Although
Eric Clapton has released a bevy of live albums, none of them have ever quite captured the guitarist's raw energy and dazzling virtuosity. The double live album
Just One Night may have gotten closer to that elusive goal than most of its predecessors, but it is still lacking in many ways. The most notable difference between
Just One Night and
Clapton's other live albums is his backing band. Led by guitarist
Albert Lee, the group is a collective of accomplished professionals who have managed to keep some grit in their playing. They help push
Clapton along, forcing him to spit out crackling solos throughout the album. However, the performances aren't consistent on
Just One Night -- there are plenty of dynamic moments like "Double Trouble" and "Rambling on My Mind," but they are weighed down by pedestrian renditions of songs like "All Our Past Times." Nevertheless, more than any other
Clapton live album,
Just One Night suggests the guitarist's in-concert potential. It's just too bad that the recording didn't occur on a night when he did fulfill all of that potential. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine