If this were your first exposure to Eric Clapton, a bit of bewilderment would be in order. This is the legendary guitar icon? This is (as his early apostles once proclaimed) God? Ranging from the mid-´80s through the late ´90s, The Clapton Chronicles owes less to the groundbreaking blues-rock of Clapton´s ´60s and ´70s classics than to the polished-to-a-glare pop of Phil Collins, who produced one of the tracks included in this 14-song anthology. His reinterpretation of his greatest recording--the once-gripping, now-placid "Layla"--perhaps best illustrates Clapton at middle-age: Who wants to bask in his darkest period? Not Clapton, who converts his surging, purging charge into a soothing stroll. And perhaps not fans of such docile MOR fare as "My Father´s Eyes," "Tears in Heaven," and the two new tracks, "Blue Eyes Blue" and "Get Lost."

Released in conjunction with Eric Clapton's autobiography, COMPLETE CLAPTON provides the soundtrack to the original guitar hero's decades-spanning journey. Over the course of two discs, this collection tracks Clapton's progress from the ground-breaking psychedelic blues-rock of Cream and the short-lived supergroup Blind Faith, through his Duane Allman collaboration, Derek & the Dominos, and on to his prolific solo career.
Clapton is personally responsible for a huge chunk of the classic-rock canon, and it's all included here. The primal crunch of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love," the bluesy riffarama that is Derek & the Dominos' evergreen "Layla," the country-tinged twangfest "Lay Down Sally"--you name it, COMPLETE CLAPTON has it. This set doesn't stint on later material, either, like Clapton's Robert Johnson tribute and a duet with J.J. Cale. With the possible exception of his very early work with John Mayall, there's nary a career highlight missed on this comprehensive anthology.

Joe Pass was an American jazz guitarist. Pass worked often with pianist Oscar Peterson and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald.

Joe Pass was an American jazz guitarist. Pass worked often with pianist Oscar Peterson and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald.