The Mystery of the Layla Guitar Solo: Who Played It?
The iconic song "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes has captivated audiences for decades with its haunting melody and intricate guitar work. A particular focus of fascination has been the guitar solo that darts in and out of the verses. Who is responsible for this enigmatic part that adds a mysterious layer to the track?
Eric Clapton and Duane Allman: Both Performing Multiple Parts
On the original recording of "Layla," both Eric Clapton and Duane Allman were seen as key contributors to the guitar work. The album, along with the 20th Anniversary CD Set, provides detailed charts that break down the various guitar parts performed by the band members. On Layla, the chart indicates that Eric and Duane performed duplicate solos on track 3, which is believed to be the "riff" (riff is a short, memorable musical phrase).
In addition to the solos, the chart notes that Duane had solos on track 4, while Eric provided rhythm guitar on track 5. Eric also contributed guitar harmonies on tracks 9, 11, and 12, and lead guitar during the 1st verse only on track 16, "1st Verse Only."
The Slow Part and Guitar Techniques
The slow part of the track highlights a few unique guitar techniques. "Guitar Leslie" refers to a trick of putting the guitar through the Leslie speaker of a Leslie rotating speaker cabinet, which creates a unique and haunting sound often associated with organ music. The chart also mentions "Duane 'over dub bottleneck," which indicates that this was an overdub of Duane Allman playing bottleneck slide guitar.
Another notation mentioned is "Eric box guitar," which is likely a reinforcement of the lead over-dub. The chart also mentions another Duane overdub on another track, suggesting layers of additional guitar work by Duane.
The Lead Solo: A Question of Attribution
The lead part that darts in and out of the verses is a source of much speculation. While it sounds very much like Eric Clapton's playing, there has never been a definitive answer to who performed it. Eddie Kramer, the engineer who mixed the album, mentioned in an interview that the lead part was played by another guitar player, not Clapton.
However, many fans believe that it is Eric Clapton, due to similarities in his playing style. Additionally, an isolated vocal track on the album reveals that Eric Clapton is indeed singing and playing under his own vocal during part of the song.
The chart for track 16, "1st Verse Only," states that it was played by Eric Clapton, likely referring to this part of the song. Still, some guitar enthusiasts question whether the chart refers to the entire nightclub verse or only the first verse.
Conclusion: It's All Wonderful
While the mystery of who played the lead part remains, it is without a doubt that the guitar work on "Layla" is exceptional. The playing of both Eric Clapton and Duane Allman was instrumental in crafting this timeless classic. To many, the addition of another guitarist for the lead part only enhances the overall performance of the song. It is clear that the guitar solo on "Layla" remains a subject of endless discussion and fascination, adding to its enduring appeal.