If you're looking for a career-encompassing
Eric Clapton best-of collection, then the
Clapton edition of the
Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues series is not for you. But if a collection of
Clapton's best blues-rock numbers from early in his career is what you desire, then this ten-track set fits the bill. Featuring tracks from such acclaimed
Clapton-related artists as John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers,
Cream,
Blind Faith, and
Derek and the Dominos (the latter of which also featured the late, great Duane Allman), you get a true representation of
Clapton's roots. The
Cream-era track, a live take of "Spoonful," shows how influential
Clapton was on fellow
Yardbirds alumni
Jimmy Page and
Jeff Beck (who would soon borrow the same heavy blues style for
Led Zeppelin and the Jeff Beck Group, respectively), while a
Derek and the Dominos-era cover of "Crossroads" shows that
Clapton always managed to surround himself with the best blues-rock musicians around. One of the compilation's earliest
Clapton recordings, "All Your Love" (from when he briefly served as a sideman for John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers), shows that the guitarist had his fluid "slow hand" style almost perfected early in the game. As evidenced by this
Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues edition, it's clear once and for all how incredibly instrumental
Clapton was in leading the blues renaissance in rock music. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi
