I was very apprehensive when I first listened to this, mostly because I don't really like Eric Clapton that much. To be honest, I just really didn't want to like this at all. But for whatever reason I ended up enjoying it to a certain degree. The first three songs are darn good. Had to Cry Today is a classic riff, and Well All Right is too, but I really prefer Can't Find My Way Home, a quaint little acoustic tune that is probably my favorite song on the album. The one even casual Clapton fans seem to know is Presence of the Lord, which really does nothing for me because the whole religious thing kind of doesn't sit well. But I guess the peak of the album is the final rocker/jam Do What You Like, which at times is very cool but probably could have been chizzled down, at least the long bass and drum solos. There are really some talented people working on this album. Clapton and Baker are really some of the best on their respective instruments. But like most stuff from this lite 60s blues genre, the guitar style and production bores me to no end. That doesn't stop this from having some choice songs though, and it may be a better place to start on Clapton's career than the likes of his solo albums.

This I feel is the best cd and album in my collection I have collected albums from the early sixties I know I have played this cd more than any other. I am only sorry that they did not record another one they were the best collection of musicians of the time.

Ok, I was around when this albumn came out. We loved Cream, and we loved Spencer Davis Group. The combination seemed perfect, and it was, just not long enough. As far as the Clapton song, Presence of the Lord, it sounds a lot like his later works, meaning, forget me, I am not a rock star anymore. A very whiny song, not even worth listening too. Winwood's songs are great, as always. Now, as far as the main bain of my contention, the drum solo in Do What You Like, what is everybody's problem???????? This is by far the 3rd best song on this album. Ginger Baker was probably the greatest rock drummer of all time, and this solo proved it. When everybody came in at the end of it, what a bang. The flip side sort of sucks, but the second side rocks. Oh well, taste is so wierd.

This effort by Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Rick Grech and Ginger Baker was quite good and much of it still stands up over thirty five years later.

Coming off the "Clapton Is God" era of his career, Clapton was changing direction and really not quite sure which way to go; thus this effort, the Layla album and After Midnight album before he had to quit to get sober and straight.

Still, aspects of this are dated. But even these dated portions are great, if you make allowances for the times and attitudes of the day.

And worthy of owning, too.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I am often asked to write or talk about various 60's and 70's rock and roll recordings.

Although it was devastating that Cream had broken up, Two-thirds of the band Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker surfaced along with Steve Winwood and Ric Grech in Blind Faith. Although there would only be one album it has left its mark as a must own for any fan of blues-rock and Clapton or Winwood.

Please make sure you are viewing the 2CD version with the original LP and the nine bonus tracks (Including 1 CD of all Jams).

The deluxe issue has such intense bonus material that it had to be extended to a two CD set. "Can't Find My Way Back Home" and "Presence Of The Lord" have so much soul and emotion it could give a heart to the Tin Man.

There isn't a bad moment from the opening note to the final bonus track. Although you'll feel like a kid in a candy store and want to experience a bit of this and that, listen to the first six tracks on CD 1 straight through. This will enable you to experience the music the way it was in 1969 and in the best quality. After you are able to digest the brilliance of the album if you have any energy left go for the bonus tracks. Some may have had the pleasure of hearing "Sleeping In The Ground" previously. When you get to the Jams it will reaffirm why Clapton's output from the Yardbirds through Derek & The Dominos was nothing short of Herculean.

Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"