Eric Clapton - August

Eric Clapton and Phil Collins joined together for a second collaborative effort with the November 1986 release August. They shared producing chores as Collins pop sensibilities combined with Clapton’s blues/rock foundation to provide a solid and satisfying listening experience.
The drumming and synthesizers may have been very eighties but they allowed room for Clapton’s guitar excursions. It may have been slicker and more polished than many of his past album releases, but it retained his signature sound.
Clapton assembled his usual collection of stellar backing musicians. Greg Phillinganes was back on board as the keyboardist and would become an important part of his touring band for the next several years. Saxophone player Michael Brecker, trumpet player Randy Brecker, and a couple of friends brought their brass sound to five of the tracks and were a welcome addition.
August would only reach number 37 on the American charts, but would continue to sell well for years and ultimately become one of his most commercial successes.
The songs roll smoothly into one another. “It’s The Way That You Use It,” co-written with Robbie Robertson, features a gritty vocal and excellent guitar solo. “Tearing Us Apart” contains a fine vocal by the legendary Tina Turner. “Taking A Chance” finds Clapton’s guitar floating over Phillinganes keyboards. All three tracks were hits on the American Mainstream Rock Charts and received considerable airplay.
“Run” and “Hung Up On Your Love” were both written by Motown soul artist and composer deluxe Lamont Dozier and receive a horn laden treatment in support of his classic guitar playing.
August may be a product of the eighties, but it is good eighties. It remains a good effort by one of rock music’s guitar gods.

Eric Clapton: Donates Personal Item

Rock and Roll Hall the 25th anniversary of Fame Concerts were less than a week away when headliner Eric Clapton pulled out because of gallbladder surgery. By now, we know that Mr. Clapton is recuperating nicely and that even in his absence, the concerts were memorable events. And yet, not everyone is glad. Entry on Eric Clapton's an October 24 facebook page states "I think that it sucks that you had to cancel your Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert in NYC! We paid a small fortune for those tickets!" Even though this "fan" cannot feel Mr. Clapton's pain, he apparently feels hers.To everyone's surprise, Eric Clapton has announced that he will donate his gallbladder to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where it is expected to remain on permanent display. In a statement, Clapton declared "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has long been the home of personal items like Buddy Holly's high school diploma. I am happy to donate this most personal item, an organ from my own body. Now, even though my fans cannot always see me, they will always be able to see part of me. It is my sincere hope that this will satisfy ya, and not slide on by ya."Dr. Hiram Ingraham, President of the Greater Cleveland Gastroenterology Society, offered praise reminiscent of Clapton's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist: "I want to send respect out to the gallbladder that quietly stored and secreted bile while great guitar solos were being created. I want to send respect out to the only gallbladder that attended every Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos concert. I want to send respect out to the only gallbladder to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times."In related news, Clapton's gallstone will be auctioned off by Christie's with proceeds to benefit BUTT, Before U Type, Think.

Eric Clapton: Recovering From Surgery

As previously reported, British guitarist Eric Clapton had to step out of an October 23 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert at New York's Madison Square Garden due to a medical procedure needed to remove stones from his gallbladder. Clapton's publicist currently told BBC News that he is successfully recovering from the operation and that he "remains committed" to dates at London's O2 Arena in February. Clapton was replaced at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gig by buddy guitarist Jeff Beck, with whom he'll play at the O2 Arena dates.

Eric Clapton: Cancels appearance at Rock Hall 25th anniversary concert

The two night 25th anniversary concert as the complete lineup for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum at Madison Square Garden continues to unfold, one major player will be missing.
Eric Clapton, originally scheduled to perform on Friday, October 30th, has cancelled his appearance due to a medical procedure for gall stones, according to a press release from the Hall of Fame.
Clapton willl spend time recuperating at his home in the UK.
Just this week, the Hall of Fame added legendary rockers John Fogerty and Ray Davies to the all star lineup.
Bluesmen B.B. King and Buddy Guy were added last week along with several others. Guy, was slated to perform with Clapton.
Major acts such as U2, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Aretha Franklin, Simon and Garfunkel and Crosby, Still and Nash will perform with particular guests.
The Rock Hall says its working hard on a replacement for Clapton's segment.
Might I suggest, Sir Paul McCartney?

Backless - Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton issued Backless twelve months after the release of his classic, Slowhand, and while it may not have had the consistent brillence of that album, it was still very good.
The cover photo says a lot about this release. A relaxed of its footage and laid back Clapton strumming his guitar. The music would likewise be a mostly mellow collection of various styles and traditions as the best songs run the gamut from rock to blues, even to country.
Old country tune is "Tulsa Time" that receives a rocking adaptation by Clapton and may be the album's best track. It was released as a single in the United States and deserved better than just cracking the top thirty. “Watch Out For Lucy” is another straight rock time and has a primitive bar sound as Clapton cranks up his old guitar for some of his classic playing.
“Promises” which did become a U.S. top ten single is a subtle song with subdued vocals and some understated slide guitar. It almost has a country flavor as the vocals explore relationships.
Clapton returns to the blues with the traditional “Early In The Morning.” He is always at home with a slow blues song and at eight minutes he has room for a couple of guitar solos and tempo changes. A contribution by Bob Dylan, “Walk Out In The Rain” is another bluesy, mid-tempo track, this one yielding an excellent Clapton vocal.
One surprising failure was the J.J. Cale penned “I’ll Make Love To You Anytime.” After the brilliance of “Cocaine” and “After Midnight” this one is just a little too laid back.
Backless is overall just a step below Clapton’s best work. It has stood the test of time well and remains a good listen three-plus decades after its release.

Eric Clapton - Slowhand

After two mellow, laid back, and in some ways lackluster efforts, Eric Clapton returned in May of 1977 with one of the strongest releases of his solo career. If I had to pick the ten best solo songs of his career the first three tracks of this album would all make the list. Slowhand was embraced by old and new fans alike and Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it among the 500 best albums of all time.
Clapton’s guitar playing virtuosity is very evident here as it dominates the sound. The choice of master producer Glyn Johns was a wise one as the album has production values and a balance that were missing on his past solo efforts.
The J.J. Cale song, “Cocaine,” begins the album on a ringing note. Great chords and riffs propel this anti drug song. Rock ‘n’ roll does not get much better than this and it would become an eternal part of his live shows.
“Wonderful Tonight” takes the listener in a change direction. This gentle ballad, written for Patti Boyd (Harrison), features one of his better vocals and the lyrics demonstrate how he had evolved as a songwriter. “Lay Down Sally” was a huge top three hit single in the United States. Its shuffle or staccato guitar sound was unique and Clapton’s vocal fits in well. Marcy Levy, who co-wrote the track with Clapton, provides some memorable vocals.
Another outstanding track was also co-written by Levy. “The Core,” at close to nine minutes, gives Clapton some room to stretch plus contains a nice Clapton/Levy duet. The old Arthur Crudup tune, “Mean Old Frisco,” returns him to his blues roots as he demonstrates some tasty slide guitar technique. “We’re All The Way,” written by Don Williams, is an early Clapton foray into a country sound.
Slowhand was a masterpiece then, and remains one now. For anyone interested in the solo career of Eric Clapton, it all flows through this album.

Eric Clapton swaps: Eric Clapton electric guitar for cricket bat

Eric Clapton brandished a cricket bat instead of a Fender Stratocaster to play a charity match this week.
Eric Clapton XI the rock story assembled, which featured other musicians such as Steve Crook of Juliet The Sun, to play Bunbury Cricket Club.
Speaking to the Sun, Crook revealed that he took the chance to ask the former Cream electric guitar player for tips on how to progress in the music business.
He commented, "He put us in contact with his legendary former manager David English, who's been helping to guide our career".
Crook added that in comeback, Clapton he offered a few tips on how to improve his game of cricket, in special his forward defensive stroke.
The rock story obviously got 15 runs after being given this little bit of advice.
This comes after former Rolling Stones bass guitar player Bill Wyman took part in one of Clapton's charity cricket matches in the summer.