The album
461 Ocean Boulevard was released in 1974 and was long overdue
as it was three and a half years since Eric Clapton’s last studio
album Layla and Assorted Other Love
Songs hit the stores. This album
had a new supporting cast that would be the foundation of his band
for his next several recordings.
Clapton's
461 Ocean Boulevard
focuses more on song
compositions rather than searing guitar solos that were trademarks
of Eric Clapton’s past albums. It also incorporates a lot of complementary slide guitar and more of an emphasis on the singing
with great contributions from Yvonne Elliman.
Eric
Clapton’s album 461 Ocean Boulevard has an
outstanding collection
of songs that flow particularly well, as a good LP should. The song
selection incorporates a variety of originals and cover versions.
This time in addition to reworking blues classics he recorded his
interpretation of Bob Marley’s reggae classic “I Shot the
Sheriff”; it become a big hit, a great live version of this song
is on the retrospective Crossroads.
Among the blues artists Clapton plays tribute to include
Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Johnny Otis, Blind
Willie Johnson (not sure why he is not given credit for
"Motherless Children.")
Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard
is a fantastic album. ~
by Barry
Small
©
Grade
A -
Deluxe
edition - Nov.
2004 a deluxe edition of 461 Ocean Blvd. was issued. The additional
material sure looks good, five studio outtakes added to the original
disc, and a live disc. Our
intention is to eventually get this and expand our commentary to
include the bonus material, and is on the shopping when funds
allow.
Having
heard Crossroads 2, Clapton's
live box-set that was recorded during the 1970's, we feel confident
that disc 2 is excellent.
