Layla [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com essential recording
Layla stands as one of a handful of pillars of classic rock. The short-lived ensemble that was the Dominos provided an outlet for Eric Clapton to vent his then unrequited (and secret) passion for the wife of his best friend, George Harrison. Romantic anguish inspired Clapton to write and collect an embroiling and interconnected song cycle. Meanwhile, latecomer Duane Allman prodded Clapton to tear it up on guitar, so as not to be overwhelmed by his even more talented foil. Of course, Clapton eventually won the hand of his lady love. And then he divorced her. Sometimes real life messes up a good plot line. --Steve Stolder

Layla,Derek & Dominos,Polydor / Pgd,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Layla [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating:

25 years, 1000+ CD's, and this is my favorite ...
The studio was on fire.
The greatest album ever recorded
EC & Skydog in the Miami Heat
THE TESTAMENT AND CONFESSIONS IN THE LIFE OF MR. ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON.

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek and the Dominos
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Blind Faith
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Disraeli Gears
Eat a Peach
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

ASIN: B000002G87
Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

I Looked Away
Bell Bottom Blues
Keep On Growing
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
I Am Yours
Anyday
Key To The Highway
Tell The Truth
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?
Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Little Wing
It's Too Late
Layla
Thorn Tree In The Garden

Amazon.com essential recording

Layla stands as one of a handful of pillars of classic rock. The short-lived ensemble that was the Dominos provided an outlet for Eric Clapton to vent his then unrequited (and secret) passion for the wife of his best friend, George Harrison. Romantic anguish inspired Clapton to write and collect an embroiling and interconnected song cycle. Meanwhile, latecomer Duane Allman prodded Clapton to tear it up on guitar, so as not to be overwhelmed by his even more talented foil. Of course, Clapton eventually won the hand of his lady love. And then he divorced her. Sometimes real life messes up a good plot line. --Steve Stolder

Customer Reviews:

25 years, 1000+ CD's, and this is my favorite ..........2007-05-25

I bought this LP's, as an angst ridden, teenage girl. I'm now very settled and happy but I continue to love music. I have over 1000 CD's (that are ripped of course) in the blues/rock/alternative genre and actively seek out new artists to add to my collection every year.

It occured to me recently, that out of all the music I own, this is my favorite. I have listened to it countless times, yet it still moves me. So many other reviews have detailed what's so great about this music, that I won't repeat, but somthing magic happened during these sessions.

The studio was on fire........2007-05-08

Duane Allman was the fuel that powered these sessions and the slide playing on this session is as powerful now as when it was recorded. A fantastic collection played with the raw fire that ignited when Clapton and Allman tore into these songs. You can see Eric Clapton playing a number of these songs in 2007 with Derrick Trucks playing the slide parts which is excellent, but Duane had a soulfulness in his playing here that is timeless. A great CD.

The greatest album ever recorded.......2007-03-02

Remember vinyl? Back when records were put out on vinyl I used to say that vinyl had never been put to better use than making this album. It is the greatest album ever made by anyone at any time. I'm not even a big Clapton fan, I don't care about "Guitar Gods" or endless solos or any of that crap. Every song here is heartfelt, anguished and played by musicians who sound like they're on the ledge and could fall at any second. But they don't fall, they hang together and no one ever played better.

Everything builds to the end of the title cut where Clapton invokes Robert Johnson, "Please don't say we'll never find a way, And tell me all my love's in vain." Then the piano coda, and the quietly resigned "Thorn Tree." Perfect, never matched, never surpassed.

EC & Skydog in the Miami Heat.......2007-02-19

The best and sincere white blues there is, Erics masterpiece, this and Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac is the real deal. "Skydog" Duane Allman plays his heart out here also. One note about the guitar(s) sound on this album. This album was recorded using 5 watt Fender Champ tube amps from the 50's, that is why the GTRS sound big, small amps = big sound in the studio.

THE TESTAMENT AND CONFESSIONS IN THE LIFE OF MR. ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON........2007-02-12

I recently conversed with my friend in New Jersey commending him on a job well done in reviewing some of Rock's most sacred albums by CREAM. Since my friend succeeded in adding more to the CREAM and ERIC CLAPTON legend, I felt inspired in adding more to what my friend has already successfully accomplished by writing a review on one of Rock's most beloved sacred guitarists of all-time, MR. ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON AKA DEREK AND THE DOMINOES. The legendary album I have chosen to review is one of the all-time greats and is the real stuff that is purely made of Rock legend, "LAYLA." "LAYLA" was originally released in 1970 on Vinyl/LP and 8-Track on the Polydor Records label in association with PolyGram Records. I purchased the original Two-CD release on the RSO Records label in the mid-eighties. I also purchased this legendary album on a special 24KT Gold Plated Compact Disc in the ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING format series which is distributed by Mobile Fidelity Sound lab. This album was remixed using the ULTRADISC II process resulting in adding and giving this legendary album an additional life with a beyond superior sound quality unimaginable. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the best informative and most accurate review possible.

