Michael Hepworth
ERIC CLAPTON RETURNS WITH NEW ALBUM ON SURFDOG RECORDS
HOLLYWOOD(Perfect Music Today)9/12/16/–The veteran blues guitarist has returned with a new release on Surfdog Records out of Encinitas near DeL Mar in California with a new album called The LP is produced by none other than Glyn Johns, a true legend in the recording studio from the Eagles and Steve Miller and followed by many more.
The line up backing musicians is also impressive with the likes of Henry Spinetti (drums), Paul Carrack (organ,vocals), Andy Fairweather Low (guitars, vocals) and Chris Stainton (keyboards). What also Stands out about the album is the cover art, a painting of Clapton by Sir Peter Blake, an upbeat pose of the seventy-year old guitar legend who by all accounts now prefers an early night as opposed to a night on the town.
There are a dozen tracks which include covers of songs by Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Robert Johnson, Skip James and Leroy Carr. There are two Clapton originals, and the album was recorded at British Grove Studios in London. Mastering was done by Bob Ludwig and Vinyl Mastering by Bernie Grundman.
Long time Clapton fans will appreciate the bluesy, easy going sound of the album that starts out with a straight blues song “Alabama Woman Blues” by Leroy Carr with strong keyboard work. Slide guitar enthusiast’s will love Clapton’s version of the seldom heard ‘Stones In My Passway’ by Robert Johnson. The closing track on the album is yet another stab at an old standard, a trend we have seen in Clapton’s recent albums, and this time he tries “I’ll be seeing you,” and a very creditable version it is.
His version of Dylan’s “I dreamed I saw St.Augustine” from the John Wesley Hardin album is a strange choice, but Clapton nearly pulls it off. Even though I still prefer the rather basic feel of the original, this version suits his voice quite well. The traditional “I’ll be Allright” ambles along at a nice slow pace with Clapton’s soulful vocals and restrained guitar style that is now his trademark.
“Can’t Let You Do It’ by JJ Cale treads very familiar ground with some nice subtle guitar licks to go along with the catchy rhythm, and he also does a real mellow version of Cale’s “Somebody’s Knocking.” The Skip James song “Cypress Grove” is yet another rare chestnut Clapton has produced from the vaults, and allows him to stretch out a bit on the guitar and is probably his best gutsy blues vocalizing on the album.
Surfdog Records have quite a few acts on their roster and currently also put out albums by Dave Stewart, Brian Setzer and Glen Campbell to name a few
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
http://twitter.com/MrSpiritsman
http://alquimie.com.au/publicatio
0 Replies to “ERIC CLAPTON RETURNS WITH NEW ALBUM “I Still Do.” ON SURFDOG RECORDS”