An enjoyable collection of live material

Thsi is actually a good live album. It may be a bit too easy listening for fans of Eric Clapton the guitar hero (especially considering the inclusion of Charles Chaplin's "Smile"), but the sound is excellent, and the musicianship is, too.

"Time Pieces II" is a pretty accurate representation of Eric Clapton in the 70s, starting of with Danny Flowers' country-flavouered southern boogie "Tulsa Time", followed by an excellent rendition of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

There's not too much blues on display here...only "Rambling On My Mind" would qualify as a genuine blues, whereas "Blues Power" is really a rock song, and Clapton's own "Presence Of The Lord", as well as Steve Winwood's classic "Can't Find My Way Home", are none of the above. But if you like Eric Clapton's seventies releases, you'll find something to like about "Live In The Seventies" as well.

The Budokan band especially is excellent, with some wonderful piano playing from keyboardist Chris Stainton producing one of the best-ever readings of "Blues Power". (The "George" that Clapton asks to play a solo during "Smile" is not George Harrison, even though it sounds a little like him, especially the first few bars of the solo. It's Clapton's excellent second guitarist George Terry.)

This is a fine album, unless you expect Eric Clapton to play nothing but the blues, of course. The eight songs are played with energy and conviction, the solos are great, and Clapton's vocals are strong. A good addition to your Clapton collection, and an album that I have continued to enjoy for well over a decade.

Live Pieces

Time Pieces Volume 2 is culled together from Eric Clapton's live albums Just One Night and E.C. Was Here. "Tulsa Time" was a top thirty hit in it the live form included here and is a good track. The standout track is his version of Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" which is a blazing track. Decent stuff, but these songs can be found as part of better albums.

not aptly named, still it's a sure 5 star cd

the music in here is a sure 5 plus stars. it's one of my favorite live albums: you put this cd and LOVE every single song included, without having to skip not a single of them. Of course, this is the way E.C. is meant to be heard: live: with heart, inspired, jamming, you know, you've heard the man, you know what i'm talking about (at his best!). one of my favorite tracks in here is PRESENCE OF THE LORD. while all of the above remains true, one thing also does: i believe the "time pieces" is a "best-of series", so while it remains as one of my favorites, i think it's not aptly named. the reason: where is layla, cocaine......, if we are talking about a "best-of".