From The Cradle - Eric Clapton > Reviews > Clapton, a return to the blues

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Graet album from agreat artist
Disadvantages:	Not to everyones taste

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Following on from the success of his Unplugged album, Clapton serves up another album full of Blues.
Recorded live in the studio, with the usual rhythm section plus horns, it is spoilt only by Claptons insistence on using a growling voice in parts as if trying to emulate some of his hero’s gruff vocals (Howlin’ wolf to name one)

This is evident on the first track, Blues before sunrise, although it has some great electric slide from old Slowhand on this up tempo track.

Track two, Third degree, is a rather slow, almost dreary, blues with some intriguing lyrics, with Clapton’s voice back on form.

The third track, Reconsider baby, is without doubt the finest on the album, a medium pace tempo number with Clapton tearing out some intricate finger picking on electric guitar and a superb solo and great vocal, this is Clapton at his very best. The driving bass will get your toes tapping to this.

Track four, Hoochie Coochie man, is a favourite of many and may not need an introduction, but again Clapton puts on a fine performance and is in fine voice.

Track five is Five Long Years, a well covered song by many artists and its easy to see why, with distorted guitar and some fine guitar work with some lengthy licks and good vocal this is the type of blues standard that Clapton loves doing and he does it well.

Onto track six and Tore Down is a fast paced number with horns in the background and the rhythm section on fine form.

Track seven sees Clapton on acoustic, (Dobro?) for the first time on this album with an old blues written by Leroy Carr? Backed by piano and harmonic, this is a slowish number reminiscent of the Unplugged album.

Goin’ away baby at number eight on the tracklist is a fairly fast number which is nothing to write home about, a pleasant song ably done, but it does nothing for me, the weakest track on the album.

Track nine is Blues leave me alone, another so-so tune, almost dreary with average vocals and no great guitar licks, but a standard harmonica solo thrown in.

Ten – Sinners prayer is almost a dark tune, with excellent vocals, and a wonderful piano backing and sparse guitar licks thrown in with a short solo from Eric.

Motherless child at eleven sees the return of the acoustic (twelve string?) a bright medium tempo tune will get you tappin’ your toes.

Track twelve, It hurts me too, and some great distorted guitar Clapton trying to do a Howlin’ wolf but a great track nevertheless.

Track thirteen, excellent, vies with track three for best song on the album, with it’s trademark guitar from Clapton and excellent vocal, a classic. Listen to the guitar solo – one of his best.

Track fourteen, Standin’ round crying, has great harmonica backing and is slow, with good vocal from Clapton, and ably backed by the rest of the band. Doesn’t excite me, but give it a listen anyway, it might be your cup of tea.

Back to acoustic for track fifteen with Driftin’ which has a minimal backing and could be an outtake from Unplugged. Good vocal.

Track sixteen is the last on this album, with searing guitar and back to the Howlin’ wolf vocal from Eric, which spoils what would be an otherwise excellent song. A little long at 6.06mins, but gives room for the guitar solo.

All in all a damn good album, if you liked unplugged, this is sort of the electric version, one of his best albums. Go buy it.

Look at Amazon.co.uk and you can hear samples of the first five songs, they have it priced at £5.99 new or £2.09 used, HMV (www2.hmv.co.uk) have it priced at £10.99
and you can listen to samples of all the songs.