MR. ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON is known the world over as "God." CLAPTON has achieved and accomplished everything beyond every great guitarist's dreams and more. This fact makes you wonder just how much more can CLAPTON push the limits of his expertise and knowledge in revolutionizing the sounds the guitar is really capable of producing and how it would be played. With this in mind, you will hear the real ERIC CLAPTON at his absolute best when he is playing the Blues. It is in the Blues that you will see and feel the true emotions of CLAPTON flowing through his guitar. This natural talent and passion is what makes CLAPTON the legendary guitarist he really is which defines what the real stuff of legend should consist of. In all due respects, "LAYLA" also represents the true testament and confessions of the legendary guitarist. "LAYLA" would contain one of the greatest songs ever recorded. "LAYLA" would also carry one of the many true tales of Rock legend. At the end of the roaring sixties, CLAPTON would already established himself with the reputation as being one of the greatest guitarists of all-time. It was also well documented and publicized during this time period that CLAPTON fancied and fell in love with his best friends wife. CLAPTON'S best friend was EX-BEATLE GEORGE HARRISON, the wife he would steal and later marry is PATTI BOYD HARRISON. What's sad and tragic about this story is that CLAPTON'S love for BOYD HARRISON would often turn to guilt resulting in beginning CLAPTON'S heroin addiction and seclusion. What's also tragic is that CLAPTON'S marriage to BOYD would be short lived and end in divorce. On a good note, believe it or not, CLAPTON'S friendship with HARRISON survived and both remained best friends till the day HARRISON died in December 2001. Everything that happened during this period in the late sixties would inspire CLAPTON to record an album under a different disguised name and proclaim his love for the anonymous woman of his dreams through his music. "LAYLA" is the result of what happened in CLAPTON'S life during that period which discloses and exposes his testament and confessions that he kept bottled up secretly inside him. In reality, PATTI BOYD HARRISON is the real life LAYLA. In my opinion, this time period would be one of the very few that would bring out the best in CLAPTON. In my opinion, "LAYLA" is a well recorded album that is a true testament of a sheer genius and a superb tribute to the legendary guitarist that has been called the greatest guitarist in the world.

But before CLAPTON would record his masterpiece album "LAYLA," CLAPTON would need to find passionate and dedicated musicians that shared his same interests, tastes and visions in music. When CLAPTON recruited fellow music legends BOBBY WHITLOCK, JIM GORDON, CARL RADLE and DUANE ALLMAN, DEREK AND THE DOMINOES would be born and Blues Rock with a mixture of Southern Rock would be taken to the next level and phase.

I will list and briefly review certain songs that are vital and relevant during the recording of this album. If you want to hear vintage CLAPTON playing guitar at his absolute best, listen to the breathtaking song tracks "I Looked Away," "Bell Bottom Blues," "Keep On Growing," "Anyday," "Tell The Truth," "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad," the legendary Hendrix classic "Little Wing," and the legendary song that would inspire and begin the recordings for this album, "LAYLA." CLAPTON plays his guitar with such emotion and passion not heard from him before. In my opinion, the song "Layla" is one of CLAPTON'S all-time greatest achievements and one of Rock's all-time greatest contributions to popular music.

If you want to hear vintage CLAPTON playing the Blues at his very best, listen to the Blues songs "Nobody knows You When You're Down And Out," "Key To The Highway," the emotional confession classic "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" and "It's Too Late."

You will also hear beautiful ballads on this album such as "I Am Yours" and the beautiful acoustic "Thorn Tree In The Garden."

Overall, this is one of the greatest albums ever recorded by anybody. Listening to this album, you can actually feel the pure heart and emotion flowing through CLAPTON'S guitar. All of this passion would rub off on the other musicians which would effect the heart and soul of the music. The album "LAYLA" is the story of life and is actually regarded as a love manual.

