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While the blues has imbued Eric Clapton's music for the better part of four decades, only once before has he made it the sole focus of an album (on 1994's From the Cradle) . Clapton doesn't stray far from the fountainhead on this 14-song set, which is entirely devoted to Robert Johnson, perhaps the most myth-shrouded man in American music history. Not surprisingly, Clapton spends most of Me and Mr. Johnson traversing life's dark side, pleading purposefully on a poignant "Love in Vain" and mustering up his most threatening delivery in quite some time on "Me and the Devil Blues. " Wisely, he keeps guitar heroics to a minimum here, lacing the lusty "Little Queen of Spades" with a sharp solo and flexing some slide muscle on "If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day" but otherwise focusing on gritty rhythm riffing. Guests like Billy Preston -- who steals the show on "They're Red Hot" -- offer plenty of support, but by the time the last notes of "Hell Hound on My Trail" wind down, Clapton's vision is all you hear. Me and Mr. Johnson is a respectful document, and while not as fiery as the guitarist's previous forays into his idol's work (particularly those early versions of "Crossroads") , it paints a clear and powerful picture of an American icon whose work resounds even decades after his death. Show More
