Eric Clapton - Crossroads (1988) {2007, 4CD Box Set, Reissue}

A four-disc box set spanning Eric Clapton's entire career – running from the Yardbirds to his '80s solo recordings – Crossroads not only revitalized Clapton's commercial standing, but it established the rock & roll multi-disc box set retrospective as a commercially viable proposition. Bob Dylan's Biograph was successful two years before the release of Crossroads, but Clapton's set was a bona fide blockbuster. And it's easy to see why. Crossroads manages to sum up Clapton's career succinctly and thoroughly, touching upon all of his hits and adding a bevy of first-rate unreleased material (most notably selections from the scrapped second Derek and the Dominos album). Although not all of his greatest performances are included on the set – none of his work as a session musician or guest artist is included, for instance – every truly essential item he recorded is present on these four discs. No other Clapton album accurately explains why the guitarist was so influential, or demonstrates exactly what he accomplished.

~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music

Track List CD1:

01. BOOM BOOM (2:25) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by John Lee Hooker)
From THE YARDBIRDS' first studio session, recorded late 1963
02. HONEY IN YOUR HIPS (2:18) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by Keith Relf)
From THE YARDBIRDS' first studio session, recorded late 1963
03. BABY WHAT'S WRONG (2:40) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by Jimmy Reed)
From THE YARDBIRDS' first studio session, recorded late 1963
04. I WISH YOU WOULD (2:19) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by Billy Boy Arnold)
Released July 1964 as the A-side of the THE YARDBIRDS' first single.
05. A CERTAIN GIRL (2:17) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by Naomi Neville)
Released July 1964 as the B-side of I WISH YOU WOULD.
06. GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL (2:45) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by H.G. Demarais)
Recorded October 1964 as the A-side of the THE YARDBIRDS' second single.
07. I AIN'T GOT YOU (1:59) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by Calvin Carter)
Released October 1964 as the B-side of GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL.
08. FOR YOUR LOVE (2:29) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by Graham Gouldman)
Released February 1965 as the A-side of THE YARDBIRDS' third single.
09. GOT TO HURRY (2:35) THE YARDBIRDS (Written by O. Rasputin)
Released Febuary 1965 as the B-side of FOR YOUR LOVE.
10. LONELY YEARS (3:17) JOHN MAYALL and ERIC CLAPTON (Written by John Mayall)
Released August 1966 as the A-side of a single on Purdah Records.
11. BERNARD JENKINS (3:47) JOHN MAYALL and ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
Released August 1966 as the B-side of LONELY YEARS.
12. HIDEAWAY (3:14) JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS (Written by Freddie King/Sonny Thompson)
From BLUESBREAKERS with ERIC CLAPTON, released July 1966.
13. ALL YOUR LOVE (3:34) JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS (Written by Otis Rush/Willie Dixon)
From BLUESBREAKERS with ERIC CLAPTON, released July 1966.
14. RAMBLIN' ON MY MIND (3:07) JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS (Written by Robert Johnson; arranged by Eric Clapton)
From BLUESBREAKERS with ERIC CLAPION, released July 1966.
15. HAVE YOU EVER LOVED A WOMAN (6:41) JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS (Written by Billy Myles)
Recorded live at the Flamingo Club, London, April 1966.
16. WRAPPING PAPER (2:21) CREAM (Written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown)
Released October 7,1966 as the A-side of CREAM'S first single.
17. I FEEL FREE (2:52) CREAM (Written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown)
Released December 1966 as the A-side of CREAM'S second single.
18. SPOONFUL (6:30) CREAM (Written by Willie Dixon)
From FRESH CREAM, released December 1966.
19. LAWDY MAMA (1:50) CREAM (Traditional, arranged by Eric Clapton)
Recorded at BBC Studios, London, December 1966. Previously unreleased.
20. STRANGE BREW (2:46) CREAM (Written by Eric Clapton/Felix Pappalardi/Gail Collins)
From DISRAELI GEARS, released November 1967.
21. SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE (410) CREAM (Written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown/Eric Clapton)
From DISRAELI GEARS, released November 1967.
22. TALES OF BRAVE ULYSSES (2:46) CREAM (Written by Eric Clapton/Martin Sharp)
From DISRAELI GEARS, released November 1967.
23. STEPPIN' OUT (3:31) CREAM (Written by James Bracken)
Recorded at BBC Studios, London, January 9,1968. Previously unreleased.

