"Layla": Original or Unplugged version?

[elperromagico]

[Gato Moteado]

1. the unplugged version has no life.....

the original has the great electric guitar riff hook.....the unplugged version is lame by clapton's standards.

[liberalmuse]

2. I like the unplugged version...

but it does not come close to expressing the passion and yearning of the original (for George Harrison's wife).

[paineinthearse]

6. the unplugged version has no Duane

[DODI]

3. It ain't nothing without Duane!

[sendero]

17. There's a reason..

... Clapton implored Duane Allman to join his band :)

[NightTrain]

4. The original version is intoxicatingly beautiful!

[intheflow]

5. Can't decide

Both are great in their own way. What other song captures so well that desperate sexual energy of young adults than the original? But what other song captures so well the desperation of older adults who've been through it all with a partner than the unpugged version? Clapton is a genius in the way he was able to make the song mature over time, but since it's all Clapton, I can't decide which is better.

[madrchsod]

7. tom dowd--the legend

his story was on last week and he told the story of this album,how it came to be,and the relationship between the cast of this legendary song. he took the song and put it on the big board for the first time in over twenty years and played and commented on the interplay of all the different musicans. truly an sonic experience. allman and clapton were truly amazing..even dowd was awed.. go to this site for info on the film
<http://www.thelanguageofmusic.com/>
Tom Dowd and the Language of Music - Home
it is playing on one of the movie channels this month

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Original

unplugged version SUCKS!

[Gato Moteado]

9. i agree

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Those beautiful instrumental solos

are what makes that song send chills up my spine. And their absence is what makes the unplugged version so bad.

[Mr. Blonde]

10. Not a fan of the instrumental

ending of the original.

[sleepyhead]

12. Oh no!

I always liked the instrumental part the best. The unplugged version always sounds to me like really bad lounge lizard singing. (Apologies to those of you who like that version, but I just can't force myself to appreciate it.)

[mitchum]

14. It's the only part I like...

especially the beautiful piano part by crazzzzy ol' Jim Gordon

[catzies]

11. I chose original and then yet I had to hear 461 Ocean Blvd. instead

when I opened Rhapsody right now. "Dear Lord, give me strength, to carry on."

My favorite Clapton album when of course Layla is #2.

I heard both of them growing up in Miami in the 70s; it was just organic back then and in the air. Oh yes, the air. :smoke:

[miss_kitty]

15. both

[MercutioATC]

19. Agreed. Different, but I like both.

[last_texas_dem]

16. Original

Although the unplugged version was actually the first one I heard, and I think it's cool that Clapton at least tried to re-invent his own song, and in a good way. But the original just rocks with such a great guitar part, such intense (and genuine) emotion, and the awesome softer, pretty second half.

[cedahlia]

18. Original!

It's all about the piano exit!!!

[rockymountaindem]

20. They are both spectacular in their own way.

Although, the unplugged version lacks the amazing coda of the original version, which is cool beyond words.