RE/P Files: A Production Analysis Of Eric Clapton’s “Layla”

Tom Dowd has participated in as much recording history as maybe anyone around today. During his 28 years in the business, he has recorded and/or produced, among others;, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Herbie Mann, Ray Charles, The Coasters, The Drifters, Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield, The Young Rascals, The Allman Brothers, Stephen Stills, and Joe Walsh.

He is probably most noted, though, for his longstanding association with guitarist Eric Clapton.

Originally Cream’s engineer, and in recent years, Clapton’s engineer/producer, he is the closest professional associate of the man who, by either musical or sociological standards, must be considered the most influential musician of our time.

Clearly, Eric Clapton, more than anyone else, has defined the style and set the standard for the era’s most prominent instrument – electric guitar.

“Layla,” the only studio effort from Clapton’s short-lived Derek and the Dominos, has met with unqualified success both critically very rare for a double album and commercially.

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