I would like to highly recommend that everyone purchase this legendary album to own as a valuable and important part of their own personal music collection. This legendary album has definitely proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many more years to come, NOW AND FOREVER.

In closing, ERIC CLAPTON has continued to bless and grace us with his unique blend and style of guitar playing to this very day. CLAPTON is still regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all-time. Besides HENDRIX, CLAPTON has accomplished so much in Rock n' Roll and Blues music history that CLAPTON doesn't really have anything left to prove. CLAPTON'S place in Rock and Blues history is well secured and will never ever be forgotten. So here's to you ERIC. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my reviews in the near future when time permits. CLAPTON RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.

The Layla Sessions : 20th Anniversary Edition

Average customer rating:

Technical review of the remix...
Inspired jamming!!
Removing The Veil
Better than most "Deluxe Editions"
For Collectors

The Layla Sessions : 20th Anniversary Edition
Derek & the Dominos
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001FZ5
Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

I Looked Away
Bell Bottom Blues
Keep On Growing
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
I Am Yours
Anyday
Key To The Highway
Tell The Truth
Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad
Have You Ever Loved A Woman
Little Wing
It's Too Late
Layla
Thorn Tree In The Garden

Tracks:

Jam I
Jam II
Jam III
Jam IV
Jam V

Tracks:

Have You Ever Loved A Woman (Alternate Master #1)
Have You Ever Loved A Woman (Alternate Master #2)
Tell The Truth (Jam #1)
Tell The Truth (Jam #2)
Mean Old World (Rehearsal)
Mean Old World (Band Version, Master Take)
Mean Old World (Duet Version, Master Take)
(When Things Go Wrong) It Hurts Me Too (Jam)
Tender Love (Incomplete Master)
It's Too Late (Alternate Master)

Customer Reviews:

Technical review of the remix..........2007-02-17

Originally, I purchased the single Anniversary Mix disc that had been separated from the rest of it's set at a used CD store. Hey, I was in college at the time and was trying to broaden my palette. So, this newer mix was what I got to know over the years and really was none the wiser to the original.

Now, being 10 years after first having purchased the CD, I am comparing the two mixes side by side, switching between the two, and have come to a personal conclusion that is at odds with most of the other reviewers.

It's pretty clear to anyone who does a comparison between the two where you can rapidly swap between the two mixes, that the original mix is more dynamic; it just jumps out at you more. It also contains more high frequency content. There are a couple of possible reasons for this.

Someone probably surely more about the actual equipment history of this album. But from what I can gather, Criteria Studios at that time should have been outfitted with MCI consoles and tape machines built by Jeep Harned with "philosophical direction" provided by Tom Dowd. While the MCI consoles that became marketed later across the world (which later evolved into Sony's consoles) are solid state designs, it is possible that these early MCI consoles that Layla would have been recorded and mixed through were tube designs. Again, I might be wrong here and it is strictly open for conjecture from someone who absolutely knows for sure. For recording engineers like myself, older (more simple) console designs of that period and before are revered for their unique sonic character.

Now that brings us to the studio where the Anniversary CD was mixed: The Power Station. Today, The Power Station is now Avatar Studios in New York and Studio A (housing a very good sounding Neve 8068 console) has been mostly left the way it was in the days of the Power Station, with the exception for whatever the flavor of the month is when it comes to recorders. However, the time period of the late 80's and early 90's was a time when digital mixing was rampant (it's back unfortunately) and this is most certainly the case with the Anniversary Mix with it's ADD designation (the second D denoting that it was mixed to a digital format). The original mix was definitely an analog reel to reel (either 1/4 or 1/2 inch master) tape.

This is significant for when you mix to analog tape, an interesting phenomenon called "crosstalk" alters the mix ever so slightly. What happens is that the left and right channels of magnetic information stored on the tape interacts with one another as higher bursts of energy on each track often co-mingle in the space between them (and sometimes even bleed over to the other track ever so slightly). The result is, believe it or not, a much more strong center image which, when done properly, creates an even sound field. A technical engineer would say that this is a negative and undesirable side-effect of analog mixing since it is not what the engineer was hearing at the console outputs. However, a musical engineer would recognize that crosstalk is a beneficial thing to the music and the listener and would listen to the mix through the repro heads on the machine as it is being recorded so as to know exactly what is being committed to tape.

