What makes In Concert by Derek and the Dominos notable?

This album showcases the band's intense live performance energy and was notable for its critical reception, particularly in showcasing Clapton's guitar work. While it did not chart as high as their studio albums, it influenced subsequent live recordings by rock artists and remains a testament to their improvisational prowess. In Concert marked Derek and the Dominos' only live album, released in 1973 as a follow-up to their studio work on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. At this point, Eric Clapton and his bandmates were grappling with personal struggles, including substance abuse, which impacted the energy captured in these recordings. The album reflects a transitional phase for Clapton as he began to explore his own identity apart from previous collaborations.

Who is In Concert for?

In Concert works well if you're into extended guitar solos that captivate, raw, heartfelt live performances and immersive late-night listening sessions.

How many songs are on In Concert?

In Concert has 9 tracks, running approximately 90 minutes.

In Concert

Derek and the Dominos · 1973

90 min · 9 tracks · blues rock

Raw, impassioned performances capture the essence of blues rock through soaring guitar solos and heartfelt vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad — This track highlights Clapton's emotive guitar solos intertwined with powerful vocals, embodying the raw spirit of the live experience.
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Got to Get Better in a Little While — The extended jam captures the band’s chemistry and spontaneity, reflecting a moment of collective catharsis that energizes the audience.
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Presence of the Lord — With its soulful arrangement, this song stands out for its spiritual depth and showcases Clapton's vocal range alongside compelling harmonies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album captures intense live performances with strong guitar work and emotional vocals, making it a notable entry in blues rock.

What we noticed

Each song transitions smoothly into the next, maintaining a consistent energy level throughout the performance.
Vocals are delivered with raw emotion, often accompanied by call-and-response interactions with the audience.
The recording captures ambient sounds from the venue, adding to the live atmosphere and authenticity of the performance.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

extended guitar solos that captivate
raw, heartfelt live performances
immersive late-night listening sessions
emotional crescendos that resonate

Maybe skip if you

prefer concise, radio-friendly tracks
want polished studio production

Where this album fits

Career context: In Concert marked Derek and the Dominos' only live album, released in 1973 as a follow-up to their studio work on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. At this point, Eric Clapton and his bandmates were grappling with personal struggles, including substance abuse, which impacted the energy captured in these recordings. The album reflects a transitional phase for Clapton as he began to explore his own identity apart from previous collaborations.
Stylistic neighbors: The Allman Brothers Band· Cream· Lynyrd Skynyrd