In Concert - DEREK & THE DOMINOS****

Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad/Got To Get Better In A Little While/Let It Rain/Presence Of The Lord/Tell The Truth/Bottle Of Red Wine/Roll It Over/Blues Power-Have You Ever Loved A Woman

A live double album by Derek & The Dominos recorded at the Fillmore East in October 1970. Why was Eric Clapton always more creative when part of a group compared with his often turgid solo releases? (US:20 UK:36)

“Any great band should be better live in concert than in the studio and this release is no exception. Terrific renditions of some really cool southern rock tunes from the studio album, back when Eric Clapton was one of the best blues/rock guitarists on the planet. I would have loved to have been at this concert.”

“Clapton was surely on fire that evening, and for once, he really seems to realize that it's his guitar work that people really want to hear. He just burns all night long. And the selection of songs is more like a true best-of by this band. This is, without doubt, the strongest release in their discography. Anyone looking to investigate this band for the first time would do well to start here. Consistently good, this has everything you need, all in one location.”

“Over the years, Clapton has released so much mediocre studio stuff that it's great to hear him in peak form, jamming and soloing, forging blues into rock.”

“This is the absolute pinnacle of live rock guitar playing. Anybody who claims that Clapton's guitar work was uninspired or uninteresting after he left Cream have never listened to this album. His soloing is absolutely incendiary. This is the best live album in my entire collection.”

“It's too bad the Dominos had to end so soon. In spite of things sometimes meandering and getting lost in the really long songs, the band shines on this two-hour release. Clapton shows an improvisational edge and stylistic lyricism he only hints at in the studio.”

“Overall this is a cool piece of history and totally worth several listens if you enjoyed the original studio album by Derek & The Dominos, or are a fan of Clapton's great guitar god period.”

“Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad is the highlight here. They slowed down the breakneck tempo of the studio version and stretched it out; it's by no means empty noodling and looses nothing of the emotional impact of the original.”