Digital mixes of the time of the remix are often sterile and severely lack the dynamic range and character present on that old "inferior" analog tape. What I have noticed in the Anniversary mix is a more cautious mix that fears sounds that jump run and play. The original tracks and comps were so good and whole (as well as limited; the drums were premixed to L and R tracks only) that only balancing, some compression here and there, and some time based effects were needed to complete the remix. However, the compression is perhaps a tad overdone, thusly preventing the mix to "live" as much as the original.

The original mix's reverb (really noticeable on the guitars) take more risks (and wins) and is either an EMT plate reverb or a live chamber (if Criteria had one). The predelay on the reverb might have been provided via a spare mix deck's repro head before the signal went to the reverb. While digital reverb was the rage at the time of the Anniversary Mix, I feel that it is likely that a plate reverb was used, but that the highs were rolled out more than on the original mix.

Give them both a comparison side-by-side and decide for yourself. Be sure to use a good copy of each (I would use at least a recent printing [Re-Master] of the original mix since the Analog to Digital converters and digital clocking are MUCH better now than at the dawn of the CD age - perhaps yet another strike against the Anniversary Mix).

Inspired jamming!!.......2007-01-17

I must be one of the few middle-aged people not terribly familiar with the original recordings. Sure, I've heard Layla (you'd have to live in a cave to have missed it) but had not given the full album much of a listen. The remastering is a dramatic improvement in sonic quality. But, the real bonus in this boxed set are the jams, especially the second disc. The interplay is inspiring and makes for just plain great listening pleasure now, nearly 30 years later, and probably 30 years from now.

Removing The Veil.......2007-01-07

I would have to disagree with the gentleman below who likes the Original better. I have the original CD & the MSFL gold CD. I am currently listening to the SACD Hybrid which is undoubtedly the source for this remastered double CD (Disk 1). Man it is so much smoother. The veil is lifted. You can not put treble back where there was none but nevertheless this goes down like Johnny Walker Blue Label. Smooth. I much prefer this to the original. I have lived with the original for 30 years & I like it but todays electronics are so much better. Thanks to whoever spent the time to restore this classic album. This & Wheels of Fire sort of define an era. EC will be here in Bangkok the night of Jan 15 2007. Yeehaw!! Love you Duane.

Better than most "Deluxe Editions".......2006-03-07

Unlike the Disraeli Gears and Blind Faith "Deluxe" expanded reissues (both of which I loved) all of this material is previously unreleased. The first disc is all remixed and I love it. The second and third discs are all unreleased material that is mind blowing Clapton at his very best. I cannot endorse this collection highly enough. Anthony Yanow, Music.com

For Collectors.......2006-03-02

The Layla Sessions 20th Anniversay is for people like me who cannot get enough Eric Clapton.
Layla is his finest solo effort of his career.
What you get is a re-mastered version of the original release.
The sound is great, and of course you get the songs we have all come to know and love.
You also get a CD with different jam sessions. Personally I find this particular CD not interesting. Some of the guitar work is nice.
The Real gem in the box is the Alternate Master, Jams and outtakes.
You get two versions of Have you Ever Loved a Woman. You get two versions of Tell the Truth.
You get three versions of Mean old World with Duane Allman.
The best of the lot are When Things Go Wrong (It hurts me Too).
Tender Love is another good song.
He finishes with a fabulous version of It's Too Late, that is very similar to the version on the album. There are not background vocals and I like the slide guitar solo.
This box set is for Collectors like myself who want to hear everything they can get their hands on...Enjoy

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Pure & Beautiful
Symphonic Rock
pleasant easy listening
Excellent CD
luke

Symphonic Rock

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002T7ZM0
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

Come Away With Me (originally by Norah Jones)
Yellow (originally by Coldplay)
Here With Me (originally by Dido)
Millennium (originally by Robbie Williams)
Hero (originally by Enrique Iglesius)
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Every Breath You Take (originally by The Police)
Let It Be (originally by The Beatles)
A Whiter Shade Of Pale (originally by Procol Harum)
Nights In White Satin (originally by The Moody Blues)
Candle In The Wind (originally by Elton John)
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Beautiful Day (originally by U2)
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Handbags & Gladrags (originally by Stereophonics)
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Layla (originally by Derek & The Dominos)
Stairway To Heaven (originally by Led Zeppelin)
Bat Out Of Hell (originally by Meat Loaf)
Run To You (originally by Bryan Adams)
China In Your Hand (originally by T'Pau)
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Good Vibrations (originally by The Beach Boys)
Bohemian Rhapsody (originally by Queen)

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Pure & Beautiful.......2005-10-31

If you buy no other classical music, buy this collection. CD 1 (Relax) is perfect for dinner, quiet entertaining or just soft music while you're working. From "Come Away With Me", to "Whiter Shade of Pale" to "Knights in White Satin"... each piece is it's own movement - and moved you will be... Perfect for a romantic evening. CD2 is more robust, but equally entertaining. "Layla", "Livin On A Prayer", Stairway to Heaven", "Run to You" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" - you owe it to yourself to hear these licks performed by the RPO.

