Eric Clapton From The Cradle CD

FROM THE CRADLE won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. It was also nominated for Album Of The Year.

Some 30 years after cutting BLUESBREAKERS with John Mayall, Slowhand is back--and he's plugged in, too. From the Elmore James-styled slide grunge that heralds Leroy Carr's classic "Blues Before Sunrise," to his sweet, pearly tones on an agonizingly slow "Third Degree," it's clear that FROM THE CRADLE really is your parents' Eric Clapton.

Nearly every album Clapton's ever done has had a suggestion of his roots. But there's more than a suggestion of blues on impassioned, unhinged solos like "Five Long Years," "It Hurts Me Too" and "Someday After A While"--Clapton betrays a childlike pleasure in coming out from behind his pop persona, and the joy is infectious.

That's because FROM THE CRADLE is recorded live...that is to say, everyone at once, with no instrumental or vocal overdubs (save for the sweet dobro obbligatos on an old-timey sounding "How Long Blues"). The slower tempos, like a lowdown "Sinner's Prayer" and the acoustic "Driftin'" really showcase his growth as a vocalist (particularly that bullfrog groan, by way of Muddy Waters, whom he honors with an especially faithful cover of "Standin' Round Crying"). And when Clapton leaves Earth orbit on Willie Dixon's "Groaning The Blues," you get the feeling Eric may never leave the blues again. More, please.

Recorded at Olympic Studios Barnes, London, England.

Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Andy Fairweather Low (guitar, acoustic guitar); Jerry Portnoy (harmonica); Tim Sanders (tenor saxophone, horns); Simon Clarke (baritone saxophone, horns); Roddy Lorimer (trumpet, horns); Kick Horns (horns); Chris Stainton (piano, keyboards); Dave Bronze (bass guitar); Jim Keltner (drums); Richard Hayward (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Alan Douglas; Russ Titelman.

Recording information: Olympic Studios, Barnes, London, England.

Photographers: Eric Clapton; Jack English.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Lee Dickson; Ravi Sharman.

Arranger: Kick Horns.

Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar); Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar); Jerry Portnoy (harmonica); Tim Sanders (tenor saxophone); Simon Clarke (baritone saxophone); Roddy Lorimer (trumpet); Chris Stainton (keyboards); Dave Bronze (bass); Jim Keltner (drums); Richie Hayward (percussion).

Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.61) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."
Rolling Stone (10/20/94, p.141) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...This is the plugged-in, all-blues album that old school Clapton freaks have been moaning and groaning for ever since the guitarist gave his two weeks' notice to John Mayall in July 1966..."
Q (10/94, p.107) - 3 Stars - Good - "...The playing is impeccable and Clapton's voice...remains a thing of affecting simplicity..."
Down Beat (12/94, pp.48-49) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good Plus - "...His passion seems authentic, unrehearsed, and there's a sort of moral earnestness to his plea for romantic reconciliation...his struggle with loneliness...and his soul-wrenching rejection of sadness....Clapton's slide guitar explodes ...like the Second Coming of Elmore James..."