Set Lists

Back Home review

I grew up listening to Clapton when he had the unofficial title of guitar god among his fans during his early career after releasing brilliant material with John Mayall, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes, and his early solo career. For his new album's review I certainly don't want to compare it to those bands or expect a recording like them as Clapton is at a different place at this point of his career, he's back home.

So with a open minded look, what does Back Home offer? It is mixed with a variety of musical styles that include pop, reggae, rock, and blues, intermixing both original and cover songs. Does it succeed?

The first part of the album is more pop-oriented while the latter  begins to explore a bit more guitar emphasis starting halfway through the disc on "Lost and Found." There are two Reggae inspired numbers, with "Revolution" slated for sure high chart status. That song and the one preceding, a Spinners cover "Love Don't Love Nobody," both include the exceptional back-up singers exquisitely that are featured prominently throughout the album. Clapton certainly gets the George Harrison guitar tone on his cover of Harrison's "Love Comes To Everyone." 

The beat picks up with the blues based "Lost and Found." Next up is "Piece of My Heart," a pop rock track with a bite, that gets sharper on the next song "One Day," one of the better tracks on the album. It has a good balance of guitar, vocals, and accenting horns. 

Two songs are dominated by acoustic guitars and both are enjoyable, the title track to close the album, and "One Track Mind," which has a hit written all over it. It features both acoustic guitar and electric guitar and has elements of 461 Ocean Blvd.

We predict that Eric Clapton's Back Home will be smashing success commercially and think it deserves it. We also think it will stand the test of time. 
by Barry Small © 
Grade  B +

1) "So Tired" (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie) 
2) "Say What You Will" (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie) 
3) "I'm Going Left" (Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright) 
4) "Love Don't Love Nobody" (Joseph Jefferson, Charles Simmons) 
5) "Revolution" (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie) 
6) "Lost And Found" 
     (Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Clapton, Jeremy Stacey) 
7) "Heaven" (Doyle Bramhall II, Suzanna Melvoin, Mike Elizondo) 8) "Love Comes To Everyone" (George Harrison) 
9) "One Day" (Vince Gill, Beverley Darnell) 
10) "One Track Mind" (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie) 
11) "Run Home To Me" (Eric Clapton, Simon Climie) 
12) "Back Home" (Eric Clapton)

Eric Clapton - Guitar, Vocals

Drums
Steve Gadd
Abraham Laboriel Jr.

Bass 
Nathan East

Keyboards
Billy Preston

Guitars
Doyle Brahmall II
Andy Fairweather Low

Backing Vocals
Sharon White
Michelle John
Lawrence Johnson

Guest Musicians
Toby Baker
Chris Stainton
Pino Palladino
Robert Randolph
John Mayer
Steve Winwood
Stephen Marley
Paul Fakhourle

Strings
Nick Ingman
Gavin Wright
Isobelle Griffiths

Reprise/Duck Records
Aug. 30, 2005

PRESS RELEASE

Eric Clapton "Back Home" on New Album Set for Release August 30th, 2005

"Back Home," Eric Clapton's first album of new original material in nearly five years, will be released on Reprise/Duck Records on August 30th.

Featuring twelve songs, five of which were penned by Clapton with creative collaborator Simon Climie, "Back Home" also includes "Love Comes To Everyone" by George Harrison, the Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody," a rendition of Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright's "I'm Going Left," and compositions by Vince Gill, Doyle Bramhall II and others. See below for a complete song listing and writing credits.

Produced by Eric Clapton and Simon Climie, who together also wrote the album's debut single "Revolution," "Back Home" additionally spotlights an all-star backing band, many of whose members have worked extensively with Clapton over the years. Included are drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Nathan East, guitarists Andy Fairweather Low and Doyle Bramhall II, and keyboardists Billy Preston and Simon Climie.

Among the special guests appearing on "Back Home" are Steve Winwood (synthesizer), John Mayer (guitar), Robert Randolph (dobro), Chris Stainton (Fender Rhodes), Stephen Marley (percussion), Abraham Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Pino Paladino (bass) and Toby Baker (keyboards). The album also highlights string arrangements by Nick Ingman and performances by the Kick Horns.

"I wanted to make a studio album without quite knowing what it was going to be," remarks Clapton on the creative impetus behind "Back Home." Working closely with Climie, Clapton began recording over a year ago, working around his touring schedule and family commitments. "We kind of resigned ourselves to the fact that it was going to take a long time," the multi Grammy® Award-winning artist continues, "but when we got stuck or if it wasn't moving fast enough we'd stop and do a Robert Johnson song. That would clear the air and we'd go back and carry on for the new album. As a result, we ended up with a complete Robert Johnson album first, which was released last year as 'Me And Mr. Johnson.'"

It was through the writing and recording process, Clapton explains, that the theme of "Back Home" emerged. "One of the earliest statements I made about myself," he reveals, "was back in the late '80s, with 'Journeyman.' This album completes that cycle in terms of talking about my whole journey as an itinerant musician and where I find myself now, starting a new family. That's why I chose the title. It's about coming home and staying home. Even though," he adds with a laugh, "I'll be out on the road again next year, playing this music."

Source: Reprise/Duck Records

Back Home - Fan Club Edition [DUALDISC - LIMITED EDITION]

"Back Home" will also be available as a special LIMITED Fan Club Edition; Eric Clapton Official Fan Club Edition: One year standard included with purchase Membership includes: Exclusive bonus CD, Limited Edition EC Access T-Shirt, 18 Month Calendar, Limited Edition package includes: Eric's new album Back Home, DVD of Back Home in 5.1 surround sound and high resolution stereo, plus 20-minutes of in-studio & interview footage about the making of the album and 4 Eric Clapton guitar picks.