Clapton -- CD
Eric Clapton
2010 Reprise Records
No slack from Slowhand, September 28, 2010
By Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)
This review is from: Clapton (Audio CD)
"Clapton" is Eric Clapton's 19th solo album and it comprises covers and originals ranging in sound from Blues to Pop to Jazz. Sounding as great as ever, he is supported by a stellar cast who never overshadow the real star but ably complement.
On the rocking Blues side of things are opening cut the swampy "Travelling Alone", the Gospel-tinged "Judgement day" (with Kim Wilson on harmonica), "Everything Will Be Alright" and "Run Back to Your Side", while on the calmer side of the Blues are "Rockin' chair", "River Runs Deep", "Crazy About You Baby", "That's no way to get along", and "Hard Times Blues".
On the Jazzy side of things are the swinging "My Very Good Friend The Milkman" (with Clapton introducing Walter Richmond and Allen Toussaint on piano, and Wynton Marsalis on trumpet) and the enchanting slow shuffle "How Deep Is The Ocean". "Diamonds Made from Rain" is a piano/organ ballad (a new song with Sheryl Crow on backing vocals). "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful" is sung in a playful tenor with Marsalis once again on trumpet. Closing is the absolutely spectacular "Autumn Leaves" sung in a hushed tremulous baritone and with two fabulous guitar breaks, possibly my favourite version yet!
Nobody does it quite like Slowhand. Splendid!
"Travelin' Alone" (Lil' Son Jackson) – 3:56
"Rocking Chair" (Hoagy Carmichael) – 4:04
"River Runs Deep" (J.J. Cale) – 5:52
"Judgement Day" (Snooky Pryor) – 3:13
"How Deep Is the Ocean" (Irving Berlin) – 5:29
"My Very Good Friend the Milkman" (Lyrics:Johnny Burke, Music: Harold Spina) – 3:20
"Can't Hold Out Much Longer" (Walter Jacobs) – 4:08
"That's No Way to Get Along" (Robert Wilkins) – 6:07
"Everything Will Be Alright" (Cale) – 3:51
"Diamonds Made from Rain" (Doyle Bramhall II, Nikka Costa, Justin Stanley) – 4:22
"When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful" (Harry M. Woods) – 2:51
"Hard Times Blues" (Lane Hardin) – 3:45
"Run Back to Your Side" (Bramhall, Eric Clapton) – 5:17
"Autumn Leaves" (Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prévert) – 5:40