Listening to this song for over 40 years, my skin still turns to gooseflesh and my eyes well with tears every time the second movement begins. I feel something larger than emotion, grander than hope, a frisson of invincibility. This song is pure sorcery. 🩵
@Beff_Juckley Jack Bruce ,in a late 80's interview with one of the major trade rags ,said that Eric's single string intro was his tip of the cap to the aria in Puccini's Madame Butterfly .Simple , piercing , haunting.Masterful.
I saw a Clapton interview years ago where he said he was driving in his car and the Wilson Pickett version of "Hey Jude" came on the radio. After listening to it he pulled his car over (no cell phones in those days) and called Tom Dowd and said "who is playing those guitar fils on the Pickett version. Dowd said it was a guy named Skydog Alman. That was when Duane was a studio musician in Muscle Shoals befire the Alman Brotheres Band
I can't believe I didn't think of it until now, but it would be great to get Eric to do an interview with you. I've heard many people interview him but don't recall there being too much talk about his songwriting. Who knows, maybe you're already working on it?
Absolutely yes! And when he sees this video I'm sure he'd be happy to go on with you Rick. I'd love to see it! You'd have a million things to talk about. Your interviews are always fabulous.
Jim Gordon should get a ton of credit for his drumming. He's not just playing a straight groove , he's accenting the vocal parts and filling in the space between the guitar riffs. Masterful drumming. No wonder he was in so much demand in those days.
Dude, some of my favorite musicians are Carl Radle, Jim Gordon.......and Bobby Whitlock. Those 3 guys absolutely defined so much music in the early 70's, between Delaney and Bonnie, Dave Mason, George Harrison......and of course Derek & the Dominos. Always thought if I ever start a band, I'm calling us The Bobby Whitlocks. Seriously, your dad is among the most seriously underappreciated musicians ever. Love everything he has done.
Eric Clapton doesn’t seem to do ‘a lot’ of one on one interviews. But those I’ve seen him do, and the way certain people can bring an actual conversation out of him, lead me to believe that were you to sit down with Eric you could have a CLASSIC interview on your hands, Rick. I grew up with the ‘Clapton is God’ poster on my wall… and I’d almost have a hard time disagreeing considering the emotions Clapton could so powerfully evoke from me. The ‘Guitar Hero’ thing is like most things today overused. Eric Clapton, I think, is simply a genius at his craft - which essentially is the blues. And we recognize that genius for what it is. Which I would think is far and away above a label like ‘Guitar Hero’. I can count on one hand the musicians who I hold in similar regard to Clapton. A Rick Beato - Eric Clapton interview would get a million views. And that’s just the number of times ‘I’ would watch it.
Layla is without doubt a masterpiece. I was 13 on a road trip with my family and the song came on the car radio. I’ll never forget how it made me feel….utterly awestruck. ❤
What a wonderful analysis, Rick! “Layla” is a masterpiece. It’s a bunch of young guys at the top of their game - Eric, Duane, Bobby, Carl, and Jim. Though Jim Gordon is credited as a songwriter because of the piano coda, Rita Coolidge alleges he stole it from her - a song called “Time.” A number of people back up her claim, including Bobby Whitlock. Gordon died in a psychiatric prison after killing his mother with a hammer and butcher knife in the early 80s. At the time of the murder he was an undiagnosed schizophrenic. Crazy stories and tragedies are connected to this tune.
BTW among people surrounding schizophrenics, the highest mortality is the mother. Even higher than fathers, psych hospital staff, police, clergy, and extended family, because mothers are the last to give up on their child, even into adulthood. Thus mothers are so vulnerable due to their intimacy and nurturing traits.🥲
I was 10 years old when I first heard it on the radio - still behind the Iron Curtain. And that gave me an idea of the energy music has and what it can do to people. This love of music has always accompanied me ever since.
There is a documentary on Tommy Dowd who was the recording engenier on hundreds of hit songs throughout the 60's 70's and I think 80's...anyway in the documentary Tommy isolates Eric and Dwaynes guitar parts and it is Phenomenal.
Duane's "bird chirp" at the very end of the song always makes me shiver. That's something you can't learn to do, either you have the supernatural talent to touch the instrument like that, or you don't. Duane had it.
The bird chirp is done with a slide in reverse. With your left hand just mute all the strings. Put the slide in your right hand hand gently slide it on the high strings from the bridge towards the neck. Kinda easy when you get the hang of it.
I always viewed Duane’s “bird call” at very end to be his signature . Like an artist signing their painting. His contributions to Layla cannot be understated.
I learned about the key of the song being 1/4 off way back in 1997. My guitar teacher was the one who told me (pretty sure he had perfect pitch). He was a very good teacher named G.T. "Terry" Bland who played with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in their later years, and also played all of the banjo parts heard on the original Dukes of Hazard.
Carl Radle on bass guitar, was tremendously talented. He's fantastic on Clapton's "461 Ocean Blvd." album. Together with Jim Gordon, it was a rhythm section that was hard to beat. 👍
Shoutout Duane Allman on that Les Paul. Check out the Allman Bros playing the closing of the Fillmore East, as well as stonybrook 9/19/71. Duane’s tone is so full, delicate yet growling
I love this video so. You do such justice to this and offer such respect to the players. 50 years ago I wore out 2 double album lp's of Derek and the Dominoes "In Concert" at the Filmore trying to figure it out. Clapton, Whitlock, Radle and Jim Gordon to this day are my favorite band of all time. Allman Brothers and Steely Dan are right there too. Great stuff Rick and Merry Christmas.
Watching your videos invokes a deep regret in my many, many years of life - that I didn’t learn to play a piano or guitar in my youth. Fortunately I can play the stereo…
Layla was the song that made my pick up my first guitar - I fell in love with the tune. After 2 years of practicing I managed to play the 3 layers :). Thank you for featuring this epic tune
Tired of doodling! Just bought the bundle. Committing to the Beato Book and getting my theory study done during 2024. Great value package. Love the online video tutorials.
I was lucky to attend a couple of Cream concerts back in the late 60s. I have loved Clapton’s guitar playing ever since. I couldn’t pick out a favorite song of his; there are just too many good ones. I love his blues songs as well as his rock songs.
I'm 71 and a by-ear bass player. I find that back then songs that I would have just said, 'That's a good song, I like it, I'll learn the bassline', after Rick's analysis of the songs eg: Layla, I now appreciate them much more. We were soooo fortunate to have grown up at that time when artists actually had talent and the record companies took big chances on them that helped form our personal history!
Carl Radle's sub-hook melody in the verses is just beautiful. A perfect example of bass providing both counterpoint and support. For me as a bassist, that makes the song.
It's impossible to pick the best Beato ever, because they're all so f-ing great. But this Layla analysis ranks near or at the top. It's just another super-fantastic analysis of a classic and I'm damned sorry I missed it when it was live. I'm 85 and way past my trumpeting days but I'm not too old to learn more about what it is that's helped keep me alive and happy. Can't thank you enough Rick. You're a genius and a mensch. And if you're not yet in some hall of fame somewhere you damn well should be.
Sometime in the mid 90's i was sitting in my car in front if my moms house. I was in my late 20s. Layla came on as I parked and I just cranked it up and sat sitting there listening. As the song was ending yhere was a knock on my window and this teenager standing there. I rolled down my window and asked her what she wanted and she said oh my god. What song is that? I said that's Layla by Eric Clapton. She said that's the most incredible song I've heard in my life. It is an absolutely timeless piece that rips your guts out.
Out of all the things you mentioned I think the most interesting and important is time. It took time to write a masterpiece like this. It didn’t happen overnight. Creating art takes time and patience. It takes knowledge of your craft. It’s not easy creating something that lasts for generations.
Love to see you get Bobby Whitlock on the channel. He's a historic treasure trove, going all the way back to his teenage years hanging around at Stax in Memphis, Delaney and Bonnie, George Harrison, Derek and the Dominoes, and more. IMHO, his voice and songwriting are the added element that made the Layla album so great, beyond the great guitarists. He actually has more songwriting credits than Clapton on the album and is a better singer. He's getting old and I'd love to see you talk to him while he's still healthy.
Great video! Layla is among the list of my all time favorite songs!!! The lyrics are awesome and Eric sang the song with such passion which you can feel!!! The opening riff lives forever!!!
@@Lemopalm Most of |Kubrick's music was not so well known, like Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary. But Scorsese gave me my musical tastes. Gimmie Shelter, Jumping Jack Flash, Rubber Biscuit, Layla, What is Life, Jump into the Fire, Cavalleria Rusticana , The Feeling Begins etc, etc .
Rick, you bring the spirit of music and creativity into my mind and heart just as much as my favorite music hero's used to in the beginning. You make me love to play music again and you have made me fascinated with music again. Thank you for this channel.
The opening bar of the first lick is played with open strings, not pulloff/hammer ons. Open A string, then 3rd fret of A string, Open D string, 3rd fret of D string. Great video!!!
There are three great songs out there, which were written for Pattie Boyd: Something, Layla and Wonderful Tonight. She seemed to be inspiring men at that time
Great video about an incredible song, good job, Rick! By the way, that Gsus4, Gsus2 etc chord sequence, at the end of the coda, reminds me a bit of the Beatles/ George Harrison's "I need you". Actually some of the chord changes, key changes etc throughout o the song remind me a bit of the way Harrison wrote, which is so ironic, given the whole story behind this legendary song.
I would love to see a break down of bell bottom blues. The chord changes in that tune always felt like the most emotional changes I’ve ever heard in a song.
Bell Bottom Blues is my second favorite Clapton song. Only Badge is better to me. I'm an absolute, unapologetic, Eric Clapton devotee and will be til the day I die. I don't know that any human being ever has expressed such emotion through their instrument of choice than Clapton.
@@vincentwhitley1119 Oh yeah. Another of my favorite underrated Clapton songs is Watch Out for Lucy. That's such a fun song. Maybe the most fun song he has. It's right up there with Lay Down Sally for just good old fashioned rock and roll.
The coda of this song is quite possibly one of the most awesome pieces of music ever written. Those chords, and chord melody work, what more would you ever need.
This one and Badge are my favorites that Clapton did. We worked up Badge back in ‘69 and everyone in the band just wanted to keep playing it during practice. We all enjoyed it big time.
Try playing the coda as an acoustic guitar quartet. - > First guitar in open D tuning dropped to open C. >Second guitar standard tuning open, no capo. >Third guitar capo first fret standard tuning. >Fourth guitar capo third fret standard tuning. This way, you can get all of the full chord voicings, colors and melodic variations of the 'Derek And The Dominoes' recording, without a piano.
Rick talks about Eric coming up with the theme in the intro/chorus. I remember reading in more than one place that it was Duane who suggested it, and based it on Albert King’s “As The Years ago Passing By”. Eric original vision of the song was as a shuffle similar to the later acoustic version.
Layla is a classic. It will be played hundreds of year from now, along with a select few, like Bohemian Rhapsody, that will be added to the "standard repertoire".
The "speeding" of the song was because the song was recorded at the end of the reel and the piano coda was recorded on a new reel. Both were spliced and "corrected" by Tom Dowd to master the track.
nice tech note! now that I know this, I've heard it in numerous other songs as well... analog... stuff being maybe 1/2 step out of key. explains a lot, really. maybe also why I love playing in "Blues tunings" so darned much! 😀
You just blew my mind. When I was young, it seemed to me that so many songs seemed to change speed ever so slightly. I'd tweak the speed on my turntable to make a portion of a song sound "right" (to my ear, anyway), then the next song I'd play seemed "off". Damn near drove me nuts!
This is yet another record based around the classic relationship between the minor 1st and the major 6th - often or usually linked by the major 7th and frequently descending to the major 5th. High time, Rick, that you did a feature video on the astounding ubiquity of this chord sequence in so many of the most famous and best-selling songs 'of all time' . Right from Beethoven's 5th, through "Hit The Road Jack", "All Along The Watchtower", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Don't Fear the Reaper", the coda in "Stairway to Heaven", "Crazy On You", "Sultans of Swing", "Roxanne", etc, etc. Once you start looking for this pattern, you realise it's just everywhere throughout rock history - and variations of it such as Am, G, F, G, Am, etc , and Am,G, F, E, repeat - as in "Hit The Road Jack" and Davey Graham's "Angie", as covered by Paul Simon and Bert Jansch. There is clearly something about this "hook" that is widely recognised by songwriters and artists
That Dwayne slide line is of the chart. Bass is killing it. So much passion to the whole thing. I was fortunate enough to see this live along time ago. I still listen to it and get chills. Thx for sharing.
I always said that if I ever got to see Eric play the electric version of Layla live (having seen him play the acoustic version loads), I’d probably just cry. In reality, my jaw just dropped so hard I think I bruised my chin.
it is another song, called "Time" written by Rita Coolige and Jim Gordon which you can find on youtube. The story goes she played the demo for Eric in the studio and he didn't appear interested but ended up using it. Somehow Jim Gordon got all the credit for it.
One of the best live music sets I've heard was at Eric's guitar festival in Dallas in 2004. He played Layla and at the end went seamlessly into Cocaine. It was as if they were made for each other! He did a phenomenal job in putting together all those acts.
I’ve had the pleasure to have been a part of many car builds (early Hot Rods) for Eric and just finished up another two months back. He is very down to earth while being such a huge star. I’ve been waiting for a special or wmtsg on Layla.
Thank you Rick. Layla has been my top rock song of all time since it was released! I still perform it in my solo show to this day. I play piano. What I have done is start with the unplugged version finishing with the classic coda for us old timers. This video is my favorite Christmas gift!
The opening riff, the urgency in the voices...might be Clapton's best track and album. Love how the intro modulates as the verse begins. There's a story that Jim Gordon "borrowed" the piano coda section from a song by Rita Coolidge and her sister. Not sure of the details but an interesting little side note.
It's absolutely true. Search for interviews with her. She tried to get credit and was treated horribly. Take away Rita's bit, and Duane's - is there much that Eric added?
Sorry you're all wrong, as was Bobby Whitlock. Rita details the actual story in her autobiography. Jim did indeed compose the tune. She was the one who helped to complete it by adding to it. Even though it was his basic riff, she did deserve a co-writing credit, but EC's manager, Robert Stigwood, turned her down (and not EC).
Yeah, I feel that Duane was the finishing touch, along with Bobby Whitlock and Carl Radle, that made it a classic album. Rita and her sister sure wrote a beautiful piano part. @@normanhathaway2275
Rick.. you are the warmest human.. so authentic. I love this video.. this beautiful song obviously means a lot to you.. and we can feel it. Such sensational. 👍🙏
My favorite coda is Crime of the Century. I have often thought that during the coda Eric's guitar is expressing the love he feels while Duane's is expressing the tortured pining of it not being returned. The two emotions are intertwined.
How well I remember this! All I knew about music was listen to it, feel it, and decide what is best. I thought this was one of the best of all time; I heard it , I felt it, and I thought it had to be one of the best ever. I heard, I felt, and I thought correctly. This is tune is great. Thank you Rick!
Thank you, Mr. Beato. Your tireless dedication to music history and compositional structure is an Inspiration to all today. Your Legacy is secure, and your children will carry on this legacy in the future, In one form or another. Merry Christmas everyone!! And a Happy New Year...
My understanding is that Little Wing was also recorded the same day as Layla. Eric and Duane play unbelievable guitars on that song! It was a tribute to Jimi Hendrix but he died before hearing it.
Maybe I am a bit confused by your comment, but to my knowledge Hendrix’s Little Wing was recorded and released in 1967 and Layla wasn’t recorded until late 1970, are you referring to a different version I am unaware of?
Tuning back in the day before electronic tuners: I still have 2 tuning forks, one is A the other is E. But when necessary, tune the guitar to match the record. For gig or rehearsal, use the tuning fork or if there is a piano, the piano wins.
Great video Rick! It's always fun to revisit a classic. A guitarist that I've never heard you mention but I would love to see you break down is Leo Kottke.
Listen to the anguish in his voice when he sings the name Layla, it sounds like he really means it! What a great song to have Rick take a look at and break down.
This song i have heard so many times i could hear the outro (piano on) without any lyrics and be very happy. I never get tired of it. Happy Christmas everyone. Rick I heard Eric say he had the chord progression before the pull off string part that people relate to most.
Even after 50 years this track makes the hair on my arms stand up, like it was the first time I heard it. This is the song that inspired me to play guitar. In my book the best song ever recorded ..
Great song. Clever semitone shift between verse and chorus. An upward semitone shift generally adds energy and gives an uplifting feel. A downward semitone shift generally calms energy and gives a more relaxed feel, so it really works well that the lift comes with the chorus.
Jim Gordon was credited for writing the piano outro on Layla at the time but since then Rita Coolidge has been mentioned as the writer of that part. Apparently Gordon and Coolidge were dating back then.
was just reading about this, listen to the song "Time" by Booker T. and Priscilla Coolidge, it is literally the coda for Layla with lyrics. Rita wrote it with Jim Gordon and she said she played the demo for Eric during the recording sessions and somehow Jim got all the writing credit for it.
Clapton's playing on the Layla album was off the charts... supreme, heartfelt phrasing. Duane was brilliant but EC's connection to his guitar is unequalled.
