When I think of Bobby Whitlock, my brain goes straight to “Bell Bottom Blues” from Derek and the Dominos’ Layla and Assorted Love Songs. Though I heard “Layla” a few times growing up, I didn’t grow up with that heralded double LP.
“Bell Bottom Blues” was introduced to my ears via Richard Kelly’s 2009 film, The Box. Mixed in with tracks from Scott Walker, Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, and the Marshall Tucker Band, along with an amazing score from members of Arcade Fire, the soundtrack is incredible. (It would be nice to hear that collection of songs on vinyl someday!)
So when a Martin D-35 guitar Bobby owned came into our Dallas office from a consignor, I realized I had a blind spot for Bobby’s material. I knew him as, more or less, a piano player instead of a guitar player. Hearing the D-35 he played on the final track on Layla, “Thorn Tree in the Garden,” made me realize he is also a great guitarist.
This guitar itself has incredible provenance. Given as a gift to Bobby from Duane Allman and Eric Clapton, it was later played by those two guitar legends, as well as George Harrison and Dave Mason. The hands of masters have touched the fretboard of this guitar and it was also used on George Harrison’s phenomenal triple-LP, All Things Must Pass. Seeing Bobby pictured with the guitar on the cover of his solo debut LP, the gears have now kicked in. This piece of rock history goes up for auction on April 16.