If nothing else, you'd have to marvel at the sheer number of research hours that went into the making of Strange Brew. Gathering dates and song titles and club names is enough to make you dizzy - and this does. Christopher Hjort, a fanatacist of English blues music and a co-author of Jeff's Book, a chronology of the musical life of guitarist Jeff Beck, has rendered, distilled and showcased the English blues explosion that took place from the mid-Sixties into the early Seventies.

He uses Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith (Eric Clapton had direct or peripheral associations with all these bands) and The Rolling Stones as his subjects. He provides us with the details that give form to the myths - When did Clapton become 'God?' When did Mick Taylor and Eric trade places on a gig? When was the 'Beano' album recorded - and through this we're able to piece together the hagiography of this anointed period.

What comes out here is how important a figure Eric Clapton really was in the hierarchy of English rock. With the Yardbirds and Cream, Derek & The Dominoes and a solo career that continues to this day, he would set the stage for everyone else to follow, players like Peter Green and Mick Taylor and other names found here.

Everything you ever wanted to know is here in Strange Brew. Everything you never knew is here. Anything worth knowing is here. Hjort is a hero and needs to be commended for tying together the branches.