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Eric
Clapton - Clapton Some artists that have the latitude to create the album they want
instead of the one their fans and label expect are so duty bound or
commercial success oriented that they never take advantage of that
freedom. Neil Young is a notable exception. He has always
done exactly as he pleased. Robert Plant seems to be reveling in
his new found freedom in his work with Alison Krauss and, more
recently, Band Of Joy. Elton John, at least for now, has
turned his back on the glitter and glitz pop material that has been his
staple for most of the last 30 years to record Union, a
wonderful Roots Rock record with Leon Russell. At times in his long
career, it seemed that Clapton wrestled with whether to please
himself or cater to 'Guitar God' expectations imposed by fans. Not
lately. His studio collaboration with JJ Cale a few years ago
featured comfortable, confident guitar work that meshed beautifully with
Cale's own understated playing. On Clapton, the
first new studio album of his own in five years, EC continues in
that mode, choosing material that incendiary solos would be as out
of place in as one of his Ferraris would be at a Prius owners rally. But
unless you just gotta have wailing guitar solos that make the hair on the
back of your neck stand up, this album still provides plenty to
appreciate.
Clapton chooses slightly lower profile Pop Standards than Rod Stewart
drew on for his American Songbook series of releases, turning in
stellar versions of Autumn Leaves (Johnny Mercer) and
Rockin' Chair (Hoagy Carmichael), and works in a
couple of Fats Waller tracks along the way. Contributions
from Cale, his long ago Blind Faith band mate and recently
frequent collaborator Steve Winwood, Allen Toussaint,
Wynton Marsalis, Derek Trucks and Sheryl Crow fit the
songs and moods perfectly, as does the overall production feel mastered by
Clapton himself with Doyle Bramhall. Bramhall
gets credit too for being open to bringing in lesser known but equally
talented performers, including the gospel trained organist of a
Shreveport, LA. church recommended by friend and fellow producer Brady
Blade Jr., son of the minister. Bramhall's only
instruction to 35 year-old Sereca Henderson was to, 'just play
it like you feel.' Clapton was recently quoted as being uncomfortable with the quality
of his voice. While its range and strength were sometimes
overwhelmed by the intensity and volume of his own playing and that of his
band mates on earlier solo albums and during his band days, his recent
material lets him stay in a comfortable zone. He may wish it was
stronger or more versatile, but plenty of better singers would exchange
some range to be able to play guitar like EC can. ShreveportTimes.com
