| Eric Clapton | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 12 August 1970 (US) [1] | |||
| Recorded | November 1969 – March 1970 | |||
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:11 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Delaney Bramlett | |||
| Eric Clapton chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Eric Clapton | ||||
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Eric Clapton is the debut solo studio album by English rock musician Eric Clapton, released in August 1970 by Atco and Polydor Records.
After being in several successful rock bands including The Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton recorded an album under his own name in late 1969 and early 1970. The album cover, photographed by Barry Feinstein, [2] depicts Clapton sitting in a Los Angeles photo studio [3] while smoking a cigarette, his Fender Stratocaster Brownie electric guitar leaning between his legs.
Clapton recorded some tracks in November 1969 at London's Olympic Studios and went on to record more songs in 1970 in two sessions; one in January 1970 at the Village Recorders Studio in West Los Angeles and a second session in March the same year at Island Studios in London. A large number of musicians that worked with Clapton on the album had been working with the band Delaney & Bonnie, which previously opened the Blind Faith gigs. The musicians included the core of Derek & the Dominos, including co-creator and co-songwriter Bobby Whitlock, who can be heard on "Let It Rain". Despite posing with a Fender Stratocaster for the first time on the album cover in August 1970 Clapton States he recorded the album with a Gibson Les Paul in his auto biography. He also stated that he first recorded with a Stratocaster in 1974 in his auto biography.
The song "Let it Rain" had originally been recorded with different lyrics as "She Rides". Three mixes of the album were done, one by Delaney Bramlett, one by Tom Dowd and one by Clapton himself. The 11-track album, Dowd mix was the one used for the original release. Bramlett's 10-track album mix without "Told You for the Last Time", is included in the Deluxe Edition released on CD in 2006. [4]
In an interview from 2006, promoting The Road to Escondido , Clapton recalled that he was very happy making this album and was pleased with the results of the recording sessions, but also noted that "the only thing [he] didn't like about the album is [his] voice", because it sounds so "high" and "young", which Clapton disliked, because he "always wanted to sound like an old guy". [5]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B [7] |
| Q |  [8] |
Contemporary reviews were largely positive. Rolling Stone noted the "warm, friendly" aspect of the record, commending "Clapton's voice" and the "mean guitar". [9] Robert Christgau rated the album with the "B" mark and noted: "I blame a conceptual error, rather than Clapton's uncertain singing, for the overall thinness. As a sideman, Clapton slipped into producer Delaney Bramlett's downhome bliss as easily as he did into Cream's blues dreamscape, but as a solo artist he can't simulate Delaney's optimism". [7]
In a retrospective review for AllMusic Stephen Thomas Erlewine feels that Clapton "sounds more laid-back and straightforward than any of the guitarist's previous recordings. There are still elements of blues and rock & roll, but they're hidden beneath layers of gospel, R&B, country, and pop flourishes. And the pop element of the record is the strongest of the album's many elements". Erlewine finishes his summary by stating "it's encouraging to hear him grow and become a more fully rounded musician, but too often the album needs the spark that some long guitar solos would have given it. In short, it needs a little more of Clapton's personality." [10] Q magazine described the album as swinging "like leaves in the breeze". [8]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Slunky" | Eric Clapton · Bonnie Bramlett | 3:34 |
| 2. | "Bad Boy" | Clapton · B. Bramlett | 3:34 |
| 3. | "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home" | Leon Russell · B. Bramlett | 3:29 |
| 4. | "After Midnight" | J. J. Cale | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Easy Now" | Clapton | 2:57 |
| 6. | "Blues Power" | Clapton · Russell | 3:09 |
| Total length: | 17:56 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bottle of Red Wine" | Clapton · B. Bramlett | 3:06 |
| 2. | "Lovin' You Lovin' Me" | Clapton · B. Bramlett | 3:19 |
| 3. | "Told You for the Last Time" | Steve Cropper · B. Bramlett | 2:30 |
| 4. | "Don't Know Why" | Clapton · B. Bramlett | 3:10 |
| 5. | "Let It Rain" | Clapton [11] · B. Bramlett | 5:02 |
| Total length: | 17:11 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Slunky" | 3:33 |
| 2. | "Bad Boy" | 3:33 |
| 3. | "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home" | 3:29 |
| 4. | "After Midnight" | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Easy Now" | 2:57 |
| 6. | "Blues Power" | 3:08 |
| 7. | "Bottle of Red Wine" | 3:06 |
| 8. | "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" | 3:19 |
| 9. | "Told You for the Last Time" | 2:30 |
| 10. | "Don't Know Why" | 3:10 |
| 11. | "Let It Rain" | 5:02 |
| 12. | "Blues in 'A'" (session outtake) (bonus track) | 10:25 |
| 13. | "Teasin'" (King Curtis with Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton & Friends) (bonus track) | 2:14 |
| 14. | "She Rides" ("Let It Rain" alternate version) (bonus track) | 5:08 |
| Total length: | 54:41 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Slunky" | 3:33 |
| 2. | "Bad Boy" | 3:41 |
| 3. | "Easy Now" | 2:57 |
| 4. | "After Midnight" | 3:17 |
| 5. | "Blues Power" | 3:19 |
| 6. | "Bottle of Red Wine" | 3:06 |
| 7. | "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" | 4:03 |
| 8. | "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home" | 3:48 |
| 9. | "Don't Know Why" | 3:43 |
| 10. | "Let It Rain" | 5:03 |
| 11. | "Don't Know Why" (Olympic Studios version) (bonus track) | 5:12 |
| 12. | "I've Told You for the Last Time" (Olympic Studios version) (bonus track) | 6:46 |
| 13. | "Comin' Home" (Delaney & Bonnie and Friends Featuring Eric Clapton, single A-side, 1969) (bonus track) | 3:14 |
| 14. | "Groupie (Superstar)" (Delaney & Bonnie and Friends Featuring Eric Clapton, single B-side, 1969) (bonus track) | 2:48 |
| Total length: | 54:50 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Slunky" | 3:34 |
| 2. | "Bad Boy" | 3:41 |
| 3. | "Easy Now" | 2:58 |
| 4. | "After Midnight" | 3:17 |
| 5. | "Blues Power" | 3:19 |
| 6. | "Bottle of Red Wine" | 3:07 |
| 7. | "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" | 4:04 |
| 8. | "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home" | 3:48 |
| 9. | "Don't Know Why" | 3:44 |
| 10. | "Let It Rain" | 5:03 |
| 11. | "Don't Know Why" | 5:12 |
| 12. | "I've Told You for the Last Time" | 6:47 |
| 13. | "Blues in 'A'" | 10:26 |
| 14. | "She Rides" | 5:09 |
| Total length: | 74:15 | |
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [12] | 18 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) [13] | 85 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [14] | 17 |
| UK Albums (OCC) [15] | 14 |
| US Billboard 200 [16] | 13 |
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [17] | 49 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [18] | 196 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [19] | 162 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [20] | 23 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) [21] | 63 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [22] | 14 |
461 Ocean Boulevard is the second solo studio album by English musician Eric Clapton. It was released in late July 1974 by RSO Records, after the record company released the hit single "I Shot the Sheriff" earlier in the month. The album topped various international charts and sold more than two million copies.
Backless is the sixth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released in November 1978. Produced by Glyn Johns, and released by RSO Records, Backless reached no. 8 on the pop charts. While the single "Promises" only reached no. 37 on the UK Singles Chart, it was a much bigger success in the US, reaching no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up single, "Watch Out for Lucy", was the B-side of "Promises", but reached no. 40 on the Billboard 100 on its own merit. Later in 1980 "Tulsa Time" was #30 on the Billboard 100 with the 1977 song "Cocaine" as B-side. It was Clapton's last studio album to feature his longtime bassist Carl Radle, who died in 1980.
No Reason to Cry is the fourth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released by RSO Records on 27 August 1976. The album was recorded in Malibu and Los Angeles between December 1975 to May 1976. The record went silver in the U.K.
Slowhand is the fifth solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Released on 25 November 1977 by RSO Records, and titled after Clapton's nickname, it is one of his most commercially and critically successful studio albums. Slowhand produced the two hit singles "Lay Down Sally" and "Wonderful Tonight", reached various international music charts and was honoured with numerous awards and recording certifications. In 2012, a deluxe edition was released to celebrate the album's 35th anniversary.
Journeyman is the eleventh solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Heralded as a return to form for Clapton, who had struggled with alcohol addiction and recently found sobriety, the album has a 1980s electronic sound, but it also includes blues songs like "Before You Accuse Me", "Running on Faith", and "Hard Times." "Bad Love" was released as a single, reaching the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart in the United States, and being awarded a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1990. "Pretending" had also reached the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart the previous year, remaining at the top for five weeks.
