Is Albert King The Source of Clapton’s Crossroads Riff?
Who knows Albert King’s music really well and can help me answer this question? Cream’s 1968 version of Crossroads uses the identical riff that Albert King uses in the tune For The Love of a Woman (except for the last bars) which he first recored in 1971 for the album Lovejoy. I can’t find an earlier version of that tune. But considering how often Clapton borrowed riffs and solos from King I would be surprised if King took a riff from Clapton rather the other way around. It’s not unusual for bluesmen to reuse a riff in different tunes. So does anyone know an earlier Albert King recording that uses this riff. (There is just a hint of the riff in both of Johnson’s recording of Crossroads. But his accompaniment is far more complicated, varied and subtle than the King / Riff. ) Continue reading