C - D

Eric Clapton's box set Crossroads is an outstanding overview of the many phases of his career and includes material with the Yardbirds, John Mayall, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie, Derek and the Dominoes, as well as tons of solo material.  This box set really anchors a foundation of Eric Clapton's material; to be supplemented with your favorite eras, live shows, plus latter day releases. 

Eric Clapton is one my favorite guitar players. With such as vast career there are certain periods that are more essential than others. In our Eric Clapton profile we have reviews of what consider his best releases. There we consolidate his many bands. 

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Eric Clapton profile
Guitar and Piano
Videos

Chicago overview

In 2005, Chicago re-issued their Live At Carnegie Hall album complete with a full extra disc of bonus material. 

With total album sales of over 120 million, 21 Top 10 singles, and five consecutive #1 albums, Chicago ranks among the all-time most successful groups in American rock. When it was first released as a four-LP package in 1972, this marathon live recording hit #3 on Billboard's Pop album chart and was certified RIAA gold. Following up their 1969 debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, 1970's Chicago II, and 1971's Chicago III -- #17, #4, and #2, respectively -- this historic set features all their early hits and spotlights Chicago at the pinnacle of their initial success. Painstakingly remastered, it now features a full disc of previously unreleased material showcasing their trademark horns, Robert Lamm's keyboards and vocals, along with the under appreciated guitar virtuosity of the late Terry Kath.

*Classic live Chicago, recorded at their historic week of Carnegie Hall concerts in April 1971. 
*Nearly four hours of remastered music, including a full disc of eight previously unreleased performances. 
*Bonus discoveries include "Listen," "Loneliness Is Just A Word," and "Sing A Mean Tune Kid." 
Plus alternate versions of songs that do appear on the original, including "Introduction," "25 Or 6 To 4," "Southern California Purples," and an April 9 take of "Free Form Intro (Naseltones)" written at sound check that day. 
*Features stellar live versions of the hits "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?," "Lowdown," "25 Or 6 To 4," "Make Me Smile," "Questions 67 And 68," and "Beginnings," 
"A Song For Richard And His Friends" and "Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon." 
*Packaging makes a nod to the original LP release, with an outer cardboard slipcase, four CDs in individual jackets, 32-page booklet with original LP artwork, and mini-reproductions of the three huge posters that were part of the original package. 
*Liner notes by celebrated music writer Don Heckman. 

Album Description
When it was first released as a four-LP package in 1972, this marathon live recording hit #3 on Billboard's Pop album chart and was certified RIAA gold. Following up their 1971 album Chicago III, this historic set features all the early hits and spotlights Chicago at the peak of their initial success. Painstakingly remastered, it now includes a full disc of previously unreleased material showcasing their trademark horns, Robert Lamm's keyboards and vocals, and the guitar virtuosity of the late Terry Kath. The set's packaging makes a nod to the original LP release, with an outer cardboard slipcase, four CDs in individual jackets, a 36-page booklet with original LP artwork, and mini-reproductions of the three huge posters that were part of the original release.

Walter Parazaider (sax, woodwinds), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals), Terry Kath (guitar, vocals), Danny Seraphine (drums), and Peter Cetera (bass, vocals) formed Chicago in the Second City in 1967. They released their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, in 1969. The double LP sold more than two million copies on the strength of sweet pop hits and psychedelic rock explorations that appealed to traditional Top 40 fans as well as hipper listeners tuning in to the new free-form FM radio.

This was just the start of Chicago's enduring popularity, which includes five consecutive #1 albums, 21 Top 10 singles, and worldwide sales of over 120 million. Chicago continues to be a major concert draw, their lineup now including Bill Champlin (keyboards, vocals), Jason Scheff (bass, vocals), Keith Howland (guitar), and Tris Imboden (drums), along with founding members Lamm, Parazaider, Loughnane, and Pankow.

Crosby Stills Nash debut album was sensational and they followed it by adding the brilliant Neil Young. They recorded one studio album, Deja Vu, and one live one album, 4 Way Street, before parted ways.

Deja Vu is a masterpiece of songwriting whether playing hard or soft. Primarily the record is singer songwriter oriented featuring classics such as "Teach Your Children," featuring Jerry Garcia on pedal, and Neil Young's "Helpless." Excellent, but not in the same league is Stills "4 + 20." 

The album opener, "Carry On" is guaranteed to have one singing along, while Crosby's "Almost Cut Your Hair" will have you not only singing, but also playing air guitar. 

Deja Vu is album that deserves to be listened to frequently with its familiar and gorgeous melodies and truly astonishing vocal harmonies. 

Four Way Street, their live album is every bit as essential as Deja Vu. It includes both acoustic and electric segments that are both are outstanding. I'll add more details about this album upon my next listen. The remastered release includes four bonus tracks.

More Crosby Stills and Nash

With an abundance of good music spread over so many albums we find that one of the greatest hits collections is a great way to go. There are single, double, and triple disc options.  Of them, his two disc collection seems to have the best balance of including his essential tracks without going beyond. 

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Southern Rock

Reverend Gary Davis is one of the most influential  ragtime blues artists. His impact was not limited blues players and is far reaching, impacting musical legends such as Jorma Kaukonen, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, David Bromberg, and countless others. 

