Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard

 clapton's studio album
You remember back in the 70's when it seemed like side one of a record always contained the most memorable songs? Well in this case it's the second side that has the best songs, specifically the final three- the emotionally brilliant "Let it Grow" with its ending you don't want to EVER end, the funky and bluesy "Steady Rollin' Man", and the poppy goodness that is "Mainline Florida". People can take their "I Shot the Sheriff" but it's NOT the best song on the album. Remember- hit songs don't equal best songs. Never has and never will. March 30, 2008

 batcall
He was thought to be washed up and gone before this LP. Some friends got together and encouraged him to put this out. You can see why he was called the guitar god. Can't be beat. September 12, 2007

 "Get Ready" 5 stars with the bonus tracks and 4 on the original
As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

"461 Ocean Boulevard" Clapton's 1974 album on so many levels is important not only for deserving its rightly place in your CD collection but for the myriad of reasons.

What makes this particular release fascinating is the incredible diversity of those that have purchased this either as an 8-Track tape, cassette, LP, and or CD. There are those that are the Clapton collector. Searching for every note they seek any product to get their fill. Others that are into the Mayall/Yardbirds/Cream/Blind Faith/ and Derek & The Dominos with such passion that they are leery to venture into solo material with few exceptions and finally those that don't know his legacy but pick up music as they hear it on the radio. The one road that brings them all together is "461 Ocean Boulevard." Although the songs aren't structured for those that clamor for the guitar hero, they are strong enough that this record and the self-titled Eric Clapton are represented.

"Motherless Children" may be listed as a traditional song but the first time the slide was put to the six string Clapton took possession. The vocals and the instrumentation create a natural sound that engulfs your ears from the first listen. "Give Me Strength" slows the tempo a bit and has blues stamped all over. Interestingly enough is Eric penned this song. It could pass for a cover but this is Clapton 74. "Willie And The Hand Jive" saw excessive airplay on the Album Rock and progressive stations after the record hit the shelves. With the mix of reggae and funk there is something magical the way Clapton took on something out of the realm and made it such a terrific creation. "Get Ready" which Clapton wrote with Yvonne Elliman solidifies how his ego was in check here. These were not hired hands but a band to him. Elliman and Marcy Levy offered strong vocals to the mix, Jamie Oldaker picks his spots well as a drummer, Carl Radle's bass-lines are respected through the continents, Dick Sims may not be known to the masses but he is no stranger to the professional, and George Terry was not specifically second guitarist. During the years with Clapton in the live setting he was allowed to take a few solos and not be relegated to all rhythm all the time. Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff" not only is one of the most impressive covers of the period but opened the door a crack for those to explore the music of the Whalers, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, etc. "I Can't Hold Out" is sometimes criticized for being too laid back as Eric puts the blues to work. "Please Be With Me" mixes a folk and Gospel approach. "Let It Grow" is majestic in its splendor. A timeless tune that will never age. "Steady Rollin' Man" gives us a dose of the blues in upbeat fashion. The finale is a perfect choice. "Mainline Florida" has the memorable riff and the exact energy to be four minutes without a single flaw.

If you want a very good record to become excellent in the blink of an eye, all you do is pick up the remastered version with 26 songs and 2 CD's! Combining session out-takes with live material the end result more than doubles the original LP. If you want a treasure check out Clapton's live version of "Smile." Think Sinatra meets Slowhand!

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
August 25, 2007

 TANNED, RESTED, AND READY, CLAPTON COMES BACK MELLOW, BUT STRONG, WITH 461 OCEAN BOULEVARD !
Eric Clapton recorded 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974) after kicking his heroin habit, and during the time he was living at, you guessed it, 461 Ocean Boulevard in Miami, Florida (the house is pictured on the album cover). This is a strong Eric Clapton album, even though it's nothing like a Cream or a Derek and The Dominos album. His time in Florida definitely affected his outlook on life, and that's not a bad thing. The album really rocks in some places, like Motherless Children and Mainline Florida, but the rock is fun and laid back, not foreboding or contentious. There is some blues on the album, as he covers Elmore James' I Can't Hold Out, and Robert Johnson's Steady Rollin' Man, but again, these songs have an easy-going feel to them, too, and they are very good. The huge reggae hit, Bob Marley's I Shot The Sherriff, put Clapton's solo career on track, and of course, sounds great. Clapton plays his dobro on Cowboy's Please Be With Me (his late friend, Duane Allman, played dobro on the original). Let It Grow has a layered acoustic/electric guitar sound, a steady, leisurely beat, and is classic Clapton. Recording artist/actress Yvonne Elliman sings backing vocals on the album, and trades lead vocals with Eric on the funky Get Ready. 461 Ocean Boulevard is a very good, laid back album, with some solid guitar work blended in with the mellow atmosphere and carefree rocking beat of most of the songs. It's also one of Eric Clapton's best solo albums. July 3, 2007

 Barcardi 151 Ocean Boulevard
The comeback. Claptons passion for the blues is doing the talking here, but still slowhand makes the best album of his career. He had replaced his heroin addiction with an alcohol fixation, which made him very laid back, but it all works here very well. February 18, 2007

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