Eric Clapton - Me and Mr. Johnson - Music & Performance - CD

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Eric Clapton has spent an entire career covering the songs of Robert Johnson. Forty years after his debut, he's decided to devote an entire album to the King of the Delta Blues. Accompanied by a loose band of friends and well-known session players, Clapton leads the freewheeling session with his blues rock expertise.

Clapton's version of Johnson's "Crossroads Blues" is one of those rare cases when a cover becomes a song's definitive version. For this tribute to his blues hero, Clapton chooses not to reprise "Crossroads," rather, he takes on 14 Johnson classics and puts his rockin' blues stamp on them.

"When You Got a Good Friend," begins the set in traditional, twelve-bar style. "Little Queen of Spades" is a mellow groove featuring harmonica, Clapton's vocal performance and some nice guitar work. "They're Red Hot," (talking about those tamales) takes on an old-time arrangement. Clapton calls out for guitarist Doyle Bramhall II to take a lead on the number as he does with harmonica player Jerry Portnoy and pianist Billy Preston, who pounds out a solo on the keys.

"Last Fair Deal Gone Down," is another jaunty, gospel-infused keyboard rocker. "32-20 Blues," is also led by Preston's amazing piano. Former sideman to the Beatles, Preston is present throughout the album; he has a real feel for Johnson's music.

"Traveling Riverside Blues" is a gritty and informal, back-porch style number. Jim Keltner and Pino Palladino sit in on drums and bass respectively on this one track (also one of Johnson's better-known songs), while Clapton plays one of his signature-style slide leads. "Milkcow's Calf Blues" also has a deep and noisy vibe; throughout the album, the rhythm section -- Nathan East on bass and Steve Gadd on drums -- do a nice job keeping it all together. "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" is a romantic slow jam wherein Clapton tries on a little falsetto. "Come On In My Kitchen," is an atypically sympathetic to womankind blues with an appropriately gentle feel.

"Me and the Devil Blues" is treated as a spare, country blues with harmonica, its lyric reinforcing the myth that Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his prowess with the blues. "Stop Breakin' Down Blues," is a traditional yet fresh take on a very well-known Johnson number. With its roadhouse twang, this "Stop Breakin' Down" is far and away different than the versions rock fans might know, from either the Rolling Stones or the White Stripes. The album's closer, "Hell Hound on my Trail," is appropriately dark and heavy, and is among the collection's finest renditions.

Johnson's blues is at the heart of rock and roll and Clapton, one of rock's heritage artists, knows that better than anyone. His tribute to Johnson is heartfelt, expert and absolutely pure. File this one under The Blues.