Derek and the Dominos were an English–American blues-rock band
formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton,
keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer
Jim Gordon. Their first session as a band was during the recording
George Harrison´s album "All Things Must Pass".
Derek
and the Dominos gave their debut live performance on 14 June 1970 The
event was a charity concert in aid of the Dr Spock Civil Liberties
Legal Defence Fund, held at London's Lyceum Theatre. Four days after,
on 18 June, the band members, together with Harrison on guitar, took
part in a session for the single at the Beatles' Apple Studio. With
Phil Spector as producer, two Clapton–Whitlock compositions were
recorded that day: "Tell the Truth" and "Roll It Over"
– along with two instrumental jams that would be included on the
Apple Jam disc of Harrison's triple album.
For
three weeks from 1 August, the group performed in clubs and other
small venues in Britain, where Clapton chose to play anonymously,
still weary from the fame. on 23 August 1970 , the band flew to
Miami, Florida to begin recording with Atlantic Records producer Tom
Dowd until early September, The sessions took place at Criteria
Studios for what became the double album: “Layla and Other Assorted
Love Songs”."Layla" (a tale of unrequited love inspired
by Clapton's infatuation with his friend Harrison's wife, Pattie
Boyd).The album is often considered to be the defining achievement of
Clapton's career.The album is often considered to be the defining
achievement of Clapton's career.
After
the recording the album,Derek and the Dominos returned to the UK to
continue touring there before heading back to America to start the US
tour on 15 October. The double Lp was issued in November 1970. But it
missed the top ten in the United States and failed to chart at all in
the United Kingdom, hecause It garnered little attention, partly as a
result of a lack of promotion by Polydor, and partly due to the
public's ignorance of Clapton's presence in the band.
In 1972 the song "Layla" was included on “The History of
Eric Clapton” lp and Atlantic issued the song as a single in July
that year. It became a hit, reaching number 10 in America and number
7 in Britain. Song and album have since received widespread critical
acclaim and has been ranked among the best albums of all time.
But
the tragedy and misfortune dogged the group throughout and following
its brief career. On 18 September 1970, the death of his friend Jimi
Hendrix. In October 1971, Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle
accident.In addition, His unrequited love with Patti Harrison and the
lukewarm critical and commercial reception to “Layla” took him to
a spiral into drug addiction and depression.
However,
the group began preparing a new studio album at the end of March, at
Clapton´s home recording: “Gold Devils Roads” features vocals by
Gordon´s wife Renee Armand. Intended to be the next Reneé´s single. Never released. The sessions began at Olympic Studios in April 1971; but this sessions were interrupted at the end of May after a strong discussion by Eric Clapton with the group, he left to never return more.
One of the provisional titles that were shuffled for the album was: “My heart is no longer with you”, that it defined the Eric Clapton´s continued feeling towards the group although everyone believed that those words was aimed at Patti Harrison.
The provisional álbum title was: “My heart is no longer with you”, the feeling that Eric Clapton had to the group, although everyone believed that those words was aimed at Patti Harrison. But the recording sessions were interrupted at the end of May after a strong discussion by Eric Clapton with the group, Eric left to never return more.
One of the provisional titles that were shuffled for the album was: “My heart is no longer with you”, that it defined the Eric Clapton´s continued feeling towards the group although everyone believed that those words was aimed at Patti Harrison.
The provisional álbum title was: “My heart is no longer with you”, the feeling that Eric Clapton had to the group, although everyone believed that those words was aimed at Patti Harrison. But the recording sessions were interrupted at the end of May after a strong discussion by Eric Clapton with the group, Eric left to never return more.
After
a few months of waiting for things to calm down, seeing that Eric
Clapton had left the band permanently, in mid-1972 a master tape was made with some studio songs along with others recorded live,
but like no member of the group wanted to participate in it to
finish, this project it was archived with no release date.bit.ly/3701tHt In
January 1973, Polydor Records preferred released a double lp "In
concert"; forgetting the previous record definitively.
Here
is the reconstructed version from the unreleased second album of Derek and The Dominos, following the original line-up from master tape.
Side A: (17:48)
1 Got to get better in a little while (remixed).(6:05)
2.Roll it over (remixed).(4:32)
3 Blues Power (live edit).(7:10) (*)
Side B: (17:49)
1.Evil (remixed).(4:34)
2.Key to the highway (live).(6:22)
3.Bottle of Red Wine (live edit).(4:56) (*)
4.Mean old world (edit).(1:56) (*)
Side C: (17:40)
1.One more chance (remixed).(3:13)
2.Jam.(3:45)
(A.k.a: Got to get better in a little while (Part 2)
3.Tell the truth (live edit).(10:40) (*)
Side D: (17:18)
1.Let it rain (live edit).(13:38) (*)
2.Snake lake blues (remixed).(3:40)
Bonus tracks:
(Jim Gordon´s outtakes).(8:45)
1.It´s hard to find a friend (remixed).(4:28) (*)
2.Will I see you again (remixed).(2:42) (*)
3.Yes, I love you (re-worked & remixed).(1:34) (*)
(*) Previously unreleased.
Olympic Studios. April / May 1971.
Except: "Roll it over" - recorded on June 18.1970 at Apple Studios. 3 Savile Row. London UK. Mixed at Trident Studios, London, UK, August 5.1970.
Live tracks recorded at Fillmore East. New York City. US. October 23 & 24.1970
1 Got to get better in a little while (remixed).(6:05)
2.Roll it over (remixed).(4:32)
3 Blues Power (live edit).(7:10) (*)
Side B: (17:49)
1.Evil (remixed).(4:34)
2.Key to the highway (live).(6:22)
3.Bottle of Red Wine (live edit).(4:56) (*)
4.Mean old world (edit).(1:56) (*)
Side C: (17:40)
1.One more chance (remixed).(3:13)
2.Jam.(3:45)
(A.k.a: Got to get better in a little while (Part 2)
3.Tell the truth (live edit).(10:40) (*)
Side D: (17:18)
1.Let it rain (live edit).(13:38) (*)
2.Snake lake blues (remixed).(3:40)
Bonus tracks:
(Jim Gordon´s outtakes).(8:45)
1.It´s hard to find a friend (remixed).(4:28) (*)
2.Will I see you again (remixed).(2:42) (*)
3.Yes, I love you (re-worked & remixed).(1:34) (*)
(*) Previously unreleased.
Olympic Studios. April / May 1971.
Except: "Roll it over" - recorded on June 18.1970 at Apple Studios. 3 Savile Row. London UK. Mixed at Trident Studios, London, UK, August 5.1970.
Live tracks recorded at Fillmore East. New York City. US. October 23 & 24.1970
Finally,
Although if there is a photo session of the group taken at Eric
Clapton's house in 1971 and that were used for the live album cover
and some singles, I preferred some more artistic photos according to
the trend of those years. Photos by David Wisdom from London 1971.
New artwork, the previous one was wrong. Sorry.
New artwork, the previous one was wrong. Sorry.
Ok.., guys!. See you soon with more and better.