what is it about it I agree that it is a good song - at least the first 2 million times I heard it!
Harmonically, the twin lead guitars are what make it so compelling to me. This is the same thing that made me listen to so much Allman Brothers (early Allmans until 1973, anyway).
The pleading, almost crying nature of the vocals are very compelling also. These may be the most soulful vocals any white boy has ever sung. Kudos to Eric.
Kudos to Duane, who put his heart and soul into this song. The slide guitar work on this song is the pinnacle of his body of work. Duane had been trying for years to get 'that sound' and he finally reached it on 'Layla'. NOBODY got that sound before or since - it stands alone.
When the album was released in 1970, not too many people even knew about it. AM radio had a single cut version of 'Layla' which was barely noticed by the mainstream. It wasn't until 1972 or so when 'album rock' started hitting the airwaves and the full album version started getting airplay. Due to this timing, 'Layla' was one of the first 'album rock' anthems and was played exhaustively, along with 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin.
Even while answering this question, the song is playing in my head. The multiple tracked layers of guitars, the 'Part II' piano solo and the final 'tweet-tweet' of bird chirps Duane does at the very end. This one will be burned into my brain until I die. Its the mix of Clapton Duane Allman and George Harrison all playing!
That, and that WONDERFUL piano coda! Duane's dead..so he can't tell you..I think he ripped the lick off an old Albert King song..I forget now..It's just got everything..it was virtually ignored when released and is now a stone cold classic..30 + years on..I think this is another example of genuinely great music standing the test of time. "Layla" is actually Patti Boyd Harrison, who was married to George Harrison at the time. Clapton was infatuated with her and eventually stole her from Harrison, married her (then divorced, of course).
The opening riff is irresistible- that's why it catches you and then the complete change to the piano with Duane Allman filling in the cracks with his slide guitar carry it to the end very well. | 