Symphonic Rock.......2005-07-25

It really isn't rock, but it is a very pleasant presentation of popular music, rendered in creative ways by a full symphony orchestra. It sounds like the orchestra had a great time making these CD's.

pleasant easy listening.......2005-07-19

It's not extremely interesting music, but nice background, relaxing and pleasant with full orchestra. Not a bad buy at all!

Excellent CD.......2005-03-20

I received this as a present and at first I wasn't sure if I would like it because I don't like some of the original songs, but there's something about hearing the orchestra play that makes me like all of them. Just try it out.

luke.......2004-12-12

well, if you like elevator music then you should get this cd. if not then dont waste your time, its lame. big time lame. just listen to the audio samples im so glad i didn't waste my money on this piece of crap.

Average customer rating:

Impeccable Songs and Sound!
SACD cannot work miracles
Classic, of course
Cleaner and clearer
Layla and Other Love Songs gone wrong

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00064X2QE
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

I Looked Away
Bell Bottom Blues
Keep On Growing
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
I Am Yours
Anyday
Key to the Highway
Tell the Truth
Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?
Have You Ever Loved a Woman
Little Wing
It's Too Late
Layla
Thorn Tree in the Garden

Customer Reviews:

Impeccable Songs and Sound!.......2007-06-12

The Clapton/Allman/Gordon Rock 'n Blues in Surround Sound!? Fantastic! "Layla" and "Bell Bottom Blues" never looked or sounded so good! This album was the only studio album produced by Eric Clapton, Duane Allman and veteran drummer Jim Gordon. The SACD Surround Sound is less distinct than most, but still gives the strong feel of a studio presence. Classic songs with classic arrangements.

SACD cannot work miracles.......2005-12-15

I used to have the optimistic point of view that, in the digital age, old music could be infinitely improved if it was properly remixed and remastered. Time has shown that the best of the digital "redos" can only be as good as the original source tape, whether the original stereo master or the original multitracks.

It's obvious now, after at least six attempts at digital remastering (the original CD reissue, the boxed set in '90, the Mobile Fidelity release in '93, the '96 remaster and now the SACD edition), that the original tapes are not that well recorded. We've heard excuses for this, that everything was recorded live (and LOUD) and there was a lot of bleed between mics, that it was the beginning of multitrack technology and therefore noisy, that everyone, including the engineers, was stoned, etc., etc.

None of the excuses, except for the drugs, really holds up. They were working in a fine studio with state of the art equipment, a place where other artists made fine sounding records at that time. Also, I don't think they were playing all that loud, as Clapton was using a Pignose (small amp) for much of the session. But even if they were playing loud, I doubt that they could top the volume level of Who's Next, for instance, and that's a fine sounding LP.

Anyway, it is what it is. It's obvious now that there will be no significant improvement on the way this LP sounds. It will always sound claustrophobic, muddy and midrange heavy. You know they've gone back to the multitracks at least twice (20th Anniversery was remixed and they had to use the multitracks for the 5.1 on the SACD) with no significant improvement.

So I guess we just have to appreciate the subtle improvements, and, to disagree with several other reviews, I think they are here. I own all the other remasters, and I've felt like the best were the Mobile Fidelity and the '96 remaster. Tough to declare a winner there; each has their pros and cons, and the difference is definitely subtle. Last night, I did an A-B comparision of each of those with this SACD, and the SACD is a marked improvement on the bottom end. The drums also have more detail. When the tape becomes more saturated (i.e., when all those guitar overdubs kick in) like on Anyday, it still becomes a quagmire. But on sparser songs, like Have You Ever Loved A Woman, the improvement is considerable.

Our ears (and minds) are tricky animals. When looking for improvement in a recording such as this, it is not fair to compare to another recording. Layla will never sound like Who's Next or Abbey Road. Different musicians, different studio, different conditions. And Layla will never be a CD to demo speakers with. But when comparing apples to apples, I guarantee this SACD is the best sounding Layla yet.