At the time Eric was going through a tumultuous time of the heart when this song was created - and it shows. I don't think that ANYTHING was actually "thought out", it all just flowed... from the heart.
I think it was once said that Duane Allmans biggest contribution to the songs he did with Clapton was his slide guitar on Layla. Doesn't get much better than Clapton with Allman
@@swampscott2670a lot of casuals like yourself think that because you’re too used to over produced modern music. The raw passion of allmans playing is unmatched
The truth is Duane did most all of the guitar heavy lifting on this track. He came up with the iconic lick - which he took from the melody of As The Year's Go Passing By. That's also him playing the fills during the verses and of course the blazing slide work.
This was the main song playing on the "jukebox" in my college cafeteria and over the radio waves especially my first year or two in the early seventies, and so it is so evocative to me of that time. Although the acoustic version is great, I still prefer and relate more to this... even when I play it acoustically. I usually don't play the high parts unless a two or three guitar set up, so it's more kind of a combination of the two styles. I found since people don't expect those high parts, I think of those as being optional (again acoustically) depending on the mood! Fun either way. Great you're covering this Rick!
Also heard that the main part of Layla was recoded at the end of a reel and the coda was later recorded at the beginning of a fresh tape. When they physically spliced the tapes together the playback speed was off due to the speed of the reels when recording, so it was kind of manually manipulated to keep it in tune throughout.
Soo sad that Rita Coolidge has never received the credit for the “coda” part of Layla. If you have any doubt please listen to Rita’s song “Time”. Jim Gordon plays it beautifully, but Rita definitely wrote this magnificent piece of music.
Tom Dowd talked about how in the guitar section before the piano coda Eric and Duane were playing above the frets. It's my favorite part of this genius song.
I'm currently studying your Interactive Beato book Rick, it's opened my eyes a lot about modes and chordal structure, more than I learned at college back in the early 00's
First time I heard Duane’s slide on this song I was blown away and amazed by what I was hearing. That first part between 22:10 thru 22:55 was just so beautiful it actually brings tears to me eyes to this day. Just beautiful slide work. His slide work thru this hole song just touches my heart in such a special way. I can’t even explain it very well it’s just beautiful
Listening to this song for over 40 years, my skin still turns to gooseflesh and my eyes well with tears every time the second movement begins. I feel something larger than emotion, grander than hope, a frisson of invincibility. This song is pure sorcery. 🩵
Yeah, Duane really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. And this is 1970 Duane, by summer/fall ‘71 he was hitting another level!
Awesome!! Would love to see a break down of Cream's "White Room" as well!
@Beff_Juckley Jack Bruce ,in a late 80's interview with one of the major trade rags ,said that Eric's single string intro was his tip of the cap to the aria in Puccini's Madame Butterfly .Simple , piercing , haunting.Masterful.
simple song,,jack bruce,,was most of the ear in that band,,well round player!!
1-½ verses into the song and Clapton has already played more chords than the entire 2023 Spotify Top Ten.
Yeah but you could play 5 and do that lol
Spotify just called and said you've reached your chord allocation for the month.
Shoulda chose the Fancy Plan, you get chords and licks!! 🤣🤣
❤😂🎉😊
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
😅
I saw a Clapton interview years ago where he said he was driving in his car and the Wilson Pickett version of "Hey Jude" came on the radio. After listening to it he pulled his car over (no cell phones in those days) and called Tom Dowd and said "who is playing those guitar fils on the Pickett version. Dowd said it was a guy named Skydog Alman. That was when Duane was a studio musician in Muscle Shoals befire the Alman Brotheres Band
I can't believe I didn't think of it until now, but it would be great to get Eric to do an interview with you. I've heard many people interview him but don't recall there being too much talk about his songwriting. Who knows, maybe you're already working on it?
He's done an interview recently on bitchute
@@FYMASMD Clapton is God
@@FYMASMDApologize now 😡😠🤬
Absolutely yes! And when he sees this video I'm sure he'd be happy to go on with you Rick. I'd love to see it! You'd have a million things to talk about. Your interviews are always fabulous.
just don't ask him about lockdowns
Rick is the only guy ever who does air guitar with a guitar in his hands...love it
Me 2. No not that one lol
@@grimmertwin2148😂🤣
Jim Gordon should get a ton of credit for his drumming. He's not just playing a straight groove , he's accenting the vocal parts and filling in the space between the guitar riffs. Masterful drumming. No wonder he was in so much demand in those days.
Big Jim was stellar,listen to him on why does love have to be so sad studio or live version
All while being Gotham's Police Commissioner! Incredible
Iove the drumming on this song
Great drummer but he did not write the Coda. Rita Coolidge his former girlfriend, wrote it. Plenty of evidence to back that up.
Gordon was a crucial component in the bands sound
Duane’s slide playing perfectly somehow captured the emotion of the subject matter within Layla. Amazing
Duane is MVP of the entire album IMO.
That’s my father singing and playing B3. I’m very proud of his musical achievements.
You should be. Without him, some of the greatest music that exists today in rock would not be as good. He made every song better. Love Bobby.
I just love his vocals on the song It’s to late. Just a great musical talent
So cool Beau. God bless you and your dad!
Your father is a legend.
Dude, some of my favorite musicians are Carl Radle, Jim Gordon.......and Bobby Whitlock. Those 3 guys absolutely defined so much music in the early 70's, between Delaney and Bonnie, Dave Mason, George Harrison......and of course Derek & the Dominos. Always thought if I ever start a band, I'm calling us The Bobby Whitlocks.
Seriously, your dad is among the most seriously underappreciated musicians ever. Love everything he has done.
For those who don't know, the jam sessions that Clapton and Allman played together, and that produced Layla, are available on UA-cam. Guitar heaven.
Eric Clapton doesn’t seem to do ‘a lot’ of one on one interviews. But those I’ve seen him do, and the way certain people can bring an actual conversation out of him, lead me to believe that were you to sit down with Eric you could have a CLASSIC interview on your hands, Rick.
