Good Music With A Happy Tone

Its true, Eric Clapton's best performances are when he is singing and playing the blues. His cutting guitar licks and passionate vocals on previous releses like Disraeli Gears, Layla And Other Love Songs, and From The Cradle are certainly Great A performances.

Clapton's Voice Takes Center Stage: A Wide Range of Music All Great

This CD is not a Clapton CD that centers on his great and powerful guitar play but it is a mellow Clapton using the full range of his voice that is outstanding in its range. In a sense, the CD reminds me of the spirit of John Lennon's contributions on his Double Fantasy album where he sings of his family and matrimonial life. An example is the great tune "So Tired" with a great guitar lick in the refrain but this rock sounding tune's lyrics speak to the challenge of parenthood, raising young children that steal your sleep. But the song still sounds great and throughout the CD, Clapton's voice is powerful and strong and that is the selling point of the CD. Clapton is an unusual rocker in that he could always sings with an extraordinary voice but he is unusually articulate for a rocker. That is well proven here as he sings soft songs that sound almost like standards such as "Run Home to Me" but there is sheer beauty in his vocals and in the slow sounds of "Back Home" or "Say That You Will". Clapton is fearless about singing not only slow songs but with a range of sounds supported by a wonderful group of background singers that frame his voice perfectly as Clapton effortlessly sings, never intimidated by how great they sound because he is a match for their quality of sound and it is quite mesmerizing how he not only holds his own with them but actually makes them sound better as he is up to the challenge of every song particularly when he sings the blues such as on "Lost and Found". One of the great love songs though is "Piece of my Heart " particularly when the chorus kicks in `Almost Heaven' after leading with the lyric "I love everything about you baby, never let our love fall away". Another bluesy song with a great twanging guitar is 'One Track Mind" featuring a nice back beat. Clapton includes a tribute to George Harrison with "Love Comes to Everyone" from the album "George Harrison where Clapton did the guitar introduction. Works better for Harrison's higher pitched voice but a catchy rendition capturing the instrumental sound of the original. This is Clapton showing the range of his voice and the current sentiments of his life as he has moved on to a happy stage. It's unfair to expect an artist to not grow or change in a long career particularly Clapton's that is now over 40 years old. This is a CD that a long time fan will enjoy particularly someone involved in an intimate, mature relationship and grown up like Clapton himself, as the music and the quality will not disappoint.

Why would anyone listen to Eric Clapton for easy listening?

With Back Home, Eric Clapton has released an easy listening album. The question is, why would anyone listen to Eric Clapton for sappy pop music? His talent is his guitar, not his voice - if I wanted pop, I would listen to Paul McCartney. Eric's voice is okay, but not great, and while there are a few decent guitar riffs here, it doesn't compare to his better CDs in any way.