Boolah Boolah, Youdopia. Great song. Clapton is spending the Sept of his years playing with who he wants. He told Rolling Stone that he always felt like a dick (paraphrasing here) because he pretty much just bailed on Blind Faith, because of drugs/fame. That’s why Clapton went underground (kinda) and went with Derek and the Dominoes, instead of Eric Clapton’s super awesome group w/ Duane Allman. Drugs and anguish can make for great music. Layla is amazing, as is Bell Bottom Blues, the two big hits from that band. So… dig it. It’s the coolest shit ever.

For extra points and a chance at the bonus round I ask you to listen to this version of the same song from 1970, by Derek and the Dominos. Mr Clapton outdoes himself, in my opinion, especially with the wah wah string bending @ 2:00. Check it out. Live music, when it’s performed by masters, and there’s magic in the air, is trascendent. You can watch a slideshow of Derek and the Dominoes pix while listening. Amazing band, amazing songs, short short life. Definitely a case of burnout rather than fade away.

Let’s not forget the writer of the song, Mr Jimi Hendrix, either. I understand he also played guitar.