In 1970, Eric formed Derek & The Dominos. This era is a perennial favorite amongst his fans. Despite being together for only a short-time period, the band’s musical output is well documented with live recordings and studio outtakes. Additionally, the Dominos played on sessions for George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. On outtakes from the ATMP sessions, one can clearly hear The Dominos gel as a band. In the live arena, Eric was pushed by the band resulting in many memorable performances. The year also marked the start of Eric’s solo career when he entered the studio to record his first solo album.
The essential bootleg recordings from 1970 are:
Songs for Patti: The Mastertape Edition (Strawberry Records / SB6)
A collection of George Harrison / All Things Must Pass outtakes. Eric and the nascent Dominos played on some of these tracks. Songs include “Beware of Darkness,” “What Is Life,” “The Art of Dying,” “Wah Wah,” “Isn’t It A Pity” and more.
George Harrison: The Making of All Things Must Pass (Midnight Beat / SB6)
More outtakes from the All Things Must Pass Sessions before Phil Spector got his hands on the tapes and muddied the production. The best release of this material by far. The 3 CD set includes extensive liner notes about the sessions. Again, Eric and the Dominos are featured on some tracks.
Derek & The Dominos - Live At The Fillmore (Tarantura / SB6)
Fillmore Double Night (Mid Valley / SB6)
This four-CD set captures Derek & The Dominos in two complete live shows at the Fillmore East in New York on 23 and 24 October 1970 (late shows). It ranks among the best boots ever issued. This two-show set rivals 1994’s official release, Live At The Fillmore (originally titled Derek & The Dominos In Concert) for sound quality. The official release was culled from these two shows. Eric’s playing is amazing. All the songs you would expect EXCEPT “Layla”. Where’s Eric! Magazine noted the following: “The one misnomer is the ‘other’ version of “Bottle of Red Wine”, which on listening you find is the same version on both nights. One possible explanation is that in fact it wasn’t performed on the second night, with Marc Roberty’s book, The Complete Recording Sessions, listing it erroneously. Tarantura have noted its supposed existence and therefore, it is included for completeness sake. (The complete review is in Issue 18 of the magazine). According to Marc Roberty’s book, Complete Recording Sessions 1963-1995, only the late shows at the Fillmore were recorded for possible release.
The Majestic Stand (MidValley / SB 5 / 4 / 4)
The Majestic Stand (Empress Valley / SB4 / 4 / 4): issued in limited and non-limited editions
These sets collect an amazing concert from the Electric Factory, Philadelphia PA on 16 October and the early and late shows in Santa Monica, CA on 20 November. A great portrait of Derek & The Dominos in the live arena. Sound quality is not perfect, but this is not unexpected with tapes of this age but all are eminently listenable. The playing more than makes up for this slight deficiency. The Electric Factory show features the earliest known version of “Motherless Children”, which would appear on 461 Ocean Boulevard in 1974. Delaney Bramlett guests on slide guitar on a few songs at both Santa Monica shows. The limited edition version on Empress Valley features 5 jams recorded in Criteria Studios between August and October 1970. Tracks include “Everyday I Have The Blues,” “Mean Old World,” “Derek’s Boogie,” and “Stormy Monday.”
Feast Away (ZigZag / 3 / SB5 / 4 / 4)
This 6 CD set gathers a number of previously available single disc Dominos shows in upgraded quality thanks to modern technology. Shows are The Pavilion, Bournemouth, UK (8 August), the Electric Factory, Philadelphia PA (14 October – early show), Capitol Theater, Porchester NY (5 December – early show and late shows) and Suffolk Community College, Selden NY (6 December). Suffolk Community College was the band’s last live performance. The band is tight and Eric was playing at the top of his game. Sound quality is not perfect, but this is not unexpected with tapes of this age. But all are eminently listenable. Vocals are occasionally muffled, particularly on the Bournemouth disc. The playing more than makes up for this slight deficiency. In addition to expected Domino’s songs, there are rarities like “Bad Boy” and “Let It Rain” from Clapton’s first solo album, the first live performance of “Motherless Child” and blues numbers like “Stormy Monday”, “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, “Ramblin’ On My Mind” and a phenomenal “Key To The Highway.” The Philadelphia concert at the Electric Factory features an incredible “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” and amazing slide playing from Eric on “Ramblin’”
Note: Although the bootography and some other sources indicate that the Electric Factory (Philadelphia) show is a soundboard, it is indeed an audience recording. There is almost no audience noise, but the instruments all have some degree of echo, which is indicative of an audience recording.
G (Mid Valley Records / 4)
A stunning remaster from the Mid Valley label. Recorded on 26 November 1970 in Cincinatti, Ohio. Previously issued recordings of this concert were barely listenable. The show includes an R&B-influenced jam with B.B. King on “Everyday I Have The Blues.” Great stuff!
Substance Volume 1 (Eternal / SB 6)
These 4 discs are sourced from tapes that were at one time in Carl Radle’s possession. Radle played bass for Derek And The Dominos. Some were probably recorded at Criteria Studios in August and September 1970. They may have been reference cassettes that Carl took home to listen to and critique. Included are jams with the Allman Brothers Band, alternate takes of “I looked Away”, “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, and “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad.” They are interesting look at the evolution of a number of now classic Clapton songs. The fourth disc features a recording of the early show at the Fillmore East on 23 October.
Substance Volume 2: The Unreleased Second Album (Eternal / SB6)
This two-CD set is sourced from tapes that were at one time in Carl Radle’s possession. In the spring of 1971, the Dominos reentered the studio to record a follow-up to Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs. Drugs and egos got in the way and the sessions were a disaster. These discs are an intimate look into the studio. Despite the problems, there are some gems. Eric would later record some of the songs on subsequent solo albums. Tracks include several instrumentals, and early versions of “Mean Old Frisco” and “High”. There is one mistake: Disc Two tracks two and ten are the same song.
Unsurpassed Eric Clapton (Yellow Dog / SB6)
This is the “Delaney Mix” of Eric’s first solo album. Infinitely better than the official release, it has been said that Eric himself prefers this version. His guitar is much more prominent in the mix. The disc also contains two alternate takes of “Lonesome And A Long Way From Home” and “Don’t Know Why”. Three mixes of this album exist and all are different. Eric did the third mix and has admitted he made a poor job of it. Tom Dowd mixed the official release.
Where’s ERIC! does not encourage or condone the manufacture of bootleg recordings. They are illegal and artists do not receive royalties from their sale. However, Where’s ERIC! realizes that there are fans who collect these recordings. In that spirit, information about them is provided for fans’ research and guidance purposes. Where’s ERIC! does not sell, trade or provide free copies of bootleg recordings nor can we tell you how to obtain them.