Classic, of course.......2005-09-07

No words necessary for the content so this will be for the sound of the disc. The surround is a very good mix that gives you a spread across the front of the instruments and especially in the first few tracks with Clapton's strat. Finally, you're able to hear instruments and vocals clearer than ever before. I agree with another reviewer that said if you wanted a state of the art demo disc for SACD, this wasn't it. But I will say this is the best version of this classic recording available now. Yes, it will sound great on the CD layer, but you need SACD to really appreciate this disc.

Cleaner and clearer.......2005-03-16

Layla is one of the great albums of Rock Music and stands as Clapton's personal opus. The addition of Duane Allman at his peak is a huge bonus and the key catalyst in the creation of this masterpiece. Bobby Whitlock, Carl Raddle and Jim Gordon never played any better then on this.

I own two vinyl copies (Aust & US), CD release, Anniversary box set and now the SACD. I agree with other reviewers that the original CD release was the usual poor transfer from the equalized-for-vinyl master tape. The anniversary box set was a significantly improved transfer but this SACD raises the bar.

The extra spread across the front channels and sub clarifies the sound. What it clearly shows is that the recording was live in the studio plus overdubs and redubs. The guitars can be clearly heard through the drum mikes and the drums through the vocals mikes, which seem to be just left on most of the time. The bass is now present with a strong bottom end and with judicious adjusting of the sub, nicely balanced against the guitars. It's the clearer separation of the guitars that provides increased clarity (the rears are only used for ambience and I turn them well down). However it remains a sonically flawed recording due to its live-in-the-studio recording and jamming music style. But that's what also gives the brilliant music its distinctive sound - Tom Dowd was interested in capturing the music and admits he just kept the tapes rolling. Thus the sound is a bit raw and rough, which amplifies spontaneous feel to the process of creating the highly sophisticated music that is Layla.

Layla and Other Love Songs gone wrong.......2005-03-06

I first bought Derek and the Dominoes "Layla and Other Love Songs" in 1972 as a high school boy and have since kept it close to my heart as many have and will do as long as guitars and yearning coincide. I bought the double LP, expensive then at $14.00. I wore that out, bought the 8 track, passed by the cassette version, bought the first version of the CD and now the SACD version. That's approx. $100.00 worth of "Laya", cheap at half the price, I suppose considering the music...
Yet..
I am not a vynle purist. I have plenty of 45 and LPs that sound better than CD/SACD/DVDaudio. But for the most part, new technology has brought out nuance and crisp sound that has just not been avaiable to some older recordings. Plus the thrill of 5.1 sound adds a kick to us audiophiles.
The first release of "Layla" on stereo LP played on a home HiFi through conventional speakers sounded as it should when recorded. Clear, crisp sound loud when it should have been, quiet when it meant most. We knew 8 track would sound awful so that doesn't count it was meant to be played loud in a car with a girlfriend on a bench seat. The first CD version was so bad that I checked my ears for mud.
Now the new SACD hybrid: The SACD doesn't sound much better than the old version. If you have 5.1 capability, you might find a few surprises. The lower ends are less full, but the high ends sound terrific. The vocals are in line and the phasing seems right. Channel separation is at best somewhat haphazard. Center seems fine, rear fades in and out.
Bottom line: If one is looking for the thrill of 5.1 sound, it ain't here. If one wants a clear clean version, then, yes okay fine, this is the one to buy. However, if you still have a nice LP without too many scratches, then put that one on. Oh and if you have the 45 version of " Tell the Truth" produced by Phil Spector play that instead

Average customer rating:

Exotic and Haunting
good worldy music
Transports you to another land!
The missing point of making this album.
Beautiful Middle Eastern and North African inspired music!

A Prayer for the Soul of Layla
Jamshied Sharifi
Manufacturer: Alula
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Beyond the Sky
Axiom Of Choice - Beyond Denial
Niya Yesh
Fire Dance
Unfolding

ASIN: B0000067RI
Release Date: 1997-09-23

Tracks:

Tariqat
Anahita Will Sustain You
One Who Plants A Tree
Ammeh Kimia
Bid-e Majnun
Through The Veil
The Art Of Remembering
The Salt Road
Ma'na
Karaj
March Into Dreaming
A Prayer For The Soul Of Layla