I grew up with the ‘Clapton is God’ poster on my wall… and I’d almost have a hard time disagreeing considering the emotions Clapton could so powerfully evoke from me. The ‘Guitar Hero’ thing is like most things today overused. Eric Clapton, I think, is simply a genius at his craft - which essentially is the blues. And we recognize that genius for what it is. Which I would think is far and away above a label like ‘Guitar Hero’.
I can count on one hand the musicians who I hold in similar regard to Clapton. A Rick Beato - Eric Clapton interview would get a million views. And that’s just the number of times ‘I’ would watch it.
Rick, You should do an interview with Clapton! One of the last true legends!
AND Jimmy Page!!😁
@@leddygee1896 And Herbie Hancock!
@@leddygee1896 And Geddy Lee. I'm almost sure you've heard of him.
George Benson pleaseeee
I'd rather hear more of Clapton playing and less of him talking, all around.
Layla is without doubt a masterpiece. I was 13 on a road trip with my family and the song came on the car radio. I’ll never forget how it made me feel….utterly awestruck. ❤
What a wonderful analysis, Rick! “Layla” is a masterpiece. It’s a bunch of young guys at the top of their game - Eric, Duane, Bobby, Carl, and Jim.
Though Jim Gordon is credited as a songwriter because of the piano coda, Rita Coolidge alleges he stole it from her - a song called “Time.” A number of people back up her claim, including Bobby Whitlock. Gordon died in a psychiatric prison after killing his mother with a hammer and butcher knife in the early 80s. At the time of the murder he was an undiagnosed schizophrenic. Crazy stories and tragedies are connected to this tune.
BTW among people surrounding schizophrenics, the highest mortality is the mother. Even higher than fathers, psych hospital staff, police, clergy, and extended family, because mothers are the last to give up on their child, even into adulthood. Thus mothers are so vulnerable due to their intimacy and nurturing traits.🥲
Beato was about 8-9 yrs old when Layla was released in 1971. Crazy! I still have the pristine album. I was a senior in high school.
Well I was born in 1971 and I also love the song - are you just cooler than the rest of us for being in HS then?
Me too! The album blew me away. I learned every song on it!
I was 10 years old when I first heard it on the radio - still behind the Iron Curtain.
And that gave me an idea of the energy music has and what it can do to people.
This love of music has always accompanied me ever since.
There is a documentary on Tommy Dowd who was the recording engenier on hundreds of hit songs throughout the 60's 70's and I think 80's...anyway in the documentary Tommy isolates Eric and Dwaynes guitar parts and it is Phenomenal.
Duane's "bird chirp" at the very end of the song always makes me shiver. That's something you can't learn to do, either you have the supernatural talent to touch the instrument like that, or you don't. Duane had it.
Amazing and great the whole tune may be, I believe that this chirping bird is the best part of the song. Duane was something else...
The bird chirp is done with a slide in reverse. With your left hand just mute all the strings. Put the slide in your right hand hand gently slide it on the high strings from the bridge towards the neck. Kinda easy when you get the hang of it.
One of the greatest tragedies in music was his untimely death.
I always viewed Duane’s “bird call” at very end to be his signature . Like an artist signing their painting. His contributions to Layla cannot be understated.
I learned about the key of the song being 1/4 off way back in 1997. My guitar teacher was the one who told me (pretty sure he had perfect pitch). He was a very good teacher named G.T. "Terry" Bland who played with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in their later years, and also played all of the banjo parts heard on the original Dukes of Hazard.
It's a fantastic recording and I've never heard a live version by Clapton that even comes close to capturing the feel. It was too good!
More Clapton Please!! This is just one of the best songs, there are so much more.
Carl Radle on bass guitar, was tremendously talented. He's fantastic on Clapton's "461 Ocean Blvd." album. Together with Jim Gordon, it was a rhythm section that was hard to beat. 👍
Radle's bass on Why Does Love Got to be So Sad is fantastic.
I saw Eric Clapton in the 80's.. One of my very first concerts. Always loved his playing.
I saw him in 91 at royal Albert hall. It was very good indeed esp the work on Nathan east alongside him. The whole band was at its absolute tightest.
The guitar tone on this song is sick. It just has some wild energy to it, I cant explain it.
The tone of both Strat and Gibson on this record are sick, so different and yet so amazing
Shoutout Duane Allman on that Les Paul. Check out the Allman Bros playing the closing of the Fillmore East, as well as stonybrook 9/19/71. Duane’s tone is so full, delicate yet growling
I loved that Tom Dowd documentary. You don't realize that some of these producers are so integral to much of the music we enjoy
I love this video so. You do such justice to this and offer such respect to the players. 50 years ago I wore out 2 double album lp's of Derek and the Dominoes "In Concert" at the Filmore trying to figure it out. Clapton, Whitlock, Radle and Jim Gordon to this day are my favorite band of all time. Allman Brothers and Steely Dan are right there too. Great stuff Rick and Merry Christmas.
I'm witcha Nick.
Watching your videos invokes a deep regret in my many, many years of life - that I didn’t learn to play a piano or guitar in my youth. Fortunately I can play the stereo…
This and Cream were his finest hours, I never get tired of that song. It’s that amazing!
I agree. Badge, tales of brave Ulysses, strange brew. All straight up classics.
Layla was the song that made my pick up my first guitar - I fell in love with the tune. After 2 years of practicing I managed to play the 3 layers :). Thank you for featuring this epic tune
Tired of doodling! Just bought the bundle. Committing to the Beato Book and getting my theory study done during 2024. Great value package. Love the online video tutorials.
A video on your daily warmup would be awesome, Rick! I am loving the arpeggio course.
I was lucky to attend a couple of Cream concerts back in the late 60s. I have loved Clapton’s guitar playing ever since. I couldn’t pick out a favorite song of his; there are just too many good ones. I love his blues songs as well as his rock songs.
I'm 71 and a by-ear bass player. I find that back then songs that I would have just said, 'That's a good song, I like it, I'll learn the bassline', after Rick's analysis of the songs eg: Layla, I now appreciate them much more. We were soooo fortunate to have grown up at that time when artists actually had talent and the record companies took big chances on them that helped form our personal history!
Carl Radle's sub-hook melody in the verses is just beautiful. A perfect example of bass providing both counterpoint and support. For me as a bassist, that makes the song.
It's impossible to pick the best Beato ever, because they're all so f-ing great. But this Layla analysis ranks near or at the top. It's just another super-fantastic analysis of a classic and I'm damned sorry I missed it when it was live. I'm 85 and way past my trumpeting days but I'm not too old to learn more about what it is that's helped keep me alive and happy. Can't thank you enough Rick. You're a genius and a mensch. And if you're not yet in some hall of fame somewhere you damn well should be.
Sometime in the mid 90's i was sitting in my car in front if my moms house. I was in my late 20s. Layla came on as I parked and I just cranked it up and sat sitting there listening. As the song was ending yhere was a knock on my window and this teenager standing there. I rolled down my window and asked her what she wanted and she said oh my god. What song is that? I said that's Layla by Eric Clapton. She said that's the most incredible song I've heard in my life. It is an absolutely timeless piece that rips your guts out.
Out of all the things you mentioned I think the most interesting and important is time. It took time to write a masterpiece like this. It didn’t happen overnight. Creating art takes time and patience. It takes knowledge of your craft. It’s not easy creating something that lasts for generations.
Love to see you get Bobby Whitlock on the channel. He's a historic treasure trove, going all the way back to his teenage years hanging around at Stax in Memphis, Delaney and Bonnie, George Harrison, Derek and the Dominoes, and more. IMHO, his voice and songwriting are the added element that made the Layla album so great, beyond the great guitarists. He actually has more songwriting credits than Clapton on the album and is a better singer. He's getting old and I'd love to see you talk to him while he's still healthy.
Bobby has been disrespected by way too many people, he more than deserves to be interviewed for his contributions to one of rocks greatest album
Great video! Layla is among the list of my all time favorite songs!!! The lyrics are awesome and Eric sang the song with such passion which you can feel!!! The opening riff lives forever!!!
The use of the piano section in Goodfellas is sublime.
Kubrick and Scorsese were masters at taking well known pieces of instrumental music and making them fit with a film
@@Lemopalm Most of |Kubrick's music was not so well known, like Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary. But Scorsese gave me my musical tastes. Gimmie Shelter, Jumping Jack Flash, Rubber Biscuit, Layla, What is Life, Jump into the Fire, Cavalleria Rusticana , The Feeling Begins etc, etc .
Scorsese is sublime.
@@Lemopalm Tarentino is also a master at selecting songs for his soundtracks!
"When they found Carbone in the meat truck, he was so frozen stiff that it took 2 days until they could perform the autopsy..."
Rick, you bring the spirit of music and creativity into my mind and heart just as much as my favorite music hero's used to in the beginning. You make me love to play music again and you have made me fascinated with music again. Thank you for this channel.
This is just amazing insight into the theoretical basics of this remarkable song. Thank you for it.
The opening bar of the first lick is played with open strings, not pulloff/hammer ons. Open A string, then 3rd fret of A string, Open D string, 3rd fret of D string. Great video!!!
There are three great songs out there, which were written for Pattie Boyd: Something, Layla and Wonderful Tonight.
She seemed to be inspiring men at that time
Inspiring or something else....
Don’t forget “for you Blue”.
Old Love!
Great video about an incredible song, good job, Rick! By the way, that Gsus4, Gsus2 etc chord sequence, at the end of the coda, reminds me a bit of the Beatles/ George Harrison's "I need you". Actually some of the chord changes, key changes etc throughout o the song remind me a bit of the way Harrison wrote, which is so ironic, given the whole story behind this legendary song.
I would love to see a break down of bell bottom blues. The chord changes in that tune always felt like the most emotional changes I’ve ever heard in a song.
Bell Bottom Blues is my second favorite Clapton song. Only Badge is better to me. I'm an absolute, unapologetic, Eric Clapton devotee and will be til the day I die. I don't know that any human being ever has expressed such emotion through their instrument of choice than Clapton.
Very emotional song but so is Layla
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 ...
The "Core" is some of his best guitar work
@@vincentwhitley1119 Oh yeah. Another of my favorite underrated Clapton songs is Watch Out for Lucy. That's such a fun song. Maybe the most fun song he has. It's right up there with Lay Down Sally for just good old fashioned rock and roll.
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 ..That album caught flack for being so different from his other work but it has awesome songs on it
The coda of this song is quite possibly one of the most awesome pieces of music ever written. Those chords, and chord melody work, what more would you ever need.
This one and Badge are my favorites that Clapton did. We worked up Badge back in ‘69 and everyone in the band just wanted to keep playing it during practice. We all enjoyed it big time.
Absolute classic. Claptons best. Where passion, talent and great band combine for something special.
Didn’t mention the bird chirps at the end . One of my favorite parts of the song
Try playing the coda as an acoustic guitar quartet. -
> First guitar in open D tuning dropped to open C.
>Second guitar standard tuning open, no capo.
>Third guitar capo first fret standard tuning.
>Fourth guitar capo third fret standard tuning.
This way, you can get all of the full chord voicings, colors and melodic variations of the 'Derek And The Dominoes' recording, without a piano.
Rick talks about Eric coming up with the theme in the intro/chorus. I remember reading in more than one place that it was Duane who suggested it, and based it on Albert King’s “As The Years ago Passing By”. Eric original vision of the song was as a shuffle similar to the later acoustic version.
