Derek and the Dominos are one of the greatest supergroups of all time. But in 1970 Eric Clapton was playing with another supergroup, Blind Faith, and he also joined the revolving door cast of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, who supported Blind Faith in 1969 and would subsequently tour with Clapton and help him record his self-titled debut solo album. While Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett would dissolve the group, the chemistry between Clapton, keyboardist and vocalist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon piqued Clapton’s interest and Derek and the Dominoes was born.
The band would only record one studio album, the double LP Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The material on the album was inspired by Clapton’s feelings for Pattie Boyd, a forbidden love because at the time Boyd was married to Eric’s best friend, George Harrison (Clapton and Boyd would end up marrying after George and Pattie split with three members of The Beatles including Harrison playing the wedding).
But one can’t think of “Layla” without thinking of the late great Duane Allman. Clapton recruited Allman to play on the record, but Duane remained an honorary member of the group as he wanted to stay true to The Allman Brothers Band. Clapton described Allman as “the musical brother that I never had, but wished I did.”
After the album came out in 1970, the band strived to continue on but was fraught with complications and tragedy, chief among them the death of Duane Allman in 1971. But the songs they put down on Layla live on. Especially after Eric Clapton put together an all-star band — including guitarist and Allman royalty Derek Trucks (who has said that Derek And The Dominos may have been his namesake) — to perform Derek And The Dominos songs in 2006.
Clapton rounded out the 2006 band with guitarist and vocalist Doyle Bramhall II, bassist Willie Weeks, renowned drummer Steve Jordan, keyboardists Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon as well as backing vocalists Michelle John and Sharon White. For this edition of Sunday Cinema, JamBase takes a look at a recently surfaced compilation of Clapton and company performing Derek And The Dominos songs.
The video kicks off with a raucous version of “Got To Get Better In A Little While” which featured a horn section. The band looked like they were having an absolute blast. Jordan handled the kit with ferocious joy (as he does throughout). Clapton swayed, tapped his foot and delivered some rollicking rock vocals. He then set out on a scorching, vintage Slow Hand solo. Bramhall II also tore it up before turning it over to Trucks on slide who brings the song to a closing climax in a way only he can. Next up in the compilation is the poignant “I Am Yours,” with Bramhall II singing Bobby Whitlock’s characteristic high harmony and Trucks adding a sweet slide solo.
Then comes the the iconic “Layla” with Clapton delivering another impassioned vocal performance. Speaking of iconic, Trucks nailed Duane’s soaring, beautiful slide work in the outro but of course adds his own, edgier flare. Next, Jordan drove the band on a rocksteady version of “Tell The Truth” that saw Clapton delivering a breakdown solo a la live Cream versions of “Crossroads” before Trucks jumped in and absolutely destroys. Slow Hand glances over at Derek from time to time, with a look that says “get it.”
Next, a version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” which Clapton included on Layla as a tribute to his friend who had died not long before recording began. This time Michelle John and Sharon White handle Whitlock’s harmonies. The video closes out with “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad.” Fittingly, the last performance ends with two of the greatest guitar players of all time playing off one another. It’s a thing of beatific beauty.
Check out the compilation via jbr17 below:
Tracklist
- Got To Get Better In A Little While
- I Am Yours
- Layla
- Tell The Truth
- Little Wing
- Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad
