Pros: Mid-career textbook on why Clapton is one of the important figures in 20th century music.
Cons: This particular lineup only around for a short time.
The Bottom Line: Clapton overcame heroin addiction and unrealistic fan expectations during the 1960's to resurrect his life and career, culminating with this important album. Buy, listen, feel, learn.
ejjiii's Full Review: Slowhand [Remaster] by Eric Clapton
Now a middle-aged man who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, I once had a lot acquaintances that claimed to have seen God (via drug induced hallucinations, no doubt). But I really did see God. On February 10th, 1978. In Oakland, California. And he went by the name of Clapton. Eric Clapton.
Clapton was on his world tour promoting his album Slowhand. The lineup:
Eric Clapton: Guitar and Vocals
Dick Sims: Keyboards
Marcy Levy: Vocals
Carl Radle: Bass Guitar
Yvonne Elliman: Vocals
George Terry: Guitar
Jamie Oldaker: Drums and Percussion
Mel Collins: Saxophone
I was always a Clapton fan, having loved his work in Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, and especially his solo album 461 Ocean Boulevard. Later I discovered his 1966 classic work on John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Featuring Eric Clapton. (Interesting to note: John Mayall, the British Blues Legend, only shared billing ONCE on an album. Only with Clapton.) After this concert, I made the transition from fan to fanatic. And the Slowhand tracks led the way to my epiphany. And Clapton continues to make GREAT music today. The depth and length of his body of work is virtually without parallel in the rock era. Slowhand cemented his reputation with me, and I’m sure with many others.
Track one starts with Clapton’s faithful adaptation of J.J. Cale’s classic Cocaine. There may not be many times where the cover can top the original, but this is one. Clapton’s Cocaine is the definitive version. This song received major FM airplay in early 1978.
Next comes the beautiful ballad Wonderful Tonight. There was a time that Clapton would not sing because he thought that he had a terrible voice. This song, sang with Yvonne Elliman’s beautiful backup vocals, shows that Clapton was wrong. (Yes, this is the same Yvonne Elliman who had the huge disco hit If I Can’t Have You.) E.C.'s voice, full of feeling, is perfect for this song.
Track three, Lay Down Sally, was the huge hit single from the album. An inspired, simple lead with Jamie Oldaker’s drums front and center, kept Clapton’s name in the top forty list during late 1977 – early 1978. This song was one of Clapton’s biggest top forty hits ever.
This album had some moments where Clapton moved into an almost southern rock feel. Track four, Next Time You See Her, is one of those times. Claptons vocals are a little rough on this one, but much like Bob Dylan, rough vocals sometimes add to the charm of the song. This is one of those times.
We’re All The Way is another song that features Yvonne Elliman’s backup magic to a very smooth Clapton lead vocal. This song has a light, airy feel to it, much different than the typical early Clapton guitar-heavy feel. Almost like his later 1990’s work.
Track six, The Core, is a standard Clapton guitar lead which underscored Elliman and Clapton’s best duet of the album. This song had moderate FM airplay, and is a very strong offering. This would have been the second single on an album that did not already feature such strong tracks in the one, two, and three positions, although it would have had to have been truncated to make a single. At 8:45, it is twice as long as any other song on the album. But worth every second!
The Next offering, May You Never, has a hand-clapping, sing along feel to it. Another strong vocal effort from the God of Guitars. And good advice is dispensed, as well!
The eight track, Mean Old Frisco, is by far the blues-iest song on the album. And blues is what Clapton does best. This song is Clapton in his element. This album is a “must buy” if no other reason than to have this mid-career snapshot of why Eric Clapton fans love his work so much. Strong stuff.
Wrapping up this wonderful album is the intriguingly named Peaches And Diesel. An instrumental, this song has that “ring in a bell” guitar sound that Clapton does so well in his slower compositions. A fitting finale.
You need to keep in mind that I am a HUGE Clapton fan when determining if this album is for you. But there is one sure way to find out for yourself. Many public libraries have CD’s that you can check out. Find this album (or any other Clapton album), and give him a listen. He is one of the most influential and important musicians of the twentieth century. I believe if you hear him, you will love him.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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