Behind the Sun is the ninth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 11 March 1985 by Duck Records / Warner Bros. Records. It is Clapton's first collaborative project with Phil Collins who co-produced the album and played on some of the tracks. While recording the album Clapton temporarily split with his wife.
Money and Cigarettes is the eighth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, recorded after his first rehabilitation from alcoholism. Produced by Clapton and Tom Dowd with, apart from Albert Lee, a new backing band of veteran session musicians including Donald "Duck" Dunn, Roger Hawkins, and Ry Cooder. The album was moderately successful commercially, reaching Top 20 chart positions in several countries. Critical reception was lukewarm.
On Tour with Eric Clapton is a 1970 album by Delaney & Bonnie with Eric Clapton, recorded live at the Fairfield Halls, England. Released on Atco Records, it peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 in April 1970, at No. 39 on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified a gold record by the RIAA.
There's One in Every Crowd is the third solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Recorded shortly after 461 Ocean Boulevard, the album features a style similar to its predecessor but did not enjoy similar commercial success.
Another Ticket is the seventh solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Recorded and produced by Tom Dowd at the Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas with Albert Lee, it was Clapton's last studio album for RSO Records before the label shut down in 1983 as it was absorbed by Polydor Records. It received moderate reviews and achieved modest commercial success peaking at No. 18 in the UK charts.
The Cream of Clapton is an Eric Clapton compilation album released in 1995. Additionally, the European and U.S.-versions have a different track listings. The European version had already been released as The Best of Eric Clapton in 1991, though without the track "I Can't Stand It".
Motel Shot is a studio album by Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, released in 1971. The album, their third for Atco/Atlantic and fifth overall, is a mostly acoustic set. The album's title refers to the impromptu, sometimes late-night, jam sessions pursued by touring musicians when on the road.
The Original Delaney & Bonnie, also known by its subtitle Accept No Substitute, is the second studio album by American recording duo Delaney & Bonnie. It was recorded with many of the "friends" that would form the core of their best-known 1969–70 touring band, including Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Rita Coolidge.
Eric Clapton at His Best is a two-LP compilation of Eric Clapton's work after he left his earlier band Cream, released in September 1972. It was concurrently released with a two-LP compilation of Cream tracks, Heavy Cream, along with "at His Best" solo retrospectives by Cream's other members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.
Backtrackin' is a two-disc compilation album by Eric Clapton spanning the years 1966 to 1980. It was released in 1984. The compilation contains all of Clapton's best known songs with Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, and his solo 1970s work through his 1980 live album Just One Night. This compilation album is made in Germany and is only available in the United States as an import. It was originally released by Starblend Records, and has since been reissued by Polydor Records. This 2 CD compilation is currently out of print in some markets while still available in some form in others.
Delaine Alvin "Delaney" Bramlett was an American singer and guitarist. He was best known for his musical partnership with his wife Bonnie Bramlett in the band Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, which included a wide variety of other musicians, many of whom were successful in other contexts.
Skin Deep is the 14th studio album by blues musician Buddy Guy, released in 2008. The album features a number of collaborations including: Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, and Robert Randolph.
"Let It Rain" is a song and single written and released by the British rock musician Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett; it appears on his 1970 debut studio album Eric Clapton. In 1972 it was released as a single as part of the promotion for his compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best
"Easy Now" is a pop rock song, written by the British rock musician Eric Clapton. He wrote and recorded the track for his 1970 studio album Eric Clapton for Polydor Records. The song was also released as the B-side to the singles "After Midnight" in 1970 and "Let It Rain" in 1972. The composition is also featured on the 1972 compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best. The recording was produced by Delaney Bramlett.
"Bottle of Red Wine" is an uptempo blues rock song, written and recorded by the British rock musician Eric Clapton for his eponymous studio album Eric Clapton in 1970 under Polydor Records. The recording was produced by Delaney Bramlett and is of a three-minute and six second duration. Polydor Records released the song as the B-side to the 1970 single release "Blues Power". The song is written in the key of C major, played with the blues scale. Music critic Robert Christgau notes, that the tune does not deserve a "classic status". The title is also included on the 1972 compilation album Eric Clapton at His Best.
