Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Clapton excels with his roots in blues, rock and country--but Clapton's worthy of better than this CD "retrospective.", December 25, 2006
Eric Clapton remains one of the most respected musicians we've ever seen. His vocals and music are beautifully arranged works of art that appeal to many people because of his roots in R&B;, rock and country. Clapton even helped to introduce America to reggae with his cover of Bob Marley's song entitled "I Shot The Sheriff." Many people know this to be true, so then why is this CD so lacking as a retrospective?
Don't get me wrong: The CD has great tracks on it: the passionate ballad entitled "Layla;" the high-spirited rendition of J. J. Cale's "After Midnight;" the reggae influenced hit "I Shot The Sheriff;" and the memorable ballad entitled "Bell Bottom Blues." The sound throughout is excellent even on my portable CD player. Clapton performs with great sensitivity and passion; and look for both Rita Coolidge and Yvonne Elliman on back-up vocals on several songs on this album.
However, a big problem arises pretty quickly. There is no music on this retrospective "best of" CD after 1978. Clapton is credited with performing great music for a long, long time since 1978--why isn't any of that represented here? The CD clocks in at an anemic 47 minutes; the producers certainly could have added one or two more songs. No "Tears In Heaven?" No "Sunshine Of Your Love?" I agree with the reviewer who writes that the CD entitled The Cream of Clapton is a much better choice--and a much better buy. You get a lot more Clapton for your money for just $1.50 more--and the sound quality will be good, too.
The liner notes do boast some great pictures of Clapton; and Scott Schinder contributes a essay about Clapton's career. Unfortunately, Schinder's essay about Clapton's work ends with Clapton's late `70s work. I guess he couldn't write about Clapton's artistry if it wasn't on this disc. (Sigh.)
If you merely want a brief introduction to Eric Clapton's earlier work during the 1970s, then this IS a CD for you to consider. However, you'll get a much better feel for Clapton's artistry if you choose The Cream of Clapton and/or Clapton Chronicles - The Best of Eric Clapton. Clapton fans will be disappointed in the brevity of this album. The sound is great; and the song selection is also very good; so I give this four stars. This cannot be a five star review. Sorry, 20th Century Masters, but you've got to come up with something much more comprehensive than this to score a grand slam!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Essential Clapton, January 28, 2006
I was looking for a reasonably priced Clapton hits package to put on my mp3 player. This turned out to be a winner. With "Layla," "Wonderful Tonight," "Cocaine," and "Lay Down Sally," this disc includes most of my favorites. It also includes his wonderful cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." The only one that appears to be missing is "Tears in Heaven." But every song on here is a classic song, and if you are on a budget, this makes for a great start to a vast Clapton collection.
P.S.: Some other reviewers are complaining that there is no Cream on this CD. That is true, but there is a seperate 20th Century Masters collection for Cream.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
not bad, but incomplete., June 27, 2004
Is it just me or are "greatest hits" and "best-of" albums always a frustrating ordeal? They almost always leave off some of the hits and/or include new(non-hits) or live versions in their place. Take the new "20th Century Masters" Eric Clapton best-of disc; instead of just chronicling all of his solo hits(from his Polygram/RSO years), it also includes two tunes from Derek & the Dominoes("Layla" and "Bell-bottom Blues"). Two great songs to be sure, but their inclusion meant no room for the solo hits "Hello Old Friend"(1976) and "I Can't Stand It"(1981). But I suppose with Derek & the Dominoes being practically synonymous with Eric Clapton, not having them represented(especially "Layla") would be considered a heinous omission. A much better choice if you're considering a Clapton hits compilation is 1995's "The Cream of Clapton". It's a pretty good overview(1966-1981) covering his Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominoes as well as all his solo hits(on Polygram). I thought, finally, a greatest hits album with every hit when I bought it a few years back, but beware: no "Lay Down Sally"!?!?! ARRRGGG!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars
The Good Old Days
Great times, great songs, great singer. I really enjoyed this cd. It's great to have his best on one cd. The eco-friendly packaging is cool too.
Published on February 15, 2008 by L. Sherrod
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD!
There is no question in my mind that Eric Clapton is an amazing musician. I think he would have to be among the top ten musicians in the era of 1960-Present.
Published on March 6, 2007 by Mark Nenadov
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1.0 out of 5 stars
Very Disappointing
Even for $6.88 at Sam's Club, this Millennium Collection CD was no bargain. It's so bad I couldn't even finish listening to it! Where did they get these cuts?
Published on February 27, 2007 by F. Moore
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Eric Clapton Millenium collection
Argh, another Clapton compilation!? Yes, but it is a fine one this time. Very good sound - especially on the Derek tracks.
Published on January 11, 2007 by Rene Aagaard
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Clapton receives a clapping review!!
This is a MUST for all Eric Clapton fans! I have so many sweet memories of these songs and this CD brings it all back again!
Published on January 9, 2007 by T Wertz
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4.0 out of 5 stars
It not bad given the price I paid
I agree with most of the reviews here. And I thought this CD is way too short, they could've put in more songs.
Published on April 30, 2006 by Y. Zhang
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3.0 out of 5 stars
What?
What is this? This is not a Eric Clapton compalation, this is a mix tape of someones favorite Eric Clapton songs.
Published on October 16, 2005 by Morton
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4.0 out of 5 stars
NICE CD.
I got this just the other day,and I love it(not enogth to marry it though) but I gave it four stars because there is no WHITE ROOM or any other Cream songs, but I guess that is on...
Published on November 9, 2004
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Shorter Than Clapton's Recent Guitar Solos....
No doubt a straight out 5 for the music recorded here. The songs on this single disc are indeed some of the best from Clapton's post-Cream, pre-commercially driven/Phil Collins...
Published on August 6, 2004 by "The Woj"
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2.0 out of 5 stars
Fair compilation - not great, but not bad, either
20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection - The Best of Eric Clapton is essentially a re-issue of Clapton's 1982 compilation, Timepieces.
Published on June 16, 2004 by James Dobosiewicz
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