Eric Clapton:

Guitar Boogie:(1971)

Ok, yes, I'm starting off an Eric Clapton post with a compilation album. This is a particularly decent one. There was a time, before I had done any diggin' or learnin' that I was a big Clapton fan, but once I had heard Freddie King, that was over. That said, there are some tasty jams on this record. 

Clapton:(1973)

Another compilation album of early Clapton stuff. Key track on this one is Bell Bottom Blues, which of course is from Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which is a killer album.

There's One In Every Crowd:(1975)

Eric Clapton's first proper solo album. A mixture of country flavor and reggae. Personally I live Clapton more when he's not playing the guitar hero, and just laying back being the singer rhythm player. Key track: Don't Blame Me

E.C. Was Here:(1975)

A live album containing six jammed out tracks. Check out Further On Up The Road, which is good, but doesn't come close to the awesomeness of the performance from The Last Waltz.

No Reason To Cry:(1976)

The second proper solo album. I really like this one, like I said, I like Clapton best when he's just singing, and playing, and that's what you get here. Oh yeah, and Ron Wood, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel are backing Clapton up. Favorite track on this album is the duet with Bob Dylan on Sign Language. 

Slowhand:(1977)

Every artist has that big career defining album, the one they'll never escape, and this is Clapton's. Spawning three huge radio hits, and selling the most copies of any Clapton album. See: Cocaine, Wonderful Tonight, and Lay Down Sally.

Backless:(1978)

This may be my favorite Clapton solo album, from the cover to the music. Side A and B start off with Bob Dylan songs you can only find here. But, perhaps my favorite track is Promises.

Money And Cigarettes:(1983)

And in come the 80's... In comes the transition to overly smooth, middle aged, don't rock the boat...