That’s how I’ve always heard it
Layla is a true Master Piece of music ! its one of the few songs that I wished kept playing in a non stop loop
Layla is a classic. It will be played hundreds of year from now, along with a select few, like Bohemian Rhapsody, that will be added to the "standard repertoire".
The Beatles will still be played in 1000s of years 😂
Please don't put anything Queen equal to this. Not even close!
That Lydian dominant sound reminds me of The Rain Song… definitely a signature sound.
The "speeding" of the song was because the song was recorded at the end of the reel and the piano coda was recorded on a new reel. Both were spliced and "corrected" by Tom Dowd to master the track.
nice tech note!
now that I know this, I've heard it in numerous other songs as well... analog... stuff being maybe 1/2 step out of key.
explains a lot, really. maybe also why I love playing in "Blues tunings" so darned much! 😀
I am not a fan of anyone who hasn't progressed more than just repeating the same thing over and over.
jerrycostello:
It’s obviously an analog thing - you wouldn’t understand. 😐
It was recorded two seperate days.
You just blew my mind. When I was young, it seemed to me that so many songs seemed to change speed ever so slightly. I'd tweak the speed on my turntable to make a portion of a song sound "right" (to my ear, anyway), then the next song I'd play seemed "off". Damn near drove me nuts!
One of the greatest songs ever written. Definitely one of my all time favourites. Sooo good 🙌🎸🎤
This is yet another record based around the classic relationship between the minor 1st and the major 6th - often or usually linked by the major 7th and frequently descending to the major 5th.
High time, Rick, that you did a feature video on the astounding ubiquity of this chord sequence in so many of the most famous and best-selling songs 'of all time' . Right from Beethoven's 5th, through "Hit The Road Jack", "All Along The Watchtower", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Don't Fear the Reaper", the coda in "Stairway to Heaven", "Crazy On You", "Sultans of Swing", "Roxanne", etc, etc. Once you start looking for this pattern, you realise it's just everywhere throughout rock history - and variations of it such as Am, G, F, G, Am, etc , and Am,G, F, E, repeat - as in "Hit The Road Jack" and Davey Graham's "Angie", as covered by Paul Simon and Bert Jansch.
There is clearly something about this "hook" that is widely recognised by songwriters and artists
That Dwayne slide line is of the chart. Bass is killing it. So much passion to the whole thing. I was fortunate enough to see this live along time ago. I still listen to it and get chills. Thx for sharing.
Duane not Dwayne
I always said that if I ever got to see Eric play the electric version of Layla live (having seen him play the acoustic version loads), I’d probably just cry. In reality, my jaw just dropped so hard I think I bruised my chin.
Certainly one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. This and Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" are at the top of my list.
Carl Radle on bass, excellent smooth player 👌
Carl was amazing and THE most under rated bassist in Rock Music History
A major is the pivot chord being the 4 of E major verse section as well as the dominant 5 chord of D minor chorus section
I always felt that the coda in this song was basically another song. And Merry Christmas to you and your family Rick.
it is another song, called "Time" written by Rita Coolige and Jim Gordon which you can find on youtube. The story goes she played the demo for Eric in the studio and he didn't appear interested but ended up using it. Somehow Jim Gordon got all the credit for it.
One of the best live music sets I've heard was at Eric's guitar festival in Dallas in 2004. He played Layla and at the end went seamlessly into Cocaine. It was as if they were made for each other! He did a phenomenal job in putting together all those acts.
I’ve had the pleasure to have been a part of many car builds (early Hot Rods) for Eric and just finished up another two months back. He is very down to earth while being such a huge star. I’ve been waiting for a special or wmtsg on Layla.
Roy Brizio?
@@pettergrnnesby2377 Yessir. Im with Sid on the interiors.
Has he fully recovered from his vaccine injury?
@@Freempgnope. He said that openly
That's lame that you'd lie about this. 😐👎
Thank you Rick. Layla has been my top rock song of all time since it was released!
I still perform it in my solo show to this day. I play piano. What I have done is start with the unplugged version finishing with the classic coda for us old timers.
This video is my favorite Christmas gift!
The opening riff, the urgency in the voices...might be Clapton's best track and album. Love how the intro modulates as the verse begins. There's a story that Jim Gordon "borrowed" the piano coda section from a song by Rita Coolidge and her sister. Not sure of the details but an interesting little side note.
Gordon was Rita's boyfriend at the time. Her story is backed up by Bobby Whitlock (the keyboardist of Derek and the Dominoes).
It's absolutely true. Search for interviews with her. She tried to get credit and was treated horribly. Take away Rita's bit, and Duane's - is there much that Eric added?
@@TimMaddux Very true. I've heard that from Bobby Whitlock himself.
Sorry you're all wrong, as was Bobby Whitlock. Rita details the actual story in her autobiography. Jim did indeed compose the tune. She was the one who helped to complete it by adding to it. Even though it was his basic riff, she did deserve a co-writing credit, but EC's manager, Robert Stigwood, turned her down (and not EC).
Yeah, I feel that Duane was the finishing touch, along with Bobby Whitlock and Carl Radle, that made it a classic album. Rita and her sister sure wrote a beautiful piano part. @@normanhathaway2275
Rick.. you are the warmest human.. so authentic. I love this video.. this beautiful song obviously means a lot to you.. and we can feel it. Such sensational. 👍🙏
My favorite coda is Crime of the Century.
I have often thought that during the coda Eric's guitar is expressing the love he feels while Duane's is expressing the tortured pining of it not being returned. The two emotions are intertwined.
How well I remember this! All I knew about music was listen to it, feel it, and decide what is best. I thought this was one of the best of all time; I heard it , I felt it, and I thought it had to be one of the best ever. I heard, I felt, and I thought correctly. This is tune is great.
Thank you Rick!
As an 70s and 80s rock guy this song is a masterpiece
Thank you, Mr. Beato. Your tireless dedication to music history and compositional structure is an Inspiration to all today. Your Legacy is secure, and your children will carry on this legacy in the future, In one form or another. Merry Christmas everyone!! And a Happy New Year...