Amazon.com

Iranian-American keyboardist Jamshied Sharifi has the right idea, trying to make his keyboard sound like a "natural" instrument in this ambitious album that blurs the line between world music and New Age. With some strong guests like Moroccan gimbri player Hassan Hakmoun and singing star Paula Cole, he uses Middle Eastern rhythms and ideas as his framework to take his music to another place that exists outside geography. The album is often stunningly beautiful, as on the luminous title track or on "Ammeh Kimia," with the lush voice of Marie Afonso contributing. It's an example of the best worldbeat with Sharifi leading from the back, using his keyboard to sketch the colors while the others provide the detail. Projects like this walk a tightrope--they can either be absolute triumphs or pure slush and Sharifi makes sure his falls in the former category. Spiritual and haunting in the best way, A Prayer repays repeated playing. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Exotic and Haunting.......2003-06-23

This CD, perhaps more than any other, takes me away to another place. Some of the songs paint a vivid picture of a caravan of camels in my mind. The title track is incredibly soulful with a sad, longing quality. If that track does not evoke emotions in you, something has died inside of you. I highly recommend this CD.

good worldy music.......2003-04-11

the drumming on this cd is fantastic -- complex interesting rhythms

the music is wild, from upbeat to textured curving ambient drones

the Persian style vocals are of course beautiful & very moving

I don't know about how "spiritual" this music is, in the sense that Vas is spiritual in, but it's great music nonetheless

Transports you to another land!.......2003-03-02

Some songs are very soft and soothing making me feel I'm being whisked away on a cloud, while other songs were full of rythmic percussions that make me want to get up and dance! The Salt Road track has a very interesting melodramatic sound to it, and mixes music with sounds of Persian street vendors in a way that makes you feel like you're in some distant land emersed in a beautiful foriegn culture. I love this CD and highly recommend it!

The missing point of making this album........2002-12-05

Having listened to new age and world music for more than 20 years, I have to say this album is a total disappointment to put it mildly. I wish I would know what was the actual goal of Mr. Sharifi to make this album. Did he want to present Persian music to the westerner? If the answer is yes, Axiom Of Choice is a superb example of doing that. In this album Sharifi gets totally mixed up and represents a mixture of Persian, Chinese, African, and modern 20th century style of classical music and the result is a catastrophe. He tries to imitate the Middle Eastern musical instruments with his keyboard very unprofessionally. On the other hand, Axiom of choice brings you the original music instruments mixed with keyboard in the most beautiful fashion. Not recommended.

Beautiful Middle Eastern and North African inspired music!.......2002-06-09

Sharifi, among other fine artists, proved that real art and music don't recognize narrow-minded chauvinism and go far beyond one culture.
In this CD, Sharifi's music shows that a true artist doesn't belong to one culture (American, Arabic, Iranian, North African or others) but that beauty in all cultures belongs to him.
That's exactly what defines a global artist and set him apart from the crowd.

Average customer rating:

This is a must for any trombone player
this is my FAVOURITE trombone cd...
Umm, WOW!
way cool
Like trombones?

The London Trombone Sound

Manufacturer: Cala
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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Trombonastics
Four of a Kind, Music for Trombone Quartet
Cream of the Crop
The Virtuoso Trombone
The London Horn Sound

ASIN: B00000FDDB
Release Date: 2006-11-20

Tracks:

Fanfare For CALA
Theme From 'The Pink Panther'
Someone To Watch Over Me
Domine Ad Adinuandum From Vespers
Intermezzo
Galop From Eight Aphorisms
Sonata Pian e Forte
Adagio
Layla
76 Trombones

Product Description

Cala once again brings you some of the finest orchestral musicians in London; this time the focus is on the trombone section. With outstanding arrangements by Eric Crees, principal trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra, this disc represents the ultimate showcase for this versatile instrument. In a blistering finale featuring 76 trombones -- yes 76! - playing Meredith Wilson's classic 76 Trombones this has got to be the most trombone players ever assembled for a recording, and the sound has to be heard to be believed. From the cheeky jazz treatment of the Pink Panther theme tune, via recognised classics, to a roof-raising interpretation of Eric Clapton's Layla this disc is great fun...indulge yourself!

Customer Reviews:

This is a must for any trombone player.......2005-06-24

I listened to just a couple of the clips that were presented on this page and...wow...these guys are hard-core-bad-to-the-bone. I am an avid trombone player and I love this CD. To me it shows off just how capable and versatile the instrument that we all love is.

this is my FAVOURITE trombone cd..........2004-04-14

...and I've got 'em all!

you just can't beat those smooth solos in 'the pink panther' and 'someone to watch over me' and you'll be humming the bass trombone lines from 'layla' for a long while to come.

fantastic.

