ATCO 45-6784 (original, Monarch pressing), USA, September 1970
Words & Music by: Side A – John J. Cale; Side B – Eric Clapton
Musicians: Side A - Eric Clapton (lead vocals, lead and rhythm
guitar), Delaney Bramlett (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Carl Radle (bass),
Jim Gordon (drums), Bobby Whitlock (keyboards, backing vocals), Leon Russell
(piano), Bobby Keys (tenor sax), Jim Price (trumpet), Rita Coolidge, Bonnie Bramlett, Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison (backing vocals); Side B – Eric Clapton
(all guitars and vocals), Jim Gordon (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Delaney Bramlett at Village
Recorders, Los Angeles, CA, in January 1970
Highest chart positions: Side A – US #18, Canada #10, UK
#99, Australia #51, New Zealand #17, Japan #87; Side B – none
Clapton’s cover of “After Midnight” kickstarted J.J. Cale’s career. Cale originally wrote and recorded "After Midnight" in 1966, but it went completely unnoticed and Cale was so broke he was considering quitting music. When Clapton's version became a Top 20 hit in the US, the royalty checks saved Cale financially. Cale famously stated that when he heard Clapton's version, he was poor, but when he received the first royalty check, he realized he was suddenly a wealthy man. The two later became close lifelong friends and collaborators.
The exact musicians assembled by Delaney Bramlett for the A-side’s recording session (bassist Carl Radle, drummer Jim Gordon, and keyboardist Bobby Whitlock) formed an instant musical chemistry with Clapton. Later that same year, Clapton “stole” them away from Delaney & Bonnie's band to form his legendary group Derek and the Dominos, leading directly to the creation of the timeless rock masterpiece "Layla".
During the "After Midnight" recording sessions, producer Delaney Bramlett had The Crickets members Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison join R&B vocalists like Rita Coolidge and Bonnie Bramlett to create a gospel-style backing chorus, blending country-rock roots with soul music.List price: VG+ is $3, NM $6. I found one NM copy sold in eBay for $20 in the States in 2018.
