Though originally released in November of 1970, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is experiencing a renaissance of sorts over the past year.  When the double-album debut from Derek and the Dominoes arrived a half-century ago the beautifully gut-wrenching work was met with some middling reviews and less than outstanding sales.  Even so, over the ensuing decades, its chief architect, Eric Clapton (veiled in the Dominoes by the “Derek” pseudonym), thrived as a solo artist of incredible success, while the title track became a staple of both FM radio and Clapton’s performances as Layla’s stature grew exponentially.

When Clapton issued a 20th anniversary edition in 1990 of the album and its sessions, and two years later reshaped “Layla” as an acoustic ballad for an Unplugged album- to subsequent monster sales and Grammy wins- it seemed then that Layla’s legacy was etched firmly and finally.  But, there were complaints about the remix of that anniversary set, and the mellowed acoustic approach on the titular cut, while appealing, was toothless compared to the raging blues-rock storm anchored by Duane Allman’s guest guitar work on the original.

So, now, Layla is back, spotlighted in its golden anniversary year by two releases honoring the classic anew.  First up, the original album is tackled sonically once again- this time at Abbey Road studios- and remastered at half-speed.  Naturally there will be critics, but the results are essentially definitive: this is the finest-sounding version of the album since it was first pressed on wax.  Collectors surely will continue hunting for first editions, but this 4-LP/2-CD set, issued on Polydor by Universal Music, is an absolutely worthy and joyous listening experience.  Warm, full, and balanced, the engineering of Miles Showell is conspicuous and caring, bringing to the surface many details lost in previous incarnations, while making sure the guitar tones of Clapton and Allman are as forceful and true as when they were initially tracked.  Additionally, a second disc (or LPs 3& 4) gathers sessions and live performances offering a neat glimpse of the Dominoes away from Layla, and teasingly what might have been.

As for Tedeschi Trucks Band’s 2-CD Layla Revisited, drawn directly from the ensemble’s live set at 2019’s LOCKN’ Festival, the complete album is lovingly and explosively performed by TTB and its guests–Phish guitarist and vocalist Trey Anastasio, and guitarist Doyle Bramhall II.  There is no one more appropriate for such a task than TTB guitarist Derek Trucks, (himself, named after the Dominoes’ Derek), who in recent times has played the Duane Allman role on tour with Clapton, and whose own group so deservedly wears music’s blues-rock crown.  Extending invitations to Anastasio and Bramhall to sit-in with the band at LOCKN’ certainly had the capacity crowd curious, but when the genteel notes of the opening “I Looked Away” spilled out on that late August evening, then followed by “Bell Bottom Blues,” the secret of just how once-in-a-lifetime special the night was going to be was out of the bag.

The guitar, itself, maybe even more than its players–Trucks, Anastasio, Bramhall, and Susan Tedeschi–was the star.  Trained ears will separate by style and tone the artistry of each–but that isn’t what this was all about.  Even on epic renditions of “Keep On Growing” or “Anyday” that easily eclipse the 10-minute mark, and showcase some of the best musicians this music has to offer, there was a discernible sense of communal responsibility to the songs, and a refreshing lack of ego.  And even with the six-string conflagrations flaring up at every turn, there was equal respect to the delicate and painful yearning of the vocal arrangements, with Anastasio, Tedeschi, and TTB’s Mike Mattison joining forces to handle the lion’s share with devoted conviction.

At 50, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs has been celebrated in the best way possible; with a marvelous sonic restoration of its original achievement, as well as with an exceedingly moving performance by those who’ve felt its lasting influence and impact.