by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Although Eric Clapton has released a bevy of live albums, none of them
have ever quite captured the guitarist's raw energy and dazzling virtuosity.
The double-live album Just One Night may have gotten closer to that elusive
goal than most of its predecessors, but it is still lacking in many ways.
The most notable difference between Just One Night and Clapton's other
live albums is his backing band. Led by guitarist Albert Lee, the group
is a collective of accomplished professionals that have managed to keep
some grit in their playing. They help push Clapton along, forcing him
to spit out crackling solos throughout the album. However, the performances
aren't consistent on Just One Night -- there are plenty of dynamic moments
like "Double Trouble" and "Rambling on My Mind," but
they are weighed down by pedestrian renditions of songs like "All
Our Past Times." Nevertheless, more than any other Clapton live album,
Just One Night suggests the guitarist's in-concert potential. It's just
too bad that the recording didn't occur on a night when he did fulfill
all of that potential.
|