Thankfully he left behind a large body of recorded works. His compilation to the right is a superb introduction to his music.

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Acoustic Blues

Deep Purple has seen their share of personnel movements. When we think of classic Deep Purple the band of guitarist Blackmore, singer Ian Gillian, bassist Roger Glover, keyboardist Jon Lord, and drummer Ian Paice comes to mind.  

That line-up brought us the classic Machine Head. Is there a better hard rock album? By anyone's scorecard, this one reaches the upper echelon. Deep Purple's 25th Anniversary Edition packages a second disc of alternative versions of all of the songs from the original album plus the B side "When a Blind Man Cries." The original disc has three bonus tracks.

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Deep Purple on video

Derek and the Dominoes was a short lived one of a kind phenomenon. Their studio album paired guitarist legends Eric Clapton and Duane Allman with a superb supporting cast. 

If you want to hear blistering blues with a jaw dropping guitar attack, this band this will satisfy your craving. To the right is the essential single disc album

There is a three disc box set edition. In addition to the complete studio album it includes a disc of alternative tracks, and a disc of jams. We strongly recommend this for serious fans. The live Derek and Dominoes does not include Duane Allman.

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Eric Clapton profile
Allman Brothers Band profile
Rock: guitar and piano

Dixie Dregs is a band of enormously talented musicians. Through the years personnel did change, but it never detracted from yielding first class music.  They are led by guitarist Steve Morse who was voted best overall guitarist by guitar player five times and has won six Grammy nominations. Their instrumental music ventures into rock, fusion, bluegrass, jazz, and even classical. On occasion they even perform some classic rock covers. One performance I saw they did a stunning Led Zeppelin medley. 

In addition to the Dixie Dregs, they recorded under the name the Dregs. Steve's career also includes numerous stints, notably a vast solo career, and as a member of Kansas, and Deep Purple. One Dregs song, "Leprechaun Promenade," from Night of the Living Dregs reminds me of early Kansas music. 

If you are looking for compilation of Dixie Dregs material, they have two greatest hits releases, which do not overlap. The 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Dixie Dregs is from their first three albums, while The Best of the Dregs: Divided We Stand, covers the latter period of their career.  

While we recommend both compilations, 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Dixie Dregs would be our top choice. 

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Southern Rock
Instrumental
Dixie Dregs / Steve Morse DVD

Willie Dixon is  best known for his songwriting contributions to the great Chicago blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Koko Taylor and countless others.  

The Willie Dixon Chess Box Set  is a celebration of his songwriting and include performances by Willie, but more frequently the blues legends that made these compositions famous. Tracks such as "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," "Evil," "Mellow Down Easy," "I just Want to Make Love to You," "Spoonful," "I Ain't Superstitious," "You Need Love" (The riff that is the foundation of Led Zeppelin's track "Whole Lotta Love"), "Little Red Rooster," "Back Door Man," "You Shook Me," "Bring it on Home," Wang Dang Doodle," "The Same Thing."  

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Blues: guitar and piano

Disc: 1
1. Listen To The Music 
2. Jesus Is JustAlright 
3. Rockin' Down The Highway 
4. Long Train Runnin' 
5. China Grove 
6. South City Midnight Lady 
7. Another Park, Another Sunday 
8. Eyes Of Silver 
9. Nobody 
10. Black Water 
11. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me) 
12. Sweet Maxine 
13. I Cheat The Hangman 
14. Takin' It To The Streets 
15. Wheels of Fortune 
16. It Keeps You Runnin' 

Disc: 2 
1. Little Darling (I Need You) 
2. Echoes Of Love 
3. What A Fool Believes 
4. Minute By Minute 
5. Depending On You 
6. Real Love 
7. One Step Closer 
8. Wynken, Blynken and Nod 
9. Keep This Train A-Rollin' 
10. Here To Love You 
11. You Belong To Me 
12. The Doctor 
13. South Of The Border 
14. Need A Little Taste of Love 
15. Dangerous 
16. Rollin' On 
17. Ordinary Man 

For the more adventurous there is a four disc box set, Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000. Though, this has many of their key tracks in single version.

For a single disc
Doobie Brothers - Greatest Hits

For the latter era of the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald's 2005 The Ultimate Collection is a great choice. It includes a lot of Doobie Brothers material along with his solo music.

If your seeking albums rather than a compilation:
Captain & Me 

Where do you start with Bob Dylan? Dylan had so  many successful music phases that his best material would depend on whether you like folk, blues, country, gospel, or rock. 

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 2 captures a reasonable glimpse of Dylan material from his prime. The cd is a bit short in length, as it is remastered from the album which typically were no longer than 45 minutes each disc. Nevertheless, this is a great collection. Also, there are several classic Bob Dylan songs included in this compilation that were not released prior to this album such as "Masterpiece," and  "I Shall Be Released."

Bob Dylan's vault release 
Bootleg Series 6: Concert at Philharmonic Hall 

This installment of Bob Dylan's bootleg series was recorded 10/31/64, and derives most of the material from the following classics albums, Freewheeling Bob, Times They are a Changin', Another Side, and Bringing It All back Home.

A two disc acoustic set.

Additional Bob Dylan content
Bob Dylan profile
Dylan and the Grateful Dead