Classic Clapton

MONEY AND CIGARETTES continues in the vein of his previous four Polydor albums, with a sound and style rooted in the Memphis-Chicago-Texas-Great Plains-Louisiana-Detroit blues/R&B/rock & roll axis. Featuring such great musicians as bass master Donald "Duck" Dunn, and with Tom Dowd once again producing, Clapton produces a set of classic songs, especially "The Shape You're In", in which he confronts his wife for her excessive alcohol consumption; "Ain't Going Down", which is about perseverance in the face of adversity, and "I've Got A Rock & Roll Heart", which pays tribute to the music he loves. The album didn't do well commercially, but musically, it's another classic.

Not for the bargain bins

I was first turned onto this album when I was just getting into music (around 1986). I bought it on cassette from a cut-out bin at some department store for about 2 bucks. It was my first experience with Clapton. I enjoyed it then and now owning more than 20 Clapton C.D's, I still find myself listening to it quite often. Is it his best? No, but it still has a simple quality that I enjoy quite a bit.

Three good songs only -- but they are very good

I recommend this album on the strength of three very good tracks: The Shape I'm In (a laid-back rocker that actually works for a change, and boasts some stinging guitar solos); Ain't Goin' Down (first time he had sounded like Derek and the Dominoes in a long, long time); and Crosscut Saw (classic Clapton blues rock). Unlike the "professional" review Amazon opens up with, I would totally disagree that the hit, "Rock'n'Roll Heart," "sums up this album." That's the worst track on it. Sad to say, but for me, this was the best of a very dismal, long string solo Clapton albums going back to Ocean Blvd.