Umm, WOW!.......2004-01-10

Wow is the only way to describe this CD. 76 trombones playing 76 trombones in a big cathedral, doesn't get any better than that. It also has a ton of really great arrangements of great songs. Trombones doing Claptons Layla, oh yeah!

way cool.......2003-10-03

This is one of the most exciting, most musical brass recordings you will find. These bone players obviously had a terrific time making the recording - just wait until you hear their version of Clapton's Layla!

Like trombones?.......2002-04-08

If the sound of trombones stirs your heart, here is just the CD for you. 16 trombonists from various British orchestras ban together in this compilation. The result? Wow! That's all I can say!

The music chosen is a great mix of classical / chorale pieces as well as some more jazzy tunes. Composers such as Gershwin, Brahms, Mancini and Monteverdi are all represented. My favorite track is Gabrieli's SONATA PIAN e FORTE. Performed by a trombone ensemble, the effect is truly captivating.

One of the most innovative pieces is an arrangement of Barber's Adagio for Strings. Yup, that's right: it's performed by trombonists & the results are very impressive. Something I would have never thought of, but the gracefull & brassy sounds of the trombone add a dimension to the brooding Adagio that most people would not have imagined possible.

For diversity, the album also contains the theme from the PINK PANTHER as well as an Eric Clapton tune (LAYLA) jazzed up for maximum entertainment. Then, to top off the album, an additonal 60 trombones are brought in to perform (of course) 76 TROMBONES.

I would highly recommend this CD to all persons who can't help but smile @ the sound of a well played trombone. I would even surmise the people who have never thought much of the instrument would get hours & hours of enjoyment from listening to this album. It's that good. Trust me.

THE LAYLA SESSIONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION: ALTERNATE MASTERS, JAMS & OUTTAKES
Average customer rating:
THE LAYLA SESSIONS 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION: ALTERNATE MASTERS, JAMS & OUTTAKES

Manufacturer: POLYGRAM
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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The Jams

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

In Concert

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Joe Cocker

The Layla Sessions : 20th Anniversary Edition

ASIN: B000E99VTS

Product Description

ALTERNATE MASTERS, JAMS AND OUTTAKES: 1. Have You Ever Loved A Woman (Alternate Master #1) 2. Have You Ever Lovede A Woman (Alternate Master #2) 3. Tell The Truth (Jam #1) 4. Tell The Truth (Jam # 2) 5. Mean Old World (Rehearsal) 6. Mean Old World (Band Version, Master Take) 7. Mean Old World (Duet) 8. When Things Go Wrong It Hurts Me Too (Jam) 9. Tender Love (Incomplete Master) 10. It's Too Late (Alternate Master)

Average customer rating:

The String Quartet Tribute to Clapton

Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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String Quartet Tribute to the Rolling Stones
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The String Quartet Tribute to Elton John

ASIN: B00008NGDV
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Motherless Children
Layla
Bell Bottom Blues
Wonderful Tonight
Blues Power
Tears In Heaven
Sunshine Of Your Love
Presence Of The Lord
Let It Rain
Change The World
Sea Of Change

Product Description

1. Motherless Children
2. Layla
3. Bell Bottom Blues
4. Wonderful Tonight
5. Blues Power
6. Tears In Heaven
7. Sunshine Of Your Love
8. Presence Of The Lord
9. Let It Rain
10. Change The World
11. Sea Of Change (Original Composition)

Format: CD

HSQ Rides Again
Average customer rating:

Fabulous!

HSQ Rides Again

Manufacturer: Mona Lisas Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
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Sympathy For The Devil

Take No Prisoners

HSQ Does Christmas (again)

What If Mozart Wrote "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

What If Mozart Wrote "Roll over Beethoven"

ASIN: B0001ZIT2A
Release Date: 2004-01-01

Tracks:

Layla, Derek & The Dominoes
Over the Hills and Far Away, Led Zeppelin
Break on Through, The Doors
All My Love, Led Zeppelin
Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles
Evil Ways, Santana
I'm Gonna Crawl, Led Zeppelin
Rock 'n' Roll, Led Zeppelin
Dust in the Wind, Kansas
Going to California, Led Zeppelin
Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You, Led Zeppelin
The Battle of Evermore, Led Zeppelin
White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Album Description

Classic rock arranged and performed as only The Hampton (ROCK) String Quartet can do it. The Grammy nominated and Juilliard trained HSQ is at it again.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous!.......2004-04-14

Can be listened to over and over again - a real gem!