As promised in my last post about Derek & the Dominos' Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs here is a more in depth look of the song that is second in command (behind only the epic title track), "Bell Bottom Blues."
"Bell Bottom Blues" is simply Eric Clapton at his best. It is some of his best work on guitar, vocals, songwriting, and the emotion simply flows through his deliverance of all these aspects of the song. A simple descending chord progression, sounding like a descent into the depths of his soul (a little corny I know, but listen to the song and you'll agree) coupled with background double-tracked blues fills that increase in power as the song goes on and sound like he is releasing frustration that keeps building up higher and higher.
All this leads into a fantastic chorus section, with Clapton delivering fantastic vocals that in my opinion he could never duplicate, probably due to his unwillingness to sink so low into himself to be able to grab the emotions he expresses. Bobby Whitlock again comes in at the chorus with his vocal performance that perfectly accents Clapton's singing as he begs not to let him fade away.
The guitar solo is tasteful, beginning with a short ascending intro accompanied with Clapton singing the notes his guitar is playing, and continues with a slow-paced, softly played guitar melody until bringing us right back to the chorus and final verse with Clapton's guitar crying out, finally closing by repeating over and over not to let him fade away.
I was completely blown away by this song the first time I heard it. Its rare to find a song that is this powerful, in terms of its musical craftmanship, mood, and performance. It, like the rest of the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is so accessible that anyone can relate to what he's feeling, a sense of desparation and heartache that every facet of the song adds to.
"Bell Bottom Blues" is simply Eric Clapton at his best. It is some of his best work on guitar, vocals, songwriting, and the emotion simply flows through his deliverance of all these aspects of the song. A simple descending chord progression, sounding like a descent into the depths of his soul (a little corny I know, but listen to the song and you'll agree) coupled with background double-tracked blues fills that increase in power as the song goes on and sound like he is releasing frustration that keeps building up higher and higher.
All this leads into a fantastic chorus section, with Clapton delivering fantastic vocals that in my opinion he could never duplicate, probably due to his unwillingness to sink so low into himself to be able to grab the emotions he expresses. Bobby Whitlock again comes in at the chorus with his vocal performance that perfectly accents Clapton's singing as he begs not to let him fade away.
The guitar solo is tasteful, beginning with a short ascending intro accompanied with Clapton singing the notes his guitar is playing, and continues with a slow-paced, softly played guitar melody until bringing us right back to the chorus and final verse with Clapton's guitar crying out, finally closing by repeating over and over not to let him fade away.
I was completely blown away by this song the first time I heard it. Its rare to find a song that is this powerful, in terms of its musical craftmanship, mood, and performance. It, like the rest of the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is so accessible that anyone can relate to what he's feeling, a sense of desparation and heartache that every facet of the song adds to.
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You write very well.
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