Search - Various Artists :: A Tribute To Eric Clapton

Outstanding acoustic arrangements of great songs

01/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came across this CD in a record store one day when I was just browsing, not looking for anything in particular. It caught my eye and interest, so I bought it, hoping it would turn out to be worth the purchase. Was it ever.First, Mr. Roberts ability on guitar is quite evident throughout. Technically, he's got "the chops" and can lay down the notes, however many called for, quite cleanly. His attack on some notes is quite exquisite and overall the CD leaves no doubt as to his musical prowess.But what takes the CD beyond mere technical display is his arrangement of the songs on the album. He picks a good range of selections from Mr. Clapton's repertoire, resulting in a CD that truly is an acoustic tribute to Eric's work over the years. The CD opens with Bell Bottom Blues, followed by Lay Down Sally. I'm not a big fan of the latter, but have always liked the former and Mr. Roberts delivers an interesting acoustic version.Highlights on the CD include a masterful rendition of "Wonderful Tonight" (given the song's great melody, one would expect it to be one of the highlights, and Bub delivers). "Layla" of course is present and although Bub's acoustic arrangement is good, it comes across as somewhat incomplete as he leaves off the second part of the song (where the piano kicks in on the original, Derek & the Dominoes version). But that slight letdown is more than rescued by great covers of "Let It Rain" (one of my all-time favorite Clapton songs) and "Tears in Heaven" (the "Tears in Heaven" cover alone would be worth the price of the CD -- here the technical proficiency, particularly in the attack of the notes, and an inspired arrangement combine to render what I consider a truly great work of art).My only real complaint about the CD is that it isn't longer -- there's so much more I'd like to hear. But maybe we'll be lucky and Bub will consider doing a "volume 2" CD of Clapton tunes. I can only hope.Like Clapton? Like well-played acoustic arrangements? Just one or both of the aforementioned? Get this CD."