Total Time: 01:12:36


Track List CD2:

01. ANYONE FOR TENNIS (2:37) CREAM (Written by Eric Clapton/Martin Sharp)
Released May 1968 as the A-side of a single.
02. WHITE ROOM (4:56) CREAM (Written by Jack Bruce/Pete Brown)
From WHEELS OF FIRE, released August 1968.
03. CROSSROADS (4:14) CREAM (Written by Robert Johnson; arranged by Eric Clapton)
From WHEELS OF FIRE, released August 1968.
04. BADGE (2:43) CREAM (Written by Eric Clapton/George Harrison)
From GOODBYE, released March 1969.
05. PRESENCE OF THE LORD (4:48) BLIND FAITH (Written by Eric Clapton)
From BLIND FAITH, released August 1969.
06. CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME (3:15) BLIND FAITH (Written by Steve Winwood)
From BLIND FAITH, released August 1969.
07. SLEEPING IN THE GROUND (2:50) BLIND FAITH (Written by Sam Myers)
Recorded at Morgan Studios, London, June 1969 during the BLIND FAITH sessions.
08. COMIN'HOME (3:13) DELANEY AND BONNIE (Written by Eric Clapton/Bonnie Bramlett)
Released as a single, December 1969.
09. BLUES POWER (3:06) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton/Leon Russell)
From ERIC CLAPTON, released August 1970.
10. AFTER MIDNIGHT (3:17) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by J.J. Cale)
Previously unreleased alternate mix from ERIC CLAPTON, released August 1970.
11. LET IT RAIN (5:01) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton/Bonnie Bramlett)
From ERIC CLAPTON, released August 1970.
12. TELL THE TRUTH (3:23) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock)
Released August 1970 as the A-side of DEREK AND THE DOMLINOS' first single, but was subsequently recalled.
13. ROLL IT OVER (4:29) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitlock)
Recorded at Friar Park Studio, Henley-on-Thames, Summer 1970 during sessions for George Harrison's ALL THINGS MUST PASS
14. LAYLA (7:07) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Eric Clapton/Jim Gordon)
From LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS, released December 1970.
15. MEAN OLD WORLD (3:50) ERIC CLAPTON and DUANE ALLMAN (Written by Walter Jacobs)
Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida, October 2,1970 during the LAYLA sessions © 1972
16. KEY TO THE HIGHWAY (6:27) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Charles Segar/Willie Broonzy)
Recorded live at the Fillmore East, New York. October 23,1970. Previously unreleased.
17. CROSSROADS (8:17) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Robert Johnson; arranged by Eric Clapton)
Recorded live at the Fillmore East, New York, October 23,1970. Previously unreleased.

Total Time: 01:13:45


Track List CD3:

