A couple of weeks ago I wrote a review for Eric Clapton's Slowhand. Now, I try not to write reviews for the same artist within the space of a few weeks, let alone a year. But, not long after I reviewed the album I went and purchased a two-for-one CD which contained both Slowhand and 461 Ocean Boulevard, and I am seriously glad that I did. Slowhand proved to be a keeper - that's why I bought the CD - but I didn't quite expect 461 Ocean Boulevard to be so brilliant. It is a phenomenal album, much more so than Slowhand, which, aside from the hits and a couple of other goodies, I felt was a bit tepid in some places. Almost every track on the album is fantastic, save for the likes of "I Can't Hold Out", which is simply good. "Motherless Children" is great, aside from the fact that, in light of a few tape issues, it clearly needs a remaster. "Get Ready" comes just before Clapton's impeccable cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" and they feel like an almost perfect match in that they blend well when played back-to-back. "Let it Grow" I have on the Timepieces compilation, but I never bothered with it until now, and I regret overlooking it all those years ago. "Steady Rollin' Man" has a great upbeat quasi-blues rhythm reflective of its namesake. All in all, it's an excellent album, and a great starting point for those who wish to check out Eric Clapton's work. A
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