Eric Clapton has been in the spotlight for close on fifty years and the portrait of his artistry is a complex one – from his early days as a guitar icon to a songwriter of great sensitivity, as well as an interpreter of everything from blues and jazz to rock and country music. He has fashioned albums in many different styles and with many different themes, yet few have the sense of oneness that pervades Slowhand.
Slowhand was recorded at Olympic Studios in South West London in May 1977 and was produced by Glyn Johns. Released in November 1977, Slowhand was the most successful album of Clapton’s 70s studio recordings. It reached No.2 on the Billboard chart, where it stayed for five weeks, spending a total of seventy-four weeks on the American album chart.
Slowhand features Wonderful Tonight, Lay Down Sally and Cocaine – songs that are still heard regularly on radio and at Eric Clapton’s live shows. So long after it’s release is a great recommendation and testimony to its place in Clapton’s canon. The album includes cover versions of songs written by some of his favorite songwriters (JJ Cale, John Martyn, Don Williams, Arthur Crudup) along with original compositions by Eric Clapton.
Both the Super Deluxe Edition and Deluxe Edition feature four Slowhand session outtakes (three of them previously unreleased) “Looking At The Rain”, “Alberta”, “Greyhound Bus” and “Stars, Strays And Ashtrays”.
A week before the Slowhand sessions commenced, the band performed at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. The Super Deluxe Edition captures the complete 14 track Hammersmith Odeon, April 27, 1977 concert on two CDs, while the Deluxe Edition features 9 tracks from the Hammersmith Odeon concert. Songs featured at the Hammersmith Odeon show include “Tell The Truth”, “Knocking On Heaven’s Door”,“Can’t Find My Way Home”, “Stormy Monday”, “Badge”, “I Shot The Sheriff” and “Layla”.
Eric Clapton
Album – ‘Slowhand’ 35th Anniversary Multi-format reissue – November 30
