My brother and I have been arguing about this album, which comes in at number 43 on the Best of the 70's list, for years. He loves it and I think, well let's just say I'm not that big of a fan. Anyhow he made the point that to review this he didn't want me to just blindly slam it, but really think about what it was I don't like so here goes.Let's first look at the best song on the album "Bell Bottom Blues." This to me is the best song on the album for a few reasons. First I think it has the best hook of any of the songs. Second I think it fits Clapton's singing the best of any track on the album. Third, and most important, it keeps everyone contained. He and Duane Allman play a bit, but for the most part they stay on track and keep the song moving forward, and this is getting to the heart of what I don't like about the album.
As I said when I reviewed the Allman Brothers the other day, I think the Allman's and especially Duane are brilliant, but he has a tendency to get off track and I personally don't care much for his free verse playing I much prefer him when he's focused. The real downfall to me of this album is really Duane Allman. He is allowed way to much room here and often seems to be going in one direction while Clapton and everyone else is somewhere completely different. Take a song like "I Am Yours." This song isn't that strong anyhow, but the way it is constructed with Allman freelancing along just doesn't work.
The only other knock I have on this album is that Clapton isn't the strongest singer and many of these songs could be much improved with someone who actually had the voice to pull off the power blues drive he's going for, think "Anyday" where he brings in another vocalist. Musically Clapton can play the blues with a rock pulse probably better than anyone, but vocally he can't match himself and I think that hurts quite a few of these songs.
OK enough of that. Obviously I'm not the biggest fan of this album, but it does make good background music for building a plastic model of an F-18.
Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 1 out of 5 stars for Just OK.
I think it's possible that I'm going to have a model-building stint in my life.
ReplyDeleteI think this is at least a four-star album. If you have ever wanted to hear blues music played by rock artists, this is your best bet. And I think Duane's playing is great.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great clip from the old Johnny Cash show, by the way.
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