Album Review: Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)

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

Album Review: Eric Clapton - Slowhand (1977)

The last Eric Clapton album I did a review for was Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos, and boy was it an impressive album.  Indeed, it is considered by most critics to be Clapton's magnum opus.  However, there was more to Eric Clapton outside of his group work - generally speaking, he is thought of first and foremost as a solo artist, even if his best material was with bands such as Cream and the aforementioned Derek and the Dominos.  I'd been wanting to write a review for a solo Clapton album for a while, and I decided to go with Slowhand, as it contains three songs that I'm particularly fond of, and a fourth one that I just heard for the first time and thought was pretty damn good.  So here goes.  The best songs are on the first half of the album - "Cocaine", "Wonderful Tonight", Lay Down Sally" and "Next Time You See Her."  The first three you'll most likely recognize either from the radio or from Clapton's best of and greatest hits compilations.  The middle of the album gets a bit tepid, including a lengthy 8 minutes or so track called "The Core."  However, the album soon redeems itself and finishes on a pleasant note with the instrumental "Peaches and Diesel."  Rated as one of Clapton's best offerings, this album offers plenty for the discerning 70s rock lover, and of course, those who are just getting into the depths of Clapton's music.  "Next Time You See Her" will be my go-to Clapton song for a while, methinks.  That aside, there's plenty of great stuff on this album.  Check it out.  A-