Live album catches the best of Clapton

One More Car, One More Rider is a two-disc recording from Eric Clapton's 2001 tour that shows why he's never really disappeared from the radar. Sure, he's had a handful of average (at best) albums and enough drug problems to compete with just about anyone, but he's also proven to be one of the most versatile artists to last so long. He's never been a gimmick player and has never been afraid to experiment with new sounds, for better (Journeyman) or worse (Pilgrim).\nAnd that's one of the more charming aspects of One More Car, One More Rider. There's a little here for every Clapton fan, even if he skimps too much on the rock side. On the other hand, since it's a live disc, the takes seem to be chosen more for the way they flow together than simply the best solos or most inspired vocals.\nThe first disc opens with an acoustic version "Key to the Highway" (performed electrically on Derek and the Dominos' Layla) and hints that Clapton is aiming more for his new fans than the older ones by playing several of his acoustic radio hits as well.\nBut classic Clapton fans aren't left high and dry, either. Clapton sings Cream's "Badge" and "Sunshine of Your Love" like it was the '60s again, and his guitar playing is at its best here and on Derek and the Dominos' "Bell Bottom Blues" and the obligatory "Layla."\nUnfortunately, the album is a little heavy in the straight-up blues category. While the band is basically a supergroup with decades of experience playing blues, the superstar status takes away from the raw nature of the music. The sound is just a little too clean for my taste. Only Billy Preston's organ work seems to really fit the mood on these cuts.\nOne More Car plays like a profile of Clapton to date while reflecting on Clapton of the past, but it doesn't cover enough territory for such a prolific artist. While some of the songs sound more energized than the original recordings, the album isn't quite as fulfilling as his better studio efforts.\nThis may be a great album for someone who wants a few of the radio hits but appreciates his modern tones better than the Clapton of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Everything here is very clean, so there aren't any mistakes, but not so many fireworks, either.