Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Eric Clapton – On Tour (Speakers Corner)

On this tour Clapton played the same mix of country, blues and gospel that would characterise his own early solo performances in 1970. He faced the occasion with consistently dazzling virtuosity, highlights being a dizzying solo in "I Don't Want To Discuss It", a long 'slow hand' part in "Only You Know And I Know" and a dry, fervent introduction to the wonderfully tuned "Coming Home".

Vocally, Delaney & Bonnie have never been better than on this live set, and the 11-piece band sounds musically tighter than many quartets from that time, whether they play an extended blues or a medley of Little Richard songs. It's no coincidence that the band featured here became Clapton's own studio outfit for his first solo LP, or that the core of this group - Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon - also turned into Derek & the Dominos; or that most of the entire band here was also to become the group that played with George Harrison on "All Things Must Pass" and "The Concert For Bangladesh", except that the interplay here (not to mention the recording) is better.

Less than a year later, half of the musicians on this record almost reached superstar status, and although the fame did not last, it was justified when you listen to this live performance today.

This Speakers Corner production was made using analog master tape and mastering 100% pure analog All licenses and GEMA contributions were paid.