Clapton Chronicles: The Best Of Eric Clapton CD

It is hard to effectively document in one collection the career of an artist who is as much a vital part of popular music history today as when he reluctantly ventured into a solo career in 1970. CLAPTON CHRONICLES offers an interesting mix of Slowhand's soundtrack-ready acoustic ballads from the '90s and his electric guitar-driven pop-blues from the '80s.

"My Father's Eyes" is an emotionally uplifting song about a man's search for his identity through his relationship with his father. "Tears in Heaven," the bittersweet eulogy to Clapton's son, may be his most timeless composition and performance. His groundbreaking "MTV Unplugged" performance produced a new arrangement of his plea to Patti Harrison, "Layla." This approach hinted at a new direction for Eric Clapton's music. Clapton's roots break through on the down-and-dirty Delta blues-tinged "Before You Accuse Me." He stands among very few who have carried their musical heart with them throughout their career and have stayed true to it.

Live Recording

Engineers: Allen Sides, Brad Gilderman, Alan Douglas.

Personnel: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar, dobro); Gary Brooker (vocals, keyboards); Jerry Williams (guitar, background vocals); Darryl Crookes, Andy Fairweather Low, Phil Palmer, Robert Cray, Steve Lukather, Tim Pierce (guitar); Gayle Levant (celtic harp); Michael Brecker (saxophone); Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker (trumpet); Dave Bargeron (trombone); Greg Phillinganes, Joe Sample, Richard Tee (piano); Jeff Bova (organ); Greg Curtis (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Chuck Leavell, Jamie Muhoberac, Simon Climie (keyboards); Peter Robinson, Michael Omartian, Randy Kerber, Robbie Kondor, Richard Cottle (synthesizer); Nathan East (bass guitar, background vocals); Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass guitar); Phil Collins (drums, background vocals); Jamie Oldaker, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Keltner, Steve Gadd , Henry Spinetti, Steve Ferrone (drums); Lenny Castro (congas, percussion); Carol Steele (congas); Jimmy Bralower (drum machine); Ted Templeman (timbales); Luis Conte, Ray Cooper , Mike Fasano (percussion); Blumpy (programming); Paul Waller (drum programming); Chyna Gordon, Katie Kissoon, Marcy Levy, Tessa Niles, Chaka Khan (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Gary Wright; Alex Haas; Mark Linett; Mick Guzauski; Rob Eaton; Steve Boyer.

Photographers: Kevin Mazur; Norman Watson.

Personnel includes: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar, dobro); Tim Pierce, Darryl Crooks, Robert Cray, Steve Lukather (guitar); Michael Brecker (saxophone); Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker (trumpet); Joe Sample, Greg Phillinganes (piano); Greg Curtis (keyboards, background vocals); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards); Nathan East (bass, background vocals); Phil Collins (drums, background vocals); Steve Ferrone, Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro (drums); Luis Conte, Mike Fasano (percussion); Bumpy, Greg Curtis (programming); Chyna Gordon, Chaka Khan (background vocals).

Producers include: Rob Cavallo, Babyface, Eric Clapton, Russ Titleman, Tom Dowd.

Q (12/99, p.156) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...There are 2 new songs here...to entice the completists....with big-shot Babyface, [Clapton] gracefully updates his trademark sound. And if playing the blues is about expressing pain, then 'Tears In Heaven'...is the genuine article."
Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.120) - "...the time of craftsmanlike albums and Albert Hall residencies, of quietly expensive suits and unassuming legendhood.....stuff to admire and even enjoy....a slow, measured transition from rage to resignation."