01. GOT TO GET BETTER IN A LITTLE WHILE (5:31) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Eric Clapton)
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, May 1971 during sessions for THE DOMINOS' second album.
This recording was never completed (note the absence of Bobby Whitlock) and lacks keyboards and chorus vocals.
Previously unreleased.
02. EVIL (4:25) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Willie Dixon)
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, May 1971 during sessions for THE DOMINOS' second album.
Previously unreleased.
03. ONE MORE CHANCE (3:17) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Eric Clapton)
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, May 1971 during sessions for THE DOMINOS' second album.
Previously unreieased.
04. MEAN OLD FRISCO (4:02) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Arthur Crudup)
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, May 1971 during sessions for THE DOMINOS' second album.
Previously unreleased.
05. SNAKE LAKE BLUES (3:33) DEREK AND THE DOMINOS (Written by Eric Clapton/Bobby Whitiock)
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London, May 1971 during sessions for THE DOMINOS' second album.
Previously unreleased.
06. LET IT GROW (4:56) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD, released August 1974.
07. AIN'T THAT LOVIN YOU (5:26) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Jimmy Reed)
Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida, April 1974 during sessions for 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD.
Previously unreleased.
08. MOTHERLESS CHILDREN (4:51) ERIC CLAPTON (Traditional, arranged by Eric Clapton and Carl Radle)
From 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD, released August 1974.
09. I SHOT THE SHERIFF (7:48) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Bob Marley)
Recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, December 5,1974.
10. BETTER MAKE IT THROUGH TODAY (4:05) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD, released April 1975.
11. THE SKY IS CRYING (3:57) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Elmore James)
From THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD, released April 1975.
12. I FOUND A LOVE (3:38) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Mary Russell Bridges)
Recorded at Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, September 1974 during sessions for THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD.
13. (WHEN THINGS GO WRONG) IT HURTS ME TOO (5:34) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Mel London)
Recorded at Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, September 1974 during sessions for THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD.
Previously unreleased.
14. WHATCHA GONNA DO (3:01) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Peter Tosh)
Recorded at Dynamic Sounds Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, September 1974 during sessions for THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD.
Previously unreleased.
15. KNOCKIN'ON HEAVEN'S DOOR (4:21) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Bob Dylan)
Released August 1975 as the A-side of a single.
16. SOMEONE LIKE YOU (4:30) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Arthur Louis)
Released August 1975 as the B-side of KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR.

Total Time: 01:13:11


Track List CD4:

01. HELLO OLD FRIEND (3:34) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From NO REASON TO CRY, released August 1976.
02. SIGN LANGUAGE (2:56) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Bob Dylan)
From NO REASON TO CRY, released August 1976
03. FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD (6:18) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Joe Medwich Veasey/Don D. Robey)
Recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, April 28,1977.
Previously unreleased.
04. LAY DOWN SALLY (3:50) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton/Marcy Levy)
From SLOWHAND, released November 1977.
05. WONDERFUL TONIGHT (3:42) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From SLOWHAND, released November 1977.
06. COCAINE (3:35) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by J J. Cale)
From SLOWHAND, released November 1977.
07. PROMISES (3:00) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Richard Feldman/Roger Linn)
From BACKLESS, released November 1978.
08. IF I DON'T BE THERE BY MORNING (4:34) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Bob Dylan/Helen Springs)
From BACKLESS, released November 1978.
09. DOUBLE TROUBLE (8:01) ERIC CLAPTON
From JUST ONE NIGHT, released May 1980.
10. I CAN'T STAND IT (4:09) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From ANOTHER TICKET, released February 1981.
11. THE SHAPE YOU'RE IN (4:09) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From MONEY AND CIGARETTES, released February 1983.
12. HEAVEN IS ONE STEP AWAY (4:09) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
Recorded at Air Studios, Montserrat, West Indies, Spring 1984 during the BEHIND THE SUN sessions.
Released February 1985 as an extra track on the 12" single of FOREVER MAN
and included in the soundtrack of BACK TO THE FUTURE
13. SHE'S WAITING (4:55) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
From BEHIND THE SUN, released March 1985.
14. TOO BAD (2:37) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton)
Recorded at Air Studios, Montserrat, West Indies, Spring 1984 during the BEHIND THE SUN sessions.
15. MISS YOU (5:05) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Eric Clapton/Greg Phillinganes/Bobby Columby)
From AUGUST, released November 1986.
16. WANNA MAKE LOVE TO YOU (5:43) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by Jerry Williams)
Released January 1987 as an extra track on the 12" single of BEHIND THE MASK.
17. AFTER MIDNIGHT (4:05) ERIC CLAPTON (Written by J.J. Cale)
Recorded at Power Station Studios, New York and mixed at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, September 1987.

Total Time: 01:14:41