BLUES N'AT

     Mrs. Black-N-Gold hasn't been too bluesy lately but today she has a blues birthday that is definitely worth celebrating. The great Eric Clapton turns 70 years young today. Clapton has always been vocal about his love affair with the blues, dating all the way back to his days in the Yardbirds and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers through to his time with Cream and well on into his solo career. He wears the blues on his sleeve like a badge of honor. He's paid homage to many of his blues heroes, especially on the albums "Riding with the King", his collaboration with the legendary BB King and "Me and Mr. Johnson" EC's tribute to the grandfather of the blues, Robert Johnson.

     1994's "From the Cradle" was Slowhand's first all-blues album and what an album it is! It starts off with Leroy Carr's "Blues Before Sunrise". Love Clapton's guitar work on this one. And the piano puts you in the mind of Carr's original version. The only difference is Clapton's version is a little more uptempo. "Third Degree", the Eddie Boyd/Willie Dixon song slows it down to a crawling blues. You believe Clapton when he says he "can't stand no more of this third degree". Clapton's guitar and the piano and horns play off each other well in this one. EC plays tribute to Lowell Fulson next with "Reconsider Baby". He continues to burn up the fretboard on this one. Willie Dixon's hit "Hoochie Coochie Man" follows. Every blues fan knows this one and has heard hundreds of versions of it. Clapton gives it a good go-round. Another Eddie Boyd song makes an appearance, "Five Long Years". Clapton ask the musical question "have you ever been mistreated"? You can hear the pain in Clapton's voice and in the wail of his guitar. You just know he's been mistreated. Next, Clapton jumps into "I'm Tore Down", with it's jumping-jiving vibe. The tempo slows back down for another Leroy Carr number, "How Long Blues", a nice, mellow blues.

       The second half of the CD picks back up with "Goin' Away Baby" by Jimmy Rogers (credited to James Lane, Rogers's birth name). The harmonica work on here plays well off Clapton's guitar licks.
Another Rogers song, "Blues Leave Me Alone" follows.  It's a steady rolling blues tune. "Sinner's Prayer" by Lowell Glenn/Lowell Fulson follows. Lord have mercy if you don't feel the blues on this one! Clapton gives us his take on the standard "Motherless Child" next. This is not to be confused with "Motherless Children", also covered by Clapton. He's just a "motherless child that don't know right from wrong". Elmore James gets the EC treatment next with "It Hurts Me Too" .Clapton really reaches into his gut to bring the pain on this one with both his singing and the singing of his guitar. He follows that up with more burning blues, "Someday After a While" by Freddy King/Sonny Thompson. Don't worry, EC doesn't forget to show some love to the great Muddy Waters. "Standin' Round Crying" does McKinley Morganfield proud. Then the CD drifts into "Driftin'". Clapton's got the driftin' blues on this one, for sure! Willie Dixon gets one more shot with "Groaning the Blues". It's a perfect ending to a perfect blues tribute album by one of the blues biggest fans.

      And blues fans of all kinds should enjoy this album. You get all the greats with the Clapton touch added in for good measure. If you don't have this CD, how can you call yourself a blues fan? Happy Birthday to the one-and-only, Eric Clapton. Clapton will hold a birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in NYC in May. It will be two nights of amazing guitar work from a one-of-a-kind artist. If you can't make it, get "From the Cradle" and celebrate some fantastic blues tunes. Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!