My understanding is that Little Wing was also recorded the same day as Layla. Eric and Duane play unbelievable guitars on that song! It was a tribute to Jimi Hendrix but he died before hearing it.
Maybe I am a bit confused by your comment, but to my knowledge Hendrix’s Little Wing was recorded and released in 1967 and Layla wasn’t recorded until late 1970, are you referring to a different version I am unaware of?
Little Wing is my favorite Jim Gordon track of all time. One of the greatest rock drum songs ever.
@@bderrick4944Jimi recorded it originally but it was covered on the Derek and The Dominoes album. Jimi and Eric were friends.
Tuning back in the day before electronic tuners: I still have 2 tuning forks, one is A the other is E. But when necessary, tune the guitar to match the record. For gig or rehearsal, use the tuning fork or if there is a piano, the piano wins.
Great video Rick! It's always fun to revisit a classic.
A guitarist that I've never heard you mention but I would love to see you break down is Leo Kottke.
Am an axe swinger, I LOVE !! this chord progression, its awesome
Listen to the anguish in his voice when he sings the name Layla, it sounds like he really means it! What a great song to have Rick take a look at and break down.
Well, Clapton really meant it! Check out the story behind the song
Exactly mate. Musicians used to play and sing from the heart, not the wallet, as they do today.
This song i have heard so many times i could hear the outro (piano on) without any lyrics and be very happy. I never get tired of it. Happy Christmas everyone. Rick I heard Eric say he had the chord progression before the pull off string part that people relate to most.
Your analysis' are the best. Merry Christmas to you and your family from Canada. 🎅
You meant "analyses"
Its the greatest and most perfect song to play the piano outro is my favorite piano peace to play
Even after 50 years this track makes the hair on my arms stand up, like it was the first time I heard it. This is the song that inspired me to play guitar. In my book the best song ever recorded ..
Great song. Clever semitone shift between verse and chorus. An upward semitone shift generally adds energy and gives an uplifting feel. A downward semitone shift generally calms energy and gives a more relaxed feel, so it really works well that the lift comes with the chorus.
Jim Gordon was credited for writing the piano outro on Layla at the time but since then Rita Coolidge has been mentioned as the writer of that part. Apparently Gordon and Coolidge were dating back then.
was just reading about this, listen to the song "Time" by Booker T. and Priscilla Coolidge, it is literally the coda for Layla with lyrics. Rita wrote it with Jim Gordon and she said she played the demo for Eric during the recording sessions and somehow Jim got all the writing credit for it.
Clapton's playing on the Layla album was off the charts... supreme, heartfelt phrasing. Duane was brilliant but EC's connection to his guitar is unequalled.
I remember I asked for this a bit ago, this is my favorite song of all time
At the time Eric was going through a tumultuous time of the heart when this song was created - and it shows.
I don't think that ANYTHING was actually "thought out", it all just flowed... from the heart.
i have been playing music instruments for over 20 years and never had a lesson....so all of this is wonderful for me..keep em coming
I think it was once said that Duane Allmans biggest contribution to the songs he did with Clapton was his slide guitar on Layla. Doesn't get much better than Clapton with Allman
Horrible. It wrecks an otherwise decent song.
The slide is out of tune and grating….pass….other wise it’s a killer tune
@@swampscott2670a lot of casuals like yourself think that because you’re too used to over produced modern music. The raw passion of allmans playing is unmatched
I'm with you on this one Brian!
👏👏👏
The truth is Duane did most all of the guitar heavy lifting on this track. He came up with the iconic lick - which he took from the melody of As The Year's Go Passing By. That's also him playing the fills during the verses and of course the blazing slide work.
This was the main song playing on the "jukebox" in my college cafeteria and over the radio waves especially my first year or two in the early seventies, and so it is so evocative to me of that time. Although the acoustic version is great, I still prefer and relate more to this... even when I play it acoustically. I usually don't play the high parts unless a two or three guitar set up, so it's more kind of a combination of the two styles. I found since people don't expect those high parts, I think of those as being optional (again acoustically) depending on the mood! Fun either way. Great you're covering this Rick!
Musicians never die, they just fade to coda…
Also heard that the main part of Layla was recoded at the end of a reel and the coda was later recorded at the beginning of a fresh tape. When they physically spliced the tapes together the playback speed was off due to the speed of the reels when recording, so it was kind of manually manipulated to keep it in tune throughout.
Soo sad that Rita Coolidge has never received the credit for the “coda” part of Layla. If you have any doubt please listen to Rita’s song “Time”. Jim Gordon plays it beautifully, but Rita definitely wrote this magnificent piece of music.
I think Layla is probably the most beautiful song written. Yes, the coda is a moving piece of music.
Too bad Clapton didn't do a series of albums with this lineup of backing musicians. They were incredible together.
I read where Bobby Whitlock said they toured a lot after that, said they were one of the best bands he had ever played with or maybe the best. 😊
Tom Dowd talked about how in the guitar section before the piano coda Eric and Duane were playing above the frets. It's my favorite part of this genius song.
Merry Christmas ⛄🎁🎄💐🎈🎉🎊✨
One of my favorite songs
I like the piano/ guitar part towards the end 👍
I'm currently studying your Interactive Beato book Rick, it's opened my eyes a lot about modes and chordal structure, more than I learned at college back in the early 00's
The wailing Duane part is why it never sounds complete when Eric plays it live without a second lead guitar playrer.
First time I heard Duane’s slide on this song I was blown away and amazed by what I was hearing. That first part between 22:10 thru 22:55 was just so beautiful it actually brings tears to me eyes to this day. Just beautiful slide work. His slide work thru this hole song just touches my heart in such a special way. I can’t even explain it very well it’s just beautiful
love your guitar insights, and how you show those voiced chords