A mailbox album,if you know what I mean

This is a mailbox album,if you know what I mean. I said the same thing for Julio Iglesias' 1100 BEL AIR PLACE. The only things missing are the geographical location and zip code. The cover photo looks like it could have been taken in Florida because of the palm trees. This is Eric Clapton's debut on the defunct RSO(Robert Stigwood Organization) label. Clapton got the contract with the label through the Bee Gees,whose manager was Stigwood and who would be Clapton's new labelmates. The album's biggest hit is I SHOT THE SHERIFF,a reggae piece by the late Bob Marley. LET IT GROW was also a hit. Both songs appeared on the compilation THE CREAM OF CLAPTON. All the other songs are good.

Eric's best album

Eric was in various blues-rock groups, notably the Yardbirds and Cream, before embarking on a solo career, during which he recorded many excellent albums. This is one of the best, if not the best of the lot. It includes I shot the sheriff, a British top ten hit that topped the American charts, as well as many other outstanding songs.



The album features Yvonne Elliman (best known for her Saturday night fever hit, If I can't have you) on backing vocals. She provides great support for Eric on this album, especially on Let it grow, my favorite song here after I shot the sheriff (on which Yvonne also sings). Eric and Yvonne co-wrote Get ready and sing it as a duet.



The album opens with a traditional song, Motherless children, and closes with a song that Eric wrote about himself, Give me strength. Both of them are great songs, as are all the songs in between.



The musicians are in top form throughout on this classic blues-rock album. If you are a fan of classic rock music and haven't already got this album, what are you waiting for?

Smooth Sounds Of A Laid Back Clapton

Although many are not fans of the latter day pop escapades of Eric Clapton, you'd be hard pressed to find those who don't respect his early work or, at very least, his talent. On 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD we hear a cool, lazy interpretation of the revered guitar hero. The mood is quite buoyant and breezy, often incorporating varied elements of blues, gospel, and reggae as well as a little twist of country into the fray.



Again, Clapton shows-off his mastery of the guitar whether picking his signature blues licks or bringing his instrument to the point of weeping via his liquidy slide work. Strikingly beautiful songs such as "Let It Grow" and "Please Be With Me" are compelling in their own right, somewhat overshadowing the funky yet overplayed "I Shot The Sheriff." And of course, there's still room for a little dirty groove and boogie on "Willie and The Hand Jive," "I Can't Hold Out" and "Mainline Florida," which nicely bookends this southern-tinged stroll. As fine a solo album as he would record, Clapton comfortably achieved a quiet majestic bliss on this easy going release.