I'm not sure that the Delaney & Bonnie southern-fried sound was the ideal vehicle for Eric Clapton's talents,even if this musical hookup did lead to the formation of "Derek & The Dominos".Some of the early,negative reviews of this set relied on misinfomation.The mix of the album which appeared on the bootleg CD "The Unsurpassed Eric Clapton" in the 1990's,and purported to be the "Delaney Bramlett mix" of the album,was,in fact,Clapton's own rough mix of the album.The REAL "Delaney Bramlett mix" debuts on Disc 2 of this two-disc set.The bonus tracks are decent;a combination of some Clapton sessionman appearances for Delaney & Bonnie and King Curtis,and 3 previously unreleased selections,2 of them sung by Clapton."She Rides" is particularly fascinating,being the "Let it Rain" backing track with an early,different lyric and vocal melody.The recording was reworked in a manner similar to how Cream's "Lawdy Mama" was transformed into "Strange Brew".I wish there had been more outtakes available to include,but,if Marc Roberty's Eric Clapton sessionography book is correct,there is nothing else to add.Universal Music's efforts are excellent.It would have been nice to have the complete,officially unreleased Clapton mix of the album included as well,but it's floating around on a high quality bootleg anyhow.But,ultimately,the Tom Dowd mix released in 1970 was and is best.

It's worth it for the gossamer versions of Let It Rain alone. But I've always liked this album and hearing it in two different ways is a wonderful experience. It never sounded so clean and with a compare and contrast you make up your mind if its Dowds or Bramletts mix you prefer. Eric doesn't play less, perhaps more tasty is a better way of saying it. His voice is fine and its some of the best solo material IMHO that he did. Easy now rings with a cleaner sound than it ever did on the old ATCO pressing. Its up to you if you want it. But if your a fan of Clapton how can you pass this gem up ? Oh yes he stole Bramletts band after this was all over but its a good prelude to Layla for future guitar hero worship :)

First of all, this was Eric Clapton's first solo album (as most fans know) and made with the help and assistance of Delaney Bramlett and the Delaney and Bonnie band. It's not what most people today associate with Eric Clapton - no blues-rock star turns, no hot guitar. It's what Clapton wanted to try, his first effort at a vocal solo album. Is it good - that's a matter of taste, but know what we're dealing with. From here, he went on to Derek & the Dominoes...and we know what that's like.

As for the guy that said "this isn't the Delaney mix", with associated "!!!!!"...well, actually it is. The "bootleg" that circulated in the past was not the Bramlett mix, but a mix created by Clapton himself, to whatever degree of success. There were actually three mixes of this project, and this is the "true" Delaney mix. Says who? Universal's expert, Bill Levenson, and most Clapton experts.

Is this worth your purchase? Sure - if you like this album, you'll enjoy the two mixes and the bonus tracks. The material has never sounded better, the documentation outstanding, another fine "Deluxe Edition" effort. If you're looking for Clapton star guitar, and don't know this work, you'll probably be disappointed.

As a matter of history and sonic excellence, this material has gotten solid treatment, and is well made.

Eric Clapton released this album with a "new sound" which was classic Fender Stratocaster tones. Prior to this he invented the Gibson/Marshall sound copied by quite a few guitarists in the world. Then, he totally shifted gears. He single handedly brought the Gibson Les Paul back into production when the Mayall Bluesbreakers Album was released. Then, he brought the Stratocaster into vogue with this one. Yes, Hendrix re-invented the Stratocaster - that be known. But, Eric rode the new wave of American Roots Music and brought back that classic "out of phase" pickup sound before the 5 position switch on Strats came out. This started a whole new interest in Stratocasters. Not to mention - Eric Sings!! And sings wonderfully. The emergence of a singer, songwriter & musician. Let It Rain, Slunky, Bad Boy, Easy Now, Bottle of Red Wine are all great tunes. Some are rather mediocre but overall a great album and the beginning of a fantastic solo career. I don't know about anyone else but I like the Delaney mix better. I think the balance between the voice and guitar solos is better particularly in "After Midnight." The bonus tracks are okay but not essential. Good Album. Not his best by any means but it has an innocent charm the others do not have.

Eric Clapton/ Eric Clapton (Deluxe 2 CD set): After touring with his friends Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, Clapton and the Bramlett's wrote a series of songs together which became the meat of this album which also included a Clapton and Leon Russell composition, a Bramlett and Russell composition, and etc. Not only did Delaney Bramlett produce and arrange all the recordings found here, but Delaney and Bonnie performed on the songs with their band (Jim Price, Bob Keys, Bob Whitlock, Jim Gordon, and Carl Radle), plus a few of their mutual friends, Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, and Stephen Stills, to name a few. If you know your Clapton albums, you know how important many of these musicians would be in the future of Clapton's most popular albums. This is one of Eric Clapton's best albums and this 2 CD set doubles the enjoyment. Great music and a key moment in Rock history.