If you only have the funds or shelf space to own one Eric Clapton album, THE CREAM OF ERIC CLAPTON is the one to get. Featuring 19 songs that span from Cream's 1966 hit "I Feel Free" to Clapton's 1981 single, "I Can't Stand It," this ample collection of career highlights from the legendary English guitarist is essential classic rock. The album opens with five tracks by Cream, the psychedelic-blues power trio that Clapton led in the sixties. The heavy riff-rocker "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Badge," his 1968 collaboration with Beatle George Harrison, feature some of his best playing ever.
Clapton's post-Cream bands, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos (his 1970 supergroup with Duane Allman) are also represented with such remarkable blues-rock performances as "Presence of the Lord," Bell Bottom Blues" and the timeless rock classic, "Layla." The remainder of the album is devoted to Clapton's seventies solo hits like "After Midnight," I Shot The Sheriff," "Cocaine" and "Wonderful Tonight." Though this collection does not include latter-day Clapton hits like "Tears in Heaven," it's safe to say that the spectacular performances on this album are truly THE CREAM OF ERIC CLAPTON.
