This is my favorite Clapton album!

Look, I'm not versed enough in blues to be able to give you a comparative analysis, but this is just my personal opinion. This IS the very best of Eric Clapton. Eric names influences such as Robert Johnson, yet his typical guitar work, the work that has earned him the title "Slowhand", just doesn't do his talent justice. Sometimes I think Eric is too humble. He doesn't really showcase what he can do- especially in his more popular albums. This release however, Eric just cuts loose.. especially the last track "Groaning the Blues"- he just lets you have it! Eric's guitar groans and moans and gives you some of the most raw emotion ever heard from him. The album IS the reason why Clapton is such a stellar guitarist. To me, nothing in Clapton's past, from Cream to John Mayalls Bluesbreakers to any of his other solo releases, can touch the guitar mastery of this album. It's an unequivocal testiment to this man's gift.



I rank this CD above all else, including his newest "Me and Mr. Johnson". Compared to the newer blues release, this is grittier and seems more real.. you really feel it in Clapton's voice when he sings these songs.. it doesn't sound contrived like I think "Me and Mr Johnson" has a tendency of doing. Hope this helps.

WPCR-10120 - Japanese Import - A Musical Masterpiece!!

Are you lookin' for the blues? Than this is the album for you!!



This review is based upon Warner/Reprise catalogue number WPCR-10120 (Japanese import). This particular reissue is unique for 2 reasons: First, this is the only remastered version of the album currently available. Secondly, the outside packaging is made mini-LP style, with a gatefold layout that has all of the original liner notes and photos. I love the way they list the tracks on the back as "Side A" and "Side B". The cd, itself, comes housed in a protective, padded, platic sleeve, which slides into the side of the packaging, much as the old LPs did.



O.K., on to the actual album review...



This is absolutely, without a doubt, Eric Clapton's best album to date. Yes, indeed, this is a no-holds-barred, ..., down-home, bare-bones, blues-infused masterpiece of the highest caliber!! My favorite track is "Sinner's Prayer". ("If I done somebody wrong, have mercy, if you please" - Yeah, baby!, Yeah!.) Oh, yes, this album is chalk full of great tunes from beginning to end.



You'll note that EC wastes no time in getting to the good stuff... The opening track is a jammin' number, entitled "Blues Before Sunrise". Crank this one up, LOUD!! The studio version of "Five Long Years" presented here, is good, but the live one, from his "Hyde Park" dvd, is outta-sight! There is one really unique track on here, and that is "Standin' Around Cryin'". On this one, EC tries his hand at a completely diffrent style of singing and succeeds!! (I can't explain it. You've got to hear this one for yourself.) The radio hits are here too, "Motherless Child", "I'm Tore Down" and "It Hurts Me Too". Of course, this album wouldn't be complete without "Hoochie Coochie Man"; yet, another one, EC loves to play in concert.



Lastly, I would like to quote a brief statement in the liner notes, I think audiophiles, like myself, will find of particular interest: "THIS IS A LIVE RECORDING WITH NO OVERDUBS OR EDITS EXCEPT FOR DOBRO OVERDUB ON 'HOW LONG BLUES' AND DRUM OVERDUB ON 'MOTHERLESS CHILD'" - What this means is, you're not going to get an album produced by Phil Spector, who patented the now infamous, "Wall-of-Sound".

Probably not for everybody

If you like the type of thing Clapton does on a CD like Pilgrim then this is not the Clapton for you. However if you love the blues roots that Clapton draws his soul from then you'll love this. This is the Clapton that blues fans waited years for. He takes these old blues numbers and puts his own distinctive style on them.

For my money this is a better CD even than Me and Mr. Johnson. Although I too am a big Robert Johnson fan I would rather hear an artist put their own spin on a tune than to just try to sound like the original.

Unexpected from Clapton: Best Soul Blues I've Ever Heard

I definatley didn't expect this album to be from Eric Clapton. In fact, I can't say I even liked Clapton before I heard this CD. I enjoy the blues, especially when they give it a lot of heart and soul. Eric certainly does that in this album. I wouldn't recommend this to those who are expecting elevator music or light jazz. This album is nothin' but soul music from a vocal powerhouse.

The Yardbirds Had a More Mature Take on the Blues

"From the Cradle" was supposed to be Eric Clapton's authentic tribute to his blues roots. Unfortunately, white musicians tend to have an irrational inferiority complex when it comes to black music, and the extremely talented Eric Clapton is no exception. E.C. tries so hard to sound authentic that he ends up bellowing most of the songs. Instead of showing that he can play the blues, it sounds like he's trying to prove that he actually has the blues. "Motherless Child" and "It Hurts Me Too" are great tracks, but "From the Cradle" is an over-the-top embarrassment.

3rd degree

On 2/29, I decided to listen to Muddy Waters. Later in the morning , listened to From the Cradle. What a tremendous tribute that Eric and friends have contributed to our blues heritage. Standing Round Crying ,3rd degree, 5 long years are done live , in studio , with heavy, heavy riffs of guitar,harp. This rivals and surpasses any blues by LED, Cream or Yardbirds from the early years. If you do not get this , its your own fault. (