While flawed in places, this still ranks as a 5 star album.  The studio work is odd at times but never boring or predictable.  Even the traditional blues songs have little quirks that take them out of the normal 5-bar variety.  Then there's the live part.  There has never been a 3 piece band who could improvise/jam together like these guys.  For the average listener these songs may sound like one long drone (and Baker's long drum solo and Bruce's harmonica rant may well qualify) but the interplay on "Spoonful" and "Crossroads" is amazing.  This is where Clapton ascended to the throne of Guitar God.  His live lead breaks on "Crossroads" are the best in rock and roll history.  It's not the vocals, bass or drums that keep that song playing perpetually on classic rock stations the world over.  It's that incredible flowing guitar.