So, for today, I thought I'd just say a thing or two about Delaney Bramlett, who died not too long ago, mainly about how he related to Eric Clapton & George Harrison.

The duo of married performers Delaney & Bonnie were up and coming as the sixties were closing. They had a great live band, featuring Rita Coolidge, Carl Radle, Jim Gordon, Bobby Whitlock, Leon Russell, and others. Delaney's voice mixed a sort of down-home bluesy tone with a gospel-esque vigor. Bonnie had a presence channeling the female blues artists of the generation prior. Together, the two, with such an amazing backing band, would have much influence on popular music.

Clapton first met Delaney & Bonnie when they were the opening act for the American leg of the less than stellar Blind Faith tour. Clapton was enthralled with their earthiness and honest delivery (Clapton had already abandoned Cream because he felt it lacked that sort of presence, and for him, Blind Faith was only extending Cream's faults.) Clapton became fast friends with the Bramletts, and would travel with them while on the tour. On at least one occasion, Delaney even joined Blind Faith on stage for an encore of "Sunshine Of Your Love."

Late in '69, Delaney & Bonnie went on tour. Clapton joined their band, along with Dave Mason, who had again split from Traffic, and eventually George Harrison, who had finished "Abbey Road" and had no commitments with the Beatles (they would only once more reunite a month or so later to do some overdubbing as well as record "I Me Mine." ) George was presented with a slide guitar, which became his signature instrument. It was also while jamming with Delaney and the group that "My Sweet Lord" first came into being. Harrison would go on to use many of the musicians he played with on the Delaney & Bonnie tour to record his triple album "All Things Must Pass." He would also later record a song called "Woman Don't You Cry For Me," the first song he wrote on his bottleneck.

It was Clapton, however, who Delaney had a huge impact on. Clapton had only sung a few numbers in his career until this point, and was more or less known exclusivly for his guitar work. Delaney encouraged Clapton to sing, and this led to Clapton's self titled first album, which Delaney was a major part of. Delaney's band was the backing for the album, and Delaney provided all the original material (including a song or two he recorded his own versions of). Clapton took on the singing parts with some reluctance, which is still audible on some of the songs. But it was a point of no return. Clapton no longer had to be a silent guitar hero. Instead, he was a virtouso playing on these lighter pop-oriented numbers. The record nary featured any sort of extended soloing (save for the closing number, "Let It Rain.") Instead, Bramlett had Clapton take his place singing songs with a bluesy, country leaning. It was a big shift for Clapton, one he welcomed greatly, but one some fans were shocked to hear.

Songwriting was a big part of Delaney & Bonnie's talent. While they did not achieve massive success with their version, "Superstar" was a big hit for the Carpenters. (On the original, it was called "Groupie (Superstar)" and was a tad more suggestive, with the line "can't wait to sleep with you again," which was subsequently change to "be with you again" on cover versions.) Clapton played on "Superstar," as well as the A-side, "Comin' Home," which he co-wrote with Delaney. It is interesting to note that the chorus for "Superstar" bears resemblance to Harrison's "Awaiting On You All." Both probably featured the same musicians, so the similarity may stem from there.

Delaney & Bonnie never saw better reception than when their "On Tour With Eric Clapton" disc was released in 1970 (capturing their December 7, 1969 show in Croyden.) Despite a somewhat muddy sound (and curious mix, which shifts at random points), the album is a great document of their music. (One could only wish for an updated CD version, with cleaner mixes and perhaps a bonus cut or too from other shows.) Delaney & Bonnie share the mic on numbers like "Poor Elijah - Tribute To Robert Johnson," while Delaney commands on "Comin' Home," and Bonnie takes the spotlight on the slow and saucy "That's What My Man Is For." The band is incredible. The horns are a-blazing. The backing vocals are top notch, especially when Bonnie is a part of them. The guitars are great, and there are four! Clapton, Mason, Bramlett, and Harrison (credited as "L'Angelo Misterioso", the same psuedonym he used on Cream's "Badge.") Leon Russell even adds a fifth occasionally, switching from piano. Radle and Gordon keep the rhythm strong on bass & drums, respectively. All the numbers have rousing send-offs, and take as much time as they need to allow the band to strectch (each songs goes for 4-5 minutes), sometimes speeding up for the end, or giving a big blast for a finale.

Delaney's passing had come after his recent return to music, which had given us "A New Kind Of Blues," his last album.

RIP Delaney Bramlett (July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008)