The Cream of Eric Clapton still manages to raise its head as Slowhand's definitive greatest-hits package, despite umpteen albums and an armful of Grammys since its release in 1987. Opening with one of the most famous rock intros ever, "Layla" has been the envy of bedroom guitarists for the last three decades. Next up is a choice selection of Cream's finest with hits such as "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room" plus the breakneck blues of "Crossroads" as a reminder of what Clapton did before his period of substandard covers, such as Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" or JJ Cale's "Cocaine". The latter half of the album is not up to par with the incredible start but does redeem itself with the beautiful ode to love, "Wonderful Tonight" and the chicken-picking "Lay Down Sally", though with its vague chronological order, The Cream of Eric Clapton does slowly regress into the tired ground of a rock dinosaur.--Georgina Collins
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