title here - great early 70s love songs with Clapton's smooth guitar lines, voice, and songwriting. A great listen for a sunny day.

This album starts off very weak. Meaning almost the entire first half and most of the start of the second half (outside of Bell Bottom Blues of course). But man oh man, does this album ever end strongly, with its 3 best tracks right at the end. Still though, it took a literal hour to get there, and I'm already not really a Clapton fan

Blues, rock, Clapton... ¡Vinilo!

Un 5.

pleasant and easy listening... a little TOO easy maybe, it was enjoyable but got boring as it went on. something i would not say is meant to be listened to as an album in one go.

A timeless classic from an individual that is tough to stomach these days. Still, looking at this album in a vacuum has genre defining hits and leave a strong legacy.

Decent blues album, but honestly fairly generic in my opinion. Clapton has a great time, but not overly impressed by his chops.

fantastic

Amazing except for the last song

Just for layla alone this gets a 4, luckily I like the other tracks as well. Got to love pre racist fuckwit Clapton.

Layla is definitely Claptons magnum opus. The rest of the album is half decent as well but man what a great song. Shame that Eric is a massive twat and an awful human

I had never listend to this but have always known it buy the cover and the one ubiquitous song. Its an excellent album, I prefer the more adventurous tracks over the basic blues. Bell Bottom Blues is great as is Layla even after hearing it for millionth time. I wonder why clapton shifted to a solo guitar centric career, here he crafts songs that transcend his bluesmaster approach with a sweep of emotion and musical beauty across instruments. When the guitar chimes in it is a great accent to the songs, not the sole focus. I still will not likely dig into this album as a whole again so it is as close to a 5 as a 4 can get...

There are some great songs on here, but it felt too long and watered down with a few less great songs.

pls never make me sit through that again

Bell Bottom Blues // Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out // I Am Yours // Little Wing // Layla //

Layla's good

It's a shame Eric Clapton is such a terrible person because he makes good music. It's sad to see what he's become (or who he's revealed himself to really be) after making a career out of playing blues music and once counting Jimi Hendrix as one of his closest friends. The fact that most of the original songs on this album were the result of the weirdest love triangle between him and George Harrison is also wild. Layla is one of the greatest songs in rock, but realizing it was written about another man's wife is yikes. Anyway, to the actual album. It was good, often really good. The musicianship is fantastic, the songs are catchy, and Clapton and Bobby Whitlock sound great (even though I can't understand most of what they're actually saying). It's just really, really long. Between it being 14 tracks and several of the songs being covers, it feels very bloated. With so many of the songs also turning into long jam sessions, it starts to get tiring quickly. There's also not a ton of variation in the songs and, especially by the last half, they start to blur together. I feel like the sole reason this album is on this list is because of Layla. 3/4

It was ok

This was good.

Never knew Duane Allman played guitar on Layla

I can see how this was a great album upon release.

Not what I was in the mood for

Pretty solid overall, nothing too offensive. A lot of the songs do blend together unfortunately, but the top songs stand out in a satisfying way. Top tracks: Little Wing, Layla, Thorn Tree in the Garden

Once I got over my disappointment that it wasn't Fats Domino (like I initially thought), it wasn't bad.

One of the best!

Clapton is a cunt.

Eff Eric Clapton but I really liked this album. Light on the blues and instead lots of boppy rock.

The bluesy stuff kind of drags on a bit.

Good album

Keep On Growing, Bell Bottom Blues, Layla, and Tell the Truth Jam were the highlights for me. Loved listening to it as a sort of album-long duel between Clapton and Allman.

finished it, fav track was bell bottom blues

Don’t listen to racists.

El album es demasiado largo y un poco sin más para mi gusto. Pero no todo es malo, contiene el temazo "Layla" con un pedazo de cotilleo detrás

Uggghhhh, starting my morning by rolling Clapton on this one is not how I want to enter the day. Let's try to stay unbiased, despite my long running opinion of "fuck that guy". Jesus, this album is over an hour long? Cocaine really does make folks think ALL of their ideas are great ones, doesn't it? OK OK, hitting play... I feel like there has to be a correlation between the popularity of this album and the amount of lead paint in homes in America at the time. What an absolutely boring turd of a record. If this is one of the 1001 records I need to hear before I die, now that I've slogged through this I welcome the cold embrace of death. (Fine, credit where due, the song "Layla" is a ripper, albeit one that could've been edited down by like a full two minutes)

Meeeeh

Eric Clapton - eigentlich hatte ich mir mehr erwartet. Trotzdem noch 4 Sterne

This album is really good. Very bluesy and Eric Clapton just shredding the guitar in each song. 2 minute guitar solo, yes please. Very emotional and raw, will listen to again.

Clapton, Duane Allman and a crazy dude who killed his mom, among others, make up this one album only release. Layla is considerd Clapton's magnum opus, and I can't disagree. This was a really strong blues/rock album. the guitar and vocals were top notch. I had fun with this.

I think it’s some of Clapton and Duane Allman‘s best work. Unfortunately we lost Allman pretty quickly after this record but it’s really good blues rock. Obviously Layla is the number one track and a hit for a good reason but the rest of the album holds up and got some replayability.

Best Song: Layla. An iconic riff that's just smooth as butter. Worst Song: I Am Yours. I just really don't like this kind of "beach-y" guitar riffing. Overall: Overly long. Everyone knows that Clapton can play the guitar, but he also (to my admittedly ignorant ear) doesn't feel like he has a ton of variability or even originality. His solos are incredible, but the rest of the songs feel largely uninteresting. Every Clapton guitar track sounds the same, and that sameness is sleepy.

There are so many solid songs on this thing it’s not even funny. The two opening songs back to back practically knocked me over. Notable tracks include I looked away, bell bottom blues, nobody knows you when you’re down and out, key to the highway, and Layla. Bangers galore. Not a 5 for me because the cover of little wing offended me a little, to be honest. Maybe that’s dumb, but I’d call this a 4.4905.

A couple decent tracks (quite enjoyed the cover of Little Wing) but all starts to sound the same. Not sure where the hype for this album really comes from. I maintain the only great thing Clapton ever did was his involvement with Cream 2.5

Fin baggrunds lyd, men hvis jeg lytter efter, så keder musikken mig, og lyricen kan jeg heller ikke fokusere på. Så alt i alt er jeg glad for at kunne bruge en hel weekend på at kæmpe mig igennem. Layla virker bekendt.... 🤷

Positiv overraskelse. Ud fra navnet havde jeg forventet en barbershop kvartet, men det er jo slow hands himself det her. God musik men her kan man da virkelig snakke om at mange af numrene kunne være skåret en del kortere. F.eks. er det storhittende titelnummer 50% fyld til sidst der ikke rigtig bidrager noget til sangen.

I've been listening to this album for 3 days and the exit of Layla is still going...

Can I give this six stars?

Pretty good need to keep listening

If you don't like this particular music genre, then you might find the album a tad boring. I played it in the background while working and it was quite relaxing.

I love this album - it's full of fun, bluesy rocks songs. Puts a smile on my face, nostalgia from "Bell Bottom Blues." Minus one star because Eric Clapton broke my heart by becoming a dickhead.

Propped up by Layla

Vale muito a pena escutar tudo com a expectativa de tocar Layla.

Not a bad listen. Some pretty solid rock riffs in here.

5/5 easy. I dont even need to listen to the rest becaue this is a perfect blues album

10/10 schizophrenic drumming

The guitars kick. Very much a feeling of R'n'B.